Horizon Showdown: Zero Dawn or Forbidden West – Where Should You Begin Your Journey?

So, you’re itching to dive into the breathtaking world of Horizon, where humanity clings to survival amidst the ruins of a forgotten age, and colossal machines roam the land. But a crucial question looms: **Should you start with *Horizon Zero Dawn* or jump straight into *Forbidden West? The answer, unequivocally, is **start with *Horizon Zero Dawn. While Forbidden West is undoubtedly a stellar sequel, the experience is significantly enriched, and frankly, more enjoyable, if you’ve first walked Aloy’s path in the original. Let’s break down why.

Why Zero Dawn is Your Best First Step

• Narrative Foundation: Horizon Zero Dawn is, at its heart, a story about discovery. Aloy’s origins, the mysteries of the Old Ones, and the very nature of the world are all unraveled piece by piece throughout the game. Forbidden West directly builds upon this established foundation, assuming you already possess this knowledge. Skipping Zero Dawn is akin to starting a book halfway through – you’ll understand the words, but you’ll miss the context, the emotional weight, and the significance of the events unfolding.

• Character Development: Zero Dawn meticulously crafts Aloy’s character, her motivations, and her relationships. Witnessing her transformation from a shunned outcast to a legendary savior is a compelling journey that makes her actions and decisions in Forbidden West all the more impactful. Forbidden West picks up Aloy’s story a few months later, building directly on her personal growth. You’ll miss that evolution if you skip straight to the sequel.

• Worldbuilding: Guerrilla Games has constructed a rich and complex world with its own history, cultures, and unique ecosystems. Zero Dawn introduces you to this world gradually, allowing you to absorb its lore and appreciate its intricacies. Forbidden West expands upon this world, introducing new tribes, regions, and threats. However, understanding the established world is crucial for fully appreciating the nuances of the new additions.

• Gameplay Progression: Zero Dawn provides a gentle learning curve for the game’s combat mechanics, crafting system, and exploration elements. You’ll gradually master Aloy’s skills and abilities, preparing you for the more challenging encounters in Forbidden West. Jumping straight into the sequel can be overwhelming, as it throws you into a more complex system with little explanation of its underlying principles.

• Emotional Investment: More than anything, it’s about experiencing the story’s emotional core as it was intended. You connect with Aloy, empathize with her struggles, and celebrate her triumphs. This emotional investment is crucial for fully appreciating the narrative of Forbidden West.

The Forbidden West Experience is Enhanced by Zero Dawn

While technically you can play Forbidden West without playing Zero Dawn, the experience is drastically diminished. Imagine watching the final season of a TV show without having seen any of the previous episodes. You might get the gist of what’s happening, but you’ll miss the emotional connections, the character arcs, and the subtle nuances that make the story so compelling.

Forbidden West assumes you know the characters, the history, and the mechanics established in Zero Dawn. Without this knowledge, you’ll be constantly playing catch-up, struggling to understand the motivations and relationships of the characters around you. Ultimately, playing Zero Dawn beforehand transforms Forbidden West from a visually stunning action game into a truly unforgettable and deeply resonant experience.

Horizon’s Future is Bright

A third mainline game in the Horizon series is in the works at Guerrilla Games, who announced plans to expand the world of Horizon with Aloy’s next adventure. The world of Horizon has plenty more to give.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I skip Zero Dawn and play Forbidden West?

Technically, yes. However, Forbidden West is a direct sequel that continues the plot of the first game. You’ll miss a lot of crucial information, especially concerning characters like Faro. While you can piece things together, the emotional impact and narrative depth will be significantly lessened.

2. Is Horizon Forbidden West better than Zero Dawn?

Many consider the gameplay in Forbidden West to be a significant improvement over Zero Dawn. Fighting is more engaging and agile, and the climbing mechanics are greatly improved. The storyline in Zero Dawn is considered superior for many people though.

3. Is Horizon Forbidden West a direct sequel to Zero Dawn?

Yes, Horizon Forbidden West is a direct sequel to Horizon Zero Dawn, continuing Aloy’s story and building upon the world and lore established in the first game.

4. Is Forbidden West worth getting?

Absolutely! Horizon Forbidden West is widely considered one of the best games of recent years. The quality gameplay is amazing.

5. Is Horizon Forbidden West bigger than Zero Dawn?

Yes, Horizon Forbidden West features a larger map than Horizon Zero Dawn, offering more to explore and discover.

6. How long is Horizon Zero Dawn?

When focusing on the main objectives, Horizon Zero Dawn takes around 22½ hours to complete. A completionist playthrough can take up to 61 hours.

7. Is Forbidden West the same map as Zero Dawn?

No, Horizon Forbidden West features a completely new map that is larger than the one in Zero Dawn.

8. Do I need to play Frozen Wilds before Forbidden West?

While not strictly required, playing the Frozen Wilds DLC for Zero Dawn is recommended. There are some dialogue lines in Forbidden West that reference events from Frozen Wilds, which will provide additional context and enrich your understanding of the story.

9. Is Aloy LGBTQ?

Burning Shores, the DLC for Forbidden West, explores a possible romance for Aloy with another woman and stands behind Aloy being potentially queer.

10. How old is Aloy in Horizon Zero Dawn?

Aloy is 18 or 19 years old during the events of Horizon Zero Dawn.

11. Can you romance in Forbidden West?

Unfortunately, there are no romance options available for Aloy in Horizon Forbidden West.

12. Is Ghost of Tsushima better than Horizon Forbidden West?

That’s a matter of personal preference! Both are amazing games, both are open world adventures.

13. Can you permanently override machines in Forbidden West?

Yes, you can permanently override machines in Horizon Forbidden West by upgrading the lasting override ability to level 4.

14. Will Horizon become a movie?

Yes! There are two premier dates! Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1 will release in theaters on June 28, 2024. The second part of the saga will continue a few months later and will release on August 16, 2024.

15. Is Forbidden West a masterpiece?

Many critics and players consider Horizon Forbidden West to be a masterpiece, praising its improved gameplay, stunning graphics, compelling story, and charismatic characters. Those interested in games and their impact on learning can visit the Games Learning Society website for more information and resources: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.