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.
Realistic vs Radical
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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 loots a fallen enemy there's a drawn-out animation for that, too.
It may seem as though the game is over-indulgent at times, but Red Dead Redemption 2's slow pace and insistence on animating every action have the effect of providing what is arguably the greatest display of realism in gaming. Each of Arthur's actions feels as though they have weight and consequence to them, and players can vividly see the impact he has on the world around him. The cumulative effect of this is that players are deeply immersed in both Arthur's life and the game's world, and it ends up feeling as familiar as reality.
At every step where other titles might gamify an interaction, Red Dead Redemption 2 instead takes the time and effort to animate things in the most realistic manner possible. Hence, when waltzing into a store, instead of merely scrolling through a menu, players can pick up individual items off the shelf and inspect them before deciding to purchase them, as one might do in real life. For some players, it is all these tiny details that make Red Dead Redemption 2 special.
Horizon Forbidden West's open world is vastly larger than its predecessor, Horizon Zero Dawn, and it is filled with so many activities that it can be overwhelming at times. Vicious machines roam the landscape, but Aloy also has cauldrons to explore, Tallnecks to override, caverns to dive into, settlements to find, hunting grounds to conquer, and enemy camps to clear out. Fortunately, there are a few new traversal methods available that ensure that Aloy can glide down safely from the highest mountains and soar through the clouds on a mounted machine.
In contrast to Red Dead Redemption 2's strive for realism which results in snail-paced gameplay, Horizon Forbidden West provides an action-packed experience that seldom cranks down the excitement. Riding machines can turn the world into a blur, and the only way Aloy can survive against the harsh world around her is by remaining quick-thinking and nimble. Consequently, instead of slowing players down with long animations, Horizon Forbidden West, takes the traditional route and offers shortened animations for routine activities. For instance, while Arthur will pull out his knife, cut plants, and tuck them in his satchel when foraging, Aloy simply bends down and makes them disappear in less than a second.
Both approaches have their benefits and downsides. Red Dead Redemption 2 provides a more immersive experience, but for some players, it may be too tedious for their liking. Conversely, while Horizon Forbidden West makes routine tasks easier, certain players may crave a more realistic experience instead of one that cuts corners.
A Similar Approach to Settlements
Where Red Dead Redemption 2 and Horizon Forbidden West are most similar is in their approach to settlements. Both games attempt to provide dense settlements that are filled with memorable characters and feel genuinely lived in. Within Red Dead Redemption 2, this can be seen in locations such as Saint-Denis, one of the tonier spots on the game's map where players can hear accents from around the world interact with a more sophisticated legal system. Here, there is an assortment of businesses that players can visit, including a fancy barbershop, a high-end clothing store, a lively bar, and a theater that runs entire watchable shows. When roaming the streets, players come across recurring characters such as Dorothy the women's suffrage activist, and Nigel who is a lunatic on the hunt for his friend named Gavin.
The settlements of Horizon Forbidden West are a colossal step up from Horizon Zero Dawn and this is evident from the early hours of the game. When players are introduced to the Daunt which is filled to the brim with activities, players can spend hours in Chainscrape alone talking to characters, doing side missions, and playing Machine Strikers which is a board game that is surprisingly addictive.
When comparing the two games, it is clear that Red Dead Redemption 2 goes the extra mile in crafting more immersive settlements, however. The characters of Red Dead Redemption 2 remember Arthur's actions and will reference them upon subsequent visits. For instance, if he is arrested, they will warn him not to get into trouble again. Furthermore, Arthur has plenty more ways to interact with the townsfolks. While Aloy is limited to simply greeting those around her, Arthur is capable of picking between friendly or rude salutations which affect whether the interaction will result in a little positive honor for him or a full-on brawl.
Red Dead Redemption 2 and Horizon Forbidden West are examples of what is possible when good design philosophies are applied to the open-world format. Horizon Forbidden West opts for high-adrenaline action, choosing expediency over realism to provide players with non-stop action while Red Dead Redemption 2 prefers to take its time and slowly immerse players in its world. Though they take different approaches, they both provide unforgettable experiences and worlds large enough to envelop gamers for months on end.
Horizon Forbidden West is available now on PS4 and PS5.