With its stunning visuals and intriguing narrative, Horizon Zero Dawn turned a lot of heads when it was first released for the PS4 back in 2017. Now, just shy of five years later, players can finally get their hands on the game’s highly anticipated sequel, Horizon Forbidden West. It may have taken a little longer than some would have liked, but early signs suggest that Guerilla Games’ fantastic follow-up was well worth the wait.
Horizon Forbidden West once again places players in the shoes of Aloy; a former outcast who now holds the fate of the entire world in the palm of her hand. They’ll need to overcome an endless army of deadly machines in order to succeed, as well as solve some fairly challenging puzzles along the way. This guide will help them on their journey, providing puzzle solutions, collectible locations, and general tips and tricks as required.
Getting Started in Horizon Forbidden West
Horizon Forbidden West does an excellent job of building upon the foundations laid by its predecessor. Many of the mechanics found in the original game have been further developed, while a couple of new ones have also been introduced in an attempt to improve map traversal and combat. While this is certainly good for the overall experience though, these changes do mean that even some returning players will need a bit of time to get to grips with things; not to mention new ones.
This section of the guide will focus on the basics, with How-to guides explaining some of the game’s core mechanics as well as answers to some of the more frequently asked questions. This is also where new and returning players can find tips and tricks that will hopefully make controlling Aloy and exploring the world of Horizon Forbidden West just that little bit easier.
How-to Guides
How to Save
How to Start New Game Plus
How to Fast Travel
How to Crouch and Slide
How to Fly
How to Transmog
How to Destroy Red Crystals (Firegleam)
How to Breathe Underwater (Diving Mask)
How to Destroy Metal Flowers (Igniter)
How to Use Face Paints
How to Claim Pre-Order Items
How To Farm Metal Shards
How to Play Machine Strike
Tips & Tricks
General Tips
Beginner Tips
The Best Skills to Unlock First
Things You Should Do Right Away
Tips For Ultra Hard Difficulty
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Co-Pilot Mode?
What Does Each Skill Tree Cover?
What Do the Ringing Sounds Mean?
Which Graphical Mode is Better?
What’s the Max Level?
What Carries Over in New Game+ Mode?
What’s New in New Game+ Mode?
Main Story Walkthrough
Horizon Forbidden West’s main story picks up around six months on from the events at The Spire. Despite dealing with Hades, a blight is starting to take hold of the planet: choking out life wherever it’s able to take root. Hoping that GAIA may be able to help fix this new threat, Aloy heads out in search of a GAIA backup and runs into plenty of familiar faces as she delves deeper into the untamed Forbidden West in order to find one.
Rather than a step-by-step walkthrough for Aloy’s entire journey, this section of the guide will instead focus only on some of the more pivotal moments that lay along the path. This includes information about door codes and choices, as well as solutions to some of the more difficult puzzles that players will need to solve during the game. This is also where players can find Game Rant’s Horizon Forbidden West trophy guide, which has all of the information needed to unlock the Platinum.
Side Quests, Jobs & Errands
When it comes to side content, there’s quite a bit more on offer in Horizon Forbidden West than there was in Aloy’s debut outing. Granted, some of the side quests and errands can feel a little mundane when compared to others, but, for the most part, this additional content does a pretty decent job of padding out the experience and expanding upon the games’ already rich lore.
Those having trouble with side quests, jobs, and errands would do well to check out this section of the guide, as this is where solutions to some of the more challenging ones can be found. Even the things that don’t enrich the series’ lore, like overriding Tallnecks and completing Hunting Ground trials can serve as a great way of earning experience points and so are definitely worth doing.
Side Quests
A Bigger Boom Quest Walkthrough
Deep Trouble Walkthrough
Spine Break Door Code (Breaking Even / The Burning Blooms)
The Second Verse Walkthrough
Nights of Lights Walkthrough
What Was Lost Walkthrough
First Forge Walkthrough
Forbidden Legacy Walkthrough
The Gate of the Vanquished Walkthrough
Hunting Grounds
The Daunt Hunting Grounds Guide
Plainsong Hunting Grounds Guide
Sheerside Mountains Hunting Grounds Guide
The Raintrace Hunting Grounds Guide
Tallnecks
How to Override the Cinnabar Sands Tallneck
How to Override The Stillsands Tallneck
How to Override The Shining Wastes Tallneck
Collectibles
Much like its predecessor, Horizon Forbidden West has many different types of collectibles. Thankfully, the developers were once again able to restrain themselves, with most collectible sets still limited to around ten items or fewer. As a result, finding them all never really feels like too much of a chore, which bodes well given some of the fantastic rewards that are on offer for tracking everything down.
Anybody having trouble finding Signal Lenses, Relic Ruins, Vista Points, Survey Drones, or War Totems should find the following information useful, as too should those who enjoy playing the Machine Strike mini-game. It’s worth noting though that while defeating all of the Machine Strike players is required for 100% completion, collecting every Machine Strike piece is not.
Relic Ruins
Relic Ruins: The Daunt Puzzle Solution
Relic Ruins: No Man’s Land Puzzle Solution
Relic Ruins: Restless Weald Puzzle Solution
Relic Ruins: The Dry Yearn Puzzle Solution
Relic Ruins: The Stillsands Puzzle Solution
Relic Ruins: Runner’s Wild Puzzle Solution
Relic Ruins: The Long Coast Puzzle Solution
Relic Ruins: Isle of Spires Puzzle Solution
Vista Points
Vista Point: The Daunt Puzzle Solution
Vista Point: Plainsong Puzzle Solution
Vista Point: Scalding Spear Puzzle Solution
Vista Point: Memorial Grove Puzzle Solution
Vista Point: The Stillsands Puzzle Solution
Vista Point: Dunehollow Puzzle Solution
Vista Point: The Long Coast Puzzle Solution
Vista Point: Shrouded Heights Puzzle Solution
Vista Point: Isle of Spires Puzzle Solution
Other
Where to Find Every Black Box
Where to Find Every Signal Lens
Where to Find Every God of War Totem
Where to Find Every Survey Drone
Where to Find Every Cauldron
Equipment
Like most other modern action RPGs, there are plenty of tools, weapons and armor sets available in Horizon Forbidden West. A lot of them are locked away behind main story progression and salvage contracts, though there are still some that can be picked up from regular merchants as well. Aloy is also able to improve her equipment using workbenches, though she’ll need the appropriate crafting components in order to do so.
Players looking for the best weapons and armor sets in Horizon Forbidden West will find them listed here, as well as guides on where to locate some of the more elusive crafting materials. They may find themselves a little disappointed, however, as, unsurprisingly, perhaps, most of the game’s best equipment can only be obtained towards the end of the main story.
Horizon Forbidden West is available now on PS4 and PS5.
