Comparing Horizon Zero Dawn and TLoZ: BoTW

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killroy87 said:
On paper/at first glace Horizon really should wipe the floor with Zelda. But there's something about Breath of the Wild that just seems to...have a bit more heart. It's hard to articulate without sounding like a Zelda fanboy (which, while I'm a fan, I won't just blindly defend it), but there's something about the sparseness and character of Zelda that just wins me over. Things like Link shivering in the cold, to fire weapons being useless in the rain, to the overall meditative nature of it all, it just seems incredible to me.

None of that is to rag on Horizon. I've had that game preordered for years, and I can't fucking wait to play it. The visuals look incredible, the story is intriguing (though I'd be lying if I said I have a ton of confidence in Guerilla here), and the game just looks fun. But it also looks like a video game, in a way that Zelda doesn't. And again, that's totally fine.

It's like, Horizon is a Disney movie while Zelda is a Ghibli movie. I love them both, but for different reasons. They cater to similar markets and can touch on similar subjects, but they just feel different. I can completely sympathize with why some people prefer the constant engagement of a Pixar movie over the more passive tranquility of a Ghibli, that's purely a matter of taste.

But Disney movies are common as hell, and I don't get Ghibli film's too often, so I'm excited as hell Zelda.
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I read this blog that stated that it's because Zelda knows when to Shut up and let the game world do the talking. Because Link doesn't have a companion like Midna to convey character the time around, the Game space itself has to pick up the slack and be a character that Link has to react to and play off. Otherwise the game will fail.
 
Clear said:
Nier Automata will be better than both!

Come at me bro's :D
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I am completely fine with that. Zelda's the GOTY contender that I know, while Nier's the GOTY contender that I'm completely unfamiliar with. But from what I've read, it's miraculous that it exists at all, and I can't wait to play it myself.
 
killroy87 said:
On paper/at first glace Horizon really should wipe the floor with Zelda. But there's something about Breath of the Wild that just seems to...have a bit more heart. It's hard to articulate without sounding like a Zelda fanboy (which, while I'm a fan, I won't just blindly defend it), but there's something about the sparseness and character of Zelda that just wins me over. Things like Link shivering in the cold, to fire weapons being useless in the rain, to the overall meditative nature of it all, it just seems incredible to me.

None of that is to rag on Horizon. I've had that game preordered for years, and I can't fucking wait to play it. The visuals look incredible, the story is intriguing (though I'd be lying if I said I have a ton of confidence in Guerilla here), and the game just looks fun. But it also looks like a video game, in a way that Zelda doesn't. But things like that NPC interaction that made the rounds yesterday, things like that show the cracks in the surface and kind of go "this thing is gorgeous as all hell, but make no mistake, it's a video game and you're going to be doing video game things just like you do in other video games". And again, that's totally fine.

It's like, Horizon is a Disney movie while Zelda is a Ghibli movie. I love them both, but for different reasons. They cater to similar markets and can touch on similar subjects, but they just feel different. I can completely sympathize with why some people prefer the constant engagement of a Pixar movie over the more passive tranquility of a Ghibli, that's purely a matter of taste.

But Disney movies are common as hell, and I don't get Ghibli film's too often, so I'm excited as hell Zelda.
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Not sure if your analogy is on point with the Disney/Ghibli thing (I get it for Zelda but Horizon beign Pixar... ) But whatever, I totally get your point. In general japanese games, quality japanese games, often are more unique than western games.

In Horizon though, there's the sci fi aspect that evoques that feel of awe (at least in concept and aesthetics) because of the dinosaurs and the idea of uncovering the story that destroyed our world and not just by traditional storytelling but through enviroments too, but we yet have to know if it will pay off. But that could be the equivalent uniqueness that you see in Zelda (I see it too).
 
You're comparing Zelda which is one of the biggest IPs to a new IP from a studio with an average to above average track record.

I'm cautiously optimistic for Horizon because of the world it's in, I love dinosaurs.
 
MegaSackman said:
Not sure if your analogy is on point with the Disney/Ghibli thing (I get it for Zelda but Horizon beign Pixar... ) But whatever, I totally get your point. In general japanese games, quality japanese games, often are more unique than western games.

