“Gaming does not respect my personal time,” is a mantra I have been saying for weeks now. We truly live in the best time to game, and this may be among the greatest years of releases in the whole industry. That being said, I want to make a declaration:
I want to enjoy my other hobbies too, but The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and Horizon Zero Dawn wont let me.
Jesting aside, it is not often that we are hammered with such a collection of releases in Q1. Sure as the years have gone by, big Q1 releases have become more and more commonplace. However, I don’t think I have ever seen it to this extreme. Let’s break 2017 down a bit.
The year started off with January’s smash success Resident Evil 7 as the big must see attraction. February boasted For Honor, and PlayStation’s two new exclusives, Nioh and Horizon Zero Dawn. If you think it stops there well buckle in for March’s The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the release of Nintendo’s newest console, the Nintendo Switch, Neir, and Mass Effect Andromeda. Oh, but you can’t stop planning for after that because April will see Persona 5, with Prey also coming out in May. Every single month has a can’t miss title that you…well…can’t miss!
Among all the listed titles above, two are going to battle it out in the same week, head to head, for our free time. Both games are large open worlds, with lots of inspirations from previous open world games like GTA, The Witcher 3, and Skyrim. They are also both an exclusive pillar in two different franchise lineups. That’s right, it’s time to break open the time seizing terrorists: Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and Sony’s Horizon Zero Dawn.
Horizon Zero Dawn Open World
Horizon Zero Dawn will launch February 28th, and after the collective praise of every review copy of the game, it seems like it is one not to be missed. However, this title is going against a juggernaut of a franchise, the widely known Legend of Zelda.
The Legend of Zelda will be releasing with its new hardware on March 3, leaving just about 3 days in between the two huge releases. How does one even begin to choose what to put time into? This is a battle of old versus new, known versus unknown, and of course, Sony versus Nintendo.
The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild Open World
The lifelong gamer in me is of course screaming for Legend of Zelda, as I know that it will be a nice nostalgic trip into a franchise I love, all the while showcasing that it has been paying attention to other games, and what would be best to take inspirations from. The other half of me who loves all things new is of course hollering for some Horizon playtime. A normal person would just choose one or the other, but in my constant battle with FOMO (fear of missing out) I have chosen to step up to the Tale of Two Open World’s challenge to tackle both simultaneously.
Now if you have a lick of sense about you, one game will suffice. Only occupying one world will guarantee an extra layer of immersion as you aren’t constantly unlearning mechanics from one game to relearn them in the other. I have high hopes after plenty of investigating that both will offer vastly different experiences despite being mechanically similar.
GAMEPLAY
Sure, two big titles from competing franchises that are both 3rd person adventure coming out with only a 3 day gap, an open world format, and each boasting a skilled archer as their hero doesn’t necessarily mean these titles are similar in every way.
Except both games will have a map unlock system via towers, not unlike Assassin’s Creed or Far Cry. Each game will have a crafting system, as well as a focus on hunting local fauna in as well. The Legend of Zelda and Horizon Zero Dawn are both sure to be north of 40 hour experiences, depending on how deep you explore all the content. In those hours you will notice that they both have a focus on combat and exploration, as the world unfolds around you.
STORYLINE
If the mechanics alone aren’t enough to convince you of the similarities, take a look at the plot; Zelda and Horizon both focus on immersive worlds that have suffered from some sort of calamity, a mystery that you are slowly uncovering in the story. In Horizon, the player occupies a world that was once theirs, taken by nature and guarded by a slew of animalistic robotic guardians who occupy the lands. In Zelda, the player occupies Hyrule, a world that has suffered a fall of civilization… where robotic guardians now live.
The Legend of Zelda’s Robot Enemies who Prowl the Land
Horizon Zero Dawn’s Robot Enemies who Prowl the Land….Also
I fear that playing Zelda and Horizon simultaneously would create a dance filled with much toe stepping. Obviously each game will be different, but they will feel similar in terms of moment to moment gameplay and mechanics. That is not a slight on either game, but more so just the realism of the situation. While they are similar, we don’t believe that one is a copy of the other, and at this point one is not lesser than the other. Their similarities are not a negative aspect. If anything, the immersive experience that both these titles offer showcase that the open world genre, a genre constantly being called “overwhelming, overused, and oversaturated,” is in fact healthy and still ripe with opportunity for churning out Game of the Year contenders.
