Play it on: PS5, PS4, Windows (Steam Deck N/A)
Current goal: Restore another AI to save the world
2017 was the last time I spent any meaningful time with Aloy and the terrifying armada of robo-dinos and beasts that populates her post-apocalyptic world.
And oh my god, I forgot how much fun the core combat loop of this game is. It's been so long since I played the first one that I can't really remember the specific differences between them Zero dawn And Forbidden West in the hectic moments. But the challenge of juggling bow and arrow shooting (my favorite form of shooting), resource management, trapping, and elemental status effects provides me with a pure adrenaline rush of female hero fantasy. Seriously, this would be my GOTY if it had come out this year (I mean, it kind of happened on PC anyway).
However, the story somehow goes over my head. Like with Zero dawnI feel like this setting and these characters could use another draft or two? Still, I'm starting to really like Aloy as a heroine. The themes of environmental destruction, human greed and artificial intelligence in the plot also provide interesting food for thought… especially when you consider where the Earth seems to be heading in real life (lolsob). Nothing really convinces me, but it's still nice to think about!
Nowadays I crave more difficult challenges So in games, I play on Very Hard and find the fights so rewarding that I'll definitely play through again on Ultra Hard once I'm done. Plus, it's beyond great in motion, making it great for testing and showcasing the impact of any upgrades I make to my PC in the future.
–Claire Jackson
