Horizon: Zero Dawn - The Frozen Wilds is a cold appetizer. How developers choose when to release

Fights with new monsters, one of which (Scorcher) resembles a huge fire-breathing wolf, and the other (Frostclaw) resembles a giant bear, feel very fresh, thanks to their new abilities. You will also meet other mechanized creatures, which will be oh so difficult to defeat. But I don't want to spoil those moments. In addition to several interesting new locations, a new cauldron will also be available for the player to explore (I think you remember the cauldrons from original game). In addition, you will also be able to participate in various activities such as hunts and challenges. However, these missions are not particularly interesting when compared with story missions and sidequests.

In general, it can take you 5-6 hours to complete the story part of the add-on, and additional missions and other tasks - another 10-15 hours. All of this, of course, is optional. And if you are not interested in obtaining new types of weapons, earning new skills and tracking down animals in the hunting grounds, you can limit yourself to the main story only. I can't say that the developers took the path of least resistance in an attempt to simply make more money. Not at all. The DLC is really meticulously crafted, and you immediately feel that a huge amount of money and human resources have been invested in it. It's nice when fans of the original game are not forgotten even after six months, delighting with such gifts.

Visually, the game is still great. Nature literally breathes on the screen, blades of grass sway in the wind, the fauna is rich not only in mechanized monsters, but also in various animals, and the landscapes of snowy lands sincerely admire with artistic elaboration. Perhaps in The Frozen Wilds, I saw the best snow I've ever seen in a video game. Aloy makes her way through the snowdrifts with difficulty, leaving behind realistic footprints, snow sticks to her clothes, and snowflakes falling from the sky quickly return nature to its original state. The abundance of magnificent special effects turns the picture into a feast for the eyes. And the improved facial animation makes the characters even more alive, although, it would seem, where is it better?

The new skill tree is called The Traveler and allows the main character to better control the machines, turning them into her henchmen, collect valuable materials more efficiently and much more. But I have to admit that there is absolutely no need for these skills. I would be much more pleased to see a skill that allows you to expand the amount of inventory, which is always clogged with various rubbish. As for the rest game mechanics remained practically unchanged: navigation, controls, combat system - all this will be familiar to those who have already managed to complete the original game. And if you haven't done it yet, I recommend starting the walkthrough right now. After all, in order to play the DLC, you will need at least the 30th level of pumping.

Pros:

A pleasant many hours continuation of the story of the original game.
Traditionally great graphics and wonderful work of artists.
The facial animation of the characters has become even more realistic.
A great opportunity to reconnect with your favorite characters.
A new spacious area of the world available for exploration.
Several new types of mechanical creatures.

Minuses:

Developers did not contribute game process nothing new.
The extra skill tree is frankly disappointing.
In fact, we have just a large content pack.

original Horizon game Zero Dawn at one time I got 9 points out of 10 from me, but The Frozen Wild is clearly inferior to it in brightness, although, of course, it is a very high-quality addition in which the developers have invested a lot of effort. New locations and mechanical monsters, many sidequests, new characters, weapons, armor and other nice bonuses - that's what Guerilla Games fans will surely enjoy. I was very surprised by the work of artists and animators, in particular, the much prettier facial expressions of the characters. But still, we have before us just DLC, which practically does not change anything in the gameplay, entertaining players with several hours of new adventures of the main character. Therefore, put The Frozen Wilds over 8 points out of 10 I just can not.

The Frozen Wilds may seem like an ideal or useless addition to . For hunters of mechanical creatures, this is a great opportunity to replenish the collection of trophies. If you want a competent expansion of the universe or missions that are unusual against the background of the main campaign, then there are almost no reasons to return.

The snow-shrouded region, home to the Banuk tribe, is not to be ventured unprepared. Here, in particular, previously unknown mechasaurs are found. Aloy encounters both fire-breathing death machines and robotic relatives of the bears. They are so agile that you do not feel safe even at the other end of the big arena. It is not difficult for a steel monster to suddenly jump and knock a girl down with a powerful blow or rush towards her, waving his hefty paws.

In certain situations, you first have to carefully sneak past opponents in order to reprogram the tower that heals the robots and deprive them of a tangible advantage. Under such conditions, the tension increases, since upon detection one must either retreat or take risks, and the prospect of sitting for several seconds in front of the tower with no chance to hide while Aloy takes control does not allow one to relax.

Hardcore fans are unlikely to be saddened by only three new species of mechasaur and the need to fight them repeatedly. Each such battle forces you to remember with warmth the battles with the unhurried giants, as well as to be surprised and in the next second to adapt to the unexpected tricks of the enemies. Along the way, you remember about the entire arsenal, from bows to traps. Also, local merchants manage to find combat staves. They allow you to bring down on robots an ice or fire stream. An effective weapon, especially against ground-attached enemies. By the way, some things unique to this region are sold only for gems, which are not easy to find.