In Horizon though, there's the sci fi aspect that evoques that feel of awe (at least in concept and aesthetics) because of the dinosaurs and the idea of uncovering the story that destroyed our world and not just by traditional storytelling but through enviroments too, but we yet have to know if it will pay off. But that could be the equivalent uniqueness that you see in Zelda (I see it too).
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Yup, totally. Like I said, one is not necessarily better than the other, but there is definitely something about the "feel" of each game that makes them distinct. It's the same way FFXV is an open world RPG, but so distinctly Japanese. It just handles things differently than almost any western open world RPG I've ever seen. And while not all of those changes are necessarily better, it certainly is exciting to see some genuine ingenuity in the genre. I see a lot of that with Zelda, and not as much in Horizon (which again, isn't a jab at Horizon).
 
Wolfgang Jr said:
But BotW doesn't have 'You can only jump on BRIGHT WHITE things'.
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Corrected.

I've given my grievances on the jumping in Horizon being exactly like Uncharted and therefore a mockery of actual jumping and climbing mechanics.

It's a large part of my opinion in the game because it tells me where the focus lies and that's in it's combat against the 25 main enemy types (with some fodder humans as a side course once in a while).

Zelda lives or dies in how it can use all of its systems in an interesting way. Horizon Lives or Dies in how it can use its enemies in interesting ways. The Focus is simply narrower for one game over the other despite having similar concepts.
 
I hope both games do very well not only from a review standpoint but from a sales standpoint as well. I'm not one for "one needs to win over the other" as some indirect way of shitting on a different platform.

Horizon has a very interesting futuristic but pre-historic concept, and the Decima Engine makes the game look and perform like a dream. I have some concerns if the story will really go anywhere. Guerilla makes some really good games on a technical standpoint, but story is often where things run a bit dry.

Zelda also looks very promising going back to the open air feeling like the original Zelda on NES. With the very disappointing overworld from Skyward Sword I have my concerns about the density of the BotW map. Having shrines mixed at a good balance might be nice but shrine hopping and horse taming might get real stale real fast. I hope the side quests are varied and interesting. But that goes for Horizon as well.

MGSV's side ops and FFXV's side quests have me a bit concerned when it comes to open world games. I hope to see something else than a rehashed goal but on a different side of the map.
 
killroy87 said:
Yup, totally. Like I said, one is not necessarily better than the other, but there is definitely something about the "feel" of each game that makes them distinct. It's the same way FFXV is an open world RPG, but so distinctly Japanese. It just handles things differently than almost any western open world RPG I've ever seen. And while not all of those changes are necessarily better, it certainly is exciting to see some genuine ingenuity in the genre. I see a lot of that with Zelda, and not as much in Horizon (which again, isn't a jab at Horizon).
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Oh yeah, as a game Zelda already looks more original. Horizon seems to share Things from successful formulas,it mix them and adds its own flavour but you recognize certain aspects from other games.
Horizon could still be a better game than Zelda though, but I get we're not discussing that.

I've been playing great japanese games the last two months and, some better than others they're quite different from the quantity of games we play from western companies. I understand and feel the love and desire for that while I can still be excited for more tradional or recognizeble games.
 
I hope the bow animations in both games are at least kind of realistic. I don't think I've ever seen someone use decent archery technique in any video game.
 
mlclmtckr said:
I hope the bow animations in both games are at least kind of realistic. I don't think I've ever seen someone use decent archery technique in any video game.
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I think bow animations and mechanics should align with the pace and style of the game.

"Realistic" archery wouldn't automatically mesh well with everything else.
 
This thread is a constant reminder of how much I hate this forum's apparent need to arbitrarily compare games that shouldn't be compared in the first place, Christ.
 
mlclmtckr said:
I hope the bow animations in both games are at least kind of realistic. I don't think I've ever seen someone use decent archery technique in any video game.
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Well, you're not getting that with either. Horizon's Bow is Hitscan and the Draw Speed is pretty much instant.

Zelda doesn't have a slow Draw speed either.
 
