Horizon Call of the Mountain Review: An Excellent PSVR 2 Showcase

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, from developers Guerrilla Games and Firesprite and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, is a gorgeous showcase of PlayStation VR 2 technology. While it's not a perfect game by any means, and the VR technology can still be a little hit or miss in terms of immersion, is an excellent foundation upon which Sony can build out its PSVR 2 library.

's story follows a new protagonist, Ryas, a former soldier fallen into disgrace because of his actions prior to the game's narrative unfolding. Freshly released from prison to engage in a dizzying journey up the mountains fo the Carja Sundom, Ryas must ascend to their peaks to unravel the mystery of increased machine hostility. Along the way, he'll meet fresh faces and familiar ones — including Aloy — and build out his own story within the greater universe of .

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It is worth noting that Ryas' story is much more contained than Aloy's previous adventures, offering a deeper look into the cultural touchstones of the Carja Sundom and how its people prioritize ways of life. That works well given 's sense of scale — inevitably, the story takes a backseat to the sights, which are incredible. is visually pleasing in every corner of its world, and the 360 degrees of movement are taken advantage of in each biome.

There are two main gameplay elements that complement its incredible world-building: climbing and archery. The former feels like a fun little excursion to a rock climbing gym, minus the intense cardio workout, while the latter is a much more standard method of VR combat. Climbing is the most fun, operating as a dual exploration and puzzle solving element in 's narrative. The PSVR 2 hand- and finger-sensors are pinpoint, and