• Latest
  • Trending
Horizon Call of the Mountain Review

Horizon Call of the Mountain Review – A VR Odyssey in the World of Aloy

Without a Dawn Review

Without a Dawn Review: Introspection in a Cabin of Shadows

The Correspondent Review

The Correspondent Review: Richard Roxburgh’s Tour de Force

Bogieville Review

Bogieville Review: Low-Budget Ingenuity and Flawed Execution

Slow Horses

Slow Horses Rides Back on 24 September With Season 5

17 hours ago
A Minecraft Movie

SXSW Panel Reveals How Minecraft Movie Crafted a $948 M Blockbuster

17 hours ago
Ollie Madden

Netflix Poaches Film4 Chief Ollie Madden to Supercharge U.K. Movie Slate

17 hours ago
Mariska Hargitay

Hargitay’s ‘My Mom Jayne’ Lifts the Curtain on a Hollywood Tragedy

17 hours ago
Aureole – Wings of Hope Review

Aureole – Wings of Hope Review: Precision Platforming with a Divine Twist

Coastal Review

Coastal Review: Intimate Performances, Tepid Momentum

The Dark Money Game

The Dark Money Game Review: How Secret Funds Warped Democracy

Call of the Void Review

Call of the Void Review: Atmospheric Chills and Lingering Questions

Dovey's Promise Review

Dovey’s Promise Review: One Woman’s Stand Against Injustice

  • Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Gazettely Review Guidelines
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
GAZETTELY
  • Home
  • Movie and TV News
    Slow Horses

    Slow Horses Rides Back on 24 September With Season 5

    A Minecraft Movie

    SXSW Panel Reveals How Minecraft Movie Crafted a $948 M Blockbuster

    Ollie Madden

    Netflix Poaches Film4 Chief Ollie Madden to Supercharge U.K. Movie Slate

    Mariska Hargitay

    Hargitay’s ‘My Mom Jayne’ Lifts the Curtain on a Hollywood Tragedy

    frankenstein 2025

    Fans Push for Big-Screen Run After Netflix Drops Frankenstein Teaser

    Blake Lively Justin Baldoni

    Judge Faces New Twist as Lively Seeks to Trim Lawsuit Against Baldoni

    Jacob Elordi

    Elordi’s POW Drama Leads to Frankenstein and Wuthering Heights

    Paramount

    Paramount Sets July 2 Shareholder Meeting as Skydance Vote Looms

    Maggie Lawson

    Psych Alum Maggie Lawson to Lead CBS’s Boston Blue

  • Movie and TV Reviews
    The Correspondent Review

    The Correspondent Review: Richard Roxburgh’s Tour de Force

    Bogieville Review

    Bogieville Review: Low-Budget Ingenuity and Flawed Execution

    Coastal Review

    Coastal Review: Intimate Performances, Tepid Momentum

    The Dark Money Game

    The Dark Money Game Review: How Secret Funds Warped Democracy

    Call of the Void Review

    Call of the Void Review: Atmospheric Chills and Lingering Questions

    Dovey's Promise Review

    Dovey’s Promise Review: One Woman’s Stand Against Injustice

    The Balcony Movie Review

    The Balcony Movie Review: A Philosophical Perch on Human Transience

    What It Feels Like for a Girl Season 1 Review

    What It Feels Like for a Girl Season 1 Review: Before Trans Visibility Had a Name

    Bullet Train Explosion Review

    Bullet Train Explosion Review: Bureaucracy, Bombs, and the Weight of Duty

  • Game Reviews
    Without a Dawn Review

    Without a Dawn Review: Introspection in a Cabin of Shadows

    Aureole – Wings of Hope Review

    Aureole – Wings of Hope Review: Precision Platforming with a Divine Twist

    Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Brushes with Death Review

    Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Brushes with Death Review: A Painter’s Tale in Bohemia

    Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo Review

    Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo Review: Guiding Spirits with Style and Sincerity

