Horizon Forbidden West is the highly anticipated follow-up to Guerrilla Games’ critically acclaimed Horizon Zero Dawn. This sequel takes players back into the post-apocalyptic world of Aloy, a skilled hunter and savior of humanity, as she ventures into the untamed lands of the Forbidden West to unravel new mysteries and face even greater challenges. With its breathtaking visuals, expanded gameplay mechanics, and a rich narrative, Forbidden West aims to surpass its predecessor. While it largely succeeds in delivering a captivating experience, it is not without its shortcomings.
A Beautiful and Immersive World
One of the most striking aspects of Horizon Forbidden West is its world design. Guerrilla Games has outdone itself, creating a diverse and visually stunning environment that immerses players from the very beginning. The Forbidden West is a sprawling landscape filled with vibrant ecosystems, from sun-soaked deserts and dense jungles to serene beaches and icy mountains. The attention to detail is remarkable, with dynamic weather systems, intricate foliage, and lifelike water physics bringing the world to life. Every corner of the map feels handcrafted, inviting exploration and rewarding players with hidden lore, resources, and breathtaking vistas.
The underwater exploration is a standout addition. With the introduction of the Diving Mask, players can now explore the depths of lakes, rivers, and oceans. These underwater segments are beautifully rendered, with vibrant coral reefs and eerie sunken ruins that add a new layer of intrigue and danger. The inclusion of hostile aquatic machines keeps the tension high and ensures that even these serene environments are fraught with challenges.
Gameplay Evolution: Familiar Yet Refined
At its core, Horizon Forbidden West retains the tactical, action-packed combat that made Zero Dawn so engaging. Players will once again take down towering mechanical beasts using a mix of stealth, ranged attacks, and environmental traps. However, the sequel introduces several refinements and new tools that expand the gameplay experience.
The addition of new weapons, such as explosive spears and elemental slings, provides more combat options, allowing players to experiment with different strategies. The revamped skill tree now includes distinct playstyles—Warrior, Trapper, Hunter, Survivor, Infiltrator, and Machine Master—giving players more freedom to tailor Aloy’s abilities to their preferences. Whether you prefer sneaky tactics, brute force, or machine control, the game supports diverse approaches.
Traversal has also been enhanced. Aloy now has access to the Shieldwing glider, which allows for more vertical exploration and provides a dramatic escape option during combat. The Pullcaster grappling hook enables Aloy to quickly ascend cliffs and access otherwise unreachable areas. These tools make navigating the world more dynamic and enjoyable, encouraging players to think creatively about how to approach both exploration and combat scenarios.
A Story of Mystery and Consequence
The narrative of Horizon Forbidden West picks up shortly after the events of Zero Dawn. Aloy is on a mission to stop a mysterious plague that threatens to destroy life on Earth. This quest takes her into the Forbidden West, a region filled with new tribes, deadly machines, and ancient secrets waiting to be uncovered. The story delves deeper into the lore of the Old World, providing answers to lingering questions while introducing new mysteries.
Aloy’s character development is a highlight. As the chosen savior of humanity, she struggles with the weight of responsibility and the isolation it brings. Her interactions with returning characters, such as Varl and Erend, as well as new allies, reveal different facets of her personality. The tribes of the Forbidden West are richly detailed, with distinct cultures, motivations, and conflicts that add depth to the world.
However, the narrative is not without its flaws. The pacing can be uneven, with moments of intense action followed by long stretches of exposition-heavy dialogue. While these dialogues provide important context and world-building, they can occasionally feel overlong and disrupt the flow of the game. Additionally, some story beats rely heavily on familiar tropes, which may feel predictable to seasoned players of open-world RPGs.
Side Quests: A Mixed Bag
Forbidden West makes a noticeable effort to improve the quality of its side quests compared to its predecessor. Many side missions feature unique characters, engaging stories, and meaningful rewards that make them worth pursuing. Activities such as hunting machine parts, solving environmental puzzles, and aiding troubled NPCs are woven seamlessly into the world, providing a sense of purpose beyond the main quest.
However, not all side content achieves the same level of quality. Some missions feel like filler, consisting of repetitive tasks that lack the narrative depth of the main story. The sheer volume of side quests can also make the game feel overwhelming at times, especially for completionists who aim to explore every corner of the map.
Technical Brilliance and Occasional Hiccups
From a technical standpoint, Horizon Forbidden West is a masterpiece. The game pushes the capabilities of modern consoles, particularly the PlayStation 5, with stunning visuals, fast load times, and immersive sound design. The DualSense controller adds to the experience, with haptic feedback and adaptive triggers that enhance immersion during combat and exploration.
That said, the game is not without technical issues. Some players have reported occasional bugs, such as texture pop-ins, frame drops, and glitches in enemy AI behavior. While these issues do not significantly detract from the overall experience, they can be jarring in an otherwise polished game.
Character Dynamics and Emotional Depth
Aloy’s journey is at the heart of Forbidden West, and her development as a character is handled with care. Her relationships with other characters provide emotional depth and highlight her growth. Returning allies like Varl and Erend feel more fleshed out, while new characters, such as Zo and Kotallo, bring fresh perspectives and compelling backstories.
However, a recurring criticism is Aloy’s tendency to take on the role of a lone savior, which limits opportunities for meaningful collaboration or challenge from her allies. While her independence is a core aspect of her character, it occasionally makes interactions feel one-sided, with Aloy often dictating the direction of events rather than engaging in reciprocal relationships.
Final Thoughts
Horizon Forbidden West is a triumph in many ways. It takes the strengths of Horizon Zero Dawn and builds upon them, offering a richer world, more refined gameplay, and a story that continues to intrigue. The game’s visual and technical achievements are among the best in the industry, and the expanded mechanics make exploration and combat more rewarding.
However, it is not a flawless experience. The pacing issues, inconsistent side quest quality, and occasional technical glitches prevent it from reaching perfection. Despite these drawbacks, the game remains a must-play for fans of open-world adventures and narrative-driven games.
With its combination of stunning visuals, engaging gameplay, and a thought-provoking story, Horizon Forbidden West solidifies itself as one of the standout titles of this generation. It may not be perfect, but it is undeniably ambitious and deeply enjoyable.
Score: 8.5/10
A dazzling sequel that balances innovation and familiarity, offering an unforgettable journey through the Forbidden West.