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Certain enemies have scanners which can detect Aloy regardless of line of sight if they are not destroyed. 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.
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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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