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Horizon Forbidden West

Horizon: Forbidden West is the first BIG next-gen title of 2022 that is also a true blockbuster in every sense of the word!
Horizon Forbidden West Game Cover
89%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding, stability
89% User Score Based on 13,313 reviews
Critic Score 89%Based on 72 reviews

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Horizon Forbidden West Game Cover

About

Horizon Forbidden West is a single player open world role playing game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Guerrilla and was released on February 18, 2022. It received positive reviews from both critics and players.

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.

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Horizon Forbidden West screenshot
Horizon Forbidden West screenshot
Horizon Forbidden West screenshot
Horizon Forbidden West screenshot
Horizon Forbidden West screenshot
Horizon Forbidden West screenshot
Horizon Forbidden West screenshot
Horizon Forbidden West screenshot
Horizon Forbidden West screenshot
Horizon Forbidden West screenshot
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89%
Audience ScoreBased on 13,313 reviews
story2.9k positive mentions
grinding410 negative mentions
  • The game features stunning visuals and immersive environments, often described as breathtaking and among the best in gaming.
  • Gameplay improvements, including combat mechanics and exploration features like underwater diving and gliding, have been praised for enhancing the overall experience.
  • The monetization model is player-friendly, with no microtransactions and a complete game experience for the price.
  • The story has received mixed reviews, with some players feeling it lacks the emotional depth and intrigue of its predecessor, leading to criticisms of pacing and reliance on fetch quests.
  • Many players find the grinding mechanics tedious and excessive, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game.
  • Performance issues, including bugs and glitches, have been reported, affecting the stability and overall experience for some players.
  • story
    7,618 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Horizon Forbidden West" is a continuation of the narrative established in "Horizon Zero Dawn," expanding on its lore and introducing new characters and conflicts. While many players appreciate the engaging plot and character development, some feel it lacks the emotional depth and intrigue of its predecessor, with criticisms aimed at its pacing and reliance on fetch quests. Overall, the game is praised for its stunning visuals and gameplay mechanics, but opinions on the story's quality are mixed, with some finding it less compelling than the first installment.

    • “The narration, characters, and voice acting are all top-notch, delivering an emotionally rich and compelling story that is even better than the first game.”
    • “The story is gripping and relevant, following in the vein of the first game, upping the sci-fi elements for the epic moments.”
    • “The story is vast and tumultuous, a bona fide sci-fi classic that takes all of the flaws in the previous game, erases them, and replaces them with strengths.”
    • “I found the narrative around the new villains (the Zeniths) and Nemesis to be a disappointing shift in tone from the first game's more grounded sci-fi story, feeling that the story was an afterthought scribbled on a napkin.”
    • “The story was devoid of the emotional weight of the first game.”
    • “The story is a huge letdown.”
  • gameplay
    2,924 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Horizon Forbidden West" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its improvements over the predecessor, "Horizon Zero Dawn," particularly in combat mechanics, exploration, and the introduction of new features like underwater diving and gliding. However, some players have criticized the game for its lack of innovation, repetitive quests, and clunky climbing mechanics, which detract from the overall experience. While the visuals and world-building are often highlighted as stunning, the gameplay can feel overwhelming due to the complexity of new mechanics and the sheer volume of content.

    • “The gameplay is incredibly satisfying, with tight controls and a seamless blend of action, exploration, and strategy.”
    • “Horizon Forbidden West builds on the amazing mechanics and gameplay that we saw with Horizon Zero Dawn.”
    • “The gameplay loop is super addictive, and the side missions are really well fleshed out.”
    • “Lack of innovation: I believe the game is completely lacking in creativity and originality, essentially offering more of the same as the first game without significant improvements to the core gameplay loop.”
    • “Combat mechanics: I felt the melee combat was pointless, as the combos were not worth learning or executing, and the majority of the combat mechanics could be ignored while still easily beating every machine with just the basic bow.”
    • “The quests are super repetitive, the climbing mechanics are broken, the melee combat is absolutely terrible and useless for most of the fights, and then they want you to learn combos for melee in the fighting pit… and oh my god are the instructions and combo detection broken, some are completed with totally random combos and some fail after hours of repeating the exact key presses.”
  • graphics
    2,594 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of *Horizon Forbidden West* have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visual fidelity and attention to detail, often described as breathtaking and among the best in gaming. Players have noted the game's ability to create immersive environments with vibrant landscapes, intricate character models, and impressive animations, particularly on high-end hardware. However, some users have reported performance issues and graphical glitches, particularly during cutscenes or in densely populated areas, which can detract from the overall experience.

    • “The graphics are the best I have ever seen, presenting an absolutely beautiful, huge, and shiny open world.”
    • “The atmosphere of the game, the atmospheric soundtrack, and the visuals completely captivate you from the very first minutes.”
    • “The graphics are stunning—especially the vast beaches in the DLC, which look breathtaking when viewed from above.”
    • “I spent around 90 minutes only adjusting graphics options and nothing helps.”
    • “The graphics display flashing blue and black constantly, which is very annoying.”
    • “The graphics are much better than the first game, but the performance is still riddled with issues like stuttering and crashes.”
  • optimization
    1,039 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of "Horizon Forbidden West" has received mixed reviews from players. While many praise its impressive visuals and smooth performance on high-end systems, others report significant issues, particularly with the DLC "Burning Shores," which suffers from severe frame drops and stuttering. Overall, the game is considered well-optimized for a range of hardware, but some users still experience performance inconsistencies and bugs that detract from the experience.

