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Horizon Forbidden West Guide

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Introduction

After spending over 150 hours exploring every corner of Horizon Forbidden West, including the Burning Shores DLC, I can confidently say it’s one of the most visually stunning and emotionally engaging games of this generation. Developed by Guerrilla Games, this 2022 sequel to Horizon Zero Dawn expands on everything that made the first game great while introducing exciting new mechanics and a more personal story for Aloy.

Storyline

Set six months after the events of Horizon Zero Dawn, Forbidden West finds Aloy venturing beyond the Nora homeland into the mysterious Forbidden West. Her mission is twofold: stop a deadly blight that’s ravaging the land and find a way to prevent the extinction-level threat posed by the Far Zenith, a group of advanced humans who’ve returned to Earth after centuries in space.

What makes the story so compelling is how it delves deeper into Aloy’s character. No longer just a hero on a mission, she’s now burdened with the weight of saving the world, struggling with loneliness, and grappling with her own identity as a clone of Elisabet Sobeck.

Gameplay

Open World Exploration

The Forbidden West is a breathtakingly diverse landscape:

Utaru Lands: Lush jungles teeming with life and ancient ruins
Carja Territories: Sun-scorched deserts with hidden oases and forgotten technology
Tenakth Clans: Rugged canyons and war-torn lands with dynamic weather systems
The Pacific Coast: Stunning coastal regions with crashing waves and hidden coves
The Burning Shores: Volcanic islands with lava flows and unique machines (DLC content)

I spent countless hours just exploring this world, often getting lost in its beauty. One of my favorite memories is standing atop a mountain at sunset, watching a herd of machines migrate across the valley below. The attention to detail is staggering—from the way light filters through the trees to the dynamic weather that changes the landscape before your eyes.

Combat

Combat in Forbidden West is fluid and strategic:

Weapons: A diverse arsenal including bows, slings, spears, and even a grappling hook
Ammo Types: Different arrow types for different machine weaknesses
Machine Weaknesses: Target specific components to disable abilities or cause explosions
Valor Surges: Powerful special abilities that turn the tide of battle
Environmental Traps: Use the environment to your advantage

My combat style evolved throughout the game. I started as a cautious archer, picking off machines from a distance, but eventually became a fearless warrior who would charge into battle with a spear, using Valor Surges to turn the tide against even the most formidable machines.

Machine Taming

Taming machines is one of the most satisfying aspects of the game:

Sunwing: Soar through the skies and get a bird’s-eye view of the world
Clawstrider: Race across the landscape at breakneck speeds
Bristleback: Carry heavy loads and use its powerful attacks
Ridgeback: Scale vertical surfaces and reach hidden areas
Waterwing: Explore underwater environments with ease

Taming a Sunwing for the first time was a game-changer. Suddenly, the entire map opened up, and I could travel from one end of the Forbidden West to the other in minutes. It’s an incredible feeling to soar over mountains and valleys, watching the world pass below.

Underwater Exploration

Forbidden West’s underwater areas are a revelation:

Coral Reefs: Vibrant underwater ecosystems teeming with life
Sunken Ruins: Explore the remains of Old World cities
Aquatic Machines: Battle and tame machines designed for underwater combat
Underwater Puzzles: Solve environmental challenges to uncover secrets

I was initially hesitant about the underwater sections, but they quickly became some of my favorite parts of the game. The sense of wonder I felt exploring sunken skyscrapers and discovering ancient artifacts was unmatched.

New Features

Valor Surges

These powerful abilities add a new layer to combat:

Warrior’s Rage: Unleash devastating attacks with increased damage resistance
Concentration: Slow time to line up perfect shots
Berserker: Summon machine allies to fight by your side
Shield Weaver: Deploy a protective barrier that can absorb damage

My go-to Valor Surge was Concentration, especially when facing tough machines like the Thunderjaw. Slowing time to target specific components made even the most challenging battles manageable.

Pullcaster

This versatile tool revolutionizes traversal:

Vertical Movement: Pull yourself to high ledges and platforms
Environmental Interaction: Move objects to solve puzzles
Combat Utility: Pull enemies off balance or into traps
Zip Lines: Create fast travel routes across the landscape

The Pullcaster quickly became an essential part of my toolkit. I used it not just for traversal, but also in combat to pull enemies into position or create openings for attacks.

