Horizon Zero Dawn vs Far Cry Primal

• Perspective: Third-Person
• Multiplayer: Single-player Only
• Setting: Post-Apocalyptic 31st Century Earth (Colorado, Utah, Wyoming)
• Platforms: PlayStation 4, Windows PC, PlayStation 5 (via Backward Compatibility & Remaster)
• Initial Release (PS4): 2017-02-28
• PC Release (Complete Edition): 2020-08-07
• Remastered Release (PS5, PC): 2024-10-31
• Unique Feature: Unique post-apocalyptic world with robotic creatures, compelling story of Aloy, strategic machine combat by targeting weak points, machine overriding.

• Perspective: First-Person
• Multiplayer: None (Single-Player Only)
• Setting: Oros (Fictional Central European Valley, 10,000 BCE)
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
• Unique Feature: Beast Master System (Taming & Commanding Animals), Prehistoric Setting & Weaponry, Fictional Primitive Languages, Village Building/Upgrading.

• Rost (Early Game Mentor): Aloy's adoptive father and mentor during her childhood and adolescence. He teaches her essential survival, hunting, and combat skills. He is not a persistent companion throughout the main journey but is a crucial character in her formative years.
  Human (Nora Outcast)
• Various Story Allies (Temporary): Throughout her journey, Aloy teams up with various individuals for specific quests or story segments (e.g., Erend, Sona, Varl, Talanah, Aratak & Ourea in The Frozen Wilds). These allies fight alongside her but are not permanent, controllable companions.
  Human (Nora, Carja, Oseram, Banuk)
• Overridden Machines (Temporary Mounts/Allies): Aloy can use her spear to override certain types of machines. Some (like Striders, Broadheads, Chargers) can be used as mounts for faster travel. Others might fight alongside her for a limited time if their combat protocols are enabled during the override.
  Robotic Machines

• Tameable Beasts (Owl): The Owl is Takkar's first and unique aerial companion. It can be sent out to scout areas, tag enemies and resources, perform dive bomb attacks on single targets (upgradable), and drop crafted bombs (sting, berserk, fire) once relevant skills are unlocked. Cannot be directly harmed in combat.
  Bird (Owl)
• Tameable Beasts (Land Predators & Mammals): Takkar can tame a wide variety of land animals after learning the skill from Tensay. Each beast has unique stats (strength, speed, stealth) and abilities: Wolves howl to reveal nearby enemies/resources; Jaguars are stealthy killers; Bears are powerful tanks that draw aggro; Badgers are resilient and can revive themselves; Sabretooths are fast mounts and fierce fighters. Players can direct their tamed beast to attack targets, stay, or follow. Beasts can be revived if downed, but if killed (after a revive window), they must be re-tamed (or a new one found). Legendary versions of some beasts offer enhanced abilities.
  Various (Wolf, Jaguar, Leopard, Sabretooth Tiger, Brown Bear, Cave Bear, Badger, Dhole, etc.)
• Rideable Beasts: Certain tamed beasts can be ridden by Takkar for faster traversal of Oros. Mammoths are slow but destructive; Sabretooth Tigers are very fast; Brown Bears offer a balance of speed and combat prowess while mounted. Riding beasts allows Takkar to attack with his own weapons from their back.
  Juvenile Mammoth, Sabretooth Tiger, Brown Bear (with skill unlock)

• Vantages: Datapoints found at scenic overlooks. When activated, Aloy's Focus reveals a glimpse of the Old World location as it once was, along with an audio log from a man who documented the fall of civilization. There are 12 in the base game.
• Metal Flowers: Mysterious, artificial glowing flowers with intricate designs, found hidden throughout the world. Collecting sets of them unlocks rewards from a specific merchant in Meridian. There are 30 in the base game.
• Banuk Figures (Arnak's Figures): Small wooden effigies of Banuk hunters and machines, often found in high, difficult-to-reach places, usually requiring climbing or precise jumps. There are 6 in the base game.
• Ancient Vessels: Old World coffee mugs with various designs. Found in ancient ruins and can be traded to a collector in Meridian for special reward boxes. There are 12 in the base game.
• Grazer Training Dummies: Training dummies set up by the Nora tribe in the Sacred Lands. Destroying all 23 of them grants a small reward and an achievement/trophy.
• Power Cells (for Shield-Weaver Armor): Five rare Power Cells hidden in specific Old World ruins and main quest locations. Collecting all of them is required to unlock the Shield-Weaver outfit.
• Animal Figurines (The Frozen Wilds DLC): Six animal-themed figurines hidden within 'The Cut,' the new region in The Frozen Wilds expansion. Part of a side quest.
• Pigments (The Frozen Wilds DLC): Sets of colorful mineral pigments found in The Cut. Collecting these allows a Banuk shaman to create special dyes for Aloy's outfits and face paint.

• Daysha Hands: Glowing red handprints found on cave walls and rock faces throughout Oros. Interacting with them triggers a short audio-visual sequence revealing lore about Wenja history, past events, or spiritual insights, and grants XP.
• Spirit Totems: Small, carved totems representing various animal spirits, hidden in challenging-to-reach locations, often requiring platforming or exploration. Collecting them grants XP and contributes to 100% completion.
• Wenja Bracelets: Lost bracelets belonging to Wenja tribe members, scattered across Oros. Each bracelet found grants XP and adds a small piece to the collective story and struggles of the Wenja people.
• Izila Masks: Ceremonial masks of the Izila tribe, often found in their territory or camps. Collecting them grants XP and is sometimes tied to side objectives.

