Horizon Forbidden West PC Port: A Stunning Journey Beyond the Horizon
Horizon Forbidden West PC Port: A Stunning Journey Beyond the Horizon
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Developer: Guerrilla Games
Genre:
PEGI: 16
Comments:
After captivating players on PlayStation consoles, Horizon Forbidden West makes its highly anticipated debut on PC. Guerrilla Games’ acclaimed action RPG, known for its breathtaking visuals, captivating story, and exhilarating gameplay, arrives on the PC platform with promises of enhanced performance and stunning graphical fidelity. As Aloy embarks on her next adventure in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by robotic beasts, PC players are eager to experience the wonder and danger of the Forbidden West. So, how does the PC port of Horizon Forbidden West fare? Let’s delve into the details.
Right from the start, it’s evident that the PC port of Horizon Forbidden West has received a considerable amount of care and attention. The game boasts a plethora of graphical options, allowing players to tailor their experience to suit their hardware and preferences. From resolution scaling to texture quality, shadow detail to ambient occlusion, the level of customization available is impressive. Whether you’re aiming for buttery-smooth performance or eye-popping visuals, the PC version of Horizon Forbidden West delivers the flexibility to achieve your desired balance.
One of the most significant enhancements in the PC port is the support for higher resolutions and frame rates. With capable hardware, players can experience Horizon Forbidden West in glorious 4K resolution with uncapped frame rates, allowing for an incredibly immersive and fluid gameplay experience. Even on more modest systems, the game scales well, ensuring that players with a range of hardware configurations can enjoy a smooth and visually stunning experience.
Visually, Horizon Forbidden West shines on PC. The game’s vibrant open world bursts with color and detail, from lush forests to arid deserts, bustling cities to ancient ruins. Character models are meticulously crafted, with lifelike animations and expressive faces that bring the diverse cast of characters to life. The attention to detail is astounding, with every blade of grass, rusted relic, and towering machine rendered with breathtaking fidelity.
Of course, graphical fidelity means little without solid performance to back it up, and fortunately, the PC port of Horizon Forbidden West delivers on this front as well. Even on high settings, the game maintains a steady frame rate, rarely dipping below 60 frames per second in my testing. With support for features like NVIDIA DLSS and AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution, players can further boost performance without sacrificing visual quality, ensuring a smooth and responsive experience even in the heat of battle.
In terms of controls, Horizon Forbidden West translates seamlessly to the PC platform. Mouse and keyboard support feels natural and responsive, with intuitive keybindings that can be fully customized to suit your preferences. For those who prefer a controller, the game offers full support for a variety of input devices, including PlayStation controllers, Xbox controllers, and more. Whether you’re navigating the treacherous terrain or engaging in fast-paced combat, the controls feel tight and responsive, allowing for precise input and fluid movement.
One of the most compelling aspects of Horizon Forbidden West is its captivating story and richly detailed world. Set in a post-apocalyptic America overrun by robotic creatures, the game follows Aloy, a skilled hunter and outcast, as she embarks on a quest to uncover the truth behind a mysterious plague threatening the land. Along the way, she’ll encounter a diverse cast of characters, unravel ancient mysteries, and confront powerful enemies, all against the backdrop of a beautifully realized world teeming with life and danger.
On the PC platform, Horizon Forbidden West’s storytelling prowess shines even brighter, thanks to improved visuals and performance. Cutscenes are breathtakingly cinematic, with stunning cinematography and top-notch voice acting that draw you deeper into the narrative. From quiet moments of reflection to epic battles against towering machines, every aspect of the game’s story is brought to life with incredible attention to detail.
However, despite its many strengths, the PC port of Horizon Forbidden West is not without its flaws. Some players have reported encountering technical issues, including crashes, stuttering, and optimization issues, particularly on lower-end hardware. While these issues don’t detract significantly from the overall experience, they are worth noting, especially for players with less powerful PCs.
In conclusion, the PC port of Horizon Forbidden West is a stunning achievement that brings Guerrilla Games’ epic adventure to a whole new audience. With its breathtaking visuals, exhilarating gameplay, and captivating story, Horizon Forbidden West shines on the PC platform, offering an experience that is as immersive as it is unforgettable. Despite some minor technical issues, the sheer scale and ambition of the game make it a must-play for fans of action RPGs and open-world adventures alike.
See our full review of Horizon Forbidden West on PS5 HERE