Horizon Zero Dawn achieves many of the aspects that make a video game a unique, memorable, and enjoyable experience. What's good? an iconic protagnist that isn't a walking trope + interesting yet realistic supporting character designs (the voice acting isn't cringey unlike most video games ever) beautiful panoramas that one wishes were real, varied enemy types that aren't gimmicky, and aesthetics/cultures inspired by the indigenous people of the Americas- plus contrasting futuristic designs that aren't over the top gameplay that doesn't hold your hand (unless you lower the difficulty) superb graphics and performance (a good amount of settings that one can tweak to their liking) good controller support sound design that can get your adrenaline surging in clutch moments movement and combat are fluid and seem naturally cinematic (good photo mode as well) climbing/parkour mechanics that rival those of Tomb Raider and Uncharted What's bad? an underwhelming boss fight hit boxes on human enemies and wild animals are bad sometimes some of the side quests are straight up boring What's okay? the soundtrack is good, but limited the story isn't all that, but it's definitely a cut above all of the generic garbage many triple A studios are pumping out