Learning how to play Horizon Forbidden West can feel overwhelming at first. The game throws players into a vast open world filled with mechanical creatures, ancient ruins, and dozens of systems to master. But here’s the thing, once the basics click, everything else falls into place.
This guide breaks down the essential knowledge new players need. From combat mechanics to machine hunting strategies, these tips will help anyone get started on the right foot. Whether someone just picked up the game or got stuck early on, this beginner’s guide covers what matters most.
Key Takeaways
- Learning how to play Horizon Forbidden West starts with mastering the Focus scanner to reveal machine weak points before every encounter.
- Combat rewards patience—use Concentration (R3 while aiming) to slow time and hit critical components on fast-moving machines.
- Activate every campfire for free fast travel and prioritize Cauldrons, Tallnecks, and Rebel Outposts for valuable rewards and faster leveling.
- Target detachable machine components to remove enemy weapons and use them against your foes for quick victories.
- Upgrade weapons at workbenches using specific machine parts, which encourages hunting diverse machine types throughout the Forbidden West.
- Experiment with all six skill trees and Valor Surges early to discover your preferred combat style before specializing.
Getting Started With Combat and Controls
Combat in Horizon Forbidden West rewards patience and preparation. Button-mashing won’t work here. Players need to understand Aloy’s toolkit before charging into battle.
The basic controls are straightforward. R2 fires the bow, L2 aims, and the face buttons handle dodging, melee attacks, and item usage. But the real depth comes from weapon switching and targeting specific machine parts.
Mastering the Concentration Mechanic
Concentration slows time while aiming. This skill proves essential for hitting small weak points on fast-moving machines. Players activate it by clicking R3 while aiming. The meter depletes quickly at first, but upgrades extend its duration.
New players should practice concentration shots on smaller machines like Watchers and Burrowers. These enemies have visible weak points that glow when scanned.
Using the Focus Scanner
The Focus is Aloy’s most important tool. Pressing R3 outside of combat activates a scan that reveals machine weak points, patrol paths, and resource locations. Smart players scan every new machine type before engaging.
Each scan adds information to the machine catalog. This data shows which weapons deal the most damage to specific components. A player who understands how to play Horizon Forbidden West effectively always scans first and attacks second.
Exploring the Forbidden West Open World
The map in Horizon Forbidden West is massive. It spans deserts, jungles, mountains, and underwater areas. Players can easily spend hours just wandering and discovering hidden locations.
Fast Travel and Campfires
Campfires serve as save points and fast travel destinations. Players should activate every campfire they find. Fast travel costs nothing after the early game, so there’s no reason to skip them.
The game also includes a Stash system at settlements. Extra items automatically transfer to storage when inventory fills up. This means players don’t need to constantly manage their bags while exploring.
Side Quests Worth Doing
Not all side content is equal. Some side quests reward unique weapons or unlock valuable skills. Others provide context for the main story. Players wondering how to play Horizon Forbidden West efficiently should prioritize:
- Rebel Outposts (good XP and resources)
- Cauldrons (unlock machine override abilities)
- Tallnecks (reveal map sections)
- Hunting Grounds (teach advanced combat techniques)
The game doesn’t punish players for ignoring side content, but those who engage with it level up faster and gain better gear.
Swimming and Diving
Underwater exploration opens up after a few main story missions. Players gain a breathing apparatus that allows unlimited diving. Underwater areas contain rare resources and hidden ruins. Many players miss this content entirely, but it’s worth seeking out.
Essential Tips for Hunting Machines
Machine hunting is the core gameplay loop. Every encounter can become a puzzle with multiple solutions. Understanding how to play Horizon Forbidden West’s hunting systems makes fights faster and more rewarding.
Targeting Components
Machines have detachable components that serve multiple purposes. Shooting off a weapon removes the machine’s ability to use it. Better yet, players can pick up detached weapons and use them against enemies.
Blaze canisters explode when hit with fire arrows. Freeze canisters shatter and deal area damage with frost attacks. Learning these interactions turns difficult fights into quick victories.
Elemental Weaknesses
Every machine has elemental vulnerabilities. Fire-based machines like Scorchers take extra damage from frost attacks. Frost machines crumble against fire. The machine catalog lists these weaknesses clearly.
Players should carry weapons that cover multiple elements. A hunter bow for regular damage, a sharpshot bow for precision shots, and an elemental weapon round out a solid loadout.
Setting Traps
Tripcasters and traps work best when players plan ahead. Setting wire traps along patrol routes before engaging turns ambushes into guaranteed hits. This approach works especially well against large machines that would otherwise overwhelm players in direct combat.
The game rewards creative approaches. Players who learn to combine traps, environmental hazards, and elemental attacks can defeat machines far above their level.
Upgrading Weapons and Gear
Gear progression in Horizon Forbidden West follows a clear path. Players find or buy base weapons, then upgrade them at workbenches using collected resources.
The Workbench System
Workbenches appear in every settlement. They allow weapon and armor upgrades that improve damage, handling, and coil slots. Each upgrade tier requires specific machine parts.
This system encourages targeted hunting. Need a Thunderjaw heart? Time to fight Thunderjaws. The upgrade requirements push players to engage with different machine types rather than avoiding tough fights.
Coils and Weaves
Coils modify weapons while weaves modify armor. These items drop from machines and chests throughout the world. Higher-rarity coils provide significant stat boosts.
Players should match coils to their playstyle. Someone who relies on stealth benefits from stealth damage coils. A player who prefers aggressive combat wants coils that boost critical hit chance or raw damage.
Skill Points and Valor Surges
Skill trees in Horizon Forbidden West branch into six categories: Warrior, Trapper, Hunter, Survivor, Infiltrator, and Machine Master. Each tree unlocks passive abilities and powerful Valor Surges.
Valor Surges are special abilities that charge during combat. They provide temporary buffs like increased damage, invisibility, or health regeneration. Players learning how to play Horizon Forbidden West should experiment with different Valor Surges to find their preferred combat style.
The best approach is spreading points across multiple trees early, then specializing once a preferred playstyle emerges.
