March 22nd 2024.
The highly anticipated Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition has finally been released for PC this week, and it has left many gamers wondering about the state of the game and the series as a whole. When it first came out on PlayStation 5, there was a lot of talk surrounding the game, with some criticizing the number of Horizon titles and the rumors of live service games. However, these concerns seem to have subsided now, especially with the lackluster reception of PlayStation VR2 and the absence of any official news about a live service game.
Personally, I believe that both main games in the series are good, with Forbidden West being an improvement. However, I also feel like there is still room for the series to grow and reach its full potential. The game's graphics are undeniably stunning, and the robotic animals are a great addition. However, the story and characters leave much to be desired, and I find myself not caring about them at all. While the explanation for the game's plot is intriguing, the execution falls short.
In my opinion, Horizon has the potential to become Sony's own version of Zelda, but it needs some improvements. The combat is decent, but it lacks depth. What the game needs is more complex puzzles and exploration, rather than just finding one of the four types of side quests. The platforming aspect of the game also feels pointless, as it requires no skill.
Don't get me wrong, I do like the game, but upon reflection, it feels as though it is holding back. Perhaps the fear of upsetting casual gamers is what's preventing the game from reaching its full potential. This may be a curse that all big-budget games face nowadays, but with some minor adjustments, Horizon could truly become something special. For any PC owners considering playing the game, I would say go for it. Just don't expect anything more than a pretty and shallow experience.
Moving on to a completely different topic, I recently came across a game called Undawn, which is supposedly fronted by Will Smith. To be honest, I can't tell if this is a real game or an elaborate April Fool's joke. It just seems too ridiculous to be true. For those interested, I've included a link to a related article.
On a more positive note, I completely agree with the reader who praised Capcom as the best publisher of the year. In my opinion, they have consistently delivered top-notch games, and I always look forward to any new releases from them. Last year, Resident Evil 4 and Street Fighter 6 both received perfect scores from me, and I even enjoyed the Mega Man Battle Network remaster compilation. Although I was never a fan of the first Dragon's Dogma, I am willing to give it another chance based on Capcom's track record. Here's to hoping they will continue to dominate the gaming industry in the future.
Speaking of gaming industry dominance, I recently read a preview of Princess Peach: Showtime! on GC, which mentioned Super Princess Peach. This game has been criticized in the past for portraying Peach as a character who uses her emotions to progress in the game, simply because she is a woman. However, I believe this is a misinterpretation of the game's story. The intro clearly shows Bowser attempting to control an emotion wand, which ultimately backfires on him and causes everyone, including Peach, to become overwhelmed with emotions. Out of all the characters, Peach is the only one who can control her emotions and save the day.
Furthermore, Nintendo has a history of incorporating everyday observations into their games. While these may not be major social commentaries, they offer insight into the developers' lives. For example, Boo is based on a developer's shy wife, while the idea for Chain Chomp came from a dog that scared the creator of Mario. Even Pikmin was inspired by gardening. So, it's possible that the game's use of emotions could simply be an observation that some women may be more emotionally mature.
Finally, I want to share my love for vintage computers and games. I have been collecting them since the mid-1980s, and I even appeared on a BBC TV show called The Net in 1994 to talk about my collection. Although I have had to downsize over the years, I still enjoy playing chess, adventure, and arcade games on these old machines. While I prefer playing on the original hardware, it's not always possible due to the fragility of these devices. Nevertheless, I still find ways to rebuild and use them with modern components. As a licensed radio amateur, I also try to combine my hobbies whenever possible.
In conclusion, I want to address the issue of increasing gaming costs and the need to expand the market. Despite the popularity of gaming in pop culture, the home console market hasn't seen much growth. This is a problem that needs to be tackled, as the cost of making games continues to rise. However, it's possible that gaming, in its current form, simply does not have mass appeal. Factors such as time commitment, complex controls, and violence may be preventing the market from expanding. It may be time for the industry to rethink what gaming truly means and find ways to appeal to a wider audience.
The latest release in the Horizon series, Forbidden West Complete Edition, has been receiving a lot of attention for its stunning graphics. In a recent Friday letters page, one reader raved about Stardew Valley's new update and another discovered the game Undawn, fronted by Will Smith. To join in on the discussion, readers are encouraged to email their thoughts and recommendations.
