Horizon Zero Dawn - Preview Thread [Up: All Previews Live]

Shancake said:
I wrote the preview for Press Start about the game having Dungeons (known as Cauldrons). I spent about an hour playing in one of them, and have footage but unfortunately am not allowed to share it which is a real shame as it's like nothing seen in any other footage.

The Director of Guerrilla said that they were where Robots are created and born so think of them as underground Robot factories.

It's unclear whether there is only one of them or multiple but it was HUGE and not apart of the regular story.

http://press-start.com.au/news/play...n-zero-dawn-features-badass-robotic-dungeons/

In my session with 50+ other outlets, there was only one other person who managed to get to the Cauldron as it was all the way at the other side of the map. Happy to answer any questions :)
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Hello, how did you get to the Cauldron? Was it because of wandering?
 
Kyoufu said:
I don't really get the chatter criticism. Why is it a bad thing for Aloy to talk to herself? Geralt did that plenty when investigating things in TW3 and nobody had a problem with that. I just don't understand why someone would find the character they're playing to be annoying when they talk.
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I agree with this. If anyone who has played The Witcher 3 should know that Geralt talks to himself alot especially investigating using his witcher senses and whenever you're near signs.
 
Kyoufu said:
I don't really get the chatter criticism. Why is it a bad thing for Aloy to talk to herself? Geralt did that plenty when investigating things in TW3 and nobody had a problem with that. I just don't understand why someone would find the character they're playing to be annoying when they talk.
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It's kind of natural to be more harsh with new things (so new IP's when it comes to gaming).
 
Kyoufu said:
Yeah, wolves hunt in packs, but from what I gather, Aloy's chatter is more akin to Geralt's when he's investigating things, no? I guess I need to experience for myself to see if it'd be annoying, but the chatter that people complain about in the E3 gameplay demos were never bothersome to me.
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Maybe, but Aloy seemed especially chatty in some of the earlier previews, especially the stalking scenarios. Maybe it's just because we've seen so many different cuts of that same scenario that it seems like she might be extra chatty, but she really wouldn't stop talking.
 
Can't to see what other crazy machines Guerrilla is keeping secret for boss fights or rare hunts.

Hunting at night is going to be absolutely phenomenal.
 
Shancake said:
I wrote the preview for Press Start about the game having Dungeons (known as Cauldrons). I spent about an hour playing in one of them, and have footage but unfortunately am not allowed to share it which is a real shame as it's like nothing seen in any other footage.

The Director of Guerrilla said that they were where Robots are created and born so think of them as underground Robot factories.

It's unclear whether there is only one of them or multiple but it was HUGE and not apart of the regular story.

http://press-start.com.au/news/play...n-zero-dawn-features-badass-robotic-dungeons/

In my session with 50+ other outlets, there was only one other person who managed to get to the Cauldron as it was all the way at the other side of the map. Happy to answer any questions :)
Click to expand...

You already answered my most important question. I wanted to know that there is quality content outside of main quests and even if I already got an answer from most previews (sort of), The Cauldrons beign optional is something I didn't know and sounds fantastic.
 
He is not complaining because Aloy talks to herself... you guys are full defense force now. He is saying she talks so much to the point that it's annoying
 
MegaSackman said:
You already answered my most important question. I want to know that there are quality content outside of main quests and even if I already got an answer from most previews (sort of), The Cauldrons beign optional is something I didn't know and sounds fantastic.
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There's a number of different missions/quests.

Main missions - standard
Side quests - standard
Errands - found whilst exploring the world
Tall Neck - climbing Tall Necks
Hunting Grounds
Cauldrons

There's maybe 1-2 more that I've forgotten.
 
And honestly, with the excellent work that Ashly Burch has done with Aloy's voice, I would want to hear more of her, not less. *shrug*

We'll see how it ends up feeling in a few weeks.
 
Blue Ranger said:
He is not complaining because Aloy talks to herself... you guys are full defense force now. He is saying she talks so much to the point that it's annoying
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Jones? That's not entirely true. His complaint is centered around the fact that her dialogue seems to be geared more towards the player rather then something a person in that situation would say out loud.
 
isaacnukem said:
Hello, how did you get to the Cauldron? Was it because of wandering?
Click to expand...

Yeah. We were told to try and make our way there as it is the most difficult part of the game. It was in one of the far corners of a map hidden behind a massive metal door and protected by a number of robots.
 
isaacnukem said:
Was it far? Did you walk or ride to get there?
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It's hard to say as we were put in the game with no context of what had happened earlier. It's definitely not near where you start in the game. I rode there. Would have been too far to walk. Obviously this probably wasn't the full map unlocked so it's quite clear that these are spread out.
 
