Horizon Forbidden West

89%
Game Brain Score Based on 6,641 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Horizon Forbidden West Game Cover
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In Horizon Forbidden West , players reprise their role as Aloy, embarking on a dangerous journey in a post-apocalyptic world filled with new threats, machines, and tribes. This Complete Edition includes the main game and the Burning Shores story expansion. With landscapes teetering on the edge of extinction, Aloy must uncover secrets to save life on Earth. Enjoy bonus in-game items by linking your Steam and PlayStation Network accounts.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

89%
Audience ScoreBased on 6,641 reviews
story1,358 positive mentions
grinding180 negative mentions
  • Stunning graphics and beautiful world design that enhances immersion.
  • Engaging combat mechanics with a variety of weapons and strategies to tackle enemies.
  • Compelling storyline that builds on the lore established in Horizon Zero Dawn.
  • Some gameplay mechanics, such as climbing and melee combat, feel clunky and frustrating.
  • The story lacks the same level of intrigue and depth as Horizon Zero Dawn.
  • Excessive handholding and hints can detract from the player's sense of discovery and immersion.
  • story3,629 mentions

    The story of "Horizon Forbidden West" continues the journey of Aloy from "Horizon Zero Dawn," expanding on its rich lore and character development while introducing new challenges and environments. While many players appreciate the engaging narrative and character arcs, some feel the story lacks the same depth and intrigue as its predecessor, often citing a more predictable plot and repetitive side quests. Overall, the game is praised for its stunning visuals and immersive world, but opinions vary on the effectiveness of its storytelling compared to the first installment.

    • “The storyline, characters, challenges all come together in this intuitive, vast 3D world.”
    • “The game gives you breathtaking visuals, an extensive world to explore, robots that’ll terrify and amaze you, and a story that'll pull you in for the long haul.”
    • “The story is a satisfying continuation of where the first game left off, with extended gameplay including more ways to travel.”
    • “The story is - there's practically no story, really.”
    • “The story doesn't quite have the wow factor of horizon zero dawn but still a solid story.”
    • “The story is a huge letdown too.”
  • gameplay1,366 mentions

    The gameplay in "Horizon Forbidden West" is widely praised for its improvements over its predecessor, "Zero Dawn," featuring enhanced combat mechanics, a more complex skill system, and new traversal options like gliding and underwater exploration. While many players appreciate the engaging combat and the variety of strategies available, some express frustration with certain mechanics feeling clunky or overly complicated. Overall, the game maintains a satisfying core gameplay loop that combines exploration, combat, and storytelling, making it a compelling experience for fans of the series.

    • “The thrill never gets old, and every fight feels like you’re David facing off against Goliath... if Goliath was a mechanical war machine with missile launchers.”
    • “The gameplay is incredibly satisfying, with tight controls and a seamless blend of action, exploration, and strategy.”
    • “The gameplay is more complicated than Zero Dawn, but it's fun once you get the hang of it.”
    • “The gameplay left some things to be desired; the slow recovery time after being knocked down and the frustrating stun locks by certain machines made combat frustrating.”
    • “The gameplay is essentially the same as the first, with some new techniques/skills and mechanics, but it feels like everything they've added besides the glider is only serving to make UX more bloated and over-engineered without adding any fun.”
  • graphics1,288 mentions

    The graphics of "Horizon Forbidden West" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and intricate details, often described as breathtaking and among the best in modern gaming. Many players noted significant improvements over its predecessor, "Horizon Zero Dawn," with enhanced character animations, vibrant environments, and impressive lighting effects. However, some users reported performance issues, including frame rate drops and graphical glitches, particularly on lower-end hardware, which detracted from the overall experience.

    • “The graphics are absolutely stunning, with extraordinary detail that truly immerses you in the game world.”
    • “Horizon Forbidden West impresses with outstanding graphics, creating a breathtaking world full of detail and atmosphere.”
    • “The graphics are incredible; every detail of the world looks so realistic that you sometimes forget it’s just a game.”
    • “Too many glitches, gameplay sucks. It's like the code writers are 5 years old. Graphics suck; it feels outdated in 2024, more like 1999. Don't waste your time or money; these bastards should not be allowed to reproduce.”
    • “I have a GeForce RTX 3070 in a £2000 PC that runs everything else on max graphics, yet this game crashes every 15 minutes even on 'very low' graphics.”
    • “The graphics are all over the place; I can barely get the game to 60 fps.”
  • optimization590 mentions

    The optimization of "Horizon Forbidden West" has received mixed reviews from players. While many praise its impressive performance on high-end systems, noting smooth gameplay and stunning graphics, others report significant performance issues, particularly during cutscenes and in densely populated areas. The DLC, "Burning Shores," has been highlighted as particularly problematic, with many users experiencing severe frame drops and stuttering, suggesting that further optimization is needed. Overall, while the game is well-optimized for some configurations, it struggles on mid-range systems and in specific scenarios.

