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Play Overview
Horizon Forbidden West (2022) is a post-apocalyptic action-adventure where you explore an overgrown landscape with now-crumbling remnants of modern life. The story of Aloy continues as she sets out to investigate a plague terminating from an arcane frontier known as the Forbidden West.
Vicious storms and an unstoppable blight ravage the scattered remnants of humanity, while fearsome new machines prowl their borders. It's up to Aloy to uncover the secrets behind these threats and restore order and balance to the world. Along the way, she must reunite with old friends, forge alliances with warring new factions and unravel the legacy of the ancient past – all the while trying to stay one step ahead of a seemingly undefeatable new enemy.
As you fight, hunt and explore your way through the land, you discover hostile regions ravaged by massive storms that are occupied by new deadly machines. This takes the premise of the first game and plays it out in broader locations: lush valleys, dry deserts, snowy mountains, tropical beaches and ruined cities, both above and below the water.
On PlayStation 5 haptic feedback via the Dual Sense controller adds to the experience. The tension of the bow as well as the feel of the landscape you are walking through are expressed through the controllers tension triggers and rumble feature.
Progress into the mysterious western frontier grants not only a larger map but new secrets about the world. You discover messages and artefacts from the Old Ones, lying beneath the ruins. This takes you to a ruined version of San Francisco and the Yosemite Valley.
Our examiner, Andy Robertson, first checked Horizon Forbidden West 2 years ago. It was re-examined by Jo Robertson and updated 3 weeks ago.
Vicious storms and an unstoppable blight ravage the scattered remnants of humanity, while fearsome new machines prowl their borders. It's up to Aloy to uncover the secrets behind these threats and restore order and balance to the world. Along the way, she must reunite with old friends, forge alliances with warring new factions and unravel the legacy of the ancient past – all the while trying to stay one step ahead of a seemingly undefeatable new enemy.
As you fight, hunt and explore your way through the land, you discover hostile regions ravaged by massive storms that are occupied by new deadly machines. This takes the premise of the first game and plays it out in broader locations: lush valleys, dry deserts, snowy mountains, tropical beaches and ruined cities, both above and below the water.
On PlayStation 5 haptic feedback via the Dual Sense controller adds to the experience. The tension of the bow as well as the feel of the landscape you are walking through are expressed through the controllers tension triggers and rumble feature.
Progress into the mysterious western frontier grants not only a larger map but new secrets about the world. You discover messages and artefacts from the Old Ones, lying beneath the ruins. This takes you to a ruined version of San Francisco and the Yosemite Valley.
Our examiner, Andy Robertson, first checked Horizon Forbidden West 2 years ago. It was re-examined by Jo Robertson and updated 3 weeks ago.
Kids not old enough for this yet? There are lots of games similar to Horizon Forbidden West. Here are some similar younger-rated games:
Play Style
Benefits
This game is good if you want to:
- Play a story, but play the previous games first
- Listen to the controller in your hands
- Learn photography in video games
- Make peace with your parents (or children)
- Play a game then read a book
- Hack the system
This game has helped players develop their Disposition as part of the following pathways:
This game has been the inspiration for the following activities:
Writing Survival Fiction
CREATIVE ARTS
Age Ratings
Content Rating
Rated for younger players in the US. Rated ESRB TEEN for Language, Use of Alcohol, Violence. From a third-person perspective, players traverse post-apocalyptic environments/landscapes, complete quests, interact with characters, and engage in combat against enemy tribes and robotic creatures. Players use slingshots, bows, javelins, and spears to kill enemies in frenetic combat. Puffs of blood are depicted as human enemies are hit; blood stains also appear underneath bodies in some environments. Players can also perform stealth attacks (e.g., spear impalement) to eliminate enemies discreetly. Cutscenes depict additional acts of violence: a character impaled by swords or spears; a character crushed to death by a statue. The game depicts drunk characters stumbling around, and in one area stating, “I'm inebriated”; one cutscene depicts Aloy drinking beer from a mug; several background characters are seen drinking alcohol in taverns. The word “sh*t” is heard in the game.
Skill Level
13+ year-olds usually have the required skill to enjoy this game. Still, it's important for parents and guardians to consider the maturity required to process the game content. Young players need to be able to traverse the huge world, both following a map as well as navigating the best route when climbing. You also need quick reactions for battle where you must switch to the best weapons to deal maximum damage to enemies. It's fast-paced and demanding. There are prolonged story elements of the game that while optional are a key ingredient of why players enjoy this experience.
Our Game Pathways reveal how 19-year-olds play this game:
- 19-year-old: The Importance Of People
Costs
Horizon Forbidden West
 | PS5 | - | ||
| PS4 | - | ||
 | PC | - | ||
- In-Game Purchases: Additional in-game purchases are offered for items that enhance the experience.
This game offers players the opportunity to connect to their storefront, where they can purchase subsequent DLC expansions, which some parents or carers may want to be aware of. Parents, carers or other responsible adults should check to see what is being offered before making any purchase on behalf of a child. It should be noted that the game can still be played without the need to purchase such items.
It's important to set up your accounts and devices appropriately. More information is on our Financial Resources page.
Game Details
Release Date: 18/02/2022, updated in 2024
Out Now: PC, PS4 and PS5
Skill Rating: 13+ year-olds
Players: 1
Genres: Adventure, Role-Play (Action, Fighting, Narrative, Shooting and Traversal)
Accessibility: 35 features
Components: 3D Third-Person, Day and Night, Open World and Weather
Developer: Guerrilla (@Guerrilla)
The Horizon Franchise
Horizon Forbidden West is part of the Horizon franchise of games:
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Written by parents for parents, the database complements the in-depth discussion about video game addiction, violence, spending and online safety in the Taming Gaming book. We are an editorially independent, free resource without adverts that is supported by partnerships. |
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