Here I am sitting while waiting for another one of Q1 or Q2’s great games to arrive on my doorstep. So many great titles so far this year and many more still to come. Still it’s hard to shake off this feeling of leaving Aloy behind. Horizon Zero Dawn still rings in my mind even with games like Resident Evil 7, Mass Effect: Andromeda, Nier: Automata, and Torment: Tides of Numenera under my recently completed belt. Hell, whenever I turn on my PlayStation 4 and make my way past the icon for Horizon Zero Dawn, I just stare at it wishing more content would magically appear within it. The experience was that enjoyable and I really do hope that Guerrilla Games is working on a singleplayer DLC. I’m so enamored these past two months that I just needed to get my feelings out other than with a critical eye. Although Horizon Zero Dawn was the first title I ever gave a 10/10 to since becoming an actual journalist. In an effort to think about Aloy’s adventure as much and long as possible, here’s five things that Horizon Zero Dawn did incredibly right.
THE STORY
The first is probably the most important because it was on everybody’s mind when it was first announced and when they started playing. (Spoilers for this article by the way.) How did the world go to hell in a hand basket and why was humanity once again in tribal form hundreds of thousands of years in the future? I guarantee many were thinking a plague or disease of some kind or humans just nuked themselves to death. Even when we originally found out that Elizabet Sobeck, a brilliant scientist, roboticist, and engineer, was working on a way to stop Faro’s robot swarm (more on that later), we were still wondering what exactly made up Project Zero Dawn. What exactly was this program going to do in order to save humanity?
Turns out it wasn’t so much saving our race as rebuilding it. And it made sense and felt gratifying as a revelation. No cheap cop out so to speak. Sobeck’s plan was to lie to the general public so they’d have hope to hold off a deadly robotic army in order to craft a massive, complex system. This system, Project Zero Dawn, would utilize hundreds of years to basically find the shut off switch to the robot army because they were assimilating or devouring anything organic in order to operate. For a time Earth was an inhabitable wasteland only seen in sci-fi books. When her plan finally disengaged the deadly robots, the rest of Zero Dawn activated.
This system was named after the many Greek gods of old. Each different part would have a function for rebuilding life on the planet through stored samples. For example, the A.I. known as Demeter, Artemis, and Eleuthia would focus on creation, the A.I. Hades would wipe out the planet again if something went wrong, the A.I. Apollo would retain the vast culture and past of humanity for prosperity, and quite a few more dedicated to bringing Earth back up to speed. All of which was overseen and controlled by a master A.I. known as Gaia. Essentially, it was one giant terraforming project and it made complete sense to the plot. As I mentioned it didn’t feel like a cop out or a slap in the face to gamers who wanted to know the big secret behind Horizon Zero Dawn’s story. In short, the cure was appropriate for the disease. It was a bitter sweet way to go about doing things, but it couldn’t have been done any other way looking back.
FARO BEING STUPID
But what about that robot swarm that first destroyed all life? Well, that brings me to my second point in the form of a great character to universally hate. Another (and more idiotic) roboticist, Ted Faro, owned a company that created robotic servants and combat ready machines. It’s just that he went too far and basically made mechanical beasts that thrived on organic matter and could replicate like nobody’s business. In the end his creation doomed the entire world and that’s a lot of grief and guilt for one man. Plus, he had to beg Miss Sobeck for help which wasn’t easy since they were rivals. Then it got even worse when he learned the world couldn’t be saved in the traditional sense.
I won’t lie. I put myself in Faro’s shoes at this point in the story and contemplated what I would have done. Suicide actually came up as a response and I was surprised that he didn’t engage in that act. Surely, you’d assume he’d instead become a reclusive or do everything he can to help Project Zero Dawn right? Nope! He doubled down on his stupidity. Faro killed the rest of the Project Zero Dawn workers because he didn’t want them to interfere with shutting down of Apollo, the part of the system that would reintroduce art, culture, etc. to the new humans. The end result was dooming humanity to a tribal state and taking hundreds of thousands of years to get back to where they were.
Trust me, I never felt like hitting a video game character as hard as Ted Faro. The idiot doomed his species twice because of money, self-image and his distorted sense of morality. I wasn’t the only one either as Reddit and other forums were lit up with “Ted Faro is the worst person in the history of ever” or something like that. Having this kind of person with such flawed logic really drove home the current world of Horizon Zero Dawn. It doesn’t hurt that a game drove up emotion to the point of universal hatred for someone. I’d say as horrible as the character is, he brought a lot to Guerrilla’s baby.