Kyoufu said:
I don't really get the chatter criticism. Why is it a bad thing for Aloy to talk to herself? Geralt did that plenty when investigating things in TW3 and nobody had a problem with that. I just don't understand why someone would find the character they're playing to be annoying when they talk.
Click to expand...
I never understood this criticism either, like I hate how characters are too quiet in games, I would think if I seen have the shit video game characters have seen, I would be talking to my self too.
 
Sanctuary said:
LOL. That's actually the video I did watch and am referencing. Look at how their faces react (or not) with what's coming out of their mouths. It might be moving around a bit, but it looks very animatronic and unnatural.



Which again, is why I said a non Brom video.
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I agree but what RPG has better facial animation? Can you list a few? Every RPG that has come out that I've played (FFXV, Witcher 3, DA:I) have about the same low quality animation. Witcher 3 is the best of the ones I've mentioned.
 
DriftingSpirit said:
Generally positive.
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Generally very positive actually. I'm watching all the previews (I can't help myself) lol) and after like the 10th one I've yet to come across one that isn't predicting this game is going to be an absolute blast and Sony's next big thing.

Callibretto said:
disappointed that Brandon Jones didn't talk about the cauldron. I knew he went into one because Greg Miller said it in his video.
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They are full blown dungeons, right? I've heard they actually remind many of Zelda. Yeah, the Zelda comparison again, lol. But it seems to fit this time. There is apparently platforming, puzzles and tough enemies.
 
Shancake said:
Yeah. We were told to try and make our way there as it is the most difficult part of the game. It was in one of the far corners of a map hidden behind a massive metal door and protected by a number of robots.
Click to expand...

Screenshot_20170130_203902.png


This ?
 
Shancake said:
It's hard to say as we were put in the game with no context of what had happened earlier. It's definitely not near where you start in the game. I rode there. Would have been too far to walk. Obviously this probably wasn't the full map unlocked so it's quite clear that these are spread out.
Click to expand...

Can you walk into a "fog map area" without hacking the Tallneck?
 
Tyaren said:
Generally very positive actually. I'm watching all the previews (I can't help myself) lol) and after like the 10th one I've yet to come across one that isn't predicting this game is going to be an absolute blast and Sony's next big thing.
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Ha, I thought about that afterwards and considered emphasizing how positive previews were. Granted, I haven't read a single preview (aside from select paragraphs) or watched a single clip because of my blackout.

I'M HURTING!!! ;_;
 
lumi7890 said:
I never understood this criticism either, like I hate how characters are too quiet in games, I would think if I seen have the shit video game characters have seen, I would be talking to my self too.
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I like it when the main character talk to him/herself too. But I still prefer banters between the main character and a party member(s) than monologues. Are there any indications of someone following Alloy in her adventure? I guess not.
 
Neoleo2143 said:
You could say the same thing of Zelda too which I find odd minus the lack of quest markers (which is admittedly a design changing decision). I think its more a criticism about a presentation of content and the structure that binds them rather than the content itself. If it comes across as a hodgepodge of tropes, it's an issue.
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When I look at Zelda's presentation, there is a more sandboxy MGSV vibe to how the world's game and systems are designed and shown off. There is a difference in presentation, for sure.

Zelda has the dynamism in how the game's core gameplay reacts dynamically to all sorts of different game elements in the same way people are wowed by vehicles sliding off when they drive across poop in MGSV.

For Horizon, it seems that the element of the game's dynamism shines primarily when dealing with the larger machines like the Thunderjaw, etc. and primarily in combat.
 
Shancake said:
I wrote the preview for Press Start about the game having Dungeons (known as Cauldrons). I spent about an hour playing in one of them, and have footage but unfortunately am not allowed to share it which is a real shame as it's like nothing seen in any other footage.

The Director of Guerrilla said that they were where Robots are created and born so think of them as underground Robot factories.

It's unclear whether there is only one of them or multiple but it was HUGE and not apart of the regular story.

http://press-start.com.au/news/play...n-zero-dawn-features-badass-robotic-dungeons/

In my session with 50+ other outlets, there was only one other person who managed to get to the Cauldron as it was all the way at the other side of the map. Happy to answer any questions :)
Click to expand...