    • “The game runs beautifully optimized for PC, delivering smooth performance and stunning visuals throughout.”
    • “The graphics and visuals remain top-notch, optimization is very good, soundtrack and voice acting are all excellent.”
    • “Incredible performance and graphics quality on 4090 with DLAA and frame generation.”
    • “I know it's not a popular opinion, but the game somehow came back less optimized and full of bugs.”
    • “Great story, great gameplay, insanely poor optimization.”
    • “The performance on this game is terrible.”
  • grinding
    462 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of "Horizon Forbidden West" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious and time-consuming. Critics highlight the need for extensive resource farming to upgrade weapons and armor, often describing the process as a chore that detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game. While some players appreciate the challenge and depth it adds, the overwhelming consensus is that the grinding mechanics feel bloated and can lead to burnout, especially for completionists.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “I personally dislike jumping puzzles, but in ZD they at least felt balanced and not tedious.”
    • “The upgrade system is completely broken and requires a ton of grinding.”
    • “Upgrading armor and weapons was so obnoxiously grindy to get the required materials, with apex hearts being some of the worst.”
    • “The amount of grinding is an absolute chore, a detriment to the overall experience.”
  • music
    395 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in "Horizon Forbidden West" has received a mixed reception from players. Many praise the soundtrack for its emotional depth and ability to enhance the game's atmosphere, with some tracks being described as memorable and immersive, particularly during combat and exploration. However, others find the music less impactful compared to its predecessor, "Horizon Zero Dawn," citing issues with memorability and sound mixing that detracted from the overall experience. Overall, while the soundtrack is generally well-regarded, opinions vary on its effectiveness and distinctiveness.

    • “The soundtrack perfectly accompanies each moment, from the serenity of exploration to the most intense battles.”
    • “The music, sound design, and visual polish also do everything in their power to make hunting machines as tactile as possible.”
    • “The soundtrack, composed by Joris de Man and others, is both epic and intimate—perfectly matching the game’s emotional beats and action sequences.”
    • “The music honestly sounds very forgettable.”
    • “One of the most forgettable soundtracks I've heard in years.”
    • “The only downside is the story is pretty linear, and the soundtrack is not that memorable, making it less immersive.”
  • stability
    359 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting a significant number of bugs and glitches that detract from the overall experience. While some users experienced smooth gameplay with minimal issues, others faced frequent freezes, audio problems, and quest-breaking bugs, particularly on PC. Overall, the game appears to be a mix of solid performance for some and a frustratingly buggy experience for others, suggesting that further patches may be needed to improve stability.

    • “From a technical perspective, the game runs great and looks great, and gameplay is fun; hunting dinos for upgrade parts is pretty streamlined, and exploring the huge map is enjoyable.”
    • “No glitches or issues of any kind so far, even at the highest graphical settings.”
    • “Runs great, loading screens take a maximum of 5 seconds from one point of the map to the other (direct storage), no day one patches/fixes needed, a benchmark of PC ports for sure...”
    • “Game is bugged to hell: freezes every minute or so for 20-30 seconds, no matter the settings or resolution.”
    • “I want to like this game but unfortunately, it's a buggy mess, almost unplayable with how the voice dialogue gets muted and everything freezes in the menu, even reloading saves is bugged.”
    • “The game is a lot of fun, but in the death's door mission, after the mysterious attacker fight, the game freezes every time, without fail, when going underwater to try to escape.”
  • emotional
    168 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the rich character development and heartfelt moments that resonate deeply with players, particularly through Aloy's journey and her relationships with both returning and new characters. However, some critics feel that the emotional weight is diminished compared to the first game, citing a lack of impactful storytelling and engaging side quests. Overall, while there are standout emotional moments, the narrative's effectiveness varies, leaving some players feeling less connected to the story than they did in "Horizon: Zero Dawn."

    • “The narration, characters, and voice acting are all top-notch, delivering an emotionally rich and compelling story that is even better than the first game.”
    • “Aloy’s journey is both emotional and empowering, with improved combat, deeper storytelling, and tons of exploration.”
    • “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.”
    • “Boring storytelling.”
    • “I didn't even finish the game; the boring story, boring characters, and boring gameplay ruined it.”
    • “But on every try, I got discouraged by the very grainy graphics, the boring story, and the uninteresting characters.”
  • character development
    107 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising Aloy's growth and emotional depth, particularly in her relationships, while others criticize inconsistencies and a perceived regression from her character in the previous installment. The character designs are noted for their detail and animation quality, but some players feel that side characters lack depth and that choices do not significantly impact development. Overall, while the game excels in world-building and offers engaging narratives, some players feel that character development could have been more impactful and cohesive.

