Horizon Forbidden West PC Review
Initial release date: February 18, 2022
PC Release Date: March 21, 2024
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows
Mode: Single-player video game
Awards: BAFTA Games Award for Technical Achievement
Composers: Joris de Man, Oleksa Lozowchuk, Niels van der Leest
“Review Copy Provided By PlayStation”
In 2022, fans of PlayStation were treated to the eagerly anticipated sequel, Horizon Forbidden West, following up on the success of 2017's Horizon Zero Dawn. By 2024, this title made its way to PC, incorporating all the downloadable content, offering an experience consistent with expectations. The PC version mirrors its PlayStation counterpart, with graphics and performance that vary based on the user's computer setup. On a high-spec PC, Horizon Forbidden West is visually stunning, displaying vibrant graphics that capture every detail without any noticeable technical hitches or performance drawbacks during our review.
Horizon Forbidden West is an evolution of its predecessor, introducing an expanded arsenal and more formidable machines to combat. The expansive open world is brimming with activities, including side quests and resource collection, despite some quest repetition and lackluster dialogue. Combat is a central element, with dynamic encounters against a variety of mechanical creatures that keep the gameplay engaging.
The narrative picks up six months after Frozen Wild, with protagonist Aloy venturing into the perilous Forbidden West to prevent a global catastrophe triggered by a spreading red plant. This area is home to the Tenakth tribe and includes characters like the rebel leader Regalla, setting the stage for a conflict-rich storyline. To avoid spoilers, it’s best left for players to discover the unfolding events themselves.
Character interactions in Forbidden West are notably improved, featuring a mix of familiar and new characters like Erend, Varl, Kotallo, and Zo. The dialogue and NPC interactions have enhanced dynamism compared to the predecessor, although some issues with animation quality remain.
The PC and PlayStation 5 versions of Forbidden West offer identical content, including all DLCs. The PS5 version features two graphical settings, each prioritizing different aspects of the game's performance. In contrast, the PC version allows for a more customized experience through various presets that cater to individual player preferences. The details of these presets are well-documented and straightforward, so let's focus on the gameplay experience on each platform.
On the PS5, I found that the Performance Mode provided a superior experience. The frame rate remained stable, enhancing the game’s cinematic quality and ensuring smooth gameplay during combat sequences. Although the Quality Mode enhanced visual details, it compromised the game's overall performance, making it less suitable for my initial playthrough.
The PC release of Horizon Zero Dawn initially faced some challenges, raising questions about the sequel's PC performance. Fortunately, the PC version of Forbidden West runs exceptionally well. It combines the visual enhancements of the PS5’s Quality Mode with a higher and more stable frame rate, offering an optimal balance of beauty and performance. The stability on PC matches that of the PS5 version, making it a robust choice for gamers.
A notable downside for PC players is the suboptimal default mouse and keyboard controls, which can be challenging for dodging and platforming unless remapped. While playable, the game loses out on the PS5 DualSense features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. Initially, there were some compatibility issues with the DualSense controller on PC, but these have been resolved based on our tests.
Another persistent issue is the lack of cross-save functionality, which restricts players who began their journey on PlayStation from continuing on PC without restarting. This limitation has been typical for PlayStation-to-PC ports and seems unlikely to change.
Despite these challenges, the PC version of Horizon Forbidden West, dubbed the Complete Edition, is the definitive version with the Burning Shores expansion and several quality of life enhancements, such as the option to disable gathering animations. This version offers an enriched experience and is an essential purchase for new players and fans alike, further cementing Nixxes’ reputation for quality PC ports and raising anticipation for their upcoming Ghost of Tsushima PC port.
