Sony's acquisition of Nixxes Software in 2021 has proven to be a game-changer for PC ports of PlayStation titles. Unlike some previous ports by other developers, Nixxes has consistently delivered high-quality adaptations. Horizon Forbidden West is the latest PlayStation game to transition to PC, showcasing Nixxes' expertise with another outstanding port. In essence, Horizon Forbidden West shines as a top-tier PC adaptation.
The PC version of Horizon Forbidden West lives up to expectations, closely resembling its PlayStation counterpart in terms of gameplay and visual fidelity, which is highly influenced by the player's PC specifications. Running the game on a robust PC unveils breathtaking visuals, immersing players in a world of vibrant, eye-catching graphics. Our experience with the PC rendition of Horizon Forbidden West was seamless, devoid of performance issues or technical glitches. The game ran impeccably, maintaining a consistent and fluid gameplay experience without any frame rate drops or interruptions.
In terms of content, players can anticipate a parallel experience on PC compared to the PlayStation version of Horizon Forbidden West. The game offers a sprawling open-world adventure, following Aloy's journey through the post-apocalyptic landscapes of the 'forbidden west.' Alongside encountering colossal and perilous machines, Aloy faces a novel faction of adversaries that introduce unexpected twists to the Horizon narrative.
Forbidden West expands on its predecessor, featuring an enhanced and more extensive world filled with diverse machines to combat and an array of tools at Aloy's disposal. The vast open world brims with activities, ensuring players are engaged for hours on end as they undertake side quests, gather resources, and explore the environment. While some quests may feel repetitive and dialogues uninspired, the overall gameplay experience offered by Forbidden West is undeniably captivating.
The adrenaline-pumping machine battles in Forbidden West serve as a core attraction, captivating players with intense encounters against a variety of machines, from agile raptor-like creatures to colossal behemoths like the early-game giant snake. Combat unfolds into a satisfying cadence of dismantling machine parts and evading attacks. Aloy wields a versatile bow with different arrow types, a selection of traps, and a spear for close-quarter melee combat, including the ability to hack certain machines for mounting.
One drawback of the PC version of Horizon Forbidden West is the subpar default mouse and keyboard controls, notably inferior to the experience with a standard DualSense controller. The dodge function mapped to the left CTRL key can be challenging during combat, hindering last-minute evasions. This key also executes specific platforming actions, which may prove cumbersome for players unwilling to customize the controls.
Despite initial adjustment hurdles, playing Horizon Forbidden West on PC with a mouse and keyboard is viable throughout, though forfeiting features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers entails a significant trade-off. Optimal gameplay experience is achieved with a PS5 DualSense controller. While early reports cited performance issues with the DualSense controller on Horizon Forbidden West's PC version, our testing indicates that these issues have likely been resolved.
An enduring issue, the absence of cross-saving functionality, remains unaddressed and unlikely to change. Players transitioning from PlayStation to PC lack the ability to transfer progress, necessitating a fresh start on the PC version of Horizon Forbidden West. This limitation, common in PlayStation-to-PC transitions, impacts players seeking continuity in their gaming experience.
Without cross-saving, the Horizon Forbidden West PC port caters predominantly to players new to the title. They can delve into the definitive edition of Forbidden West, inclusive of the Burning Shores expansion, extending the post-game adventure by over 10 hours for those craving more content after completing the main story.
In addition to the Burning Shores DLC, the PC release of Forbidden West incorporates all post-launch enhancements from the original game. Among these, the option to disable gathering animations stands out as a subtle yet impactful improvement.
The PC rendition of Horizon Forbidden West by Nixxes stands as another remarkable achievement, delivering a rich gaming experience with robust performance and abundant content. A must-have for fans of the original, the PC version sets high expectations for Nixxes' future projects, including the rumored Ghost of Tsushima PC port.
Horizon Forbidden West is accessible on PC, PS4, and PS5. Game Rant received a PC code for the purpose of this review.