So after 30 hours of Horizon: Forbidden West, I think it's time to accept the fact that I don't like it. The thing is, I don't really know why.

Guerrilla's sequel to 2017's Horizon Zero Dawn is about as big as games get; the budget, the marketing, the hype, its backstory and its script, and of course, the size of it - the sheer amount of stuff there is to do in it.

It has so much to love, too. The world is incredible and looks stunning, the enemy designs are remarkable and the production values are as high as they come. I look forward to playing it, but when I do I just kind of end up on autopilot, mindlessly hacking away at enemies and watching relentlessly-talky narrative scenes through glazed eyes.

Indeed, the only time the game manages to squeeze an emotional response from me is when it's annoying me. I don't hate it - not at all - but I don't love it either. To paraphrase a particularly prickly character from TV's Scrubs; I nothing it. I'm completely indifferent.

But why? I mean, who doesn't want to play a game set in a spectacular post-apocalyptic world filled with giant mechanical dinosaurs? Have we simply seen this quest-filled, open-world adventure style game too many times now? Does it just have a bit too much... everything?

It's possible. It's the exact reason I've stayed away from Assassin's Creed for the best part of a decade after all. But I'm not sure it is that with Horizon. The weirdest thing about all of this is that I don't see how this sequel is any worse than the first game. And I loved the first game.

I'll play it through to completion, and I've dropped the difficulty so it doesn't annoy me too much as I do. But why do I feel the need to finish something I'm not enjoying? Especially when I have a to-play list bursting with games I’m certain I'll like more.

Getting a return on my investment (both time and money) is probably a big one. I’ve sunk £70 and 30 hours into this game already and I don’t want it to be for nothing. But I know dropping another 30 hours on it probably isn't the best solution.

I guess I still hold on to the hope that it'll all just click at some point. That I'll love the final stretch and all the effort up until now will be worth it. If it does, it will be.

If so, hopefully in a couple of weeks I'll be able to report back with some good news...

-

I hope you enjoy the rest of the newsletter.

Take care, and thank you!

Jeff

NEWS

• August’s PlayStation Plus games are now live and available to download on consoles.

• Two Point Campus, Ghost Recon Wildlands, and more are coming to Xbox Game Pass over the next few weeks.

• A £3.39 God of War clone has appeared on the Xbox Store. According to Eurogamer - and predictably enough - it's hilariously awful.

• A new study has found that playing video games has no effect on wellbeing, countering fears that gaming could harm mental health

• PlayStation has announced an Evo 2022 live show, and teased ‘exciting reveals’ this week.

• EA has officially confirmed a sponsorship with Spanish La Liga, which it says will include “a complete rebrand of La Liga with EA SPORTS, including all logos, graphics, fonts and other visual elements”

• Microsoft has started Insider testing for a new Xbox Game Pass family plan.

• Halo Infinite's open world was significantly scaled back compared to its original vision, according to Joseph Staten, head of creative at 343 Industries.

• This week's Pokémon Presents broadcast provides a new look at Scarlet and Violet.

• Kirby and the Forgotten Land has already smashed series records, according to Nintendo.

• Screenshots of the Modern Warfare 2 multiplayer interface have leaked, thanks to multiple athletes appearing to break an embargo.

• Hitman 3 now has a Monkey Island Easter egg.

• Rare talks captaincy, personalisation, and waterfalls ahead of Sea of Thieves' big new update in this interview with Eurogamer.

• Check out 16 minutes of Batgirl gameplay in this new look at Gotham Knights.

• Electronic Arts has said that single-player games are “a really, really important part” of its overall product mix.

• Following reports that Call of Duty will skip 2023, Activision says ‘premium paid content’ is coming.

• YouTube and Crunchyroll are ending support for the Nintendo Wii U.

Deals!

• Sony has added a load of new games to the PlayStation Summer Sale, including Horizon: Forbidden West and Gran Turismo 7.

• Xbox are currently running an Action RPG sale, and a Super Saver Sale, with up to 80% off in each.

• If you're not currently a PlayStation Plus subscriber, Sony are offering a 7-day free trial of their new Extra and Premium tiers.

• The latest Nintendo eShop sale is currently discounting a host of digital games, including Ni No Kuni Remastered for just £7.99.

More!

A huge congratulations to the Lost in Cult team who this week smashed their funding goal for the [lock-on] Volume 004 gaming journal. If you missed the campaign, you can still pre-order the journal here.

NEW RELEASES:

Before We Leave 

(Switch) – August 2

South of the Circle 

(PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch, PC) – August 3

Turbo Golf Racing

(Xbox, PC) – August 4

Hindsight 

(Switch, PC, iOS) – August 4

Recipe For Disaster 

(PC) – August 5

UPCOMING RELEASES:

Two Point Campus 

(PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch, PC) – August 9

Lost in Play 

(Switch, PC) – August 10

Cult of the Lamb 

(PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch, PC) – August 11

Rumbleverse 

(PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch, PC) – August 11

Marvel's Spider-Man 

(PC) – August 12 – Read review

GAME OF THE WEEK

A randomly selected game each week! Any and all games are eligible for selection regardless of age, platform, popularity, or otherwise.

This week, the honour goes to…

Uncharted: Drake's Fortune (2007)

After the Crash Bandicoot and Jak & Daxter titles for the PlayStation and PlayStation 2 respectively, Naughty Dog tried something a little more ambitious for the PlayStation 3 with Uncharted: Drake's Fortune.

Stellar animation, acting, performance capture and a greater focus on storytelling hinted at what was to come from the studio with its far more sophisticated Uncharted follow-ups and the two The Last of Us games.

RECOMMENDED READS

Square Enix's Western studios were a "train wreck in slow motion"

By James Batchelor - GiBiz

Eidos Montreal founder Stephane D'Astous reflects on the issues he believes led to the studio's sale

State of the Game: No Man's Sky - an ever-expanding universe of wonder

By Matt Wales - Eurogamer

From fallen star to supernova. Matt Wales discusses the incredible evolution of Hello Games' sci-fi spectacular, and what you can expect to find if you fire up the game today.

Xbox: Cloud gaming is a "great alternative" to console, not a replacement

By James Batchelor - GiBiz

Samsung and Microsoft tell GiBiz how games streaming reached the needed inflection point as they partner on the Samsung Gaming Hub.

More for your inbox!

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(These newsletters are part of a cross-promotion and clicks/sign-ups directly help The Week in Games to grow)

CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGNS

Abyssal Archive

Tune & Fairweather - Pre-orders close August 14th

— www.abyssalarchive.com

The most comprehensive study of Dark Souls' mythos ever published.

Kloa - Child of the Forest

Wildpad Games - Campaign ends August 18th

— www.kickstarter.com

An Action-Adventure filled with beautiful natural scenery, fast paced combat and intriguing puzzles

Game Boy & Virtual Boy Anthology

Geeks Line - Campaign ends August 21st

— www.kickstarter.com

The Ultimate Reference On The Nintendo “Boy” Systems.

PIXELS FOREVER

Red Right Hand - Campaign ends August 24th

— www.kickstarter.com

A massive guide all about creating pixel art and pixel animations.

Nara: Facing Fire

Glowing Glade Studio - Campaign ends September 2nd

— www.kickstarter.com

Inspired by Hollow Knight, Ori, and Celeste with focus on fluid and responsive movement, difficult bosses, and epic escape sequences.

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...and that's it for this week!

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