• Post-Apocalyptic
• Nature vs. Technology
• Tribal Societies
• Matriarchy
• Mystery of the Past
• Artificial Intelligence
• Identity & Belonging
• Survival
• Environmentalism
• Ancient Civilizations
• Machine Ecology

• Prehistoric Survival
• Tribal Warfare
• Man vs. Nature
• Beast Mastery & Domestication
• Shamanism & Spirituality
• Primitive Technology & Crafting
• The Dawn of Humanity
• Loss & Resilience

• Spear (Lancer): Primary Melee Weapon
  Aloy's versatile spear used for light and heavy melee attacks, critical strikes on downed machines, and prying open components. Can be upgraded with modifications.
• Hunter Bow: Ranged (Versatile Bow)
  A balanced bow capable of firing Hunter Arrows (basic damage), Fire Arrows (burning damage over time, igniting blaze canisters), and Hardpoint Arrows (high tear and damage).
• Sharpshot Bow: Ranged (Precision Bow)
  A long-range bow designed for high precision and damage. Fires Precision Arrows (high damage, good tear), Tearblast Arrows (removes machine components), and Harvest Arrows (increases resource drops from components).
• War Bow: Ranged (Elemental Bow)
  A bow specialized in delivering elemental damage. Fires Shock Arrows (stuns machines, detonates shock canisters), Freeze Arrows (makes machines brittle, increases impact damage), and Corruption Arrows (causes machines to attack anything nearby, including other machines).
• Tripcaster: Tactical Trap Tool
  Deploys tripwires between two points that trigger an effect when crossed by an enemy. Available wires include Shock Wires (stun), Blast Wires (explosive damage), and Fire Wires (burning).
• Ropecaster: Tactical Immobilization Tool
  Fires ropes that can tie down machines to the ground, immobilizing them temporarily for easier targeting of weak points or overriding. Can be upgraded for heavier ropes.
• Sling: Ranged (Elemental Bombs)
  Launches elemental bombs in an arc. Types include Freeze Bombs (area freeze effect), Shock Bombs (area shock effect), and Blast Bombs (area explosive damage).
• Rattler: Ranged (Close-Quarters Bolts)
  A rapid-fire bolt gun effective at close to medium range. Fires Metal Bolts (standard damage), Shock Bolts (shock damage), and Freeze Bolts (freeze damage).
• Tearblaster (Craftable Weapon): Specialized Tool (Component Removal)
  A craftable weapon that fires compressed air blasts, highly effective at tearing off machine armor and components without dealing significant health damage.
• Stormslinger, Icerail, Forgefire (Frozen Wilds DLC Weapons): Specialized Elemental Weapons
  Unique elemental weapons introduced in The Frozen Wilds expansion. Stormslinger (electricity), Icerail (frost), and Forgefire (fire) offer powerful, charge-up attacks with unique mechanics.

• Clubs (One-Handed & Two-Handed): Melee (Blunt)
  Basic to powerful melee weapons crafted from wood and stone. One-handed clubs are faster, while two-handed clubs deal more damage and can stun. Can be upgraded for increased damage and durability, and set on fire for extra damage over time and utility (burning foliage, scaring animals).
• Spears: Melee/Throwable (Piercing)
  Crafted from wood and sharpened stone/bone. Versatile for both melee combat (good reach) and as a powerful thrown projectile, especially effective against large beasts or armored foes. Can be upgraded for damage and durability.
• Bows (Standard Bow & Long Bow): Ranged (Piercing)
  Primitive bows crafted for ranged combat and hunting. The Long Bow offers better range and damage. Arrows can be standard, fire (igniting targets and environment), or (with upgrades) double arrows for increased damage. Essential for stealth.
• Slings: Ranged (Blunt/Distraction)
  Allows Takkar to throw stones with precision. Primarily used for distracting enemies, breaking weak objects, or headshots against unarmored foes. Less damaging than bows but useful for utility.
• Shards (Stone Shards, Berserk Shards): Throwable (Piercing/Effect)
  Sharpened pieces of stone used as throwing daggers for quick, silent kills on unarmored targets. Berserk Shards are coated with a substance that causes enemies to attack anyone nearby, including their allies, creating chaos.
• Bombs (Sting Bomb, Berserk Bomb, Fire Bomb): Throwable (Area of Effect/Utility)
  Crafted throwable explosives. Sting Bombs (Bee Bombs) release a swarm of angry bees that stun and damage enemies. Berserk Bombs have a wider area of effect for turning enemies against each other. Fire Bombs create a lasting area of fire, useful for area denial and igniting flammable objects or enemies.
• Traps: Utility/Area Denial
  Craftable traps that can be placed on the ground to ensnare or damage enemies and animals that step on them. Useful for defending locations or setting ambushes.

