Horizon Forbidden West is an action role-playing game developed by Guerrilla Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Released in February 2022, it serves as the sequel to the critically acclaimed Horizon Zero Dawn. Players control Aloy, a hunter who travels to the western frontier of post-apocalyptic America. The game combines open-world exploration, intense combat, and a gripping narrative set in a world overrun by massive robotic creatures. Horizon Forbidden West expands on its predecessor with improved graphics, new gameplay mechanics, and a larger map to explore. This article covers everything players need to know about Horizon Forbidden West, including its story, gameplay features, available platforms, and critical reception.
Key Takeaways
- Horizon Forbidden West is an action RPG sequel to Horizon Zero Dawn, released in February 2022 by Guerrilla Games and Sony Interactive Entertainment.
- Players control Aloy as she explores a vast open world spanning post-apocalyptic California, Nevada, and Utah while battling massive robotic creatures.
- New gameplay features include underwater exploration, a Shieldwing glider, a Pullcaster grappling hook, and six expanded skill trees for deeper customization.
- The game is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC, with the Burning Shores expansion offering additional PS5-exclusive content.
- Horizon Forbidden West received critical acclaim with an 88 Metacritic score and sold over 8.4 million copies in its first year.
Story and Setting Overview
Horizon Forbidden West picks up six months after the events of Horizon Zero Dawn. Aloy must journey west to investigate a mysterious plague that kills all life it touches. Her mission takes her through the Forbidden West, a dangerous region spanning what was once California, Nevada, and Utah.
The game’s world blends lush environments with ruins of the old civilization. Players explore underwater depths, dense jungles, scorched deserts, and snow-capped mountains. Each region offers distinct challenges and secrets to uncover.
Aloy discovers that a signal from an ancient Zenith colony threatens all life on Earth. The Zeniths are a group of immortal humans who fled the planet centuries ago. They’ve returned with advanced technology and hostile intentions. Aloy must gather allies from various tribes, including the Tenakth warriors and the Utaru farmers, to stop this new threat.
The narrative in Horizon Forbidden West digs deeper into the mysteries of the old world. Players learn more about the extinction event that created the machine-dominated landscape. The story balances personal stakes for Aloy with world-ending consequences, keeping players invested throughout the 30-plus hour campaign.
Gameplay Features and Mechanics
Horizon Forbidden West builds on the foundation of its predecessor while adding significant new features. The core gameplay loop involves hunting machines, gathering resources, and upgrading equipment. Combat rewards tactical thinking, players must exploit machine weaknesses using the right weapons and ammunition types.
Aloy’s mobility receives major upgrades in Horizon Forbidden West. She can now use a Shieldwing glider to descend from heights safely. Swimming mechanics allow full underwater exploration, opening new areas and combat scenarios. A grappling hook called the Pullcaster helps players reach previously inaccessible locations and tear components off machines during fights.
The skill tree system expands considerably. Six skill trees let players customize Aloy’s abilities: Warrior, Trapper, Hunter, Survivor, Infiltrator, and Machine Master. Each tree offers distinct playstyles, from aggressive melee combat to stealthy takedowns to commanding overridden machines.
Workbenches now play a crucial role in progression. Players upgrade weapons and outfits using specific materials gathered from machines and the environment. Each upgrade provides tangible improvements, encouraging players to hunt specific machines for parts.
Side quests in Horizon Forbidden West feature more developed characters and meaningful stories. Many side activities connect to the main narrative or reveal important world-building details. The game also includes arena challenges, machine strike (a strategic board game), and collectible hunts.
New Machines and Enemies
Horizon Forbidden West introduces over 20 new machine types alongside returning favorites. The Slitherfang is a massive cobra-like machine that spits acid and uses its body to crush enemies. Tremortusks resemble mammoths and carry raiders into battle. The Sunwing flies through the skies and can be overridden for aerial transport.
Aquatic machines add a fresh layer of danger. The Tideripper lurks in deep water and can create devastating waves. Snapmaws return but now appear in underwater environments where they’re even deadlier.
Human enemies pose greater threats in Horizon Forbidden West. Rebel factions use machines in combat and employ varied tactics. The Zeniths wield advanced technology that challenges even experienced players. Boss encounters test everything players have learned about combat systems.
Platforms and Availability
Horizon Forbidden West launched on February 18, 2022, for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. The PS5 version offers enhanced graphics, faster loading times, and DualSense controller features. Haptic feedback and adaptive triggers make combat feel more immersive.
Sony released a PC port of Horizon Forbidden West in March 2024. The PC version supports ultrawide monitors, unlocked frame rates, and various graphical options. Players can adjust settings to match their hardware capabilities.
The Burning Shores expansion released in April 2023 as PS5-exclusive content. This DLC adds a new region based on the Los Angeles area and continues Aloy’s story after the main game. It introduces additional machines and extends playtime by approximately 15 hours.
Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition bundles the base game with the Burning Shores expansion. This version provides the full experience for new players. Both digital and physical copies are available through major retailers.
The game requires approximately 90 GB of storage space on PlayStation consoles. PC requirements vary based on desired graphics settings, with recommended specs suggesting a modern GPU and SSD for optimal performance.
Critical Reception and Player Experience
Horizon Forbidden West received strong reviews from critics upon release. Major publications praised its stunning visuals, improved combat, and expanded world. The game holds an 88 score on Metacritic for the PS5 version.
Reviewers highlighted the graphics as a standout achievement. Facial animations during conversations show remarkable detail. Environmental design creates a believable post-apocalyptic world that feels both alien and familiar.
Combat improvements earned consistent praise. Critics noted that fights feel more dynamic thanks to new tools and enemy behaviors. The variety of machines keeps encounters fresh throughout the lengthy campaign.
Some reviews mentioned pacing issues in the story’s middle section. A few critics felt certain quests padded the runtime. But, most agreed that the overall narrative delivered satisfying conclusions to character arcs established in the first game.
Player reception largely matched critical opinions. Steam reviews for the PC version sit at “Very Positive” as of late 2024. Players appreciate the port quality and graphical options available on PC.
Horizon Forbidden West sold over 8.4 million copies within its first year. The game’s success confirmed the franchise as one of PlayStation’s premier properties. Many players consider Horizon Forbidden West an improvement over its already excellent predecessor.