HADES
Now for the present villain in the A.I. Hades. When I first heard the distorted, loud, and mechanical voice scream out that the target has been found, I completely stopped in my tracks like a deer frozen in headlights. The rushed severity of that line’s deliverance made it quite clear that I was dealing with something that shouldn’t be trifled with. The fact that it was teaming up with the Shadow Carja (one of the enemy tribes in the game) only made things worse. Hades’ presence aside as an intimidating off-screen villain, there’s still a mystery about his activation.
You see it wasn’t suppose to activate unless given the go ahead by Gaia to devastate the planet and begin again.Turns out some outside and mysterious signal woke Hades and made it take over the remains of Project Zero Dawn. Which caused all sorts of problems for Aloy and many others in the new world. Although without that event we wouldn’t have had our heroine in the first place. Trust me it’s complicated and something you should find out for yourself. We never discovered who activated Hades by the game’s end, but it didn’t feel cheap like holding out on purpose as sequel bait. While I would love a sequel to Horizon Zero Dawn, everything I did felt complete and nothing was being held hostage in order to acquire more money. However, I’m just as curious as Sylens (the straight forward jerk) on who could have had the power to engage Hades and make him hostile towards his other A.I. counterparts. Faro anybody?
Then the boss battle with Hades at the end of the game. The technical construct brought every powerful machine he could to ravage the land and its people. The explosions, screams, machines rushing forward and literal fire quickly made things quite stressful and set the stage for the final showdown. (Shoutout to getting revenge for Rost’s death too.) Now I had done everything else in the game and was fully upgraded so the boss battle wasn’t too hard. Still the weight of Hades’ plan of killing the world again pulled heavily at my psyche. I was in this world as its protector alongside Aloy. I didn’t want it to die and wanted to finally make things right in a depressing but logical plan gone wrong. Once again the title pulled me in.
BEAUTIFUL ENVIRONMENT
Next, can we talk about how gorgeous and beautiful Horizon Zero Dawn is? I particularly had my breath taken away at the many scenic views and vistas the game offered in a range of environments. Up until that point I thought photo mode was a waste of time. Just an add-on. Never used it in any game until the views of Horizon took me away. Nearly every other minute there was pristine scenery to take in and I wanted to capture it. To the point where taking pictures was just as important as completing side missions. I could go on but the video below speaks volumes for the artistic wonder in Horizon Zero Dawn.
THE MACHINES
Lastly, the machines…or the “robot dinosaurs” that roamed the lands. No one expected these mechanical beasts to be a star in their own right or a safe bet for a video game. After all who immediately hears the words robot dinosaurs and thinks that’s the best idea ever? Well, I suppose Far Cry: Blood Dragon did them justice. Either way the many different machines (that were suppose to help repopulate the Earth) provided a consistent challenge for survival. When I was near water I doubly made sure that there were no Snapmaws around. Just something about being out of your element with creatures that could kill you instantly.
Don’t even get me started on the Thunderjaws. Those T-Rex bastards scared me well into the higher levels and before I figured out how to shoot off their disc launchers. The sound of their feet meeting dirt was scary enough before its roar. My first encounter with a Sawtooth was to run around panicking and not look back. Guerrilla Games made these mechanical beings with a perfect amount of diversity and danger. Even fully upgraded I think twice about jumping into a fight with more than five machines. Their importance to the story was enormous and they delivered in their numbers, instincts, and believably.
Seriously Guerrilla Games, please make a sequel or at least story DLC. I achieved the platinum trophy for Horizon Zero Dawn and still kept playing. Not a single game has made me do that since the invention of PlayStation trophies. You have something really special here and I hope you don’t abandon it. The sequel hopes I have for your title are pretty equal with The Last of Us 2 right now and just below Kingdom Hearts 3. If I can do anything, in my minuscule career or life to help you out, let me know. That’s how much I love your game.
After many years of fans begging Square Enix to remaster Final Fantasy VII, they finally listened and did just that. There were numerous excuses as to why the game’s re-release had lagged behind the re-releases of both VII and IX, with the most common excuse being that the game’s original code was lost years ago. However, the company made it happen and the game is finally available for modern audiences to play on modern hardware today. We’re going to give you 5 reasons why you should do just that.
First time available on modern hardware
As we’ve already said, this is the first time that the game is available on modern hardware. While the game originally launched for PS1 back in 1999, it later got a PC port in 2000. That means that is has been a whopping 19 years since a new version of the game has been available for purchase, and that wait was a brutal one. However, it is finally over and you can now play this classic game on PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch along with PC. If the lack of modern hardware support was stopping you from checking out, that excuse just got thrown out the window.
