Play Zero Dawn DLC before playing the sequel?

[Marlon]

I completed the main campaign of Horizon Zero Dawn, but I haven't started the DLC yet. With Horizon Forbidden West coming to PC soon, I'm wondering if playing the DLC is important beforehand, if there are story connections, and so on.

[Dirtybird_ inc]

the HZD dlc and the HFW dlc both have the same character in a story

[GlowWorm]

The Zero Dawn DLC Frozen Wilds is an enjoyable DLC, and there is some lore from Frozen Wilds that does carryover into Forbidden West. Knowing the Frozen Wilds story lets you drop into Forbidden West with a better immediate grasp of what is going on.

However, while the main story from Zero Dawn really DOES have strong reveals which Forbidden West would spoil the enjoyment of, there is IMO nothing like that for Frozen Wilds to Forbidden West - if you play Forbidden West and then go back and play Frozen Wilds for the first time, there won't be any "holy -bleep-" moments that you find spoiled.

You could always just go play Frozen Wilds for a bit to get back into the swing of the Horizon games, even if you don't actually end up finishing that DLC. The engine and primary gameplay remains the same into Forbidden West, and the engine seems to merely have some upgrades with no change in how it feels. The equipment stats and skills do get a total revamp.

[Marlon]

Thank you both. You provided me with important information to prepare for the HFW launch. I will try to play the DLC Frozen Wlds, it seems interesting enough

[draconix]

You really have not played the HZD-DLC? Unbelivable. You really missed the best weapons in HZD.

[Dirtybird_ inc]

Originally posted by draconix:

You really have not played the HZD-DLC? Unbelivable. You really missed the best weapons in HZD.

that is true and they have the best mods also ... and the best machine fights .

[Handy1957]

Something to keep in mind when playing the Frozen wilds is that it is much more challenging. It is true that some of the best weapons mods are available there, Keep in mind that you cannot use corruption arrows at all ,and you will run into some of the most challenging machines in the game. But that in mind, there is a whole lot more story to be had in this DLC and it is totally worth playing. I have 272 hours and three full play through's on Zero Dawn with all side quests and DLC and I could still go play it again. This was one of the best games I have ever played and cannot wait for Forbidden West.

[Flybye]

I loved the DLC, and I greatly embraced the harder bots. I would definitely venture out there before HFW as it continues to expand on the story, too.

[Jack_Burton]

I highly recommend it. I had played it before Forbidden West came out, and I do think it helped with the story.

[Emig5m]

Meh...I've jumped into games many sequels in without ever playing the original game... do what you wanna do. Play the original in its entirety or don't. If you wanted to play it, you would already be playing it...

[Black Hole]

The dlc for the first game is way better than the second game, definitely play it.

[sjsharp2007]

Originally posted by Handy1957:

Something to keep in mind when playing the Frozen wilds is that it is much more challenging. It is true that some of the best weapons mods are available there, Keep in mind that you cannot use corruption arrows at all ,and you will run into some of the most challenging machines in the game. But that in mind, there is a whole lot more story to be had in this DLC and it is totally worth playing. I have 272 hours and three full play through's on Zero Dawn with all side quests and DLC and I could still go play it again. This was one of the best games I have ever played and cannot wait for Forbidden West.

Yeah whilst I've no tthat long ago done a playthrough of Zero Dawn I am considering doing a back to back run later in the year of both games once Forbidden West is out. I am planning on playing Forbidden West when it drops as I'm just killing time waiting to do that atm. Currently playing the Mass Effect trilogy again atm while I wait