BUT WHICH DO I CHOOSE?
Either title you pick will be its own experience, and a great one. Ultimately, it comes down to what is speaking to you more right now in this moment. The battle of old versus new is a tale as old as time, and in the end it will be your choice. The main question you will have to ask yourself is what type of experience you are looking for.
The Legend of Zelda has 30 years of cannon, references, characters, and locations to draw from. Zelda will surely rely on the old tried and true methods as it tugs on our strings of nostalgia, but don’t count out its innovations as well. With new mechanics such as weapon/armor drops, cooking, and horse breaking, the experience is sure to feel fresh, and unlike any Zelda you have ever played before. It will dance the line of new and familiar.
Zelda also has the novelty of launching with a new system to explore. You can always snag The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild on the Wii U, but the real attention is being shifted towards their new system, the Switch. It makes this release that much more special that we are getting this a Zelda with new hardware.
Horizon on the other hand is setting up an entirely new world and isn’t restrained by anything from the past. It is creating its own foundation for a potential new franchise, and that in itself is very exciting. Exploring a new world like Horizon has will be a main draw as you figure out the nuances of this storyline.
Horizon launches on the current PS4 as well as the PS4 Pro systems. If you have a PS4 Pro, this is the game that tests the true limits of that new hardware. Because of this, Horizon may be the best looking game on the market… in the history of ever. While Zelda players on the Switch may be distracted with new hardware, Horizon players will already be immersed in this new world.
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Robot Dino Hunting…Just like the Cavemen Used to Do
This will be a hard decision for some of you that are in the “either or” camp. Thankfully, I’m evading this eternal debate in turn for conjuring issues of my own based on that decision. See ya later free time and social life! For me, I will have two or three solid days with Horizon before the Switch launches that Friday. Come Saturday, what will end up sitting on the shelf, and what will end up getting my full attention? The overzealous gamer in me says, “You will beat Horizon before Zelda comes out,” but the adult in me says, “Ain’t nobody got time for that.”
What will you be choosing? Do you plan on playing both? Don’t forget to check out our Twitch channel, where we will be streaming both games!
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These trailers were some of the most talked about from E3 2015 (aside from Final Fantasy VII obviously), but some of the best parts the public never got to see! We’re here to give you the scoop on what you missed from The Last Guardian, Uncharted 4, and Horizon.
The Last Guardian
The trailer everyone saw started out with the boy and catbird, named Trico we found out, on a bridge navigating some precarious heights. The trailer press was treated to in Sony’s theater on the floor started out about ten minutes earlier. The boy is navigating some very old ruins when he comes across Trico. The creature isn’t hostile to him, so it’s not clear whether or not the boy and Trico are already friends or not, but even if they weren’t, a quick rub on his face and some reassuring words have the boy on catbird’s good side.
The boy then runs around Trico and climbs on him. By the way, the feathers on Trico are so spot on, it’s incredible. Remember when you first saw LA Noire and were like “Oh god, faces can be that good?” Same thing, but for feathers. The boy notices that catbird’s been really injured, two large spears are embedded in him. Trico’s clearly tried to get them out himself with how splintered they are, but they’re at a weird angle to where he can’t pull them out himself. The boy ends up pulling both of the spears out, with small yelps of pain from our creature friend.
It’s then time for Trico to get up and eat his preferred meal, small barrels of something. Who knows. But Trico’s jonesin’ for the stuff enough that he stands up on his hind legs so the boy can enter a part of the dungeon he can’t in order to retrieve the barrels he wants. It’s very indicative of the symbiotic, caring relationship between the two, and really builds a bond the player’s mind between boy and catbird. After the boy opens the gate, both of them proceed out to the bridge where the press conference trailer picked up.
Though this extended trailer bit wasn’t terribly important, it did a great job of building the bond between the two characters and making you feel for Trico. Considering everyone thought this title was dead a month ago, it’s looking pretty damn good.
