Shortly, PlayStation will be starting its Thursday State of Play presentation for Horizon Forbidden West. The showcase will undoubtedly show off Horizon Forbidden West's new setting in astonishing detail, as well as debuting a variety of new gameplay features, too. But before the State of Play begins, some of Horizon Forbidden West is already being shown off as part of the show's countdown presentation. Early environmental footage shows the game's new day/night cycle, as well as other interesting details.
For the five hours leading up to the start of the Horizon Forbidden West State of Play event a video has been running. That video shows multiple camera views, each a perspective looking into the world of Horizon Forbidden West. These cameras not only show different regions, but also the same regions at different times of the day. As such, players get to see what the world of Horizon Forbidden West looks like at dawn, noon, dusk, and midnight.
In one example, a large tower in the foreground stands apart from a Metal Devil in the background, with a settlement in between. A photo of this Horizon Forbidden West region at dawn paints the area in golden hues, with deep shadows cast from the tower and mountain ridges. Cut to the same area at dusk and it glows red as daylight fades, with torches beginning to light up around the settlement. Finally, a late-night view shows the area in deep blue, dozens of orange torchlights and campfires spread through the valley.
It's not a surprise that PlayStation and Horizon developer Guerrilla Games are choosing to highlight these environments leading up to the show. Horizon Zero Dawn is perhaps best known for its outstanding visuals that make the most of a day/night cycle that really lets the game's lighting, shadows, and environmental detail stand out. Horizon Forbidden West looks to continue delivering award-winning visuals.
Horizon Forbidden West isn't just showcasing environments akin to Horizon Zero Dawn's but better, of course. These environments have impressive new levels of verticality, implying a much deeper system for movement and exploration. It also shows a much more diverse range of biomes, from lush deciduous and coniferous jungles and forests, to dry deserts and snowy mountain peaks.
Much remains to be revealed from Horizon Forbidden West, but as far as introductions go the State of Play countdown captures the heart of what the open-world action-adventure is all about. Stay tuned for the State of Play to see this world truly come to life.
Horizon Forbidden West releases in 2021 for PS4 and PS5.
Source: Imgur