How was the design of the Cauldron compare to the rest of the game.
Also does it have a good or more scfi feel comapre to the other parts .
 
texhnolyze said:
I like it when the main character talk to him/herself too. But I still prefer banters between the main character and a party member(s) than monologues. Are there any indications of someone following Alloy in her adventure? I guess not.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I like when group members go at it like that. It gives the group personality and showcases their relationship outside of cutscenes and what not.
 
texhnolyze said:
I like it when the main character talk to him/herself too. But I still prefer banters between the main character and a party member(s) than monologues. Are there any indications of someone following Alloy in her adventure? I guess not.
Click to expand...

There is footage of some accompanying NPCs, but by and large she is on her own.
 
NeoMetallix said:
When games are so good even things that don't really matter get nit picked. That's the sign of a good game. Look at TW3 with grass criticism.
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I think there could be some criticism about how the game's mechanics could be stronger. For Example, I don't think many of the skills on the tree are that interesting except for the Warrior route (getting triple arrow shots sounds innately fun and ludicrous as a concept). Foraging looks absolutely boring as a skill tree.

I think the menus could stand to be a tad snappier, which is important considering you'll be using them regularly. I keep being reminded about how incredibly quick Zelda's menus are in comparison.

Some enemy hitboxes don't look quite right. It's probably a consequence of how they move, but some attacks look a bit unfair (like a screen sweeping laser) especially when you have such limited healing (I'm guessing you have to roll through it, but Aloy also doesn't seems to get invincibility frames on hit most of the time so the player can just die pretty much instantly and not know what happened)

There's the Magnet platforming that's in every Uncharted game. Yes, that's a good enough criticism for such a shallow mechanic.

I don't think the gear system is all that interesting. It seems mostly like low percentages and they aren't tweaked in a interesting way like Dark Souls handled its gear. The Clarity is lacking here I feel especially when enemies do so much damage regardless of what you wear.

The Strength of the game is mainly Aloy herself, the combat and enemy design (the Thunderjaw in particular completely wows me about how well it looks put together as an enemy, Enemy design of the year by FAR) and the visuals in my opinion.

I suppose this could be taken as Nitpicky but to me, the details separate a great game from an amazing one.
 
Shancake said:
It's hard to say as we were put in the game with no context of what had happened earlier. It's definitely not near where you start in the game. I rode there. Would have been too far to walk. Obviously this probably wasn't the full map unlocked so it's quite clear that these are spread out.
Click to expand...
Was the environment and scenery along your travel varied from your starting point to the Cauldron? From one of your articles("7 reasons") you guys mentioned that in the starting area alone, there were at least 9 to 10 different environs. If it was just a huge single biome, was it at least beautiful?

I guess what I want to ask is if it's enjoyable to just travel and take in the sights, especially with a photomode and the dynamic weather and day and night systems in place.
 
Domcorleone said:
I agree but what RPG has better facial animation? Can you list a few? Every RPG that has come out that I've played (FFXV, Witcher 3, DA:I) have about the same low quality animation. Witcher 3 is the best of the ones I've mentioned.
Click to expand...

Admittedly I can't name any others aside from TW3, because I can't stand most open world games (just played FFXV and it was laughable in this regard). Although it's not like they were flawless in TW3, their faces overall simply looked better in a video game kind of way.

For as old as this is, I think this actually looks bettter (Wrex, not Femshep).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3mHv20SRF0
 
I think I would take a 25% hit to every other aspect of the Witcher 3, if the combat was better.

Of course those are just numbers from my ass. I do think it is unlikely that the story, world, acting, etc. of this game will be on par with W3. But the combat looks to be a big upgrade. If that's the trade then I'll take it.
 
Neoleo2143 said:
I think there could be some criticism about how the game's mechanics could be stronger. For Example, I don't think many of the skills on the tree are that interesting except for the Warrior route (getting triple arrow shots sounds innately fun and ludicrous as a concept). Foraging looks absolutely boring as a skill tree.

I think the menus could stand to be a tad snappier, which is important considering you'll be using them regularly.

Some enemy hitboxes don't look quite right. It's probably a consequence of how they move, but some attacks look a bit unfair (like a screen sweeping laser) especially when you have such limited healing (I'm guessing you have to roll through it, but Aloy also doesn't get invincibility frames on hit most of the time so the player can just die pretty much instantly and not know what happened)

There's the Magnet platforming that's in every Uncharted game. Yes, that's a good enough criticism for such a shallow mechanic.

I don't think the gear system is all that interesting. It seems mostly like low percentages and they aren't tweaked in a interesting way like Dark Souls handled its gear. The Clarity is lacking here I feel especially when enemies do so much damage regardless of what you wear.
Click to expand...
Sure, but I think he/she was speaking more broadly. Overall, the bulk of criticism is toward voice acting, writing, etc.. with most focused on a single scene. Gripes with far more important stuff (at least imo) like gameplay are quite minimal in comparison.

