How Horizon Forbidden West and Aloy make me happy – Reader’s Feature

metro.co.uk:

A reader offers his view on Horizon Forbidden West and how despite not reinventing the wheel it’s still one of the best games of the year.

I’ve just finished such a great story mission in Horizon Forbidden West. I know it was good because I had that lovely glow of satisfaction, of time well spent, once I had finished. I play games for fun (this sounds obvious but judging by some sour letters I am not so sure it is strictly true for everyone!) and I would say that little bit of satisfaction, to be totally lost in a story or a world, and to have forgotten the tribulations of the day, that’s why I play. That’s the best gaming can make me feel: happy.

The mission in question has you journeying to what becomes evident used to be Las Vegas. I had the pleasure of going to Vegas before I got married (in San Francisco, no less; Aloy’s journey and our wedding tour have been remarkably similar) and so I was delighted to see nods to Vegas landmarks along the strip, with the mini-Eiffel Tower from the Paris hotel tantalising you towards your goal, half buried in the shifting sands.

Aloy is exploring submerged ruins of the once great Sin City for reasons I won’t spoil, and more landmarks are lovingly recreated the further you go – you may find yourself recognising Caesar’s Palace or the Bellagio as you swim, full of fear as you dodge a few enormous robo-crocodiles prowling the area.

I wish I could talk more about the mission, but I feel like it’s too early for that sort of thing. I would like to say though, it was a really memorable and fun ride, and the pay off at the end of it will probably be my highlight of the game. Certainly if it gets better than that I am in for a treat.

The recreation of real-world locations has added a layer of