Videogames: Horizon Forbidden West - Language & Representations

 Language

Introduction

1) Why does Guerrilla Games have 'a serious case of bad timing'? 

The much awaited release of Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild swiftly filled the horizon.

2) What is the narrative for the original game Horizon Zero Dawn? 

The games are set a millennium after the majority of humanity was wiped off by rogue machines. 

3) How is the central character Aloy described? 

Aloy is presented as a skillful and nimble figure who alternates between sliding, climbing, and employing new equipment like a grappling hook and paraglider.

4) What is the narrative and setting for sequel Horizon Forbidden West?

The first game took place across a terraformed Colorado. 

5) What does the review say about animation and graphics?

It observes that despite its attractive appearance, Forbidden West's gameplay offers intense and fulfilling fighting.

6) What do we learn about the gameplay and activities in Horizon Forbidden West?

Aloy moves with such fluidity as she skillfully switches between sliding, climbing, and using new equipment like a paraglider and grappling hook. 

1) How is narrative, character and setting introduced in the trailer?

We can observe how an evil force and adversaries have seized control of the gaming environment, as well as how the antagonistic features are represented by the enemies' crimson attire and the colour of the blight.

2) How is the game's open world / sandbox genre shown in the trailer?

There are many distinct settings displayed, all of which can be explored. 

3) What representations can you find in the trailer? 

We can see that Aloy, the main character, is a woman, and her voiceover conveys her resolve to save the world. 

Watch the gameplay video and answer the following questions:

1) How does the game use media language to communicate ideas about narrative and genre?

Characters can be classified as either protagonists or antagonists based on their clothing colour and the amount of light they emit. Protagonists are typically blue, while antagonists are red.

2) What representations of people, places or groups can you find in the gameplay video?

The music is altered to fit the scene, and the racial other is shown as Aloy's sidekicks.

3) What audience pleasures are suggested by this gameplay trailer?

The teaser gives us a glimpse of the game's expansive universe, thrilling action sequences, and dramatic introduction. 

Narrative and genre

1) Read the opening to the article. How can we apply Steve Neale's genre theory to Horizon Forbidden West?

According to the publication, the game follows a set formula and is comparable to Zero Dawn.

2) How many copies did the Horizon Zero Dawn sell and why did this influence the design of the sequel?

That being said, it's not like Horizon Zero Dawn really needed to alter all that much in order to appeal to a noticeably larger audience, given that it has apparently sold over 20 million copies to date. 

3) How does the article criticise the story in Horizon Forbidden West? 

That there are far too many ancillary characters that appear out of nowhere and depend solely on dialogue that never ends.

4) What do we learn about the gameplay? 

While moving around in Forbidden West is still not as fun as it is in games like Assassin's Creed, Marvel's Spider-Man, and Mad Max, where you can move around and explore the open world at your leisure, Aloy's abilities to glide, dive underwater, climb more surfaces quickly, use a hook shot, and, yes, eventually fly, make moving around in the game feel less like a tedious chore that passes the time between important moments.

5) What is the article's overall summary of the game?

The article is generally positive to the games suggesting that the open-world genre of the game is a step in the right direction. It allows them to have "ambitious artistic ideas".

Representations

1) How does Horizon Forbidden West use narrative to create a fully diverse cast of characters?

The game's protagonists come in a variety of colours because, after mankind is destroyed, robots take over the planet and recreate people with all of our genetic diversity but without the social structures and historical context of the twenty-first century.

2) What is orientalism? 

The stereotypical portrayal of Asia, which is said to symbolise a colonialist mindset.

3) How does the article suggest orientalism applies to Horizon Forbidden West?

 We can see how in the game Aloy is a White American character, however there are other character who are from other cultures such as East Asian, Black, Indian, etc.

4) Who is the player encouraged to identify with in the game and how does this influence how representations are constructed?  

Aloy finds Ted Faro's last resting place beneath San Francisco's Transamerica Pyramid later in the game.

5) Finally, what did the writer of the article (an Asian American) feel when playing the game?

She perceived discrimination as a result of Orientalism in cultural representations, design decisions, etc.

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? 

Regarding the attractiveness of Aloy.

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?  

The female characters and personnel in this industry are problematic since they are all designed for "attractiveness" and the male gaze.