• Nora Brave Outfit (Starting Outfit): Aloy's initial outfit, offering basic protection. Multiple variants can be acquired, providing minor resistances or stealth benefits.
• Carja Blazon Outfit: Ornate Carja attire, often providing resistance to fire damage. Available in light, medium, and heavy variants with increasing protection and modification slots.
• Banuk Sickness Eater Outfit: Banuk tribal wear, typically offering resistance to freeze or corruption damage. Available in different tiers.
• Oseram Arrow Breaker Outfit: Sturdy Oseram-made armor, primarily providing increased resistance to ranged projectile damage. Comes in light, medium, and heavy versions.
• Nora Silent Hunter Outfit: Specialized Nora outfit designed to enhance stealth, making Aloy harder for enemies (humans and machines) to detect.
• Shield-Weaver Outfit (Unique Ancient Armor): A highly sought-after ancient armor set that generates a rechargeable force field, absorbing a significant amount of damage before needing to recharge. Unlocked by finding all Power Cells.
• Frozen Wilds Outfits (e.g., Banuk Chieftain, Carja Blazon Master): New outfits introduced in The Frozen Wilds DLC, often with unique perks or higher stats, tailored for the challenges of the new region. Many offer enhanced elemental resistances.
• Modification Slots: All outfits have modification slots (number varies by rarity/tier) where 'Weaves' can be inserted to further boost resistances (melee, ranged, fire, freeze, shock, corruption) or enhance stealth.

• Crafted Clothing & Gear Upgrades (Wenja Village): Takkar does not wear traditional 'armor.' Instead, progression involves crafting and upgrading clothing pieces (like winter clothes for cold resistance) and enhancing personal carrying capacity for weapons, ammo (shards, bombs), tools, and resources. These upgrades are primarily done by providing skins, wood, and stone to specialists in the Wenja village. While some crafted clothing might offer minor elemental resistance (e.g., cold), the main 'defense' comes from health upgrades via skills and food buffs.
• Skill-Based Resilience: Defensive capabilities are primarily improved through Takkar's skill tree, unlocking increased health, faster health regeneration, and resistance to certain types of damage (e.g., fire, melee).
• Food Buffs: Consuming specific crafted food recipes can provide temporary buffs to health, stamina, resistances, or other attributes, acting as a form of temporary 'armor' or enhancement.

• Nora Outfits (Brave, Protector, Silent Hunter, Survivor): Various outfits reflecting Nora tribal craftsmanship. Each set (often available in Light, Medium, Heavy variants) provides different resistances (e.g., melee, ranged, fire, freeze, shock, corruption) and can be enhanced with modifications (weaves).
• Carja Outfits (Silks, Blazon, Shadow): Ornate and functional attire from the Carja Sundom. Typically offer good fire resistance or other combat/utility perks depending on the specific set. Available in tiered versions with modification slots.
• Banuk Outfits (Sickness Eater, Ice Hunter, Chieftain - Frozen Wilds): Outfits adapted for the harsh, cold environments of the Banuk lands. Often provide high freeze resistance and unique perks related to survival or machine interaction. The Frozen Wilds DLC adds more advanced Banuk attire.
• Oseram Outfits (Sparkworker, Arrow Breaker): Sturdy, practical gear crafted by the Oseram tribe, known for their metalworking. Often provide good melee or ranged damage protection.
• Shadow Carja Outfits (Kestrel): Darker, more menacing attire associated with the Shadow Carja faction.
• Shield-Weaver Outfit: A unique and powerful ancient armor that generates a rechargeable energy shield. Cannot be modified but provides exceptional protection. Unlocked via a specific side quest involving Power Cells.
• Pre-order / Deluxe Edition Outfits (Nora Keeper, Carja Storm Ranger, Banuk Trailblazer): Cosmetic outfits that were part of pre-order bonuses or included in the Deluxe/Complete Editions of the game.

• Primitive Attire: Takkar's clothing is made from animal hides, furs, bones, and plant fibers, reflecting the Stone Age setting. As players upgrade specialists' huts in the Wenja village, they can craft improved versions of clothing, such as winter clothes that provide resistance to cold in the northern regions of Oros. While there isn't extensive cosmetic customization, the appearance of Takkar's gear evolves slightly with these upgrades. Some special outfits were available through the Apex Edition (e.g., paint based on animal spirits).

Takkar's progression involves earning skill points by gaining XP (from missions, hunting, exploration, capturing objectives). Skills are divided into categories like Survival, Hunting, Gathering, Fighting, Crafting, and Beast Master abilities. Key skills include taming different tiers of beasts, improving combat prowess with various primitive weapons, crafting more effective tools and consumables (health, buffs), and enhancing stealth capabilities. The Wenja village also serves as a progression hub; recruiting specialists (Sayla the Gatherer, Tensay the Shaman, Wogah the Crafter, Karoosh the Warrior, Jayma the Hunter, Dah the Udam, Roshani the Izila) and upgrading their huts unlocks new skills, crafting recipes, gear upgrades, and village population bonuses.

Horizon Zero Dawn features a large open world divided into distinct ecological regions: the mountainous Sacred Lands of the Nora, the desert canyons and mesas of the Carja Sundom (including the capital Meridian and Sunfall), dense jungles, and the snowy, harsh northern territories of the Banuk (expanded in 'The Frozen Wilds' DLC with 'The Cut'). The map is traversed on foot or by overriding and riding certain machines. Tallnecks must be overridden to reveal sections of the map.