Uncharted 4
When Sony’s E3 2015 press conference trailer of Uncharted 4 last left Drake, he was being dragged by a large truck into a pile of wood while hanging off a bridge.. The trailer/gameplay continues from there as Drake is being pulled over the lake, past a pedestrian boat, narrowly avoiding wooden pillars until he finally slams in to dry land as the bridge ends. But that’s not where Drake gives up, oh no. He maintains his grip and is then unceremoniously dragged through the mud behind the truck, trying to avoid hitting things while also trying to pull himself up to the truck WHILE ALSO SHOOTING DUDES. After finally making it up to the truck and punching the hell out of some poor sap, it’s time to crank it up even further, as is tradition with Uncharted. While we’re not clear on the details, the car Drake is on catches on fire. Of course it does. So he’s forced to jump on someone else’s bike, kick off the owner, and keep driving with the caravan to get up to his brother. After two more vehicle hoppings, Drake is in a truck pulling up next to his brother, followed by a ton of troops. They both want the other to get on their vehicle. As brothers do, they start arguing about who will get on who’s vehicle.
Then Drake gets hit by a god damn truck. OF COURSE he gets hit by a god damn truck.
So as he’s getting his bearings in the flipped over vehicle, realizing he isn’t dead (a shock to us too), the damn thing catches on fire. Of course it does. IT’S UNCHARTED. OF COURSE THEY TOOK A BAD THING AND MADE IT WORSE. A few armed thugs comment that there’s no way he could be alive until he bursts the driver side door open and kills them. “Never underestimate a Drake.” He never says that, but in our fan fiction, he totally did.
His brother picks him up on the motorcycle and the chase is back on as the huge military truck is still on their asses. Nate’s shooting behind him, his brother’s driving, death is looming. Finally, they slide the bike under a large block in the road, which the truck hits and explodes. For the first time, Nate, his brother, and the audience all breathe an audible sigh of relief. Even just watching someone play this was stressful, playing it must be intense.
And just as we were ready for the demo to be over, Drake, his brother, and Sully all make it back to their hotel room, confident that they’ve found the location of a hidden treasure. Their excitement is interrupted by Drake’s wife unexpectedly showing up in his hotel room. She asks how the Monaco job is going and why he’s so off course. You can hear how disappointed she is that Drake lied to her about not being a thief anymore. It’s heartbreaking. Then the trailer ends.
GOD WE NEED THIS GAME.
Horizon Zero Dawn
Admittedly, the amount of content differing between the trailer press go to see and what the public saw is minimal. The demo we saw is functionally the same, but with a few more things shown off with combat. Aloy still comes down, hides in the grass, kills a robodino before it sounds an alarm, then shoots some of the grazing robots to take whatever green goop they’re holding. This murderous human, understandable, upsets mama dinosaur as it turns around and starts a huge fight. So in the press conference demo, it wasn’t quite clear why or how they were doing what they were doing and how to win against this huge foe, but in the private theater, they talked through the strategies that went in to it.
First off, Aloy has many different types of ammo with her bow. There’s explosive, electric, and armor piercing, among others, and they all have their place. First, after rolling around and dodging attacks, you slow down time to get a good shot with the armor piercing arrows to one of the mounted guns on the side, knocking it off. Then that weapon is used to knock off more of the armor plating around the dino’s weak point, somewhere around its upper thigh. This process is repeated for the other size, then you shoot cables to tie the beast down to get in a good shot and hit the weak point with an explosive shot. Boom, creature’s down.
Though it may not have been radically different, it’s at least interesting to get a peek into how Horizon Zero Dawn’s combat will function after its intriguing world roped us all in.
Daku Con 2018 Photo Gallery
Daku Con 2018 Convention Recap!
