Comparing Horizon Forbidden West and Red Dead Redemption 2's Open-World Design

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There are a few games that stand as examples of near-flawless open-world design. This includes The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild which is praised for the ways the game rewards exploration and how the world naturally reacts to the player's actions. Rockstar's Red Dead Redemption 2 is also frequently mentioned thanks to its picturesque landscapes and its painstaking attention to detail. Although the game was released in 2018, there has yet to be an open-world that provides an experience as immersive and with as many unique interactions as the Western world of Red Dead Redemption 2, and to this day, players are still finding odd Easter eggs and tidbits within the game's deep lore.

With the release of Horizon Forbidden West, it seems that the standard for open-worlds has been raised once again. The game features environments that are as lush as they are varied, and for the first time, Aloy can explore underwater settings too. Although both Horizon Forbidden West and Red Dead Redemption 2 are sterling open-world games, their approach to open-world design is considerably different, and to what degree players agree with either design philosophy will depend on their play style.

Horizon Forbidden West's Tropical Setting Marketing Was a Bit Deceptive

Red Dead Redemption 2 is a game that takes its time with everything it does. Its epic story can easily run over 40 hours depending on how players pace themselves, and even when players think it is finally over when they hit the epilogue, they may be surprised to learn that they still have plenty of hours ahead. Players are also treated to detailed animations that accompany almost all actions. Cleaning a gun has its own animation, and so does skinning a buffalo, and when Arthur