Stealth is also a central element, mostly based around line-of-sight cover with patches of red-topped tall grass acting as hiding spots when Aloy crouches in them.Some opponents have weapon systems which can be shot off and then used against them, with a limited ammo supply. Damaging components on certain enemies can deal extra damage, inflict status effects, or deny them the use of certain attacks. Machine enemies feature a location-based damage system with many destructible components.Aloy has multiple weapons at her disposal, including bows with various arrow types, a melee spear, tripwire and rope launchers, slings which fire elemental or explosive bombs, a powerful gun-like weapon that fires compressed air, and a shotgun-like close-combat weapon.Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds adds a fourth, Traveller, which focuses on ridable creatures and includes more resource-based skills. In the base game there are three trees: Prowler, Brave, and Forager: respectively these primarily boost stealth and evasion, direct combat, and various skills related to resources.

A level system which increases Aloy's health and provides token-based unlocks with a skill tree.Horizon Zero Dawn features quest elements which include the main story quests, as well as a number of side quests and activities.The game features sci-fi and mythical elements. The player controls Aloy, a huntress who uses her speed, cunning, and agility to stay alive and protect herself and others against the force, size, and power of the machines. Human civilization has regressed to tribal societies of hunters and gatherers who survive in immense forests, imposing mountain ranges, and the atmospheric ruins of their ancestors – all while the machines become increasingly powerful.

Horizon Zero Dawn takes place in the 31st century, in a post-apocalyptic world where colossal machines dominate the land.

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