As a fan of the Horizon series, I couldn't help but wonder how the game and the series as a whole is viewed now. When it was first released on PlayStation 5, there were concerns about there being too many Horizon games, with the VR game and rumors of live service titles. But now, with the lackluster sales of PlayStation VR2 and no official announcements about a live service game, it doesn't seem like a problem anymore.
Personally, I believe that both main games in the series are enjoyable, with Forbidden West being an improvement. However, I do think that the series has the potential to go even further. The graphics are undeniably impressive, with the robotic animals being a standout feature. But the story and characters, in my opinion, are lackluster and fail to capture my interest. While the explanation for the game's world is intriguing, the actual plot falls flat.
I can't help but feel that Horizon could become Sony's version of the beloved Zelda series if they made a few tweaks. The combat is decent, but it lacks depth. What the game needs is more challenging puzzle-solving and exploration, rather than just finding one of the four different side quests. The platforming also requires little skill, making it feel unnecessary.
Although I may sound critical, I still enjoy the game. However, in hindsight, it feels like the game is playing it safe and catering to casual gamers. Perhaps this is the curse that all big-budget games face, but I believe that with a few adjustments, Horizon could become something truly special. For any PC owners wondering if it's worth playing, I would say yes. Just don't expect a deep, immersive experience.
Moving on to a different topic, I recently found out about a game called Undawn, with Will Smith as the face of the game. However, the game has now apparently failed despite millions being invested in it. I can't help but think that this is either an elaborate April Fool's joke or a sign of gross negligence in the gaming industry.
For those interested in reading about this "game," I've included a link to an article discussing it. On a more positive note, I want to give credit to Capcom for being the best publisher in recent years, alongside Nintendo. I automatically become interested in any game these two companies release.
Last year, Capcom released Resident Evil 4 and Street Fighter 6, both of which I gave a perfect score. The Mega Man Battle Network remaster compilation was also a welcome addition. While I wasn't a huge fan of the first Dragon's Dogma, I'm willing to give it another try based on Capcom's track record. I'm not sure what else they have in store for this year, but I hope they continue to impress.
Speaking of games, I recently read GC's preview of Princess Peach: Showtime! and noticed a commentary on Super Princess Peach. Many have criticized this game for portraying Peach as using her emotions to progress because she's a woman. However, I have two points to make on this topic.
Firstly, the game's story is not as black and white as critics make it out to be. The intro shows Bowser trying to control an emotion wand, resulting in him and other characters becoming overwhelmed with emotions. Peach is the only one who can control her emotions and save the day.
Secondly, Nintendo often incorporates everyday observations from their developers into their games. While not meant as a social commentary, these observations add a touch of realism to their games. For example, Boo was inspired by a developer's shy wife, and Pikmin was born from a love of gardening.
Ultimately, I found the game to be dull and disappointing, despite my initial excitement for something new and different. I fear that the new Peach game will suffer the same fate.
On a personal note, I used to work in a computer shop in North London during the late 70s to early 90s and attended many product launches, exhibitions, and computer shows. I've been collecting old computers and games from the mid-1980s to the present day and was even featured on a BBC TV show about collecting old computers and software.
While I used to own a Digital Equipment Corporation DEC PDP-8e minicomputer from the early 70s, I had to get rid of it when I downsized. Nowadays, I focus on microcomputers from the late 70s to the 80s as they are easier to repair and take up less space. I enjoy playing chess, adventure, and arcade games on these old systems, and sometimes I even rebuild "work-a-like" machines with modern components.
Despite my love for original hardware, it's not always feasible as they are fragile and were never meant to last for 40+ years. But I continue to give them plenty of TLC to keep them running. I'm also a licensed radio amateur, and I often combine my hobbies.
In recent years, I made a career change and became a photographer, specializing in press and celebrity photography. I feel fortunate to have had multiple careers in my lifetime.
Finally, I want to address the topic of increasing the overall size of the gaming market. It's a challenge that the industry has been struggling with, as the cost of making games continues to rise. Despite gaming's prevalence in pop culture, the home console market has not expanded significantly.
One reader suggested that perhaps gaming doesn't truly have mass appeal, citing factors such as time commitment, complex controls, and high levels of violence. While this may be a difficult truth to face, it's worth considering as the industry looks for ways to sustainably expand the market.
In conclusion, there are many interesting topics and discussions happening in the gaming community, and I'm excited to see where it all leads. As always, I encourage readers to share their thoughts and recommendations by emailing us.
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