    Blacksmith Master Review

    Blacksmith Master Review: The Satisfying Grind of Metal and Management

    Labyrinth Of The Demon King Review

    Labyrinth Of The Demon King Review: Unforgiving, Unforgettable Horror

    Cubic Odyssey Review

    Cubic Odyssey Review: An Ambitious Architect’s Space Dream

    Game of Thrones: Kingsroad Review

    Game of Thrones: Kingsroad Review: A Song of Systems and Sorrows

    To a T Review

    To a T Review: Finding Perfection in an Imperfect Shape

  • The Bests
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Movie and TV News
    Slow Horses

    Slow Horses Rides Back on 24 September With Season 5

    A Minecraft Movie

    SXSW Panel Reveals How Minecraft Movie Crafted a $948 M Blockbuster

    Ollie Madden

    Netflix Poaches Film4 Chief Ollie Madden to Supercharge U.K. Movie Slate

    Mariska Hargitay

    Hargitay’s ‘My Mom Jayne’ Lifts the Curtain on a Hollywood Tragedy

    frankenstein 2025

    Fans Push for Big-Screen Run After Netflix Drops Frankenstein Teaser

    Blake Lively Justin Baldoni

    Judge Faces New Twist as Lively Seeks to Trim Lawsuit Against Baldoni

    Jacob Elordi

    Elordi’s POW Drama Leads to Frankenstein and Wuthering Heights

    Paramount

    Paramount Sets July 2 Shareholder Meeting as Skydance Vote Looms

    Maggie Lawson

    Psych Alum Maggie Lawson to Lead CBS’s Boston Blue

  • Movie and TV Reviews
    The Correspondent Review

    The Correspondent Review: Richard Roxburgh’s Tour de Force

    Bogieville Review

    Bogieville Review: Low-Budget Ingenuity and Flawed Execution

    Coastal Review

    Coastal Review: Intimate Performances, Tepid Momentum

    The Dark Money Game

    The Dark Money Game Review: How Secret Funds Warped Democracy

    Call of the Void Review

    Call of the Void Review: Atmospheric Chills and Lingering Questions

    Dovey's Promise Review

    Dovey’s Promise Review: One Woman’s Stand Against Injustice

    The Balcony Movie Review

    The Balcony Movie Review: A Philosophical Perch on Human Transience

    What It Feels Like for a Girl Season 1 Review

    What It Feels Like for a Girl Season 1 Review: Before Trans Visibility Had a Name

    Bullet Train Explosion Review

    Bullet Train Explosion Review: Bureaucracy, Bombs, and the Weight of Duty

  • Game Reviews
    Without a Dawn Review

    Without a Dawn Review: Introspection in a Cabin of Shadows

    Aureole – Wings of Hope Review

    Aureole – Wings of Hope Review: Precision Platforming with a Divine Twist

    Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Brushes with Death Review

    Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Brushes with Death Review: A Painter’s Tale in Bohemia

    Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo Review

    Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo Review: Guiding Spirits with Style and Sincerity

    Blacksmith Master Review

    Blacksmith Master Review: The Satisfying Grind of Metal and Management

    Labyrinth Of The Demon King Review

    Labyrinth Of The Demon King Review: Unforgiving, Unforgettable Horror

    Cubic Odyssey Review

    Cubic Odyssey Review: An Ambitious Architect’s Space Dream

    Game of Thrones: Kingsroad Review

    Game of Thrones: Kingsroad Review: A Song of Systems and Sorrows

    To a T Review

    To a T Review: Finding Perfection in an Imperfect Shape

  • The Bests
No Result
View All Result
GAZETTELY
No Result
View All Result
Horizon Call of the Mountain Review

