Post-apocalyptic robot dinosaurs. These are probably the only four words that needed to be spoken in the pitch meeting that green-lit Horizon Zero Dawn. Pivoting away from their first-person shooter comfort zone, Guerrilla Games shocked everyone when they announced Horizon Zero Dawn. This open-world action game is, in my opinion, the finest work the studio has put out to date. The combat system is fun and diverse, with a multitude of options to approach any encounter. There’s plenty to do as you explore the world, with side-quests that feel more personal than the “go there and get that” fare of other games. The story is top-notch, with a vibrant world full of interesting characters and features an outstanding performance by Ashly Burch as Aloy. It’s also one of the best-looking games to come out this year from top to bottom. Horizon Zero Dawn more than earns its spot as the 4th best game of 2017.