Oros is a large and diverse open world featuring distinct biomes. These include temperate forests, marshy swamps, icy northern glaciers and caves, and volcanic southern regions. Each area presents unique environmental challenges, resources, and wildlife. The verticality of the terrain, with cliffs, caves, and high plateaus, encourages exploration. There are no traditional 'regions' to liberate in the same way as other Far Cry games, but rather areas dominated by Udam or Izila presence, with outposts and bonfires to capture.

• Overridden Machines (Mounts): Organic-Robotic Mount / Land Traversal
  Aloy can learn to override certain machine types (e.g., Striders, Broadheads, Chargers) using her spear. Once overridden, these machines can be ridden as mounts for faster travel across the game's vast open world. Each mountable machine has slightly different speeds and handling.
• Zip-lines & Rappel Points: Traversal Tool (Environmental)
  While not vehicles, zip-lines are frequently used for quick descents across chasms or down cliffs. Rappel points allow for controlled descent from heights. These are fixed environmental interaction points.

• Rideable Tamed Beasts: Living Mount / Prehistoric 'Vehicle'
  Far Cry Primal does not feature traditional mechanical vehicles. Instead, Takkar can ride certain tamed beasts for faster traversal and combat advantages. These include: Juvenile Mammoths (slow but powerful, can scatter enemies), Sabretooth Tigers (very fast and agile, good for quick travel and attacking from), and Brown Bears (balanced speed and combat utility, can be ridden after a skill unlock). Riding allows Takkar to use his own ranged weapons from the beast's back.
• Fast Travel (Outposts & Bonfires): Map Traversal Mechanic
  Once Takkar liberates enemy outposts and bonfires, they become Wenja controlled and serve as fast travel points, allowing for quick movement across the large land of Oros without manually traversing the entire distance.

• Wolf (Common Wolf, Rare White Wolf, Rare Striped Wolf, Snowblood Wolf - Legendary): Canidae
  Tameable Companion (Scout, Hunter, Howl reveals area), Hostile Wild Predator
• Jaguar (Common Jaguar, Rare Black Jaguar): Felidae
  Tameable Companion (Stealth Hunter, silent takedowns), Hostile Wild Predator
• Leopard (Cave Leopard): Felidae
  Tameable Companion (Tags animals for hunting), Hostile Wild Predator
• Sabretooth Tiger: Felidae (Machairodontinae)
  Tameable Apex Companion (Powerful Fighter, Fast Mount), Hostile Apex Predator
• Brown Bear (Common Brown Bear, Rare Black Brown Bear): Ursidae
  Tameable Companion (Tank, draws aggro, finds resources), Hostile Wild Predator
• Cave Bear (Great Scar Bear - Legendary): Ursidae
  Tameable Apex Companion (Extremely Powerful Tank, immune to poison), Hostile Apex Predator
• Badger: Mustelidae
  Tameable Companion (Ferocious, terrifies Udam, can revive itself), Hostile Small Predator
• Dhole: Canidae
  Tameable Companion (Resistant to fire, gathers extra resources from corpses), Hostile Pack Predator
• Owl: Strigiformes
  Tameable Scout (Aerial reconnaissance, tags enemies, drops bombs, can attack)
• Mammoth (Juvenile for taming, Adults are wild; Bloodtusk Mammoth - Legendary): Proboscidea
  Rideable Mount (Juvenile), Powerful Destructive Force, Hostile/Neutral Wild Megafauna, Hunting Resource
• Woolly Rhino, Cave Lion, Dire Wolf, Irish Elk (Megaloceros), Boars, Goats, Deer, Yaks: Various Prehistoric Megafauna & Fauna
  Hostile (Cave Lion, Dire Wolf, Rhino) or Neutral/Prey, Hunting Resource (Skins, Meat, Fat, Bone for crafting)

• Aloy: Protagonist / Nora Huntress & Seeker
  A skilled hunter, archer, and machine expert. Cast out from the Nora tribe at birth, she is curious, determined, and compassionate. Her journey is to uncover her origins and the secrets of the Old World. Voiced by Ashly Burch.
• Rost: Aloy's Guardian / Nora Outcast
  A stoic and skilled Nora warrior who was also an outcast. He raised and trained Aloy in the ways of survival and hunting. Plays a pivotal role in Aloy's early life.
• Sylens: Mysterious Researcher / Reluctant Ally
  An enigmatic and highly knowledgeable wanderer obsessed with uncovering the secrets of the Old Ones and the machines. He communicates with Aloy via her Focus, providing guidance but also pursuing his own agenda. Voiced by Lance Reddick.
• High Matriarch Teersa: Nora High Matriarch / Spiritual Leader
  One of the three High Matriarchs of the Nora tribe. She is more open-minded and sympathetic towards Aloy compared to the other Matriarchs.
• Erend Vanguardsman: Oseram Warrior / Captain of the Vanguard
  A boisterous but loyal Oseram warrior who becomes an ally to Aloy. He is investigating the death of his sister, Ersa.
• Avad: Sun-King of the Carja
  The current enlightened ruler of the Carja tribe, who overthrew his tyrannical father, the 'Mad Sun-King' Jiran. He seeks peace and reforms within the Carja Sundom.
• Helis: Antagonist / Leader of the Eclipse
  The fanatical leader of the Eclipse, a cult loyal to the Shadow Carja and the mysterious entity HADES. He is a formidable warrior and a primary antagonist.
• GAIA: Ancient AI / Earth's Terraforming System
  The primary AI of Project Zero Dawn, responsible for overseeing the terraforming of Earth and the reintroduction of life after the Faro Plague. Aloy's existence is directly linked to GAIA.
• HADES: Antagonist / Subordinate Function of GAIA
  One of GAIA's subordinate functions, designed as a last-resort extinction protocol. It becomes a rogue AI and the primary threat Aloy must stop.
• Dr. Elisabet Sobeck: Creator of Project Zero Dawn / Key Figure from the Old World
  A brilliant scientist from the 21st century who spearheaded Project Zero Dawn to save life on Earth from the Faro Plague. Aloy bears a striking resemblance to her.
• Ted Faro: CEO of Faro Automated Solutions / Architect of the Faro Plague
  The CEO of the corporation that created the self-replicating combat machines which caused the Faro Plague, ultimately leading to the end of the Old World. His actions had catastrophic consequences.