Transportation Innovations Revealed in the Latest Cities: Skylines 2 Trailer

Super Mario RPG Remake on Switch to Proceed Without Original Director

Home Games Reviews Games

Horizon Call of the Mountain Review – A VR Odyssey in the World of Aloy

Pushing the Boundaries of PlayStation VR2 Experiences

Arash Nahandian by Arash Nahandian
2 years ago
in Games, Reviews Games
Reading Time: 9 mins read
A A
0
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on PinterestShare on WhatsAppShare on Telegram

Over the past half a dozen years, the Horizon franchise has evolved into one of the most vital intellectual properties in the PlayStation lineup. Aloy’s captivating narrative has spanned two console generations and has made its way to the PC platform, ultimately becoming the flagship title for PlayStation VR2. However, the question arises: is it worth shelling out $550 for new VR goggles solely for such gaming experiences? Discover our thoughts in this in-depth review of Horizon Call of the Mountain.

Horizon Zero Dawn marked the beginning of an enthralling universe, while Horizon Forbidden West solidified its prowess. In the interim, Sony has announced a Netflix series, the development of a third full-fledged installment is in progress, an online edition is being crafted, and the first expansion designed exclusively for PlayStation 5 is set to make its debut in April.

Horizon Call of the Mountain 1

Additionally, it appears that we’re even anticipating a refreshed version of the original game. All of these achievements have been accomplished within a mere six years since players first took on the role of Aloy, proving that Guerrilla Games has their work cut out for them.

The developers at Guerrilla Games are relentless in their pursuit of innovation. For several years, they have joined forces with Firesprite to create an unparalleled adventure tailored specifically for PlayStation VR2. This collaboration offers players the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of Horizon from an entirely new vantage point, and the initial impressions are nothing short of remarkable.

Horizon Call of the Mountain allows gamers to delve deeper into the fascinating realm of Horizon, providing an unforgettable virtual reality experience. With the power of PlayStation VR2, players can now navigate this rich and dynamic environment in ways they never thought possible, all while experiencing the gripping story of Aloy from a fresh perspective.

An Intriguing Tale of Betrayal: Horizon Call of the Mountain

Sony’s newest game, Horizon Call of the Mountain, breaks from tradition as it veers away from the familiar protagonist, Aloy, and introduces us to a new character named Ryas. As the story unfolds, we encounter Ryas under less-than-ideal circumstances; he is bound on a boat, with no apparent means of escape. However, as the story progresses, Ryas regains his freedom, and we gradually uncover the game’s intriguing plot.

Horizon Call of the Mountain

Ryas, the Outcast: A Kidnapper’s Redemption

Ryas’s tale reveals him as an outcast who was tasked with kidnapping the prince of his tribe. However, the newly ascended ruler chooses not to punish Ryas by imprisoning him, as there are more pressing matters at hand.

Ryas’s brother, Urid, has gone missing on an important mission, and it falls upon Ryas to rescue him. As players delve deeper into the game, it becomes evident that the situation is far more complex than merely finding and returning a missing person.

Unraveling the Mystery of Hostile Machines

Horizon Call of the Mountain might not be as groundbreaking as its predecessors in the series, but it still manages to intrigue players by weaving an engaging narrative. As Ryas delves into the mystery of aggressive machines, he sets out to uncover the reasons behind their erratic behavior.

Along the way, he encounters another tribe, which leads to the revelation of an even larger conspiracy. Although the storyline might be somewhat predictable, it effectively encourages players to explore the game’s rich and immersive world, which is the highlight of Sony’s newest release.

An Immersive Virtual Reality Experience: Gameplay and Beyond

When I first sat down to play Horizon Call of the Mountain, I couldn’t help but wonder if it would be a full-scale production or a typical “experience” often offered to virtual reality enthusiasts. Sony has made a bold move by creating this extensive VR game, which boasts an impressive 7-9 hours of story content.

As players progress through the initial chapters, they can also access a challenge mode and a variant that allows them to observe the game’s metal beasts up close. However, the game’s scale does not quite rival that of the studio’s previous projects, which is somewhat attributable to the nature of the gameplay itself.

