Is it worth playing Horizon Forbidden West in 2025?

Horizon Forbidden West is the sequel to the open-world RPG Horizon Zero Dawn. While the new title is almost identical to the first game, it comes with better graphics, more polished gameplay, quality-of-life changes, and more. Horizon Forbidden West was released in 2022 for the PlayStation 4 and 5, with a PC version coming out in 2024.

After three years since its original release date, the question stands, is Horizon Forbidden West still worth playing in 2025?

The short answer is yes, but only if you liked the original. Forbidden West improves on a lot of mechanics seen in the original game, so if you didn't care for the original, there's a good chance you won't like the sequel. In this article, delve into all the strengths and weaknesses of Horizon Forbidden West to help you decide if you should give the game a chance in 2025.

Disclaimer: This article is subjective and solely relies on the writer's opinions.

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Why you should play Horizon Forbidden West in 2025?

A bigger and more polished world than the previous one (Image via PlayStation)

Horizon Forbidden West refines the mechanics of Zero Dawn while maintaining the core gameplay loop. However, there are some new aspects to the sequel. This includes players being able to explore the underwater areas and equip a new set of tools and weapons.

The game also gives you a lot of versatility when it comes to combat. You can fight stealthily or go in guns blazing, tearing down the mech animals to your heart’s content.

The improved combat and larger open map are enough to give Zero Dawn fans a reason to play Horizon Forbidden West. That being said, if you are indifferent to the first game or didn’t like how it played, these improvements may mean nothing to you.

The story of HFW follows Aloy as she goes out into the Forbidden West to uncover the source of a mysterious plague. While the story is decent, it didn't quite reach the level of the original. If you are expecting the same emotional depth as the first game, then you might face a little disappointment.

If you didn't like the previous game, you may not like this one (Image via PlayStation)

Many players also feel that HFW’s pacing is slower, with an overabundance of side quests diluting the main story. However, these side quests are more character-driven, which makes them better than the first game. The Burning Shores expansion, included in the Complete Edition, adds more to the story. With the DLC you may take 60-100 hours to finish the game.

Even in 2025, Horizon Forbidden West is a visual masterpiece. Powered by the Decima engine, the game features stunning landscapes, realistic water effects, and detailed character animations. The graphical improvements, particularly on PlayStation 5 and PC, make it one of the most visually appealing games available on the platform.

In conclusion, Horizon Forbidden West absolutely deserves a playthrough even in 2025, but only if you liked the previous game. The sequel is a better and more polished version of the original game, and if you didn’t like playing Zero Dawn, you should ignore this one.