Horizon Zero Dawn & Forbidden West: Exploring the Expansive Locations

The world of "Horizon Zero Dawn" and its sequel "Horizon Forbidden West" offers one of the most vibrant and visually stunning landscapes in gaming history. This detailed exploration into the game's locations will uncover hidden secrets, dangers, and beauty that make the universe feel alive. But what truly sets it apart? Let's begin with the landscape of "Forbidden West," where the storyline takes players further west beyond the territory explored in "Zero Dawn." The game world expands dramatically, offering players a rich tapestry of environments to explore, each teeming with unique flora, fauna, machines, and civilizations.

Unveiling the Forbidden West

The game begins in the eastern regions, a post-apocalyptic vision of California, Nevada, and Utah. Vast deserts, towering mountains, and lush forests offer a wide variety of landscapes that represent these real-world locations. Players will immediately notice the diversity: from snow-capped peaks to dense tropical jungles to submerged cities lost beneath the ocean waves.

One of the main hubs of the game is San Francisco, albeit a radically different version of it. This version of San Francisco is a city reclaimed by nature, with ruins overtaken by trees and rivers. The Golden Gate Bridge, though in ruins, still stands as a haunting reminder of the old world, covered in creeping vines and giant mossy growths. Downtown San Francisco's skyscrapers are half-submerged, home to dangerous aquatic machines and mysteries from the Old Ones’ past.

To the east lies the Stillsands, a vast desert that challenges players with harsh weather conditions and fierce machines. Its landscape mimics the Nevada desert, replete with desolation, windswept dunes, and ruined artifacts from ancient civilizations. There are secrets buried in this desert, from underground bunkers to remnants of once-powerful technological hubs. The desert teems with danger but also offers moments of peace in its sunlit expanse, where players might encounter wandering tribes or nomadic traders.

Further south is the Isle of Spires, a treacherous coastal area where the Pacific Ocean meets what remains of California’s shorelines. Here, players must contend with underwater exploration, delving into flooded cities and fighting off aquatic machines. The tropical environment shifts dramatically, with lush vegetation encroaching on remnants of pre-apocalyptic structures. The gameplay here is a mixture of stealth, underwater combat, and environmental puzzles, all set against the backdrop of a dying world being reclaimed by nature.

Sacred Lands and Forgotten Fortresses

One of the most intriguing aspects of the game is how civilizations have risen again in the wake of the old world’s fall. The game masterfully weaves history and speculation to create these new cultures, each tied deeply to the environment around them. For instance, the Tenakth tribe, which inhabits the southern deserts and mountains, is built upon the remnants of a technologically advanced society. Their culture is heavily influenced by military tactics, and they live in fortress-like structures built from repurposed old-world technology. These fortresses dominate the landscape, perched on cliffs or hidden deep in the desert, offering players a wealth of exploration opportunities.

In contrast, the Utaru people have made their homes in the lush, green environments of what once might have been Northern California or Oregon. Their villages blend seamlessly with nature, constructed from vines, wood, and stone, interwoven with the land. The world around the Utaru is calm and serene, but danger still lurks beneath the surface, with machines often breaking the peace of their seemingly idyllic existence.

Further up north, players encounter the Sky Clan, who live in the highest mountain peaks. These harsh environments, cold and unforgiving, are home to a rugged people who have adapted to the altitude and the elements. They dwell in cliffside dwellings, often building precarious structures that hang over dangerous drops. Their connection to the old-world technology is strong, as they believe these ancient machines grant them power and protection from the hostile elements.

Post-Apocalyptic Beauty and the Rise of the Machines

While the world is undoubtedly beautiful, it’s also extremely dangerous. In both "Horizon Zero Dawn" and "Forbidden West," machines are a significant threat. These creatures roam freely, each designed after ancient animals or fantastical beasts, but with a futuristic, mechanical twist. From the massive Thunderjaw to the swift and nimble Clawstrider, every machine poses a unique threat to Aloy, the game's protagonist.

What makes the experience even more compelling is that the machines are also part of the environment. They interact with it in various ways, grazing on virtual grass, drinking from rivers, or attacking in packs when provoked. Each machine has a purpose, whether it’s maintaining the balance of the ecosystem, replicating ancient fauna, or defending territory. Players must adapt their tactics depending on the environment they are in, be it desert, jungle, or underwater.

An innovative mechanic of the game is the player's ability to use the environment to their advantage. For example, using tall grass for stealth, exploiting enemy machines' weaknesses, or even overriding their systems to turn them into allies during combat. This adds a strategic layer to the game that forces players to think on their feet and utilize every aspect of the terrain.

The Mysterious Cities of the Ancients

Perhaps the most fascinating part of the world-building in "Horizon Forbidden West" is the ruins of the Old Ones. These remnants of pre-apocalyptic civilization serve as both a mystery to be solved and a danger to be avoided. From underground bunkers to half-submerged cities, the game is filled with remnants of the old world, which are often repurposed by the current inhabitants. Exploring these areas often rewards players with hidden treasures, data logs, and clues about the world before its collapse.

One particular location that captures the imagination is the Ruins of Las Vegas. Once a bustling city, it's now submerged beneath the sands, with only faint glimmers of neon and crumbling buildings offering clues to its former glory. Players are able to explore this sunken city and uncover its mysteries, from its vibrant pre-apocalyptic culture to the technological advancements it harbored. There’s a stark contrast between the glamor of old Vegas and the harsh, machine-infested reality of the present, creating an eerie but captivating atmosphere.

The Quen tribe, who hail from the islands far to the west, have made it their mission to recover and utilize the technology of the Old Ones. They scour these ruins, driven by a belief that the old technology can save them from the environmental collapse they’re facing. However, their obsession with the old world comes at a cost, and players must navigate their dangerous ambitions while uncovering the truths hidden in these lost cities.

Conclusion

The locations in "Horizon Forbidden West" are more than just settings; they are characters in their own right, full of life, mystery, and danger. From the sprawling deserts to the haunting remnants of San Francisco, the game’s world is a testament to the power of nature to reclaim what was once lost, while offering players a thrilling, immersive experience. Every step through these landscapes is a journey through time, from the past of the Old Ones to the rebirth of civilization in this beautiful, but deadly new world.