I find myself really conflicted on this game, probably about halfway in I suppose. It's weird to read the nearly perfect "masterpiece" level praise in this thread because I feel like this game has such highs and lows.
The presentation feels all over the place. At times it's top notch and at others the animations, voice acting, overall sound design are sloppy and subpar. Aloy is definitely great while some npcs and quest givers are emotionless or are overacting. The repetitive quips from enemies and npcs in some fights stands out for sure.
The world is incredibly well built and atmospheric, but the cities are lifeless and static, npcs don't wander the streets and merchants are nothing more than a menu prompt. One such example is after a certain explosive event happens in the city and guards come running over, yet a quest giver is still in the same spot yelling the same stuff he'd normally do.
Combat is amazing when it comes to the machines and how you need to exploit their weaknesses. But the human combat is really really bad and unsatisfying, and I feel like I'm spending way too much time doing that. Melee also stands out as really clunky and bad, although getting a heavy stun and critical can be great.
The story overall is compelling, but leaves a lot to be desired in the actual storytelling. Dumping huge parts of exposition in nonstop data and audio logs is not how to do this. I know we're supposed to be discovering ancient technology and history, but there should be a better way to pace this stuff out.
I also don't feel like so far there have been any hard choices to make. No tough story decisions, no difficult build choices in progression, it all feels like a more straightforward experience, for better or worse.
There are times here that I feel Horizon reaches the level of the Witcher, but so many of the little quirks really stand out. I want to continue because when I get to the stuff I like I love this game, the bad parts are definitely hard to ignore. It definitely stands above some of the more bland open world games out there, but I don't think as much a as some are giving it credit for, at least with how much I've played. I hope my opinion improves.