Horizon Call of the Mountain: A PSVR2 Review

Horizon Call of the Mountain represents a significant step forward for PlayStation VR2. It’s a visually stunning game that leverages the new headset’s capabilities impressively. However, the gameplay, while engaging at times, suffers from some inconsistencies that prevent it from reaching its full potential. This review will delve into the highs and lows of this ambitious virtual reality adventure, providing a comprehensive assessment of its strengths and shortcomings.

Stunning Visuals and Immersive World

From the moment you slip on the PSVR2 headset, you’re struck by the sheer visual fidelity of Horizon Call of the Mountain; The detail in the environments is breathtaking, from the lush forests and towering mountains to the intricate designs of the robotic creatures. The lighting effects are particularly impressive, creating a sense of depth and realism that’s rarely seen in VR games. The textures are sharp and detailed, and the draw distance is exceptional. This level of visual fidelity truly immerses the player in the world of Horizon.

The game’s use of haptic feedback is also noteworthy. The PSVR2’s Sense controllers allow for incredibly subtle and nuanced interactions with the environment. Feeling the weight of your bow, the texture of a plant, or the resistance of a mechanism adds a new layer of immersion. These subtle details contribute significantly to the overall feeling of presence within the game’s world.

Exploring the World of Horizon

Horizon Call of the Mountain builds upon the established lore and world of the Horizon series. While it doesn’t directly follow the narrative of the main games, it seamlessly integrates into the overall storyline. Players will encounter familiar elements from the Horizon universe, including various tribes, machines, and environments. The story itself is quite engaging, weaving together a compelling narrative that keeps players invested in the journey.

The exploration aspect of the game is well-designed. The game world is vast and diverse, offering ample opportunities for discovery. Hidden areas, collectibles, and side quests encourage exploration and provide additional depth to the gameplay experience. The sheer scale of the environments, especially the mountains, is awe-inspiring, creating a sense of wonder and adventure.

Gameplay Mechanics and Challenges

While the visuals are undeniably impressive, the gameplay mechanics are a more mixed bag. The climbing mechanics, a central feature of the game, are generally well-implemented, providing a sense of physicality and challenge. However, the controls can sometimes feel a bit clunky, particularly when navigating tighter spaces or more complex climbing sections. Precision is key, and a slight misstep can lead to a fall, adding a layer of tension to the experience.

Combat is another area where the game shows both strengths and weaknesses. The bow-and-arrow combat is surprisingly intuitive and satisfying, especially with the enhanced haptic feedback of the PSVR2 controllers. However, the melee combat feels less refined, lacking the same level of polish and precision. It can feel somewhat awkward at times, particularly when dealing with multiple enemies.

Weapon Variety and Machine Encounters

The game features a decent variety of weapons, each with its own unique strengths and weaknesses. Players will need to strategically choose the right weapon for each situation, adding a tactical element to the combat. The machine encounters are generally well-designed, presenting unique challenges and requiring players to adapt their strategies accordingly. Some machines are particularly challenging and will require careful planning and execution to defeat.

The puzzle elements are generally well-integrated into the gameplay, adding a welcome layer of variety. These puzzles often involve manipulating objects in the environment, utilizing your tools, or solving environmental riddles. They are generally not overly difficult, but they add a nice change of pace from the climbing and combat sections.

Technical Performance and Issues

While the visuals are stunning, the technical performance of Horizon Call of the Mountain isn’t without its flaws. There are occasional instances of frame rate drops, particularly in more demanding areas. These drops, while not game-breaking, can disrupt the immersion and detract from the overall experience. The game also suffers from some minor graphical glitches, though these are relatively infrequent.

The game’s overall optimization could be improved. While it runs smoothly most of the time, certain areas and actions can cause noticeable stutters. These aren’t frequent enough to ruin the experience, but they’re noticeable enough to mention. Furthermore, some users have reported issues with motion sickness, especially during intense climbing sequences or combat encounters. This is a common problem with VR games, but it’s worth noting for potential players.

Story and Narrative

The narrative in Horizon Call of the Mountain is a captivating blend of familiar and new elements. While it stands alone as a separate story from the main Horizon games, it cleverly integrates into the established lore, expanding upon the world and its characters. The story is engaging, with well-developed characters and a compelling plot that keeps players invested until the very end.

The pacing of the story is generally well-managed, with a good balance of action, exploration, and narrative moments. However, there are some points where the pacing feels a bit rushed, particularly in certain sections of the main storyline. Despite this minor flaw, the overall story is a significant strength of the game, providing a satisfying and rewarding experience for players.

Accessibility Features

Horizon Call of the Mountain includes a range of accessibility options to cater to a wider audience. These features allow players to customize aspects of the game to better suit their individual needs and preferences. This includes options to adjust the difficulty level, control schemes, and visual settings.

• Difficulty Settings: Players can choose from various difficulty settings, ranging from easy to challenging, allowing them to tailor the experience to their skill level.
• Control Customization: The game allows players to adjust the sensitivity of the controls, helping to minimize motion sickness or improve comfort for players with motor skill limitations.
• Visual Settings: Several visual settings can be customized, including screen size, field of view, and brightness levels. This allows players with visual impairments to optimize the game for their needs.

The inclusion of these accessibility features demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity, ensuring that a wider range of players can enjoy the immersive world and engaging story of Horizon Call of the Mountain. This dedication to accessibility is commendable and sets a positive example for other VR game developers.

Overall Impression

Horizon Call of the Mountain is a visually stunning and immersive VR experience that showcases the capabilities of the PlayStation VR2. The world is breathtakingly detailed, and the haptic feedback adds a significant layer of immersion. However, the gameplay, while engaging at times, suffers from some inconsistencies. The climbing mechanics are generally well-implemented, but the controls can feel clunky at times, and the melee combat feels less refined than the bow-and-arrow combat.

Despite these shortcomings, Horizon Call of the Mountain remains a compelling VR adventure. The story is engaging, the exploration is rewarding, and the visual fidelity is truly remarkable. The game is a must-have for early PSVR2 adopters looking for a captivating and immersive experience, however, some may find the occasional technical hiccups and gameplay inconsistencies detract slightly from the overall enjoyment.

While the game showcases the power of the PSVR2, it also highlights areas where there’s room for improvement in future VR titles. The technical issues, while not game-breaking, point to the ongoing challenges of developing high-quality VR experiences. Nonetheless, the game provides a compelling glimpse into the future of VR gaming, hinting at the immersive adventures that await us.

Ultimately, Horizon Call of the Mountain is a significant step forward for VR gaming, a testament to the potential of the PSVR2, but also a reminder that the technology is still evolving. It is a mixed bag, a journey of breathtaking highs and frustrating lows, leaving players with a strong sense of wonder and a touch of longing for what could have been.

This is a game that should be experienced for its sheer visual beauty and immersive quality, but players should also be prepared for the occasional technical hiccup and gameplay challenge. The journey is worth it, but be prepared for a mixed bag.