While most of the required and secondary missions in The Frozen Wilds are about exterminating the metal creatures, individual missions are a delight to combine different activities, whether it's simple puzzles, communication with funny characters or acrobatics. The overabundance of running around from one clearing to another upsets me a little. Yes, the battles are good, but such a primitive and often repetitive approach is disappointing. Aloy can also clear out the bandit base and complete several challenges to test her hunting skills. Here the developers did not spoil anything, but they did without innovations.

A fourth branch of skills has also appeared, designed to simplify the process of collecting and managing resources, and at the same time expand the possibilities associated with taming mechanical animals. Now the heroine, if desired, repairs wounded comrades-in-arms, extracts more components and collects valuables without getting off her faithful steed. The benefits of such abilities are hard to miss. However, the minimum of elements that expand directly combat system. Provided that you have already pumped Aloy, updates in this aspect turn into a scanty addition.

The story focuses on the relationship between the representatives of the Banuk tribe and not the most interesting exposition about the past of the world. The characters manage to give out a lot of useless information and at the same time remain beautiful figurines in spectacular costumes. Stretched drama and abrupt transitions from one event to another negatively affect the story of the salvation of the good artificial intelligence from evil artificial intelligence. The authors casually touch upon the biography of a hero significant for the global narrative, but, unfortunately, do not delve into this issue.

Diagnosis

For those who don't like the original, The Frozen Wilds is an excellent addition worth buying. In the new region, it is realistic to stay for a dozen and a half hours, killing mechasaurs, collecting resources, buying new weapons, dealing with errands and enjoying the snowfall. The plot isn't exciting, but it wasn't a strong point in Zero Dawn either, so it doesn't come as a shocking surprise.

Intense battles with old and new mechasaurs
New weapons, armor, skills
Stunning views of snow-shrouded locations

Contra:

The story pays a lot of attention to boring characters and exposition
If you're tired of killing monsters in the original, then The Frozen Wilds offers nothing worthwhile.

Discussion of the add-on starts from the 33rd minute of the podcast

The release date is the point in time after which the game is considered released, which usually means that it can already be downloaded and tried out if purchased. licensed copy. For example, the release date for Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds (Horizon Zero Dawn The Frozen Wilds) is November 7, 2017.

AT recent times Increasingly, developers allow you to buy the game in advance - make a pre-order. In response to the support from potential buyers, who believe so much in the success of the project that they give money for it even before the release, the developers share various bonuses and exclusive materials. It can be a soundtrack, an artbook, or some mini-addons for the game.

Thus, a pre-order actually allows you to buy the game before its official release, but this does not mean that the announced release date loses its meaning, since you can fully play only after the release.

Why do you need to know release dates for games?

If only because it is more convenient to plan your time and finances. If you know, for example, when Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds (Horizon Zero Dawn The Frozen Wilds) will be released, then it will be easier for you to navigate: set aside money in advance to buy it, plan things so that you can immerse yourself in the game as soon as she just comes out.

A lot of gamers keep track of game release dates with special calendars and feature articles about the most important releases of the month or season. You can find both on our game portal site.

How do developers choose when to release?

They are guided by many factors at once. Firstly, it is important for them to know that their target audience will be able to immediately join the gameplay, so games are less likely to be released during the holiday season, as well as in those months when work is usually all hands on deck and students have a session.

Secondly, for a successful release, developers are trying to compare their plans with the announcements of potential competitors. For example, if we are talking about a shooter, then releasing it at the same time as the new Battlefield or Call of Duty is not very reasonable.

Thirdly, the release date indicates the so-called deadline - the very line after which the game is already ready. This means that it must be completed within the stated time. Alas, this does not always work out, and therefore the release date of the game can be shifted one or even several times.

In addition to this, the release of Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds (Horizon Zero Dawn The Frozen Wilds) on PC and consoles may differ - often developers try to release one version first, and only then move on to the next.

Not in rhyme, but true. Guerrilla Games has announced the release date for the first paid add-on for Horizon: Zero Dawn.The Frozen Wilds will appear, as I said, on November 7, and it will cost 1,399 rubles. SubscribersPlayStation Plus will be able to purchase the add-on at a price of 1.259 rubles. PSN avatar Banuk Aloy comes with pre-order.

We don't know the subtleties plot The Frozen Wilds. It is known for sure that the DLC will have a new area, new missions, side quests and much more.Given that the original game's snowy landscapes were one of its best features, it will be interesting to see what the developers come up with in terms of environments Frozen Wilds.

In addition to paid DLC, Horizon: Zero Dawn received a bunch of free updates.Along with bug fixes and bug fixes, Guerrilla Games has introduced a camera mode, new game+, take care increased complexity, various war face paints and all that stuff. Any whim for a demanding user. If they care so much about the player in the free updates, I think the paid DLC must be at least great.