Should You Play Horizon Zero Dawn Before Diving into Forbidden West? The Definitive Answer
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The question of whether to play Horizon Zero Dawn before Horizon Forbidden West is one that plagues many newcomers to Guerrilla Games’ stunning post-apocalyptic world. So, here’s the straight answer: Yes, absolutely play Horizon Zero Dawn first. While you technically can jump straight into Forbidden West, you’ll be doing yourself a massive disservice. Zero Dawn isn’t just a prequel; it’s the foundation upon which the entire narrative, emotional impact, and world-building of Forbidden West is built. Skipping it is like starting a complex novel halfway through – you’ll understand the words, but you’ll miss the depth, the nuances, and the emotional resonance.
Why Zero Dawn is Essential: More Than Just a Prequel
Horizon Zero Dawn isn’t just a game you play to “catch up” on the story. It’s a masterclass in world-building and narrative design, meticulously crafting a world that slowly reveals its secrets layer by layer. Here’s why it’s crucial:
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Understanding the Lore: Zero Dawn slowly unravels the mystery of the Old Ones, the catastrophic event that wiped out civilization, and the origin of the machines. You’ll discover the story of Project Zero Dawn, GAIA, and the subordinate functions – knowledge that’s vital to comprehending the stakes and character motivations in Forbidden West. Without this foundational understanding, Forbidden West’s narrative will feel disjointed and confusing. Imagine trying to follow the intricate political landscape of Game of Thrones without understanding Robert’s Rebellion.
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Aloy’s Journey and Character Development: You experience Aloy’s journey from outcast to savior in Zero Dawn. You witness her struggles, her triumphs, and her growth as a person. This intimate connection to Aloy is fundamental to appreciating her arc in Forbidden West. Starting with the sequel means missing out on the emotional investment built up in the first game, potentially leading to a less impactful experience. You won’t truly understand her motivations and fears without having been there for her origins.
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Introduction to Key Characters: Several crucial characters from Zero Dawn return in Forbidden West, and their relationships with Aloy are built upon the events of the first game. Understanding their history, their motivations, and their impact on Aloy is essential to appreciating their roles in the sequel. Imagine meeting a character and knowing you’re supposed to care about them, but you’re missing the context of why you should care.
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Faro’s Significance: Ted Faro is a central figure in the Horizon universe. His actions led to the apocalypse. In order to truly understand the importance of what you are playing with Forbidden West, you should experience Zero Dawn’s world and lore first.
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Gameplay Mechanics and Progression: While Forbidden West refines and expands upon the gameplay of Zero Dawn, the core mechanics, such as crafting, combat, and exploration, are introduced and mastered in the first game. You’ll have a smoother learning curve in Forbidden West if you’re already familiar with these systems.
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Emotional Impact: Experiencing the mysteries and revelations of Zero Dawn firsthand is incredibly impactful. The emotional weight of certain plot points in Forbidden West is significantly diminished if you haven’t gone through the emotional journey of the first game.
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The World of Zero Dawn Still Holds Up: Some might be tempted to skip Zero Dawn due to its age, but it still stands as a visually stunning and engaging experience. Playing it on a PS5 enhances the visuals and performance, making it feel remarkably modern. The unique storytelling is also unmatched and the gameplay has not lost its luster.
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The Frozen Wilds DLC: The DLC to Zero Dawn, titled The Frozen Wilds, is also something you should consider playing before going into Forbidden West. It adds to the lore and offers a look at a place that is mentioned in Forbidden West. The DLC provides more insight into gameplay features that are implemented into Forbidden West.
In conclusion, playing Horizon Zero Dawn before Forbidden West isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a recommendation to experience the story as the developers intended, to build a deeper connection with the characters, and to fully appreciate the richness and complexity of the Horizon universe. It will make Forbidden West all the more enjoyable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Horizon Zero Dawn necessary to understand Forbidden West?
While not strictly necessary in a technical sense, it’s highly recommended. You’ll understand the basic plot, but you’ll miss crucial context, character development, and emotional resonance, which would significantly detract from the experience. You should play Zero Dawn first.
2. Can I watch a story recap of Zero Dawn instead of playing it?
Watching a recap is better than nothing, but it’s a poor substitute for experiencing the story yourself. Recaps often miss the nuances, the emotional beats, and the subtle world-building that makes Zero Dawn so special. Playing the game allows you to connect with Aloy and the other characters in a way that a recap simply cannot replicate.
3. Will I be completely lost if I start with Forbidden West?
You won’t be completely lost, as Forbidden West does provide some exposition, but you’ll likely be confused about character relationships, historical events, and the overall significance of the world.
4. Is the gameplay in Horizon Zero Dawn outdated compared to Forbidden West?
While Forbidden West offers refinements and improvements, the core gameplay loop of Zero Dawn is still engaging and enjoyable. Furthermore, being familiar with the basic mechanics of Zero Dawn will make the transition to Forbidden West smoother.
5. How long does it take to beat Horizon Zero Dawn?
On average, it takes around 22.5 hours to complete the main story of Horizon Zero Dawn. If you want to complete all side quests and explore the world thoroughly, it can take around 61 hours.
6. Is Horizon Zero Dawn difficult?
The difficulty of Horizon Zero Dawn is subjective, but many players find it challenging at first. However, the game provides ample opportunities to learn the combat mechanics, experiment with different strategies, and upgrade your equipment. Slowing down and experimenting with the weapons can significantly improve this.
7. Does Horizon Zero Dawn have multiple endings?
Horizon Zero Dawn doesn’t have multiple distinct endings, but completing all the major side quests before the final mission will unlock extra dialogue and a trophy.
8. Is the Frozen Wilds DLC important before Forbidden West?
Yes, it is important to play the Frozen Wilds DLC before Forbidden West. It builds a lot into the lore of the overall story. There is a gameplay feature that was added into Forbidden West as a result of Frozen Wilds.
9. Is Horizon Forbidden West gameplay better than Zero Dawn?
Yes, the gameplay is better than Zero Dawn. The fighting and climbing is better and more fun. There are new and fun tools and mounts. Overall, Forbidden West is a Masterpiece.
10. Is Horizon Forbidden West as bad as Zero Dawn?
No, Forbidden West is not bad. Forbidden West is more expansive and visually amazing. Zero Dawn has a better plot line and has better characters.
11. Will there be a 3rd Horizon game?
Yes, there will be a 3rd Horizon Game. Guerrilla Games says that their “bright future” includes “expanding the world of Horizon with Aloy’s next adventure.”
12. Is Aloy LGBTQ?
Yes, Aloy is apart of the LGBTQ community. There is an optional same-sex kiss. This caused some controversy in the fan community.
13. How old is Aloy?
Aloy is 18 or 19 years old depending on the time of the year that the game events happen in.
14. What is the hardest machine to beat in Horizon Zero Dawn?
The Thunderjaw is without a doubt one of the hardest machines in the game to take down, thanks primarily to its massive size. The Deathbringer is also considered to be difficult.
15. How is Horizon Forbidden West as a learning game?
While not overtly educational, the Horizon series provides subtle learning opportunities. The exploration of a post-apocalyptic world encourages players to think critically about history, technology, and environmental issues. The game also promotes problem-solving and strategic thinking.
To delve deeper into the educational applications of gaming, consider exploring resources from organizations like the Games Learning Society, which aims to understand and support learning through games. Visit their website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ for more insights.
In conclusion, do yourself a favor: Start with Horizon Zero Dawn. You’ll thank me later.