The Worst Part of Horizon Zero Dawn

[Winter]

Before I go any further I just want to say that I LOVE Horizon Zero Dawn. The world building, Aloy and Sylens are really fascinating characters and the supporting cast all have interesting backstories and personal arcs, the gameplay is fun and it's just BEAUTIFUL!!!

... But. There is one issue I have with the game and that's the acting. Now Aloy and Sylens are both acted wonderfully by Ashly Burch and Lance Reddick and most of the main campaign to a good if not outstanding job but... the characters you meet during side missions are... not great.

Just to pick ONE example look at this, Start at 6:19 and stop at 6:26.


youtu.be/g1iMwHgTa6g

That's... I mean... There is NO emotion in that dialogue, she says it as if she's talking about the weather... It's honestly one of the WORST bits of acting I have ever seen and sadly that's most of the side quests. This only becomes more obvious when you play through the Frozen Wilds Expansion Pack with actors who are, you know, ACTING!

Just take a look at this scene with Gildun.


youtu.be/v5fudX0HxHQ

Gildun is voiced by Donovan Patton who injects so much LIFE and likability into the character to the point that fans want to see him return in the sequel, if not to be promoted to possible love interest for Aloy (personally I probably wouldn't romance anyone because I see Aloy as Asexual but that's besides the point). Or Aratak, who says little at first but every word has such emotion and depth that you cannot help but draw into his character. Or Ourea who as soon as you meet her you can hear the desperation and grief in her voice that makes you want to help her on her quest before you even get to know her. And best of all, Laurel Lefkow who plays CYAN, who needs to act as if she is a machine who cannot express emotions like a human would and yet to still FEEL that emotion.

After the main campaign's side quests the side characters in Frozen Wilds were a breath of fresh air which only served to show how lackluster the acting in the side quests were in the main campaign. Thankfully, based on what little we've seen in the demo for the game, Horizon Forbidden West, the acting from the supporting actors is MUCH better. Not great but it sounds like these people are at least GIVING a $#!t.

Still love this game but replaying it I was often annoyed by the acting of the side characters. While some like Petra were good those where few and far between so here's hoping that future titles avoid this issue.