Introduction
Read this review of Horizon Forbidden West in the Financial Times (should be non-paywalled but you can read the text of article here if needed). Answer the following questions:
1) Why does Guerrilla Games have 'a serious case of bad timing'?
Released around the same time as Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Elden Ring which dominated attention despite Horizons quality.
2) What is the narrative for the original game Horizon Zero Dawn?
The game is set 1000 years after machines wiped out most of humanity, it explores the lives of the last tribal communities alive.
3) How is the central character Aloy described?
She is described as a flame haired heroine who balances grit and tenderness.
4) What is the narrative and setting for sequel Horizon Forbidden West?
It’s set in Nevada and California. There’s a new threat to humanity and it explores themes of climate catastrophe.
5) What does the review say about animation and graphics?
Highly realistic and the first game to show what the PS5 was truly capable of.
6) What do we learn about the gameplay and activities in Horizon Forbidden West?
More satisfying combat with fluid movement, the game also offers more of everything from the prequels which makes the game massive.
Close textual analysis
Watch the trailer for Horizon Forbidden
Answer the following questions:
1) How is narrative, character and setting introduced in the trailer?
2) How is the game's open world / sandbox genre shown in the trailer?
3) What representations can you find in the trailer?
AQA recommends watching the following gameplay trailer in their CSP booklet:
Watch the gameplay video and answer the following questions:
1) How does the game use media language to communicate ideas about narrative and genre?
2) What representations of people, places or groups can you find in the gameplay video?
3) What audience pleasures are suggested by this gameplay trailer?
Narrative and genre
Read this excellent Den of Geek article that addresses elements of narrative and genre. You can find the article text here if the link is blocked. Answer the following questions:
1) Read the opening to the article. How can we apply Steve Neale's genre theory to Horizon Forbidden West?
Repetition and difference - Similar narratives, world, characters but with tweaks and refinements to keep the game feelinh fresh.
2) How many copies did the Horizon Zero Dawn sell and why did this influence the design of the sequel?
Over 20 million, this meant they didn’t have to make big changes or take big risks and could keep the game somewhat similar to the first one to maintain success.
3) How does the article criticise the story in Horizon Forbidden West?
They criticise the story for having too much dialogue, it doesn’t allow the players to learn from the in game world and just tells them everything instead.
4) What do we learn about the gameplay?
Improved skills and more freedom in combat, overall a clear improvement on the original.
5) What is the article's overall summary of the game?
It describes it as one of the year’s most impressive experiences and a worthy follow up to the original game.
Representations
Race representations in Horizon Forbidden West
Read this fascinating Polygon feature on why Horizon Forbidden West isn't post-racial and answer the following questions:
1) How does Horizon Forbidden West use narrative to create a fully diverse cast of characters?
In the games world there is no racism as it is post racism due to people having to come together after the AI takes over the world.
2) What is orientalism?
Western media spreading stereotypes of the East and portraying Asian cultures as mysterious, exotic, threatening, etc.
3) How does the article suggest orientalism applies to Horizon Forbidden West?
It shows signs of orientalism through the choices of visual and narrative design despite claiming to be post racial.
4) Who is the player encouraged to identify with in the game and how does this influence how representations are constructed?
Players encouraged to identify with main character aloy which means they see culture form her perspective and this might reinforce western viewpoints.
5) Finally, what did the writer of the article (an Asian American) feel when playing the game?
They felt they were “role playing cultural violence”.
Gender and videogames
Focusing on Aloy and the representation of women in videogames, read this Forbes feature on the topic. Answer the following questions:
1) What is the debate regarding Aloy in Horizon Forbidden West?
2) What examples are provided of other female characters and representations in videogames?
3) What are the issues facing the videogame industry in terms of gender?
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