• Takkar: Protagonist (Beast Master)
  A skilled Wenja hunter who becomes the leader of his tribe. After losing his hunting party, he arrives in Oros and dedicates himself to finding and uniting the scattered Wenja people. He learns to tame and command prehistoric beasts, a unique ability that makes him a formidable force against rival tribes and the dangers of Oros.
• Tensay: Ally (Wenja Shaman)
  An eccentric and one-armed Wenja shaman who introduces Takkar to the spirit world and the art of beast taming through hallucinogenic potions. He provides spiritual guidance and tasks Takkar with important quests related to the Wenja's beliefs and survival.
• Sayla: Ally (Wenja Gatherer & Healer)
  A resourceful Wenja woman, one of the first Takkar meets. She is skilled in gathering resources and healing, deeply distrustful of the Udam who killed her family. She tasks Takkar with collecting rare plants and defending the Wenja.
• Ull: Main Antagonist (Udam Chieftain)
  The brutal and physically imposing leader of the Udam tribe, a group of Neanderthal-like cannibals who live in the icy north. Ull is driven by a desperate need to save his people from a deadly disease known as 'skull fire,' making him a somewhat tragic, yet terrifying, adversary.
• Batari: Main Antagonist (Izila High Priestess)
  The charismatic and cruel leader of the Izila tribe, an advanced, sun-and-fire-worshipping people from the southern marshlands. Batari believes herself to be a living goddess and practices human sacrifice and enslavement to maintain her power and appease her gods.
• Karoosh: Ally (Wenja Warrior)
  A fierce Wenja warrior who lost an eye and his son to the Udam. He teaches Takkar advanced combat skills and is driven by a desire for revenge against Mog, an Udam warrior.
• Wogah: Ally (Wenja Crafter)
  An elderly, one-armed Wenja craftsman who is skilled in creating tools and traps. He is initially eccentric and distrustful but eventually helps Takkar by upgrading his gear and hut.
• Jayma: Ally (Wenja Huntress)
  A legendary Wenja huntress who tests Takkar's hunting skills. She provides guidance on tracking and taking down dangerous prey, including legendary beasts.
• Dah: Ally (Udam Defector)
  A formidable Udam warrior captured by Takkar. Initially hostile, Dah can be recruited to the Wenja village, offering insights into the Udam and eventually contributing his strength and knowledge, particularly in crafting berserk bombs.
• Roshani: Ally (Izila Defector)
  An Izila craftsman captured by Takkar. He possesses knowledge of Izila fire technology and agriculture. Can be recruited to the Wenja village to provide access to fire-resistant upgrades and fire bombs.

• Main Quests (Aloy's Journey)
  A series of narrative-driven quests that follow Aloy's personal journey to discover her origins, the truth about the Old World, the cause of the machine derangement, and the threat posed by HADES and the Eclipse cult. These missions span the entire game world and involve critical story revelations and boss encounters.
• Side Quests
  Optional quests given by various NPCs throughout the world. These often involve helping individuals or tribes with their problems, exploring specific locations, hunting particular machines, and provide more lore, XP, and rewards.
• Errands
  Simpler, shorter optional tasks, often involving fetching specific items or dealing with minor threats for NPCs.
• Tallnecks
  Climbing massive, giraffe-like communication machines (Tallnecks) and overriding them from their heads. This clears the fog of war from that section of the map, revealing points of interest, machine sites, and settlements.
• Cauldrons
  Infiltrating and navigating dangerous underground machine factories (Cauldrons). Successfully reaching the core and overriding it unlocks the ability for Aloy to override new types of machines in the open world. Each Cauldron features platforming, puzzles, and a boss fight.
• Hunting Grounds
  Designated arenas where Aloy can undertake timed trials that test her combat and trapping skills against specific machines under various conditions. Earning higher ranks (Half Sun, Full Sun, Blazing Sun) rewards XP and special items.
• Bandit Camps
  Clearing out encampments occupied by hostile human bandits. Usually involves defeating all bandits and their leader, and often freeing prisoners or recovering stolen goods.
• Corrupted Zones
  Areas where machines have become more aggressive and powerful due to corruption. Clearing these zones typically involves defeating all corrupted machines within the designated area.
• The Frozen Wilds Main & Side Quests (DLC)
  A new set of main and side quests within 'The Cut' region, focusing on the Banuk tribe, a new machine threat (the Daemon), and the mysteries of an ancient AI entity called the Spirit.