The visuals look better than ever
Thankfully, Square Enix did not just slap this port together quickly and throw it out there to shut everyone up. They did a terrific job of putting on a shiny new coat of paint for the game, with the character models in particular looking much better. While things like environment textures didn’t get quite the same amount of attention, this is nevertheless the best that the game has ever looked. It also helps that the game is simply beautiful from a design standpoint, with the game’s world being gorgeous to behold even though we’re dealing with the hardware limitations of 1999.
Quality of life improvements
While those who played the game 20 years ago will still be getting what is essentially the same experience, Square Enix did add some quality of life improvements to put it more in line with current JRPGs. These changes include the likes of increasing battle speed by 3 times, shutting off random encounters completely and even a cheat to give you max HP and limit breaks. While these may seem minor, these will go a long way to ease some of the tedium that many feel after some particularly long gaming sessions. Max HP and Limit Breaks will also make the incredibly tough Ultima and Omega Weapon boss fights a lot easier to deal with.
Triple Triad
The Final Fantasy series is known for having its fair share of enticing side quests and mini games, but there isn’t a single one that is as addicting as Triple Triad. The game is essentially a card game that is played on a 3×3 grid, and each card has a certain number on the top, bottom, left and right sides. You need to place your cards in a manner that the numbers on your cards are higher than your opponents, and seeing as your card can be attacked from four different sides this can be tricky. You’re able to challenge many different characters to a match throughout the course of the entire game, and doing so comes with plenty of nice rewards that will make your quest easier.
The game is awesome
While our previous points focused on specific elements of the game, this one is a simple fact that has been true since 1999: the game is awesome. Unfortunately, releasing immediately after Final Fantasy VII (a watershed moment for gaming) put it under a very cruel microscope, with many knee jerk reactions simply saying it “isn’t as good as VII.” However, in the years that have passed people have revisited the game, and the consensus has definitely changed. This adventure that Square created is unlike any other in the series, being host to an ambitious and bizarre plot filled with some of the best characters the series has ever seen. If you’ve played the game before then this is the perfect time to experience this masterpiece all over again, and if you haven’t then what are you waiting for?
2019 has been yet another good year for gaming so far, with several games releasing that will be big contenders for game of the year once the curtain closes. However, despite the year already being more than halfway over, there are still some huge titles on the horizon that are sure to make their own dents on the coming best-of lists. This article will list the 10 biggest games that are still coming in 2019.
Control
A new game from Remedy Entertainment is always highly-anticipated, and Control is no different. The game is an action-adventure game in the same style as Alan Wake or Quantum Break, but with a supernatural twist. Players will control Jesse Faden, who possesses a variety of supernatural abilities like telekinesis, levitation and more. She will be using her abilities in order to defeat an enemy known only as the Hiss, which has corrupted reality. Control launches for PS4, Xbox One and PC on August 27th.
Borderlands 3
It has been many years since the last game in the Borderlands series released, but the hiatus is finally coming to an end very soon. Those who have played previous games in the series will feel right at home with this game, as it’s once again a loot-driven FPS. The game will offer more zany characters and a charming and insane world to explore, all while dealing with new antagonists Troy and Tyreen Calypso along with their Children of the Vault cult. Borderlands 3 launches for PS4, Xbox One and PC on September 13th, with a Google Stadia port release date being TBA.
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon series is returning soon with Breakpoint, which will serve as a continuation of previous game Wildlands. The game is set in an open world environment called Aurora, which is a fictional island in the Pacific Ocean. Players will control Lieutenant Colonel Anthony “Nomad” Perryman, who is a special forces operative that was sent to the island to investigate a series of disturbances in the area. Breakpoint launches for PS4, Xbox One and PC on October 4th, with a Google Stadia port coming in November.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
Each new installment in the Call of Duty series is always huge, but Modern Warfare’s release marks a first for the long-running franchise. It will be the first game in the series that is reimagining of a previous game in the series, taking 2004’s original game and updating its mechanics and themes to match today’s world. The game will still have some of the beats that the first game had, but will also incorporate lots of surprises to make it a fresh experience. Modern Warfare launches for PS4, Xbox One and PC on October 25th.
The Outer Worlds
Obsidian Entertainment’s The Outer Worlds is one that will be very highly-anticipated for fans of Fallout: New Vegas, as this game serves as a sort of spiritual successor to that game. It will be an open world RPG that allows you to explore many unique areas crawling with plenty of deadly foes. Players will also be able to encounter and recruit NPCs as companions that have their own personal missions and stories to take part in. The Outer Worlds launches for PS4, Xbox One and PC on October 25th, with a Switch port also being in the works.
