Horizon Forbidden West: Language and Representation blog tasks

 Read this review of Horizon Forbidden West in the Financial Times (should be non-paywalled but you can read the text of article here if needed). Answer the following questions:

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

Whenever they release a good game other companies release a game at the same time meaning there is more competition.

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

The game takes place 1000 years into the future and focuses on the dystopian world where robots are in control.

3) How is the central character Aloy described? 

She is described to be very strong, fierce and determined to ensure that her world is safe from destruction and chaos.

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

It is set along the west coast of California.

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

The graphics are "eye popping" considering the game is being ran off a console. The animations are also realistic and good looking.

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

We learn that the gameplay offers a satisfying but unique twist on combat as the character uses a futuristic bow and arrow with various other tools and can sling to other buildings or objects if need be.

Close textual analysis

Watch the trailer for Horizon Forbidden West:

Answer the following questions:

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

The voice over explains the narrative, The character is described as a female protagonist who's aim is to save the world from the robots who have taken control of the world. This can be seen through various camera shots such as crane shots and long shots.

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

The vastness of the map is shown through crane shots and there are also multiple locations.

3) What representations can you find in the trailer? 

Female gamers are employed as there is a female lead character.

AQA recommends watching the following gameplay trailer in their CSP booklet:

Watch the gameplay video and answer the following questions:

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

Binary opposition Levi straus showing the difference between nature and the horrors of the robots who have taken over. Stuart Hall reception theory showing the various elements of the games leaving the viewers with varied interpretation of narrative.

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

You can see people of all races and genders and there is also a theme of indigenous people and orientalism.

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

One audience pleasure is diversion as gamers are able to escape in the vast open world aspect of the game.

Narrative and genre

Read this excellent Den of Geek article that addresses elements of narrative and genre. You can find the article text here if the link is blocked. Answer the following questions: 

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

The game follows Neals's idea of repition as the game is similar to its prequel.

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

They sold over 20 million copies which helped Guerilla games gain a wider audience.

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

There are too many side characters which are not relevant to the plot line.

4) What do we learn about the gameplay? 

We learn that it is a primarly focused combat system where you have to track down robots and either fight them or turn them to your side to help you fight tribes who want to take over the world.

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

The articles overall summary is pretty positive and it is in favour of the open world idea.

Representations

Read this fascinating Polygon feature on why Horizon Forbidden West isn't post-racial and answer the following questions: 

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

Due to humanity being destroyed and the world being very barren and destroyed overrun with nature the recreation of humans and the diversity help to show that the game represents all ethnic backgrounds.

2) What is orientalism? 

It is a type of racism where the west thought that the east needed them and they also thought they were a threat which is why westerners civilised them.

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

The main characters are white and based in California and this shows superiority over the other ethnic backgrounds in the game such as south asians.

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

The players are encouraged to identify with Aloy so that they can help her to save her planet from being over taken by robots.

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

The writer said she felt discriminated due to orientalism.

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? 

The debate focuses on the attractivness of Aloy and her looks.

2) What examples are provided of other female characters and representations in videogames?

Some examples would be Lara Croft from Tomb Raider and Genshin impact.

3) What are the issues facing the videogame industry in terms of gender?  

The issues are the over sexualising of women in videogames and the male gaze.