    • “The game is very well optimized and feature-rich; it has all the major technologies like DLSS, FSR, and more.”
    • “The performance is fantastic and the graphics are stunning.”
    • “This is one of the best optimized ports I’ve come across, and just as impressive graphically as the first game.”
    • “You need a lot of performance to handle this game, so sadly a midrange PC build will struggle with this.”
    • “Game requires 12GB VRAM minimum regardless of resolution or texture settings; otherwise, you will inevitably run into game-breaking performance issues.”
    • “The performance is really poor for the game with random FPS drops in cutscenes or anything more active than an empty field; changing settings helps nothing and it may just be a PC port issue for the time being.”
  • grinding200 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received significant criticism, with many players finding the resource farming and upgrade processes excessively tedious and time-consuming. Upgrading weapons and armor often requires repetitive tasks and specific machine parts, leading to a sense of frustration and burnout, especially for completionists. While some players appreciate the depth and challenge of the grinding mechanics, the overwhelming consensus is that it detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Everything starts from scratch, like all the grinding to upgrade the equipment from the first game was for nothing.”
    • “The amount of grinding is an absolute chore, a detriment to the overall experience.”
    • “The upgrade system is also very grindy but if you mix regular machine farming in with your side quests it works a bit better.”
  • stability180 mentions

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant bugs and glitches that hinder gameplay, particularly on PC. Common issues include freezing, quest-related bugs, and graphical glitches, leading some to describe the experience as frustrating and unplayable. However, a subset of players have reported smooth performance with minimal issues, suggesting that stability may vary significantly depending on hardware and individual experiences.

    • “No stutters, no microstutters, no lags, no glitches, no crashes, no issues whatsoever with the game.”
    • “Polished and almost totally bug-free.”
    • “The game looks gorgeous, runs great, and as an ultrawide screen user, I really appreciate being able to turn off letterboxes during cutscenes as an in-game setting.”
    • “The game is very buggy on PC.”
    • “While I would love to give this game an incredible review, I am unable to play it... I have tried everything imaginable but it is simply a buggy mess.”
    • “This port by Nixxes is a bug-strewn mess, with graphical glitches, framerate dips, and cutscene choppiness that detracts from the gameplay and story in a major way.”
  • music176 mentions

    The music in "Horizon Forbidden West" has received a mixed reception, with many praising its emotional depth and ability to enhance the game's atmosphere, while others feel it lacks the memorability of its predecessor, "Zero Dawn." Some players highlighted the soundtrack's orchestral and electronic blend as a strong point, contributing to immersive gameplay, though a few noted issues with sound balance and repetitiveness. Overall, while the music is generally well-regarded, opinions vary on its standout quality compared to previous titles in the series.

    • “The soundtrack elevates the emotional weight of the story, creating an immersive experience that resonates with players long after they've put down the controller.”
    • “The music of Horizon Forbidden West is an auditory delight, with a score that perfectly captures the grandeur of the game's landscapes and the intensity of its confrontations.”
    • “The battle music is upbeat, doing a great job at combining the sounds of flutes, hand drums, and other early instruments with more mechanical sounding synths, perfectly representing the intertwining of the machines with the less technologically advanced civilizations that have settled the earth.”
    • “Also the music was terrible; within the first 30 seconds I was trying to turn it down, I have no idea what they were thinking with that intro song.”
    • “For whatever reason, the amount of music tracks are extremely limited in this game and there wasn't much variance as there was in Zero Dawn.”
    • “The music is impossible to hear (and I love the OST), but then a fight starts and the music and sound effects ramp up to 1000%.”
  • emotional64 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with many players praising Aloy's journey as both thrilling and deeply resonant, filled with powerful moments and character development. However, some critiques highlight a lack of emotional depth in certain areas, with calls for more impactful choices and reactions from Aloy. Overall, while the game features stunning visuals and an engaging narrative, opinions vary on its ability to evoke strong emotional responses consistently.

    • “Aloy's journey is both personal and epic, driving the narrative forward with emotional depth and powerful moments.”
    • “The game's story is engaging and emotionally resonant, with a strong focus on character development and world-building.”
    • “The soundtrack elevates the emotional weight of the story, creating an immersive experience that resonates with players long after they've put down the controller.”
    • “Horrible performance (constant audio cut-offs and FPS stutters in cutscenes + generally unstable overall), boring story, enemies being way too aggressive that you can't even get up at times, 'puzzles' being too lengthy and annoying.”
    • “Excellent combat, horrifically boring story.”
    • “Plus ugly NPCs and a really boring story.”
  • character development56 mentions

    Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising the depth and emotional resonance of supporting characters and the overall narrative, while others criticize the perceived regression of the main character, Aloy, who is seen as dismissive and lacking growth compared to her journey in the first game. Despite these criticisms, many players appreciate the engaging story and character interactions, highlighting moments that evoke strong emotional responses. Overall, while the game excels in world-building and character design, opinions on Aloy's development are notably polarized.