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PAX South 2019: Jump Force, Skellboy, A Fold Apart
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Nan Desu Kan 2018 Photo Gallery
The Last Guardian
Could you start a press conference any bigger than by showing off a demo of a game people assumed was dead? The Last Guardian has been one of the most highly anticipated, hotly debated, oft mourned games of the past five years. Now, we finally get to see what they’ve been working on, and it looks beautiful. The mechanics are of a symbiotic relationship between a boy and his creature friend that resembles something like a mix of a cat and a bird. The two friends have to progress through ruins together, helping each other through areas, and often out of danger. In this short video, you can really feel the growing bond between these two and it strikes a chord due in no small part to the very familiar mannerisms of the creature. At times acting like a dog, at times acting like a cat, but always acting like an animal and never acting out of place. It’s beautifully executed and this game is at the top of my list for anticipated titles in 2016.
Horizon: Zero Dawn
A new action adventure IP made its debut in a really impressive way. Horizon takes place after the apocalypse when the remnants of mankind are living in a world controlled by nature and animal-like robots. We take control of Aloy, one of the few huntresses of the robots to gain resources. Using a boy with different types of arrows and cunning, Aloy sneaks through tall plants, surprises robots, and kills them to take their resources. Clearly a bigger robot has a problem with that and is keen to fight. Aloy’s more than willing to oblige. The combat system is smooth, arrow switching is quick, and the ability to slow down time seems well placed. You can shoot parts off the robots to use against them. In this case, a blade shooter is procured to slice off protective parts of the robot’s armor to expose it’s core, then get taken down by explosive arrows. This looks to be a really interesting, beautiful game and something new to the post-apocalyptic game setting. Keep an eye on Horizon: Zero Dawn, it’s one of the most promising new IPs this year.
No Man’s Sky
This demo was probably my favorite, if only because the dev was so candid. He was upfront about how much time he had and what he wanted to show, so he briefly touched on space combat, then dove right in to exploration. He showed the scope of the universe and it’s definitely hard to grasp. Almost infinite, like our own universe. A countable, but difficult to imagine number of planets all with their own unique stuff. The dev even went to a random planet live on stage. That shows a lot of confidence. He showed off categorizing flora and fauna as well as the destructible environments that exist on all planets. No solid release date, but he says there will be one soon. Color us excited!
Dreams
Media Molecule, the studio behind Little Big Planet and Tearaway, are back with a new concept, and an ambitious one at that. Dreams has you interacting with and creating dreams with players. From adding elements and characters to the environment to animating your creations, they give you the tools create and bring dreams to life. It’s an incredibly ambitious project and there aren’t many details, but we trust you, Media Molecule. Can’t wait to see the tools and what the community does with them!
Final Fantasy VII Remake
Even writing the title to this section made me well up inside. And the sly devils revealed it so slyly. A quick showing of some machinery. Some soldiers. A girl sliding down a slide. Wait, don’t I know that slide?… Some more machinery. Cut to yellow flowers on the ground. Wait, that’s not… Cut to the slums, pan down to a group walking. Large man with a gun for his right arm. OH NO. ARE YOU SERIOUS. Blonde man with buster sword. THEY’RE DOING IT? Final Fantasy VII meteor logo. THEY’RE DOING IT!!!
That’s what happened. There’s no more information on it, but there doesn’t have to be. Square Enix is making dreams come true today. Suddenly, everything is possible, even the most far fetched things…like.
Shenmue 3
Exactly like Shenmue 3. Fans have been begging for this game for over ten years now and hope had all but died out. However, Sony already showed this is not a press conference to take lightly. It’s one to make dreams happen.
The creator has been wanting to make Shenmue 3 for years, but didn’t want to without the proper budget. Now, thanks to crowd funding, Shenmue 3 is in the hands of its fans. Shenmue 2 left fans wanting more, and 14 years later, they’re now given the opportunity to grab victory. As of writing this, Shenmue 3 has nearly $2.9 million on Kickstarter. that’s almost a million dollars over the asking budget and only in 24 hours. Simply incredible. Fans have wanted this game, the creator has wanted this game, and now thanks to Kickstarter, it’s happening. It’s all happening.
Daku Con 2018 Photo Gallery
Daku Con 2018 Convention Recap!
PAX South 2019: Splitgate Arena Warfare, World of Horror, JackQuest, and Disjunction
PAX South 2019: Jump Force, Skellboy, A Fold Apart
PAX South 2019: Devil May Cry 5, Young Souls, Magequit
