I’ve got to say, one of the funniest parts about video game graphics becoming more detailed and realistic is the onslaught of terrified, angry and confused reactions from gamers who are just now realising what women look like. I mean, who can blame them? They grew up with Lara Croft’s triangular chest and Tifa’s jaggedy, polygonal curves, how else could they possibly have learned anything about women’s anatomy?
Aloy, the protagonist of Horizon Zero Dawn and the upcoming Forbidden West, is undeniably cool. For many, she’s one of the very best parts of the games. For others though, it seems her very existence is threatening. To be specific, gamers aren’t happy about the fact that if you zoom in really close, you can see a light layer of peach fuzz on her face. You know, like a human.
Horizon Forbidden West releases on PS4 and PS5 tomorrow - check out the gameplay footage below.
This same screenshot of Aloy’s face has been doing the rounds all over Twitter this week, with people either being grossed out at her for having a “beard”, and others making fun of the former lot for not realising what real people look like. It’s been quite a time.
This isn’t the first time that gamers have been getting themselves all hot and bothered over the protagonist’s Forbidden West design, either. Last year, there was a slew of complaints from people who thought the protagonist looked “too masculine”, along with plenty of very helpful wannabe game artists, who proposed “fixes” for her appearance. These included a thoroughly airbrushed face, filled in eyebrows, and a nice thick coating of mascara - all things that would be of the highest importance in a post-apocalyptic world.
At the end of the day, how much does a character’s appearance really matter, anyway? You can understand criticisms that stem from, for example, their outfits not being practical, or not fitting for the world they’re living in - that’s all fair. But for so many people to be upset at a fictional female character for not being pretty enough for them, well. There are many things I could say about that. I’ll avoid saying the one which first sprung to mind, and instead just suggest that perhaps they should try talking to some real women more.
Featured Image Credit: Sony Interactive Entertainment, Guerrilla GamesTopics: Horizon Forbidden West, Guerrilla Games