• Main Story Campaign (Uniting the Wenja)
  A series of narrative-driven missions focusing on Takkar's efforts to find scattered Wenja survivors, recruit key specialists to build his village, learn the art of beast mastery from Tensay the Shaman, and ultimately confront and defeat the leaders of the rival Udam (Ull) and Izila (Batari) tribes to secure the future of the Wenja in Oros.
• Specialist Recruitment & Upgrade Missions
  Quests given by the key Wenja specialists (Tensay, Sayla, Wogah, Karoosh, Jayma, Dah, Roshani) once they are found and brought to the village. Completing these missions often involves specific tasks related to their expertise (e.g., hunting a specific beast for Jayma, retrieving an item for Wogah) and rewards Takkar with skill points, new crafting recipes, or upgrades for their huts and village facilities.
• Outpost & Bonfire Liberation
  Capture Udam and Izila controlled outposts (larger camps) and bonfires (smaller checkpoints) scattered throughout Oros. This involves eliminating all enemy tribe members within the location. Liberating these points establishes Wenja presence, unlocks fast travel points, provides XP, and sometimes reveals nearby points of interest or collectibles.
• Wenja Village Missions (Help Wenja Quests)
  Ambient quests given by generic Wenja villagers. These typically involve escorting Wenja, defending them from predators or rival tribes, rescuing captured Wenja, or gathering specific resources for them. Completing these increases village population and provides XP.
• Beast Master Hunts (Legendary Beast Taming)
  Special, challenging hunts initiated by Jayma the Huntress to track, fight, and ultimately tame one of four Legendary Beasts (Great Scar Bear, Bloodtusk Mammoth, Snowblood Wolf, and a fourth via Apex edition). These beasts are significantly more powerful than their regular counterparts and become formidable companions once tamed.
• Cave Exploration & Lost Caves
  Exploring Oros' extensive cave networks, which often contain valuable resources, collectibles (like Daysha Hands), hidden dangers, or serve as locations for specific quests. Some 'Lost Caves' are larger, more complex underground areas to navigate.
• Legend of the Mammoth Missions (DLC/Apex Edition)
  A series of three missions where the player experiences Oros from the perspective of a giant mammoth, engaging in combat against hunters and rhinos, and protecting its herd.

Originally released with a Standard Edition. The 'Complete Edition' (for PS4 and PC) includes the base game, 'The Frozen Wilds' expansion, a digital art book, a PS4 dynamic theme, and several in-game item packs (Carja Storm Ranger Outfit and Mighty Bow, Carja Trader Pack, Banuk Trailblazer Outfit and Culling Bow, Banuk Traveller Pack, Nora Keeper Pack). A 'Remastered Edition' for PS5 and PC was released on October 31, 2024, featuring graphical enhancements and new features.

Far Cry Primal was released in a Standard Edition and a Digital Apex Edition. The Apex Edition included: 'Legend of the Mammoth' missions (play as a mammoth), a new weapon (Blood Shasti Club), and four enhancement packs (Sabretooth Pack, Owl Pack, Mammoth Pack, Bomb Pack) offering early access to resources, skins, or minor perks. A Collector's Edition was also available with physical items like a steelbook, map, soundtrack, and Wenja phrasebook.

The major post-launch content is 'The Frozen Wilds,' a significant story expansion that adds a new northern region ('The Cut'), new characters, new machines (e.g., Frostclaws, Fireclaws), new weapons, new skills ('Traveler' skill tree), and a compelling storyline. This expansion is included in the Complete Edition and Remastered Edition.

The main post-launch content was the 'Wenja Pack,' which was part of the Digital Apex Edition and also sold separately. This included the 'Legend of the Mammoth' missions, the Blood Shasti Club, and the four enhancement packs. A Survivor Mode was added post-launch as a free update, offering a more challenging experience with permadeath options and increased difficulty. Other minor DLCs were typically cosmetic or resource packs.

• Q: When was Horizon Zero Dawn originally released?
  A: Horizon Zero Dawn was first released for PlayStation 4 on February 28, 2017 (North America). The PC (Complete Edition) version was released on August 7, 2020. A Remastered Edition for PS5 and PC launched on October 31, 2024.
• Q: What is the story of Horizon Zero Dawn about?
  A: It follows Aloy, an outcast hunter in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by robotic creatures, as she uncovers the secrets of her mysterious birth, the fate of the ancient human civilization (the 'Old Ones'), and the origin of the machines that now roam the Earth.
• Q: What kind of game is Horizon Zero Dawn?
  A: It is an open-world action role-playing game (Action RPG) played from a third-person perspective. Gameplay focuses on combat against machines using bows, traps, and other tools, stealth, crafting, exploration, and a rich narrative.
• Q: What is the Focus device Aloy uses?
  A: The Focus is an augmented reality device from the Old World that Aloy finds as a child. It allows her to scan machines to identify weak points and elemental vulnerabilities, track enemies and paths, analyze ancient data logs, and interact with Old World technology.
• Q: Can you ride machines in Horizon Zero Dawn?
  A: Yes, Aloy can learn to override certain types of machines by completing Cauldrons. Once overridden, some machines like Striders, Broadheads, and Chargers can be used as mounts for faster travel across the open world.
• Q: Is Horizon Zero Dawn a multiplayer game?
  A: No, Horizon Zero Dawn is a single-player only experience. It does not have any multiplayer or co-operative modes.
• Q: What is 'The Frozen Wilds'?
  A: 'The Frozen Wilds' is a major story expansion for Horizon Zero Dawn. It adds a new icy northern region called 'The Cut,' a new storyline involving the Banuk tribe, new characters, dangerous new machines (like Frostclaws and Fireclaws), new weapons, and new skills. It's included in the Complete Edition and Remastered Edition of the game.