Had gameplay been as big a focus that would have been a genuine concern. The fact that it isn't is encouraging. Especially with how people were worried about GG delivering good gameplay prior to all this.
 
gundamkyoukai said:
How was the design of the Cauldron compare to the rest of the game.
Also does it have a good or more scfi feel comapre to the other parts .
Click to expand...

100% Sci-Fi. It was literally robotic from floor to ceiling. The first bit upon entering was absolutely amazing. All of these robotic pipes. There were little patches of scenery/outside but 98% was full of machinery, robots and conveyor belts.
 
Vault Dweller 111 said:
I think I would take a 25% hit to every other aspect of the Witcher 3, if the combat was better.

Of course those are just numbers from my ass. I do think it is unlikely that the story, world, acting, etc. of this game will be on par with W3. But the combat looks to be a big upgrade. If that's the trade then I'll take it.
Click to expand...
Yep. This is where I stand too.

Shancake said:
100% Sci-Fi. It was literally robotic from floor to ceiling. The first bit upon entering was absolutely amazing. All of these robotic pipes. There were little patches of scenery/outside but 98% was full of machinery, robots and conveyor belts.
Click to expand...
Very interesting.

Thanks for the info.
 
Tyaren said:
Generally very positive actually. I'm watching all the previews (I can't help myself) lol) and after like the 10th one I've yet to come across one that isn't predicting this game is going to be an absolute blast and Sony's next big thing.



They are full blown dungeons, right? I've heard they actually remind many of Zelda. Yeah, the Zelda comparison again, lol. But it seems to fit this time. There is apparently platforming, puzzles and tough enemies.
Click to expand...

yeah they're the dungeons in this game, but I want to know more detail about it, like what is the puzzle like, or detail on platforming since Horizon have more Uncharted-esque auto platforming.

I'm not expecting a Zelda like puzzle in the dungeons. since this is a combat games first and foremost. so I'm still curious what kind of puzzle it will have.
 
GravityInsanity said:
Then why did you preorder in the first place? Makes no sense.
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I'm going to be nice and lay it down so you can understand it.

"I was never so hyped as everyone else"

There's a lot of people who IMO are overhyped. Until now we hadn't seen enough of the actual game to be that hyped. Does that mean I didn't find the concept interesting and that I didn't think the game was going to be good? Nope.

"but it looks more generic than I expected"

I don't know how I can dumb it down. When I preordered it, I didn't know how the "moment to moment" gameplay was going to be, now I see that it's more of the same.

"I'm not in the mood for another FC Primal, robot dinosaurs or not."

So robot dinosaurs are very cool, and killing them looks to be more interesting than killing animals in Primal, but it looks too similar and I failed the three times I tried to play Primal. It's not interesting.

In conclusion, I preordered it based on an interesting concept, a good developer, the fact that it's one of the top games of 2017. Now that I have seen more of it, I realized I prefer to cancel the preorder and wait, my fear of missing out has been eliminated.

Makes sense now? Please don't confuse agreement or approval with coherence. It's perfectly fine if you disagree or disapprove.
 
isaacnukem said:
Was the environment and scenery along your travel varied from your starting point to the Cauldron? From one of your articles("7 reasons") you guys mentioned that in the starting area alone, there were at least 9 to 10 different environs. If it was just a huge single biome, was it at least beautiful?

I guess what I want to ask is if it's enjoyable to just travel and take in the sights, especially with a photomode and the dynamic weather and day and night systems in place.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it varied greatly. In a 50 minute gameplay period travelling from the bottom of the map to the centre it went from snowing, to desert like, to a rainforest to raining and it was night when I arrived at the cauldron. It wasn't clear whether this was affected by time or travelling.
 
DriftingSpirit said:
Sure, but I think he/she was speaking more broadly. Overall, the bulk of criticism is toward voice acting, writing, etc.. with most focused on a single scene. Gripes with far more important stuff (at least imo) like gameplay are quite minimal in comparison.

Had gameplay been as big a focus that would have been a genuine concern. The fact that it isn't is encouraging. Especially with how people were worried about GG delivering good gameplay prior to all this.
Click to expand...

4 hours is definitely enough time to get used to the core combat. But I'm mostly speaking about concerns that might impact the overall game rather than what was an issue in those 4 hours.

I definitely wasn't worried about the Core combat. I was worried about everything around it.
 
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