Horizon Call of the Mountain

Embarking on a Mountain Adventure: The Allure of Horizon Call of the Mountain

Horizon Call of the Mountain presents players with a thrilling journey centered around climbing and exploration. As I delved into this exhilarating game, I found myself curious about how the developers would achieve balance between the gameplay experience and direct competition. To my surprise, Guerrilla Games and Firesprite decided to emphasize exploration, with duels serving as a mere supplementary feature.

The Adventurous Ascent: Ryas’ Story

The game’s protagonist, Ryas, is equipped with a range of abilities that enable her to scale walls, grasp metallic parts, and traverse vast spaces using ropes. A stamina system is noticeably absent from the game, as it would detract from the intended experience. Instead, players are encouraged to use their hands to hold onto various pieces throughout their journey.

Mastering the Art of Climbing

Climbing plays a pivotal role in the game, and it is executed exceptionally well. The innovative controllers provide players with the freedom to move their hands in various ways, allowing them to grip surfaces and catch protruding elements from different angles.

As the game progresses, players gain access to tools such as ice axes, grapples, and rope attachments, which aid in navigating new locations. Importantly, the game ensures that players are never blocked from making progress due to a lack of the right tool.

Horizon Call of the Mountain

When faced with significant challenges, Ryas often suggests returning to the base settlement. This serves as a hub for players to interact with other characters, uncover additional plot information, and create equipment. The developers have cleverly utilized the controller’s capabilities to create immersive crafting experiences for players.

Unraveling Environmental Puzzles

Horizon Call of the Mountain also features straightforward environmental puzzles that require players to find and insert gears to activate elevators or use equipment to break down doors. These engaging challenges showcase the full potential of the PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers.

A Showcase of Controller Capabilities

The game occasionally presents players with opportunities to explore the possibilities of the PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers in a lighthearted manner. Players may stumble upon tables filled with dishes and a hammer, inviting them to smash the tableware, or find paints and metal parts to create their own artwork. While these moments are not essential to the gameplay, they effectively demonstrate the capabilities of the controllers.

Overall, Horizon Call of the Mountain offers an immersive and enjoyable experience centered around climbing and exploration. The game’s focus on player freedom, coupled with the innovative use of the PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers, creates an engaging adventure that showcases the potential of virtual reality gaming.

Engaging Battles and Exploration in Horizon Call of the Mountain

While venturing through the vast landscapes in the captivating game Horizon Call of the Mountain, players will occasionally encounter various machines. The primary weapon used during these encounters is the bow, which provides an exceptional combat experience. To engage in battle, players must first grasp the bow with one hand and retrieve arrows from behind their back with the other.

Horizon Call of the Mountain

The intensity of combat is further enhanced by the developers’ implementation of an easy dodge mechanism, which utilizes two analog sticks on the game controllers. This allows players to swiftly respond to enemy attacks.

The battles are exhilarating, and at times, players will face off against gigantic mechs. Although the character’s movement is limited during these encounters, players can still react accordingly to defeat their foes.

Resourceful Ammunition Crafting

During combat, players must craft new ammunition using collected materials. By incorporating these materials, players can enhance their arrows with various effects, such as setting enemies ablaze or freezing them in place. This added level of customization significantly improves the overall combat experience.

Wall-Walking and Untapped Potential

While the battles are a noteworthy aspect of the game, wall-walking remains a core mechanic that could have been further developed. Horizon Call of the Mountain could have greatly benefited from the addition of more arenas or diverse battle scenarios.

Nevertheless, the game does offer a few surprises in terms of alternate paths, which allow for extra skirmishes or even more exploration opportunities. Players are encouraged to utilize their bows as frequently as possible.

In addition to the bow, the game features a secondary weapon: the slingshot. This weapon proves useful in certain situations, as it enables players to quickly trigger desired effects, like freezing enemies. Occasionally, players may also find themselves under attack and must clear their character’s vision with one hand.