Shieldwing

The glider adds a new dimension to exploration:

Long-Distance Travel: Glide from mountaintops to cover vast distances
Aerial Recon: Scout areas from above before entering
Stealth Approaches: Glide into enemy camps undetected
Aerial Attacks: Dive down to attack enemies from above

One of my favorite activities was finding the highest point in an area and gliding across the landscape, taking in the stunning views as I went.

Diversification System

The new skill tree system offers more flexibility:

Warrior: Focus on melee combat and damage output
Trapper: Specialize in stealth and environmental traps
Hunter: Master ranged combat and machine knowledge

I found myself experimenting with all three branches, but eventually settled on a mix of Hunter and Warrior skills, allowing me to be effective at both range and in close combat.

Characters

The cast of Forbidden West is one of its greatest strengths:

Aloy: Now a more complex character, struggling with the weight of her mission
Erend: Loyal and humorous, providing much-needed levity
Varl: A steadfast friend who becomes more than just a companion
Zo: A compassionate Utaru healer with a deep connection to nature
Kotallo: A Tenakth warrior with a tragic past and unwavering loyalty
Alva: A curious Quen historian who sees the Old World with fresh eyes
Sylens: Mysterious as ever, with his own agenda
Tilda van der Meer: A Far Zenith member with a surprising connection to Aloy

The relationships between these characters feel genuine and evolve throughout the game. I particularly appreciated how the game explores themes of friendship, loss, and what it means to be human.

Machines

The machine designs in Forbidden West are nothing short of spectacular:

New Machines

Clawstrider: A fast, agile machine perfect for traversal and combat
Sunwing: A majestic flying machine that opens up the sky
Slitherfang: A massive snake-like machine with devastating venomous attacks
Tideripper: An aquatic machine that can manipulate water and create tidal waves
Grimhorn: A towering machine with earth-shaking attacks and a formidable presence

Returning Machines

Thunderjaw: Still one of the most iconic and challenging machines
Stormbird: A flying menace that controls lightning
Ravager: A wolf-like machine with a powerful cannon
Stalker: A stealthy predator that can turn invisible

Facing a Slitherfang for the first time was a terrifying but exhilarating experience. These massive snake-like machines can burrow underground and strike with lightning speed, making them one of the most challenging foes in the game.

Personal Experience

My journey through Forbidden West was filled with unforgettable moments:

The Opening Hours: The sense of wonder as I first stepped into the lush Utaru lands
Taming My First Sunwing: The freedom of flight and the joy of exploring the world from above
The Battle with Regalla: A tense, emotional boss fight that tested all my skills
The Burning Shores DLC: Exploring the volcanic islands and facing the terrifying Londra
The Ending: An emotional conclusion that left me eagerly awaiting the next installment

What struck me most about Forbidden West is how it balances epic set pieces with intimate character moments. One minute I was fighting a massive machine in a thunderstorm, the next I was having a quiet conversation with a friend about loss and hope.

Tips and Strategies

Here are some tips I wish I knew when I started playing:

Explore Thoroughly: The world is full of hidden treasures and side quests that enrich the experience
Experiment with Weapons: Different machines have different weaknesses—find the right tool for the job
Upgrade Your Gear: Regularly upgrade your weapons and armor to keep up with the increasing difficulty
Use the Pullcaster: It’s not just for traversal—use it in combat to gain the upper hand
Tame Machines Early: Taming a Sunwing or Clawstrider early will make exploration much easier
Take Your Time: The game is meant to be savored, not rushed

Conclusion

Horizon Forbidden West is a masterpiece of game design. It builds upon the foundation of Zero Dawn while introducing new mechanics and a more personal story that deepens our connection to Aloy.

The game’s stunning visuals, engaging combat, and memorable characters make it one of the standout titles of this generation. It’s a testament to what can be achieved when developers are given the time and resources to create something truly special.

Whether you’re a fan of the first game or new to the series, Horizon Forbidden West is an experience that will stay with you long after the credits roll. It’s a journey through a beautiful, dangerous world that explores what it means to be human, to connect with others, and to fight for a better future.

Image path: images/games/horizon-forbidden-west.jpg

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