    • “I really enjoyed the character development of Aloy finally opening up to Seyka more comfortably rather than feeling like she is an outcast and has to lock her emotions away.”
    • “The character development is beautiful - you can't help but feel proud after seeing Aloy and her friends grow - working together to save the world.”
    • “A compelling narrative drives Aloy's quest, enriched by character development and a meticulously crafted world.”
    • “The only gripes I have is what seems to be a regression in Aloy's character development when it comes to trusting people and wanting to go at things alone, but by the end she gets over that...again.”
    • “My only complaints are with the writing; a lot of Aloy's character development from the first game feels forgotten or reset in order to drive inter-character conflict in a story that already has enough conflict.”
    • “On top of that, the character development is seriously lacking; you don’t really develop a sense of attachment to any of the characters in the game.”
  • atmosphere
    73 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning graphics, immersive soundtracks, and detailed environments that captivate players from the outset. Many reviewers highlight the vibrant landscapes and the emotional depth conveyed through character animations and environmental storytelling, creating a rich and engaging world. However, some critiques note that the sequel's atmosphere may not fully match the impact of its predecessor, with a few expressing disappointment in the narrative's depth and overall cohesion.

    • “The atmosphere of the game, the atmospheric soundtrack, and the visuals completely captivate you from the very first minutes.”
    • “From the moment I stepped into its vibrant landscapes, I was captivated by the stunning visuals and immersive atmosphere.”
    • “The world is so detailed, vibrant, with lots of things to discover and everything fills up so appropriately with a beautiful day/night atmosphere.”
    • “It's those two parts of Zero Dawn, the story and atmosphere, which are severely lacking here with only a few exceptions within the main storyline.”
    • “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.”
    • “This game has a mediocre story, mediocre gameplay, and mediocre atmosphere.”
  • humor
    60 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding it genuinely funny through character banter and quirky side quests, while others criticize the writing as inconsistent and often unintentionally humorous. Many appreciate the heartfelt interactions and comedic moments between characters, though some feel that the humor can detract from serious story elements. Overall, the game's humor is seen as modern and relatable, but it may not resonate with everyone, leading to a range of reactions from laughter to frustration.

    • “Wandering tribals just standing there and hanging out underwater, settlement NPCs walking into and becoming stuck on each other in hilarious fashion, machines attacking me with only their weak point parts loading in, flickering screen and the list goes on.”
    • “Funny enough he kept almost insulting me for using a bow when he was hiding behind a shield, in again, a 'fair' combat.”
    • “A surprising number of them end with an NPC dying dramatically in front of Aloy — it gets unintentionally funny after a while.”
    • “It's not funny, it's not challenging, it's not satisfying, it's just dumb.”
  • replayability
    42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players praising its high replay value due to new game plus options, varied combat mechanics, and a large world filled with secrets. However, some critics note that certain repetitive elements and a checklist-like structure can diminish the desire to replay. While many find it infinitely replayable, others suggest that the experience may feel overwhelming or less engaging after the initial playthrough.

    • “### Replayability – rich, rewarding, and worth revisiting”
    • “With tons of replayability and a world you won’t want to leave, it’s easily one of the best games of the year.”
    • “Very good game with lots and lots of replay value as there are secrets everywhere.”
    • “In all, it's a pretty good game that's worth getting, but I wouldn't say there's much replayability outside of having to do New Game Plus for achievements.”
    • “All of this only vaguely optional content makes a playthrough feel like a checklist you need to finish rather than something you want to do; and for me, it diminishes the replay value because there is so much stuff in there that you just never want to do again after completing it once.”
    • “I do warn that it feels too stuffed, which I feel diminishes its replayability.”
  • monetization
    26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game has received overwhelmingly positive feedback regarding its monetization model, with players appreciating the absence of microtransactions and the value offered in the $60 price tag, which includes substantial content without additional costs. Reviewers highlight that the game feels complete and does not pressure players into in-game purchases or online connectivity, setting it apart from many contemporary titles. Overall, the monetization approach is seen as fair and player-friendly, enhancing the overall gaming experience.

    • “There are no big pushes for microtransactions, you don't feel shorted, and the expansion pack is a nice addition that brings a new environment to the game.”
    • “$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.”
    • “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.”
    • “HZD was an amazing game that needed polish (I'm guessing testing out the new IP and didn't want to spend all the money), HFW and especially the DLC Burning Shores, would have destroyed the IP if it was the first release, instead it's the second release, aka cash grab.”
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89%Critics’ scoreBased on 72 critic reviews
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43h Median play time
61h Average play time
29h Main story
88h Completionist
12-100h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 121 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Horizon Forbidden West is a open world role playing game with science fiction theme.

Horizon Forbidden West is available on PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Windows and others.

The main story can be completed in around 29 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 88 hours to finish. On average players spend around 61 hours playing Horizon Forbidden West.

Horizon Forbidden West was released on February 18, 2022.

Horizon Forbidden West was developed by Guerrilla.

Horizon Forbidden West has received positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Horizon Forbidden West is a single player game.

Similar games include Horizon Zero Dawn, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Rise of the Tomb Raider, God of War Ragnarök, FINAL FANTASY XVI and others.