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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsHorizon Forbidden West is a strong pick if you want a sprawling, visually rich open-world adventure built around exploration, traversal, and tactical fights against machines. Sampled reviews are broadly favorable, but the game’s scale is a better fit for players who enjoy long action-adventure campaigns than for anyone seeking a short or tightly linear experience. Which edition makes sense depends on your platform and whether you want its post-game expansion, Burning Shores.
Is Horizon Forbidden West worth playing?
For fans of open-world action adventures, the evidence points to yes. The PC Complete Edition had an 89 Metascore from 38 critic reviews on Metacritic’s page snapshot accessed in 2026; the page categorized the score as Generally Favorable and listed 34 positive, two mixed, and no negative reviews. That aggregate can change, and it describes the PC Complete Edition listing rather than every platform’s separate review record. Metacritic’s PC Complete Edition reviews
Across the sampled coverage, reviewers especially praised the detailed world, striking presentation, exploration, traversal, and satisfying combat. The game sends Aloy across a far-future version of America, through forests, sunken cities, and mountainous regions. Combat asks you to use weapons, gear, and traps made from salvaged parts against machines and human enemies. Review excerpts also note some minor technical issues, so the reception should not be mistaken for universal praise without qualification.
The main trade-off is the commitment: this is an expansive adventure, not a compact action game. If discovering a large setting, improving your gear, and preparing for varied enemy encounters sounds appealing, its strengths line up well with that preference. If you prefer short campaigns or a narrowly directed story, the open-world structure may feel like more than you want.
#1 Best Overall
- Experience the epic Horizon Forbidden West in its entirety, including bonus content and the Burning Shores expansion:
- Brave an expansive open world – discover distant lands, new enemies, rich cultures and striking characters.
- A majestic frontier – explore the lush forests, sunken cities and towering mountains of a far-future America.
- Confront new dangers – engage in strategic battles against enormous machines and mounted human enemies by using weapons, gear and traps crafted from salvaged parts.
- Unravel startling mysteries – uncover the secret behind Earth’s imminent collapse and unlock a hidden chapter in the ancient past… one that will change Aloy forever.
What do reviews say about the PC version?
PC review excerpts describe the port as polished, with adjustable visuals and performance and strong optimization. Those are reviewers’ assessments, not a promise that every computer will run the game equally well. The publisher supplies performance targets by hardware tier, which are the more useful starting point for deciding whether your PC is a match. PlayStation’s PC edition and requirements page
Official PC targets
PlayStation lists 16 GB of RAM and 150 GB of SSD space for the shown tiers. Its resolution and frame-rate figures are publisher targets, not independent benchmark results:
Rank #2
- An epic Action/RPG Adventure:
- Brave an expansive open world - discover distant lands, new enemies, rich cultures and striking characters.
- A majestic frontier - explore the lush forests, sunken cities and towering mountains of a far-future America.
- Confront new dangers - engage in strategic battles against enormous machines and mounted human enemies by using weapons, gear and traps crafted from salvaged parts.
- Unravel startling mysteries - uncover the secret behind Earth's imminent collapse and unlock a hidden chapter in the ancient past. one that will change Aloy forever.
| Tier | Official target | Named graphics cards |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum | Average 720p at 30 fps on Very Low settings | GTX 1650 4 GB or Radeon RX 5500 XT 4 GB |
| Recommended | 1080p at 60 fps on Medium settings | RTX 3060 or Radeon RX 5700 |
| High | 1440p at 60 fps or 4K at 30 fps | Not stated for this tier on the official PC page |
| Very High | 4K at 60 fps | RTX 4080 or Radeon RX 7900 XT |
Before buying, compare your own processor, graphics card, memory, and available SSD space with the official PC requirements. A tier target is a guide rather than a guarantee for a particular system or setup.
Display, upscaling, and controller features
The PC release lists support for 21:9 ultrawide, 32:9 super ultrawide, and 48:9 triple-monitor displays. It also lists NVIDIA DLSS 3, DLAA and Reflex, AMD FSR, Intel XeSS, and unlocked frame rates. Some features require compatible hardware. Full DualSense haptics and adaptive triggers on PC require a wired connection.