An Unforgettable Adventure

Although the gameplay in Horizon Call of the Mountain may not be revolutionary, the immersive world created by the developers is nothing short of remarkable. From the onset, players are plunged into a realm of ruins and mechanical creatures, many of which form parts of the environment.

The sense of wonder and excitement this game generates ensures a truly unforgettable adventure for all who dare to embark on the journey.

Diving into the Virtual World of Horizon Call of the Mountain

Horizon Call of the Mountain, developed by Guerrilla Games and Firesprite, has been crafted with virtual reality (VR) in mind from the very beginning. As soon as players immerse themselves in the game, it becomes evident that this is not a mere adaptation of a minor title that could function on a standard DualSense controller.

The hardware expertly tracks every head movement, allowing for a 360-degree view, and encourages interaction with the game environment. The gameplay is designed to fully utilize the PS VR2 Sense controllers’ capabilities.

A Showcase of PlayStation VR2’s Cutting-Edge Features

The developers have successfully built a game that serves as an impressive demonstration of the PlayStation VR2’s potential. In the game’s menu, the equipment follows the player’s eye movements, while the entire headset vibrates during more intense actions.

These vibrations occur in response to the appearance of powerful beasts in the game, adding a unique dimension to the experience. The PS VR2 Sense controllers also include haptic vibrations that, although not overwhelming, provide varying sensations to reflect the in-game events.

Horizon Call of the Mountain

Immersive 3D Soundscapes

Horizon Call of the Mountain also incorporates stunning 3D sound, which elevates the virtual reality experience to new heights. Players can feel the presence of machines passing behind them or birds soaring overhead, and simply turning their heads allows them to catch a glimpse of these creatures or adversaries.

The game constantly provides a sense of something happening nearby, creating an engaging and thrilling atmosphere.

Addressing VR-induced Nausea

Unfortunately, it is worth noting that Sony has not entirely eliminated the issue of VR-induced nausea. In the early stages of playing Horizon Call of the Mountain, I found myself needing to take short breaks due to an uneasy feeling in my stomach.

As someone who can typically complete a 12-15 hour gaming adventure in one sitting, this was a noticeable departure from my usual experience.

However, the game does offer modes that allow players to adjust camera rotation and character movement speed, which can help alleviate some discomfort. Additionally, the developers have included an array of options to further personalize the experience and enhance player comfort.

Immersive Beauty: A Journey through Horizon Call of the Mountain

Initially, I experienced a peculiar sense of fatigue as I ventured into the world of Horizon Call of the Mountain. However, within the first couple of hours, my body adjusted to the virtual environment, enabling me to play comfortably, whether seated or standing.

Horizon Call of the Mountain

Despite this initial adjustment, I continued to struggle with reading the on-screen texts throughout my adventure. This title is among the few Sony games that lack complete dubbing, displaying subtitles in front of the characters instead.

Though my PS VR2 was correctly positioned and my vision was clear, the texts remained somewhat blurry, compelling me to rely solely on the English dialogue.

A Visual Feast for the Eyes: Exceptional Graphics and Scenic Exploration

Horizon Call of the Mountain truly excels in its graphics, which, alongside the gameplay, sets it apart from offerings compatible with earlier Sony VR headsets. The character models are impressively designed, the world is enchanting, and the vistas encountered after an arduous climb are particularly awe-inspiring.

The developers have clearly paid attention to crafting numerous beautiful areas for players to explore. The visual quality does decline during combat sequences, but the adaptive rendering employed during these moments ensures that the most detailed and accurate graphics are displayed where needed.

This technique significantly enhances the experience, as it brings sharpness and focus to individual elements within the scene as the action unfolds.

Horizon Call of the Mountain

Horizon Call of the Mountain: The Quintessential PlayStation VR2 Showcase

As stated in our PlayStation VR2 review, “PS VR2 will be as good as the strong games that appear on the device,” and Horizon Call of the Mountain is a prime example of a title that fully leverages the capabilities of next-gen Japanese VR technology.