    • “The game masterfully intertwines its rich lore with compelling character development, ensuring players are deeply invested in the story from start to finish.”
    • “All of this was handled very well and Aloy herself had some incredible character development as she grew from an unsure child into a force of her own.”
    • “The story is great, the character development is wonderful, and I really enjoy the progression system.”
    • “The world, while beautiful, is in a way empty, along with a lot of meaningless side quests, and character development is quite shallow overall.”
    • “But she shows absolutely no character development in the second game, and even though everyone loves her now, she's just so dismissive and rude to everyone that I just kind of hated her.”
    • “Aloy's character development gets thrown out the window from the first game.”
  • atmosphere40 mentions

    The atmosphere in Horizon Forbidden West is widely praised for its stunning graphics, detailed environments, and immersive sound design, creating a captivating world that enhances the gameplay experience. While some players feel that the atmosphere lacks the same impact as the original game, many appreciate the emotional depth of characters and the dynamic changes in the world as quests are completed. Overall, the combination of visual artistry, music, and environmental storytelling contributes to a rich and engaging atmosphere that resonates with players.

    • “Horizon Forbidden West impresses with outstanding graphics, creating a breathtaking world full of detail and atmosphere.”
    • “The environmental sounds and music perfectly complement the game's atmosphere, providing full immersion into Aloy's adventure.”
    • “Amazing game, breathtaking atmosphere, the environment, the music.”
    • “The narrative director John Gonzalez from the first game left the studio, and honestly, it shows - it simply doesn't have the same atmosphere or bite the first game had.”
    • “The main antagonists shift the atmosphere to a much more futuristic tone, which I feel takes away from the otherwise very solid tribal/sci-fi setting.”
    • “In my opinion, it's not as good as the original in some ways (story, atmosphere, progression), but overall it's still a good game.”
  • humor23 mentions

    The humor in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it genuinely funny and engaging, particularly in character interactions and quirky dialogue. Others criticize the humor as inconsistent or forced, noting that certain comedic elements, like visual bugs, can detract from the experience. Overall, while many appreciate the lighthearted moments and character banter, opinions vary on the effectiveness and execution of the humor throughout the game.

    • “And the side quests are really a job, because you get to meet funny characters and do varying tasks.”
    • “Dialogue scenes don't feel so robotic anymore; the dialogue was pretty funny, and the characters were cool to be around, especially for the partner missions.”
    • “I love the personality and humor.”
  • monetization19 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received largely positive feedback, with many users praising the absence of microtransactions and the straightforward $60 price for a complete experience, including DLC. Some reviews criticize certain elements as cash grabs, particularly in relation to additional content and remasters, but overall, players appreciate the lack of forced online play and the absence of gambling mechanics like loot boxes.

    • “No need to worry about microtransactions or gambling masquerading as loot boxes here.”
    • “$60 for a full game with DLC included and 0 microtransactions.”
    • “No microtransactions, you pay for a $60 game and get $120 worth of content.”
    • “I view Forbidden West as a cash grab attempt at capitalizing on the success of the original game.”
    • “The world is pretty sure, but it's such a cash grab with names like Vegas and San Fran to get you into the game, but everything is the same.”
    • “The worst: resource microtransactions for absolutely everything - the arena, all your upgrades.”
  • replayability19 mentions

    Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with many players noting the potential for 200+ hours of gameplay through features like New Game Plus and extensive exploration. While some comparisons to other titles suggest a more limited replay value, the presence of secrets and customization options contributes to a memorable experience that encourages multiple playthroughs. However, some players feel that after completing the main content, the game may lack additional engaging activities.

    • “Very good and very replayable, about 200 hours of gameplay at least if you 100% and new game plus.”
    • “It's fun, replayable, customizable, and has a good story with great voice acting.”
    • “Very good game with lots and lots of replay value as there are secrets everywhere.”
    • “Like Zero Dawn, this game has low replayability.”
    • “A very large world that you would need some serious dedication to 100%. Not a bad thing, increases replayability, but also can be overwhelming.”
    • “Just like Zero Dawn, this game is structured like a typical Ubisoft open world game, yet still manages to be a unique and memorable experience with a decent amount of replay value.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Horizon Forbidden West

Play time

49hMedian play time
57hAverage play time
29hMain story
88hCompletionist
12-100hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 69 analyzed playthroughs

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