DriftingSpirit said:
I think bow animations and mechanics should align with the pace and style of the game.

"Realistic" archery wouldn't automatically mesh well with everything else.
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That's true. I'm not looking for Olympic-level form or anything... just hoping there's nothing glaringly wrong.

Also in all honesty even if it's super unrealistic it will probably only bother me for the first ten minutes or so.
 
I was curious about horizon at first then, then I wad hyped for it last e3. game looked really great but now with Zelda being that close to release my excitement has grew on Zelda ten fold after that switch presentation trailer and my excitement for horizon has really dwindled lol.

Haven't kept up with Horizon until yesterday previews of horizon got out and ....Idk I'm not excited for this game anymore. I'm seeing too much attention to rpg mechanics which is fine and all but then it's doing the typical rpg meh stuff like following trails/blood, a d Ubi soft ish formulas D; and honestly I'm seeing too much stealth going on for my taste. I'll still be getting it to check horizon out but my hype definitely deflated.
 
I haven't played both games so I have no fucking clue. I hope both games do well though critically and financially.
 
Both seem pretty different to me even though the OP made a great comparison post. Im excited for both. Both look like fun open world style games and i usually do not like them because they get boring pretty quick and have no soul. Horizon and Zelda seem to offer something special in open world game design.
 
Honestly never played a single Zelda game. What makes the franchise so unique? Amazing puzzles? Amazing story? Amazing action gameplay? In watching videos the graphics and action seem subpar so I am assuming the former two are the reasons people consider it a GOAT franchise. I don't feel compelled to buy it though for now.
 
WadeitOut said:
I like how people here already know how much they like a game and how fun it is without ever playing it...
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Blows my mind too. You should see the posts Neoleo made about BotW in the Horizon preview thread.

Literally entire paragraphs on how the gameplay feels engaging and rewarding, how the world design is perfected, deep and immersive and how much more dynamic and endlessly entertaining the combat is.

And then you realize he's basing this shit entirely on a handful of YouTube videos. What the fuck. Straight up fanfiction.
 
Guerrilla Games vs Nintendo EAD makes this comparison so much easier, if you are a graphic whore go for Horizon that game is a looker

The way i see it

Horizon: blood trails
Zelda: shield surfing
 
killroy87 said:
On paper/at first glace Horizon really should wipe the floor with Zelda. But there's something about Breath of the Wild that just seems to...have a bit more heart.
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It's almost as if one is a pretty corporate attempt to combine elements of Far Cry, the Tomb Raider Reboot and every other open-world with an upgrade tree gussied up with a lot of trailer ready set-pieces for a guaranteed seller

and the other is a pretty corporate attempt to combine elements of Far Cry, the Tomb Raider Reboot and every other open-world with an upgrade tree gussied up with a lot of trailer ready set-pieces for a guaranteed seller but is made by a company where strange ideas bubble to the top - if not outright become games themselves

looking forward to seeing Nintendo take the boys to school on BOTW

#cynicism
 
Blue Ranger said:
Guerrilla Games vs Nintendo EAD makes this comparison so much easier, if you are a graphic whore go for Horizon that game is a looker

The way i see it

Horizon: blood trails
Zelda: shield surfing
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Way I see it, Zelda empty, might see 5 enemies on screen. If you disagree, show me a screenshot of a more enemies, not seen one.

Horizon, less empty, has villages and I have seen more than 5 enemies. Also the combat looked a bit of a challenge from vids, but who knows.

Both look a bit too empty IMO, zelda more so.
 
DriftingSpirit said:
From what I have seen (I am on blackout though), there has only been one dino creature and a myriad of regular wildlife. This isn't prehistoric either.
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I know the setting and the story behind the game. I guess prehistoric, wasn't the right word, but this, FarCry Primal, and the likes. Cave men, dinosaurs, that sort of thing. That is what it portrays even though its a future setting. Not dissing it in anyway, it's just not my cup of tea. I hope it does well. More new and different stuff is better IMO.
 
geordiemp said:
Way I see it, Zelda empty, might see 5 enemies on screen. If you disagree, show me a screenshot of a more enemies, not seen one.

