Top Horizon Forbidden West content covers everything players need to know about Guerrilla Games’ acclaimed sequel. Released in 2022, Horizon Forbidden West sends Aloy into dangerous new territories filled with deadly machines, ancient ruins, and stunning landscapes. Whether players are jumping in fresh or returning after a break, this guide breaks down the game’s best features and provides practical tips. From mastering combat to finding the best gear, these insights will help anyone get more out of their Forbidden West experience.
Key Takeaways
- Horizon Forbidden West features diverse biomes—from deserts to underwater caves—that reward exploration with hidden loot, lore, and shortcuts.
- Master machine combat by scanning enemies first, targeting weak points with elemental ammo, and using the new Valor Surge system for powerful abilities.
- Prioritize versatile weapons like the Hunter Bow, Sharpshot Bow with Tearblast arrows, and the new Spike Thrower for maximum combat effectiveness.
- Use the Shieldwing glider and override mounts early to explore the Forbidden West efficiently while saving fast travel resources.
- Don’t skip underwater zones or side quests—they contain some of the best loot and storytelling in Horizon Forbidden West.
Stunning Open World and Environments
Horizon Forbidden West delivers one of the most visually impressive open worlds in gaming. The Forbidden West region stretches from sun-scorched deserts to lush jungles, underwater caves, and snow-capped mountains. Each biome feels distinct and rewards exploration.
The game’s environmental design goes beyond pretty scenery. Dense vegetation provides cover during stealth sections. Underwater areas hide valuable resources and hidden paths. Ruined cities from the Old Ones contain lore collectibles and side quests that expand the story.
Players will encounter several major regions throughout their journey:
- The Daunt: A mountainous border region serving as the tutorial area
- No Man’s Land: Arid desert territory with dangerous machine sites
- Plainsong: Fertile farmland controlled by the Utaru tribe
- San Francisco Ruins: A flooded coastal zone with underwater exploration
- The Burning Shores: Added in DLC, this volcanic region features some of the game’s toughest challenges
The day-night cycle and weather system affect gameplay too. Storms reduce visibility but also make stealth easier. Certain machines only appear at specific times. Paying attention to these patterns helps players plan their approach.
Horizon Forbidden West rewards curiosity. Climbing a random cliff might reveal a hidden campfire. Swimming through an underwater tunnel could lead to rare crafting materials. The world is packed with secrets for those willing to look.
Combat System and Machine Battles
Combat in Horizon Forbidden West builds on the original game’s strengths while adding new layers. Players still target machine components to expose weaknesses and tear off valuable parts. But the sequel introduces new tools that expand tactical options.
The Valor Surge system gives Aloy powerful abilities that charge during combat. These range from massive damage buffs to area-of-effect attacks. Choosing the right Valor Surge for different situations can turn difficult fights around.
New machines present fresh challenges. The Slitherfang is a massive cobra-like machine that spits acid. Tremortusks function like armored war elephants. The Tideripper hunts in underwater zones. Each machine type has specific weak points and elemental vulnerabilities.
Here’s what experienced players recommend for machine battles:
- Scan every machine first: The Focus reveals weak points, component locations, and elemental weaknesses
- Use elemental ammo: Matching elements to weaknesses deals massive damage and triggers status effects
- Target component canisters: Hitting these causes explosions that damage surrounding enemies
- Don’t ignore melee combos: The new combo system makes close-range fighting viable against smaller machines
Horizon Forbidden West also improves human combat. Enemy tribes now use tactics and formations. They’ll flank, take cover, and call reinforcements. Aloy’s expanded melee tree helps handle these encounters without burning through arrows.
The key to success is preparation. Crafting the right ammo types before a fight matters more than raw skill. Players who stock up on relevant elemental arrows consistently have easier battles than those who try to brute-force encounters.
Best Weapons and Gear to Prioritize
Horizon Forbidden West features dozens of weapons across multiple categories. Not all of them deserve inventory space. Smart players focus on specific tools that cover the most situations.
The Sharpshot Bow remains essential. Its high-damage precision shots excel at removing machine components. Look for versions with Tearblast arrows, these strip armor without destroying valuable parts underneath.
For crowd control, the Blast Sling handles groups efficiently. Sticky bombs work against fast-moving targets. Blast bombs clear human enemies quickly.
The Spike Thrower is new to Horizon Forbidden West and quickly became a fan favorite. Its explosive javelins deal enormous damage to large machines. The charged throw mechanic rewards patient timing.
Gear priorities should follow this general order:
- Hunter Bow with multiple elements: Covers most basic combat needs
- Sharpshot Bow with Tearblast: Essential for component removal
- Ropecaster: Ties down aggressive machines for easy damage windows
- Spike Thrower: High burst damage against bosses
Armor in Horizon Forbidden West uses outfit skills that suit different playstyles. Stealth players want outfits boosting silent strike damage. Aggressive fighters benefit from melee resistance. There’s no single best choice, match armor to preferred tactics.
Weave upgrades improve both weapons and armor significantly. Farming weaves from specific machine types takes time but pays off. A fully upgraded mid-tier weapon often outperforms a legendary weapon without upgrades.
Essential Exploration Tips
Getting around the Forbidden West efficiently takes some know-how. These tips help players explore smarter and find more content.
Fast travel costs resources. Early game, walking or riding mounts saves valuable materials. Override machines to create rideable mounts, Chargers and Bristlebacks work well. Once resources become plentiful, fast travel freely.
Climb everything. Horizon Forbidden West added the Shieldwing glider that lets Aloy descend safely from any height. This changes exploration completely. High vantage points become shortcuts rather than dead ends.
Check your map for question marks. These indicate undiscovered activities like Tallnecks, Cauldrons, and Rebel Camps. Tallnecks reveal map sections when overridden. Cauldrons teach override codes for new machine types. Both are worth prioritizing.
Underwater exploration opens up after acquiring the diving mask. Many players skip aquatic areas because movement feels different. That’s a mistake. Underwater zones contain some of the game’s best loot and most interesting environmental storytelling.
Horizon Forbidden West hides collectibles throughout the world. Datapoints fill in backstory. Black Boxes provide valuable rewards when returned to a specific NPC. Survey Drones unlock cosmetic items. Completionists will want a guide eventually, but first playthroughs benefit from organic discovery.
Side quests in Horizon Forbidden West often rival main missions in quality. Characters like Kotallo and Alva have storylines worth following. The game rewards players who engage with optional content rather than rushing the critical path.