The game presents a captivating story that allows players to truly immerse themselves in the world crafted by Guerrilla Games for several hours. The gameplay primarily emphasizes climbing and world exploration, but a handful of intense duels are also sure to leave a lasting impression on players.

The Review

Horizon Call of the Mountain

8 Score

Horizon Call of the Mountain offers a visually stunning and immersive virtual reality experience that showcases the potential of the PlayStation VR2. With a captivating story and engaging gameplay, it is an excellent addition to the Horizon franchise, despite some minor drawbacks. While not groundbreaking, it is an unforgettable journey that stands as a testament to the capabilities of next-gen VR technology.

PROS

  • Immersive virtual reality experience
  • Engaging gameplay with a focus on climbing and exploration
  • Stunning graphics and scenic environments
  • Innovative use of PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers
  • Captivating story and intriguing characters
  • Exceptional 3D sound for heightened immersion
  • Good balance between exploration and combat

CONS

  • VR-induced nausea may be an issue for some players
  • Limited development of wall-walking mechanic
  • Scale of the game does not rival previous Horizon titles
  • Difficulty with reading on-screen texts
  • Visual quality declines during combat sequences

Review Breakdown

  • Score 0
Tags: Action-adventure gameFeaturedFirespriteGuerrilla GamesHorizonHorizon Call of the MountainPlatform gameShooter Video GameSingle-player video gameSony Interactive Entertainment
Previous Post

Transportation Innovations Revealed in the Latest Cities: Skylines 2 Trailer

Next Post

Super Mario RPG Remake on Switch to Proceed Without Original Director

Discussion about this post

Try AI Movie Recommender

Gazettely AI Movie Recommender

This Week's Top Reads

  • Mountainhead Review

    Mountainhead Review: Deepfakes and Deep Trouble

    1 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Boglands Review: Shadows and Whispers in the Irish Mist

    1 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Death Valley Review: A Witty Welsh Wander into Cosy Crime

    1 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • The Better Sister Season 1 Review: Not Quite a Killer Thriller

    18 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • MobLand Season 1 Review: Family Ties and Underworld Intrigues

    1 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Dept. Q Review: Edinburgh’s Gloom and a Detective’s Fractured Soul

    1 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Mad Unicorn Review: Ambition and Its Echoes in the Global Stream

    1 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Must Read Articles

Bullet Train Explosion Review
Movies

Bullet Train Explosion Review: Bureaucracy, Bombs, and the Weight of Duty

1 day ago
Game of Thrones: Kingsroad Review
Reviews Games

Game of Thrones: Kingsroad Review: A Song of Systems and Sorrows

4 days ago
Stick Season 1 Review
TV Shows

Stick Season 1 Review: Owen Wilson Drives a Heartfelt, Flawed Dramedy

4 days ago
Destination X Review
Entertainment

Destination X Review: A Game of Veiled Realities

5 days ago
Earnhardt Review
Entertainment

Earnhardt Review: The Anatomy of a NASCAR Titan

5 days ago
Loading poll ...
Coming Soon
Who is the best director in the horror thriller genre?

Gazettely is your go-to destination for all things gaming, movies, and TV. With fresh reviews, trending articles, and editor picks, we help you stay informed and entertained.

© 2021-2024 All Rights Reserved for Gazettely

What’s Inside

  • Movie & TV Reviews
  • Game Reviews
  • Featured Articles
  • Latest News
  • Editorial Picks

Quick Links

  • Home
  • About US
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise with Us
  • Review Guidelines

Follow Us

Facebook X-twitter Youtube Instagram
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Movies
  • Entertainment News
  • Movie and TV Reviews
  • TV Shows
  • Game News
  • Game Reviews
  • Contact Us

© 2024 All Rights Reserved for Gazettely

Go to mobile version