Horizon Forbidden West: Language and representations

 Language


Introduction

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'? 


2) What is the narrative for the original game Horizon Zero Dawn? 
The game takes place a thousand years after rampaging machines have wiped out most of humanity. Survivors have clustered into tribal communities who view relics of technology as objects of either suspicion or religious relics.

3) How is the central character Aloy described? 
A complex mysterious character

4) What is the narrative and setting for sequel Horizon Forbidden West?
It is more diffuse, and it smartly explores themes of climate catastrophe.

5) What does the review say about animation and graphics?
It is realistic and smooth.

6) What do we learn about the gameplay and activities in Horizon Forbidden West? 
There is a lot to do in the game that players could get exhausted.


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?
  • Narrative: Voice over in Aloy's POV
  • Character: Through her movements, outfit and goals
  • Setting: Range of places to explore and different parts of America being discovered.

2) How is the game's open world / sandbox genre shown in the trailer? 
It is a post-apocalyptic world of the USA and shows all the corrupted parts which gives players a chance to not only explore but create a life there.

3) What representations can you find in the trailer? 
Native Americans, animals, culture


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?
Represents people fighting for their life and shows the different perspectives and goals each individual of the game has which reveals the variety of story lines players can explore.

2) What representations of people, places or groups can you find in the gameplay video?
Black, Native, Male, Female, White

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



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?
It is a sequel of a previous/ already made game which shows repetition as it has a similar story line with the same characters but it is a build up as well as has more characters which shows difference.

2) How many copies did the Horizon Zero Dawn sell and why did this influence the design of the sequel?
Sold over 20 million copies. 
Because it appeals to a large/ wide audience.

3) How does the article criticise the story in Horizon Forbidden West? 
Others hoped an eventual Zero Dawn sequel might break free of its checklist-based, Ubisoft-style open-world shackles and fully embrace some of the concepts that set it apart.

More story doesn't necessarily mean better story.

4) What do we learn about the gameplay? 
That it is definitely a better game than the prequel.

5) What is the article's overall summary of the game?
Forbidden West is the surest way to blind yourself from the many qualities that separate the game from its competition and truly make it one of the year’s most impressive experiences and a more than worthy follow-up to the already impressive original.

Representations

Race representations in Horizon Forbidden West


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

2) What is orientalism? 
A type of racism in which the west projects savagery and beauty onto the east

3) How does the article suggest orientalism applies to Horizon Forbidden West? 
Through it's discovery of San Francisco

4) Who is the player encouraged to identify with in the game and how does this influence how representations are constructed?  
Aloy, it influences representations as we are forced to see it from a white lesbian girl perspective.

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

Gender and videogames

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? 
Her attractiveness

2) What examples are provided of other female characters and representations in videogames?
Tomb Raider, Genshin Impact or Bayonetta, all of which feature female characters in skimpy outfits.

3) What are the issues facing the videogame industry in terms of gender? 
Sexism and the male gaze. 

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