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Rank #3
- EARTH IS OURS NO MORE
- Experience the critically acclaimed Horizon Zero Dawn with stunning new visuals and upgraded features
- In a far future where colossal machines roam and rule the Earth, pockets of humanity survive in unique tribes amon the lush, overgrown ruins of our long-lost civilization
- Take up bow and spear as Aloy, a youn machine hunter and outcast of her tribe, as she discovers her origins, the truth of this mysterious world, and her own destiny to save it from impending doom.
- On her journey, Aloy will come across unique tribes, lively settlements, and compelling characters and companions.
What’s included in Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition?
The Complete Edition bundles the base game with Burning Shores, a story expansion set after the main game, along with listed digital extras. PlayStation’s US product page lists outfits and weapons, a digital art book, a comic, a soundtrack, and in-game extras in the edition. The official PC page also presents a Complete Edition for PC. PlayStation’s US edition listings
Burning Shores is not an opening chapter: the PlayStation Store says it picks up after the main story, and you must complete the main quest through “Singularity” before starting the expansion. PlayStation Store: Burning Shores
Rank #4
- An epic Action/RPG Adventure:
- Brave an expansive open world - discover distant lands, new enemies, rich cultures and striking characters.
- A majestic frontier - explore the lush forests, sunken cities and towering mountains of a far-future America.
- Confront new dangers - engage in strategic battles against enormous machines and mounted human enemies by using weapons, gear and traps crafted from salvaged parts.
- Unravel startling mysteries - uncover the secret behind Earth's imminent collapse and unlock a hidden chapter in the ancient past. one that will change Aloy forever.
Which edition should you choose?
| Option | Platform and listed contents | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Edition | Listed for PS4 and PS5; base game | Players who want the main adventure without the Complete Edition bundle |
| Complete Edition | Listed for PS5 and PC; base game, Burning Shores, and additional digital and in-game extras | Players who want the expansion and bundled extras |
These are the editions shown on PlayStation’s US listings; availability and storefront details can vary by region. A US promotional price observed on the PlayStation page ended on October 8, 2026, so it is not a current offer. Check your own regional store for today’s price and edition availability.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Should you play Horizon Zero Dawn first?
Forbidden West is described by PlayStation as the follow-up to Horizon Zero Dawn, and it continues Aloy’s journey. The available review and store information does not establish how much prior-game knowledge is essential to understand the sequel. If story continuity matters to you, playing Zero Dawn first is the cautious choice; if you are mainly here for the sequel’s world and combat, the sources here do not establish that the earlier game is a strict prerequisite.
Best Value
- An epic Action/RPG Adventure:
- Brave an expansive open world - discover distant lands, new enemies, rich cultures and striking characters.
- A majestic frontier - explore the lush forests, sunken cities and towering mountains of a far-future America.
- Confront new dangers - engage in strategic battles against enormous machines and mounted human enemies by using weapons, gear and traps crafted from salvaged parts.
- Unravel startling mysteries - uncover the secret behind Earth's imminent collapse and unlock a hidden chapter in the ancient past. one that will change Aloy forever.
How should you choose between PC and PlayStation?
The Complete Edition is listed for both PS5 and PC, while PlayStation’s US page also lists a PS4 Standard Edition. Neither platform is universally better: the useful distinction is whether you value a fixed console setup or the PC version’s configurable display and graphics options, and whether your existing hardware meets the publisher’s targets.
- Choose PC if your system aligns with the official requirements and you want listed options such as ultrawide displays, multiple upscalers, or unlocked frame rates.
- Choose PS5 if you want the console edition and a straightforward living-room setup; the US listing includes both Standard and Complete options.
- Consider PS4 Standard if that is your PlayStation platform and the base game is what you want; the cited US listing does not show a PS4 Complete Edition.
Hardware cost, resolution and frame-rate outcomes, and portability depend on the PC and display you already own; the available information does not establish a like-for-like cost or performance comparison across platforms.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