Horizon, less empty, has villages and I have seen more than 5 enemies. Also the combat looked a bit of a challenge from vids, but who knows.

Both look a bit too empty IMO, zelda more so.
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You forgot to add that Horizons story leaked. Not impressed with it tbh. But, ill be playing both. My friend will let me borrow his console for horizon.
 
Both are probably gonna be great games.

I feel like Horizon will have more systems, better controls, and so on, but Zelda will have that special something.

Everyone wins.
 
Guerilla games has yet to make a game that I find fun. maybe this one is, maybe they still make boring games.

On the other hand, the latest console Zelda sucked too.

Comparing these games is useless, they're open world but they're very different.
 
geordiemp said:
Way I see it, Zelda empty, might see 5 enemies on screen. If you disagree, show me a screenshot of a more enemies, not seen one.

Horizon, less empty, has villages and I have seen more than 5 enemies. Also the combat looked a bit of a challenge from vids, but who knows.

Both look a bit too empty IMO, zelda more so.
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Watch the switch presentation trailer at 1:56, there are 8 enemies :)

+ 2 villages at 2:04
 
Had I both systems and given a choice I would pick Horizon. I have no history with either series/game and Horizon to me looks more up my alley as it were. Its hard to describe but Horizon looks like what an adult would play versus what a kid would play and I don't mean that in any negative light. I am a grown ass adult and, as I said, with no history or attachment to Zelda I would easily pick Horizon - had I the option which I don't.
 
BotW will be a masterpiece while Horizon will receive mixed responses.

I have a PS4 and little to no history with Zelda btw.
 
Zelda is a prominent long running established franchise.

The fact horizon, a completely new IP by the killzone devs, is even being compared to zelda, is quite an achievement.

I suspect horizon will be the better openworld game.
 
OrbitalBeardJr said:
You forgot to add that Horizons story leaked. Not impressed with it tbh. But, ill be playing both. My friend will let me borrow his console for horizon.
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Judging by Zelda (and nintendo's) standards on the story aspect of a game's formula, i wouldn't really count on it being a plus in BOTW. If Horizon didn't impress you in that aspect, i can't see a Zelda game doing it either.
 
Raonak said:
Zelda is a prominent long running established franchise.

The fact horizon, a completely new IP by the killzone devs, is even being compared to zelda, is quite an achievement.

I suspect horizon will be the better openworld game.
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I remember Resistance on the early PS3 days was also put against Zelda:TP, as the console's major killer app.

not like the games compare at all, but rather popularity and relevance
 
NHarmonic. said:
Judging by Zelda (and nintendo's) standards, you mentioning story isn't working in your favour tbh.
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Zelda games typically don't have bad stories. Part of the charm of Zelda it's lore and timeline shenanigans. It by the book, by always well done.

The only problem now its Voice Acted. So were all prying they pulled it off.
 
NHarmonic. said:
Judging by Zelda (and nintendo's) standards on the story aspect of a game's formula, i wouldn't really count on it being a plus in BOTW. If Horizon didn't impress you in that aspect, i can't see a Zelda game doing it either.
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I find most video game story's to be cliche and convoluted anyway. Gameplay is what I am looking at.

Either way, ill try both.

What is Gurellas record on replayability?
 
geordiemp said:
Way I see it, Zelda empty, might see 5 enemies on screen. If you disagree, show me a screenshot of a more enemies, not seen one.

Horizon, less empty, has villages and I have seen more than 5 enemies. Also the combat looked a bit of a challenge from vids, but who knows.

Both look a bit too empty IMO, zelda more so.
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I don't get why the number of enemies in screen is important? this isn't some kind of musou you know.
 
Blue Ranger said:
I don't get why the number of enemies in screen is important? this isn't some kind of musou you know.
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I hate Musou, but I also dislike that empty feeling of so many games, pushing big open worlds often leaves them devoid of living things.

Did you not think that when watching the trailers and videos ? That where is everything, it looks empty ?

I expect a bit of tracking between ENCOUNTERS but its a bit too into the void.
 
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