Luigi’s Mansion 3
It seemed very unlikely that Luigi’s Mansion would become a recurring franchise for Nintendo following the original GameCube game, but here we are. Luigi’s Mansion 3 is coming to Switch, which also means it will be the first home console release since the original game back in 2003. This time the game is set in a haunted hotel rather than a mansion, and Luigi has some new tricks up his sleeves to take down all those ghosts. Luigi’s Mansion 3 will launch exclusively for Nintendo Switch on October 31st.
Death Stranding
If you’re looking for the most ambitious (and weirdest) game still coming in 2019, then look no further. Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding has perplexed gamers ever since its announcement, and each new trailer that releases just brings more and more questions to the table. It is Kojima’s first game since breaking up with Konami after the release of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phanton Pain (and the cancellation of Silent Hills), and it looks like Kojima has taken the newfound complete creative control to deliver something truly original. Death Stranding launches exclusively for PS4 on November 8th.
Pokemon Sword & Shield
At this point we all know what to expect from a new Pokemon game, and Sword and Shield seems poised to deliver even more cute creatures for players to capture and battle very soon. What sets Sword and Shield apart from its predecessors is that it will be the first home console release for the series, which is saying something considering the series has been around for over 20 years. Pokemon Sword & Shield launches exclusively for Switch on November 15th.
Shenmue III
If you’re a fan of Shenmue then nothing needs to be said for the inclusion of the upcoming third game on this list. Fans of the series have been waiting nearly two decades for a follow-up to the second game, and in just a couple of months that will finally be delivered to them. Brought to life thanks to an extremely successful Kickstarter campaign, the game continues the adventure of protagonist Ryo Hazuki as he hunts down his father’s killer. Shenmue III will launch for PS4 and PC on November 19th.
DOOM Eternal
id Software’s DOOM 2016 was one of the best FPS games to come along in years, so it’s a no-brainer that the follow-up would be on this list. Eternal is set to offer yet another intense FPS campaign for players to plunge into, while also offering a multiplayer component that greatly improves upon the last game’s underwhelming multiplayer mode. There will also be twice as many demon types than there was in the last game, meaning that the chaos level just got that much higher. DOOM Eternal launches for PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Google Stadia and PC on November 22nd.
Microsoft’s Xbox E3 2019 Press Conference has officially come to an end, and with it came plenty of big announcements to get excited about. Some new games were announced, whereas previously-announced games got new footage and/or release dates. In this article we’ve narrowed it all down to the 5 most exciting announcements.
New Xbox “Project Scarlett” Coming Holiday 2020
We’ve known for a while now that a new Xbox was in the works, but now we know when to expect it. Microsoft’s fourth console (which hopefully has a better official name than Xbox One did) will be a big step up from the previous console. Things like much faster load times, an AMD Processor that is four times more powerful than the Xbox One X, 8K Resolution and 120 FPS were all mentioned. A price and exact release date weren’t mentioned. It will also be launching with…
Halo Infinite Coming Holiday 2020, Launching On Both Xbox One and Project Scarlett
The wait for the next Halo game has been longer than ever before for series fans, and the announcement at E3 revealed that the wait will continue. Halo Infinite will not be launching until Holiday 2020, meaning it will have been 5 years since the previous game released with Halo 5. It will also be launching on Xbox One and Project Scarlett, meaning the new console will have a big launch title for fans to get pumped about.
Cyberpunk 2077 Coming April 2020, Stars Keanu Reeves
It’s hard to pick a game that people have been more excited about than Cyberpunk 2077, and after Microsoft’s press conference we’re even more excited. Not only is it coming in April of next year, but Keanu Reeves himself will be playing a “key” role in the game. Everything shown from the game has looked great so far, so hopefully it all pans out and we have another classic from CD Projekt RED come April 2020.
FromSoftware and George R.R. Martin Collaboration Elden Ring Announced
This one was actually leaked prior to the presentation, but Dark Souls developer FromSoftware and Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin are collaborating on a new game. The game is called Elden Ring, and it will be a departure from the developer’s most recent games as it will be open world. Very little information on the game is known at this point, as it is still in the early stages of development.
Phantasy Star Online 2 Is Coming West
It took a very long time, but the popular MMORPG is finally coming west. The game is coming to Xbox One in a free-to-play form in Spring 2020, so the wait won’t be that much longer. “There will be no limitations on game experiences,”says Sega, because they want to “provide all players with a fair and exciting experience.”
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