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Does horizon forbidden west feel more alive than zero dawn?

Horizon Forbidden West | Is It Really More Alive Than Zero Dawn?

By

Emily Rodriguez

Jun 19, 2025, 10:40 PM

Edited By

Emma Collins

Updated

Jun 23, 2025, 12:50 PM

2 minutes of duration

A player exploring the vibrant world of Horizon Forbidden West, surrounded by lush environments and interacting with various NPCs.
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As discussions swirl about Horizon Forbidden West, mixed reactions emerge from players about its immersive experience compared to Zero Dawn. With ongoing debates about NPC interactions and gameplay, community members are weighing in with fresh insights and concerns.

Community Perspectives: A Mixed Bag

The gaming audience has expressed a broad spectrum of opinions on Forbidden West. Some users feel improvements in NPC engagement exist, stating, "Forbidden West feels much more lived in than Zero Dawn did." Yet, others criticize the game for not fully resolving structural issues found in its predecessor.

Enhancements and Downgrades in NPC Engagement

While many players applaud improvements in NPC interactions, a contrasting opinion noted, "I actually thought FW was a downgrade when it came to the machines interacting with the environment." This comment reflects the belief that the mechanical ecosystem in Zero Dawn felt more organic.

A gamer echoed this concern, explaining that "Machine herds are still static," which suggests that despite lively NPCs, the game's world might lack consistency in environmental interactions.

Quest Design and Liveliness of Villages

Comments highlight a division on quest design quality. One player praised the side quests in Forbidden West, stating, "The side quests are well-written, detailed, and fully mocapped meaningful stories about people of this world." Yet, another opinion surfaced criticizing the game as "an Ubisoft-style open world," with linear plots and minimal distractions.

Following the main storyline, some players noted emptiness in the game post-story. As one remarked, "During the story yeah, but post-story it feels more empty than during the story."

Key Takeaways from Community Sentiment

  • โœ… NPC Interaction Improvements: Many players appreciate the deeper engagement of NPCs and story detail.

  • โŒ Static Machine Behavior: Concerns raised about the lack of environmental interaction from machines.

  • ๐Ÿ” Side Quest Quality: The game boasts well-crafted side quests, despite some criticism of linear gameplay.

Overall, as players share their thoughts, a complex picture emerges. While some salute the advancements in character engagement, others demand deeper player choice and a more immersive world. The conversations are likely to continue as Horizon Forbidden West finds its place in the gaming landscape.