Horizon Forbidden West marks the beginning of Aloy's next chapter, which will be released on both the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 platforms next month. The story takes place half a year after the events of Horizon Zero Dawn, and the star of the show is once again on the move, this time heading west to save the world from unknown dangers. Aloy's expected death-defying quest will continue in round two, with new weapons and abilities, friends and foes to contend with, as well as robotic dinosaur foes to beware of, as was the case in the first game.
While the release of Horizon Forbidden West was originally scheduled for late last year, publisher Sony and developer Guerilla Games have moved the release date to February 2022 in order to ensure that the game that ships are the best it possibly can be. Time will tell whether this is the case, but Horizone Forbidden West is unquestionably one of the most eagerly anticipated upcoming PlayStation 5 games of the year so far.
Horizon Forbidden West release date
Horizon Forbidden West game director Mathijs de Jonge revealed the new release date for the upcoming adventure during Gamescom Opening Night Live 2021. The game will now be released on February 18, 2022.
The game's release date has been pushed back from its initial 2021 release window as a result of this change. Jonge talked about how the team's work has “hugely impacted the global pandemic” while it was developing the game: “We've been adjusting to new workflows and other challenges,” Jorge explained, “while keeping our team safe and prioritizing a healthy work-life balance.”
In addition, Sony and Guerrilla have confirmed that Horizon Forbidden West will be available on the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 when it launches next year.
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In order to play it, you'll have to have a PS5 (Coming to PS4 too)
At least for the time being, if you want to play Horizon Forbidden West when it launches, you'll need a PlayStation 5 – or a PlayStation 4. Even though its predecessor, Horizon Zero Dawn, is now available on PC, there are no guarantees that Horizon Forbidden West will follow in the same footsteps as the previous game in the series.
“To maybe put a few minds at ease, releasing one first-party AAA title to PC doesn’t necessarily mean that every game now will come to PC,” Herman Hulst, Head of PlayStation Worldwide Studios, said at the time. “It just seemed like Horizon Zero Dawn was the perfect game for this situation, in my opinion. We have no plans for a specific date or time for [PC releases], and we remain completely committed to dedicated “hardware”.
“With the PS5's SSD, there will be virtually no loading screens,” game director Mathijs de Jonge stated in a recent dev diary, echoing the sentiments of system architect Mark Cerny as well as several other PS5 developers. “With the PS5's SSD, there will be virtually no loading screens,” de Jonge added. “Opening up the map and fast traveling from one end of the map to the other, or restarting from a checkpoint, will be extremely fast in an open-world game like Horizon Forbidden West. When you first start the game, you're thrust into the middle of the action.”
De Jonge has also stated, which is interesting, that “A significant amount of development has taken place on the PlayStation 4, and a significant amount of playtesting has also taken place on the PlayStation 4. Consequently, we are ensuring that the owners of that console have a fantastic experience, as well as that the game will look stunning when played on that console.”
Anyone who purchases the game on PS4 will also be able to take advantage of a free PS5 upgrade for the game whenever they are ready to make the switch to the next-generation console.
What is the plot?
On the PlayStation Blog, Guerrilla shared a teasingly vague synopsis for Horizon Forbidden West, which you can read below.
Aloy's story continues as she travels west to a far-future America where she must brave a majestic, but dangerous frontier where she must contend with awe-inspiring machines and mysterious new threats. “
However, the trailer provides a little more information. In the background, you can see the Golden Gate Bridge, which has been completely overtaken by vegetation, as well as the Palace of Fine Arts, which has been completely destroyed and submerged in water. On top of that, we can see that Sylens still has a role to play, and Aloy will meet other tribes as she travels around this new world with her father.
Game director Mathijs de Jonge confirmed that the Forbidden West itself stretches from Utah to the Pacific coast, resulting in an in-game map that is “a bit bigger” than the ranges of Horizon Zero Dawn.
A strange crimson blight is sweeping across the Forbidden West, wiping out plants, animals, and tribes alike, not to mention turning the local weather into a never-ending superstorm. Aloy travels to the Forbidden West in search of the source of the blight. As she searches for a cure for the blight, she will meet new tribes – including a hostile tribe capable of overriding machines – and face “dozens” of new machines, according to the game's description.
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Horizon Forbidden West Gameplay
Aloy still has her trusty spear and bow, but she also has some new toys.
According to Ben McCaw, narrative director at Guerrilla Games, “Aloy will have new tools to help her on her way”
“The Shieldwing allows her to safely descend from great heights (or surprise enemies from above), and the Diving Mask allows her to explore a new underwater world. Not to mention her Focus, which now shows free-climbing areas and allows her to override more machines for mounts or combat.”
McCaw also stated that the vast array of weapons and gear will give players “tactics and choice” in dealing with the new world's challenges.
Grapple points will now be found all over the world, allowing Aloy to move and climb more easily. Some machine types can also traverse, and the ability to leap into the water adds to the verticality.
Is there a trailer?
There is! Check it out:
Final Words
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