• Q: Is Far Cry Primal connected to other Far Cry games?
  A: No, Far Cry Primal is a standalone title set in 10,000 BCE and does not share any narrative connections with other Far Cry games. It's a unique spin-off focusing on a prehistoric setting.
• Q: Are there any guns or modern technology in Far Cry Primal?
  A: No, true to its Stone Age setting, Far Cry Primal features exclusively primitive weapons like clubs, spears, bows, and crafted bombs. There are no firearms or advanced technology.
• Q: How does the Beast Master system work?
  A: Players, as Takkar, can learn to tame various prehistoric animals. This involves approaching an animal, often after distracting it with bait, and performing a taming ritual. Once tamed, the animal becomes a loyal companion that can be commanded to attack enemies, scout, or provide other unique benefits depending on its species. Players can have one active animal companion at a time and can switch between their tamed beasts.
• Q: Is there a spoken language in Far Cry Primal?
  A: Yes, Ubisoft developed three fictional languages for the Wenja, Udam, and Izila tribes, based on Proto-Indo-European linguistic roots to enhance immersion. All dialogue is in these languages with English (or other chosen language) subtitles.
• Q: Can you build or upgrade a base in Far Cry Primal?
  A: Yes, Takkar establishes and upgrades a Wenja village. By recruiting key specialists (like a shaman, crafter, hunter, warrior) and providing them with resources, players can upgrade their huts. Each hut upgrade unlocks new skills for Takkar, new crafting recipes for weapons and gear, population growth for the village (which provides daily resource caches), and other benefits.

Powered by the Decima engine, Horizon Zero Dawn is renowned for its breathtaking visuals, featuring lush and diverse environments, highly detailed machine designs, realistic weather effects, and a dynamic day/night cycle. The PC port and PS5 Remastered Edition offer enhanced graphical options, including higher resolutions, framerates, improved draw distances, and ultrawide support (PC).

Powered by the Dunia Engine 2, Far Cry Primal presents a lush and visually striking depiction of the Mesolithic era. Oros is characterized by dense forests, misty swamps, icy northern wastes, and volcanic landscapes, all teeming with detailed prehistoric flora and fauna. Animal models are particularly well-crafted, showcasing realistic movement and behavior. The game features dynamic weather, a day-night cycle, and impressive lighting that enhances the primeval atmosphere.

The acclaimed original score, composed by Joris de Man, The Flight, Niels van der Leest, and Jonathan Williams, features a blend of orchestral, tribal, and electronic elements that perfectly capture the game's atmosphere. Sound design for machines is distinctive and crucial for identifying threats.

The original score by Jason Graves heavily features primitive instrumentation, tribal drums, bone flutes, and guttural vocals, creating a unique and atmospheric soundscape fitting the Stone Age. The game features three fully developed fictional languages for the Wenja, Udam, and Izila tribes, created by linguists based on Proto-Indo-European roots. Sound design is crucial for gameplay, with distinct animal calls indicating presence and threat levels, and environmental sounds providing clues for hunting and survival.

Features a clean and immersive UI with a compass, quest log, health/medicine indicators, weapon/ammo selection wheel, and contextual prompts. The Focus scan provides detailed information overlay about machines and the environment. A world map is used for navigation and tracking objectives.

The UI is designed to be immersive and relatively minimalistic to fit the prehistoric setting. Health is represented by a segmented bar. Weapon selection is via a radial menu. Important information is often conveyed through environmental cues, animal behavior, and Takkar's own senses (Hunter Vision). A simplified compass and objective markers guide the player. The game features a fully developed fictional Wenja language (with subtitles) spoken by characters, enhancing immersion.

Standard Ubisoft accessibility options are present, including customizable controls (key remapping, sensitivity), aim assist (though less relevant for melee-focused combat), adjustable difficulty levels, and extensive subtitle customization (size, background, speaker names). Hunter Vision helps highlight important objects, enemies, and tracks.

