Open world games are popular for their expansive environments and beautiful depictions on screen. However, most games sacrifice the game narrative in lieu of eye candy.

It would be easy to categorize "Horizon Zero Dawn" as one of those open world games that offer beautiful renditions of fantastical worlds yet offer very little in terms of game content. However, "Horizon Zero Dawn" is a story-driven game, according to The Verge. Additionally, the game delves further in providing a living world to do most anything.

"Horizon Zero Dawn" plot

The game centers around Aloy described as a young woman living in a wreckage of a matriarchal world that reverted man to live in the days of without technology. However, not all technology is lost in her world. "Horizon Zero Dawn" it seems to have all sorts of mechanical beasts that our protagonist hunts for parts and scraps, which she uses to fashion weapons and armor.

She and another character named Rost live as outcasts of the Nora Tribe. Being outcasts, the tribe members are forbidden to speak or interact with them. The two being outcasts is part of a bigger story that the player must discover as they progress in the game. In addition, to find out what befell humankind, and why robotic creatures roam their world?

"Horizon Zero Dawn" details

"Horizon Zero Dawn" is rendered in 2160p checkerboard, which is essentially 4K on the PlayStation 4 Pro, according to Engadget. Accordingly, the game is still polished enough when played in 1080p on a standard PS4. Guerilla Games reportedly debuts their Decima engine in "Horizon Zero Dawn." The engine employs built-in tools for AI, Physics, logic, and world building.

"Horizon Zero Dawn" offer players a variety of gameplay options. Laying traps to capture and slay as many robotic animals, or use stealth tactics to take down only a particular one is part of it. One can choose from a variety of weapons, or fashion them from the carcasses of the metallic beasts. The choices and environments allow for numerous play styles.

The underlying narrative of the game left to be discovered is; who is Aloy's mother? Why is her birth considered a curse? Where did all the mechanical beasts come from? What happened to their obviously technologically advanced society?

"Horizon Zero Dawn" is due for release on February 28, exclusively for the PlayStation 4.