Horizon Call of the Mountain Reviews
Horizon Call of the Mountain is absolutely a must-own, whether you are a carryover fan from Zero Dawn and Forbidden West or not. It is a good Horizon title that introduces you to characters and a story you hope to see more of, mixed inside a fantastic experience that showcases PSVR2 like no other title on the market. Just jump in knowing this is experience first and a game second, albeit a very close second, and not PlayStation’s answer to Half-Life: Alyx.
As a feat of technical artistry, it’s impressive, sleek, and often breathtaking. But as you’re dangling off a cliff edge, taking a breather from endless, repetitive mountain climbing, you’ll find yourself wondering whether novelty is really enough to justify such a loosely-tied journey. While the experience is impressive in fits and starts, Horizon Call of the Mountain ultimately feels like a puzzle with several pieces missing.
While the gameplay may fall into a routine that can grow stale, there is no denying that what Guerrilla Games and Firesprite have achieved is an adventure that will astonish and impress once players put on the PS VR2 headset and wrap their hands around the Sense controllers. It may still be early days, but Horizon Call of the Mountain is an undeniably great start for this new generation of VR gaming.
Horizon: Call of the Mountain does not move any proverbial mountains, but it remains a strong technical showcase for what the PlayStation VR2 can do. In a world where AAA VR titles don’t appear too often, it’s in an exclusive club of unmissable VR experiences that you should definitely pick up.
Feeling every bit like a AAA game set in the Horizon universe, Call of the Mountain is an immersive and visually impressive experience that falters somewhat in the combat department.
Horizon Call of the Mountain sets out to do something and does it well. It’s a game that showcases the capabilities of the PS VR2 to great effect, possibly giving players a reason to take a chance on the new hardware. To call it a climbing simulator could be a fair assessment, but it’s hard to deny the game for what it really is, which is a spectacular showcase of the new hardware from Sony. Is it the killer app for the PS VR2? Arguably, I’d say it isn’t, but I cannot deny how Horizon Call of the Mountain has made me look forward to what’s next on the VR front.
I would prefer there to be two or three other elements to Horizon Call of the Mountain. It needs combat with the other humans in open areas like Horizon has. The game would also benefit from having more open areas to explore along with deeper story elements. When it comes to the story, there is not a ton here, there are only four or five characters throughout the entire game. Although, if there is ever a third Horizon game, it would be exciting to see these characters show up. Yet Horizon Call of the Mountain is, should be considered one of the top 15 VR games of all time. There are some moments when you use your physical hands during crafting that are special. There are sequences during the climbing parts which are truly engaging. Plus the boss battles are straight out of the mainline Horizon games, played in VR it is remarkable. Overall Horizon Call of the Mountain is a fun little launch title for Sony’s new PS VR2 headset. If you enjoy Horizon and own PS VR2 you must have this game. Although by no means is this a system seller, it is just a nice addition. I would prefer it to be four to five hours long but, what we have here is a ton of unique VR moments combined together.
There is an extended on-rails boat scene you can put non-gamers into to experience the headset, but as far as pushing the medium forward and being a showcase for the future of virtual reality, Horizon Call of the Mountain is just a pretty game with the core of a last-generation VR game.
At several points, the game simply points the way for subsequent high-budget titles, and if it weren't for the amount of time you have to spend traveling, more balance would have been achieved in the gameplay.
Review in Greek | Read full review
Horizon: Call of the Mountain fulfills what a launch game for this type of device should be: it's spectacular, simple (perhaps too simple) and fun.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Horizon Call of the Mountain is an epic VR adventure that demonstrates just how impressive the PlayStation VR 2 headset is. It looks stunning to play, the combat is intuitive and fun, the set pieces are incredibly cool, whilst additional features like the eye tracking and haptic feedback are used in meaningful and immersive ways that benefit the overall experience.
Horizon Call of the Mountain is unquestionably one of the best VR experiences I’ve ever had the privilege and pleasure of playing. Unequivocally designed to masterfully contend with other escapades of its ilk, and AAA successes, and it goes without saying, lays trademark influence of base PS5 titles toward PSVR2’s ingenuity and bold integrity out of the box
Call of the Mountain has wonderful elements to it, and it lands the most important part - the physical experience of climbing - perfectly. Trailers and even my own video capture don't quite convey the speed and agility you feel while scrambling. Unfortunately, other parts of the game are too thin, with the inability to wander back the way you came and the constant stop-start nature of its thin narrative working against its own appeal. With some fresh ideas, huge scope, and clever adaptation of an existing property without relying on a simple remake, Horizon Call of the Mountain is an important game for VR. However, I'm not sure it's a great one.
Horizon Call of the Mountain is the first major PlayStation VR2 exclusive, a game that respects the technical/graphic premise of the Horizon series very well, certifying what is undoubtedly the most visually beautiful video game ever seen on virtual reality. Beyond that, Firesprite and Guerrilla's game is a classic VR title, rather linear and not a surprising gameplay. Undoubtedly an excellent product that works, entertains and expands the Horizon universe, as well as an excellent base for the PS VR2.
Review in Italian | Read full review
A VR game with gorgeous environmental view that brings out the performance of PS VR2 to the limit. While the eye-catching, fascinating scenery that represent Horizon Series is highly immersive, feeling for overall gameplay centered on climbing action can be different by one's taste.
Review in Korean | Read full review
If there's a game that convinces me that virtual reality has legs to walk, this is it. Like the medium to which it belongs, it is still not perfect, but it is still an impressive experience. It's one of the best views I've ever seen of virtual reality.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Horizon: Call of the Mountain is the single best VR game I’ve played and shows exactly what the PSVR2 is capable of.
Horizon Call of the Mountain is, however, an excellent game in its own right. As a showcase piece for the early days of PlayStation VR 2, Sony probably couldn't have asked for a better launch title. Call of the Mountain's intensely beautiful visuals and well-developed main gameplay systems make it a meaty virtual reality experience that's absolutely a must-own for anyone who picks up PSVR 2. While its price feels a little steep, especially in conjunction with the hardware that supports it, anyone willing to make that leap will be just as satisfied as they will inevitably be by Ryas' adrenaline-pumping feats of strength hundreds of feet in the air on a mountainside.
Horizon Call of the Mountain sets the bar high for PlayStation's biggest franchises adapted to VR with stellar visuals, engaging gameplay, and jaw-dropping moments.
Horizon Call of the Mountain makes you feel like you’re part of a fantastical world where some of the most intimidating predators have it out for you.