One of the standout exclusives from Sony's PlayStation 4 era is Horizon Zero Dawn. Set in a dystopian version of our world, the game centers on an outcast named Aloy who is searching for the truth about her origins while taking on nefarious cultists. Part of what makes the game so enthralling is its engaging combat, which puts players up against giant robot dinosaurs called machines. They each have their weaknesses, and though some of them may dwarf Aloy, the colossal foes can be taken down by chipping away at their components.
Although the dynamic gameplay seldom gets boring, there is one aspect of it that falls flat. When dealing with human enemies, the complex combat disappears and players are left with rather daft foes that feel like nothing more than a nuisance to deal with. Fortunately, recent information revealed about Horizon Forbidden West, the upcoming sequel to Horizon Zero Dawn, illustrates that human combat will receive some very necessary changes.
Human Enemies in Horizon Zero Dawn
When Aloy is not out discovering cauldrons, climbing Tallnecks, and taking down Thunderjaws, she occasionally clears out some Bandit camps. Clearing out the camps is advantageous to Aloy, as they provide opportunities for plenty of looting, and it makes the world safer to travel through. However, for players, it can get a bit tedious dealing with them simply because combat with human enemies is very one-dimensional.
Human enemies have very poor AI, and it is laughably easy to fool them. Oftentimes, they will walk straight into the line of fire and continue to rush forward even when they are showered with deadly arrows. Consequently, a strategy as simple as laying down some tripwire, hiding in nearby bushes, and taking out the guards at the entrance of a camp will have the rest of the bandits rushing out, only to be met with some flaming arrows courtesy of Aloy. Human enemies do not seem to take note of the mistakes of their partners, nor do they employ any teamwork against Aloy.
Cranking up the game's difficulty does not remedy the situation, either, because it simply turns enemies into bullet sponges - or arrow sponges in this case - that become exceptionally tedious to deal with. Compared to the machines and their vast array of weapons and behaviors, human enemies feel like a chore that has to be dealt with before Aloy can get back to doing the fun stuff.
Human Enemies in Horizon Forbidden West
In the lead-up to Horizon Forbidden West, Guerrilla Games has been releasing a steady stream of information regarding what gamers can expect from the game. A recent PlayStation blog post goes in-depth into how combat in Horizon Forbidden West differs from its predecessor. Combat will be far more stylish thanks to melee combos and Valor Surges. Players will also be able to upgrade weapons and outfits at workbenches. Horizon Forbidden West will also accommodate for varying playstyles, allowing gamers to try out different strategies when dealing with enemies. Whether players choose to stealth their way through combat or prefer running into danger head-on, with the right tactics either approach is viable.
Interestingly, Guerrilla Games has improved the AI of enemies. Foes will be able to jump, climb, and better navigate the terrain. When dealing with humans, Aloy will have to think on her toes. Human enemies will be able to detect disturbances and begin searching for Aloy. When they think that there is an invader in their midst, they will team up and work together to find the source of a disturbance.
The behavior of human enemies will vary according to what tribes Aloy is up against, as they are molded to behave a little like animals. Enemies in the Champion class, for instance, will circle their target confidently without breaking eye contact, a little like how a wolf stalks its prey. On the other hand, Rebel Soldier enemies are wild and animalistic, and they gain confidence when they are in large groups. This might remind players of how a hyena acts.
By the sounds of things, the boring human enemies of Horizon Zero Dawn are gone and have been replaced by far craftier rivals. The variety of human enemies and their distinct behaviors will require players to learn how different human enemy types work, and what strategies are best to deal with them. Smarter AI also means that simplistic strategies probably will not work, and a little more thinking will be necessary. These changes are all welcome, and they will go a long way to making human combat encounters as thrilling as battles with machines are.
With Horizon Forbidden West's release date creeping closer each day, it is clear that Aloy will be tested in new ways as she explores new lands. The changes showcased by Guerrilla Games are an indication that everything is bigger and better with this highly anticipated sequel.
Horizon Forbidden West is scheduled to release on February 18, 2022 on PS4 and PS5.