• Official PC system requirements for 'Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered' (or Complete Edition on PC, which has similar demands). Performance can vary depending on specific hardware, driver versions, and in-game settings. An SSD is strongly recommended for optimal performance. The game supports various upscaling technologies.
• Laptop Performance Note: Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, while an older base game, can still be demanding on PC, especially at higher settings or resolutions. For a good laptop experience, a modern gaming laptop with a capable dedicated GPU, sufficient TGP, and good cooling is advised. **Actual performance can vary significantly based on the specific laptop model's TGP, cooling solution, CPU, RAM, and software configuration.** Always check reviews for specific laptop models.
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P Impact: Total Graphics Power (TGP) is crucial for laptop GPU performance. Higher TGP variants of the same GPU model will perform better. Check manufacturer specs.
• Laptop Consideration: Advanced Cooling Thermals: Effective cooling is essential to prevent thermal throttling and maintain consistent framerates during gameplay. Laptops with robust cooling solutions are preferred.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Performance Sustain: A modern mobile CPU (Intel Core H-series, AMD Ryzen H/HS-series) that can sustain good clock speeds is important to complement the GPU, especially in this open-world environment with complex machine AI.
• Laptop Consideration: R A M Configuration Speed: 16GB in dual-channel configuration is recommended for smoother gameplay. RAM speed can also impact performance in certain scenarios.
• Laptop Consideration: Display Panel G P U Pairing: Match the GPU's capability to the laptop's display resolution (1080p, 1440p) and refresh rate. Upscaling technologies can help bridge performance gaps.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch N V I D I A Advanced Optimus: Laptops with a MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus can offer improved performance by directly connecting the dedicated GPU to the display.
• Laptop Consideration: Driver Updates O S Optimization: Utilize the latest official GPU drivers and ensure Windows is optimized for gaming.
• Optimization Detail: Upscaling Tech: The PC (Complete Edition/Remastered) supports NVIDIA DLSS (DLSS 3 for Remastered), AMD FSR (FSR 3.1 for Remastered), and Intel XeSS. These are highly recommended for improving performance at higher settings and resolutions.
• Optimization Detail: Key Settings Impact: Resolution, Model Quality, Anisotropic Filtering, Shadows, Reflections, Clouds, Ambient Occlusion, and Anti-Aliasing significantly impact performance. The Remastered version also has enhanced graphics options.
• Game Name: Horizon Zero Dawn

• Official system requirements from Ubisoft (as of game launch). Performance can vary depending on specific hardware, settings, and background applications. An SSD is recommended for optimal performance, especially with the large open world.
• Laptop Performance Note: Laptop models of listed desktop GPUs may work if their performance is comparable. Performance on laptops is also heavily influenced by cooling and the GPU's Total Graphics Power (TGP). The estimated laptop specs below are approximate and reflect performance tiers for the game's original release period. **Modern laptop GPUs (NVIDIA RTX 30-series, RTX 40-series, and newer AMD equivalents) will vastly exceed these original recommendations and provide an excellent experience at high resolutions and settings.**
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: Higher TGP in a laptop GPU generally correlates with better sustained performance.
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: Good cooling is essential to prevent thermal throttling during demanding gameplay.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: Laptops with higher CPU power limits can maintain boost clocks longer.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: Using a MUX switch (if available) or ensuring the dedicated GPU is prioritized over integrated graphics (via NVIDIA Control Panel/AMD Software) is recommended for optimal framerates.
• Optimization Detail: Key Settings Impact: Texture Quality, Shadow Quality, Ambient Occlusion, Geometry Detail, Vegetation Detail, and Volumetric Fog heavily impact performance. The dense foliage and detailed animal models are notable performance factors.
• Game Name: Far Cry Primal

• Upscaling Tech: The PC (Complete Edition/Remastered) supports NVIDIA DLSS (DLSS 3 for Remastered), AMD FSR (FSR 3.1 for Remastered), and Intel XeSS. These are highly recommended for improving performance at higher settings and resolutions.
• Key Settings Impact: Resolution, Model Quality, Anisotropic Filtering, Shadows, Reflections, Clouds, Ambient Occlusion, and Anti-Aliasing significantly impact performance. The Remastered version also has enhanced graphics options.

• Key Settings Impact: Texture Quality, Shadow Quality, Ambient Occlusion, Geometry Detail, Vegetation Detail, and Volumetric Fog heavily impact performance. The dense foliage and detailed animal models are notable performance factors.

• G P U T G P Impact: Total Graphics Power (TGP) is crucial for laptop GPU performance. Higher TGP variants of the same GPU model will perform better. Check manufacturer specs.
• Advanced Cooling Thermals: Effective cooling is essential to prevent thermal throttling and maintain consistent framerates during gameplay. Laptops with robust cooling solutions are preferred.
• C P U Performance Sustain: A modern mobile CPU (Intel Core H-series, AMD Ryzen H/HS-series) that can sustain good clock speeds is important to complement the GPU, especially in this open-world environment with complex machine AI.
• R A M Configuration Speed: 16GB in dual-channel configuration is recommended for smoother gameplay. RAM speed can also impact performance in certain scenarios.
• Display Panel G P U Pairing: Match the GPU's capability to the laptop's display resolution (1080p, 1440p) and refresh rate. Upscaling technologies can help bridge performance gaps.
• M U X Switch N V I D I A Advanced Optimus: Laptops with a MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus can offer improved performance by directly connecting the dedicated GPU to the display.
• Driver Updates O S Optimization: Utilize the latest official GPU drivers and ensure Windows is optimized for gaming.

• G P U T G P: Higher TGP in a laptop GPU generally correlates with better sustained performance.
• Cooling Thermals: Good cooling is essential to prevent thermal throttling during demanding gameplay.
• C P U Power Limits: Laptops with higher CPU power limits can maintain boost clocks longer.
• M U X Switch Optimus: Using a MUX switch (if available) or ensuring the dedicated GPU is prioritized over integrated graphics (via NVIDIA Control Panel/AMD Software) is recommended for optimal framerates.