Why Horizon Forbidden West Doesn’t Have to Hurry To a Remaster Like TLOU2

by

As someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the vibrant and captivating world of Guerrilla Games’ Horizon series, I must say that the release timing for a remastered version of “Horizon Forbidden West” leaves me a bit perplexed. Having played both “Horizon Zero Dawn” and “Forbidden West,” I can attest to their exceptional storytelling, immersive gameplay, and breathtaking graphics that truly transport players to another world.

Given my personal experience with the series, I believe Guerrilla Games should take into account the fan’s perspective when deciding on the release date for a potential remastered version of “Horizon Forbidden West.” A significant amount of time has already passed since its initial release in 2022, and while I appreciate the improvements made in the PlayStation 5 version, I feel that a remaster would provide an opportunity to enhance the game even further.

My suggestion for Guerrilla Games would be to wait until the late 2020s or early 2030s, around the time when the expected trilogy has concluded with “Horizon 3,” to release a remastered version of “Forbidden West.” This timing would allow for the nostalgia factor to kick in and make the improvements more distinguishable from the original game. Plus, it would give players ample opportunity to revisit Aloy’s journey in a refreshed and updated format.

And as a little joke, I can’t help but wonder if Guerrilla Games will ever consider releasing a “Horizon Forbidden West: Lost Bags Edition,” where the main quest involves searching for all the missing bags from your last camping trip!

It appears that PlayStation is following a pattern of refining some of its current, highly-acclaimed titles from recent years, such as those from the Horizon and The Last of Us series. In January 2024, Naughty Dog introduced an enhanced version of The Last of Us Part 2, which included DualSense wireless controller compatibility, PS5 visual upgrades, Lost Levels, and the No Return roguelike survival mode – all less than four years after the game’s initial launch. In a similar vein, in October 2024, Guerrilla Games launched an enhanced version of Horizon Zero Dawn, featuring re-dubbed dialogue, The Frozen Wilds DLC, upgraded character models, and better PS5 visuals – only seven years after the original game’s debut. However, it might be wise for Guerrilla to postpone a Horizon Forbidden West Remastered release for a while.

An Argument to Hold Off on A Horizon Forbidden West Remaster

Back in November 2023, I was among those gamers left puzzled by the unveiling of The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered since it had only been three years since its initial release. Given the PS5’s backward compatibility feature, many thought that the remaster was redundant for The Last of Us Part 2 fans who could still enjoy the game on the latest console. However, with Naughty Dog’s history of early remasters – like releasing The Last of Us Remastered for PS4 just a year after its PS3 debut – we couldn’t help but wonder if there was more to this announcement than met the eye.

Similarly, when Guerrilla unveiled in September 2024 that they were planning to remaster Horizon Zero Dawn, many gamers felt that the remaster was premature, given that Zero Dawn had only been released about seven years prior and the complete edition ran smoothly on the PS5. Although some fans admired the aim of the Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered to match Forbidden West’s visual and gameplay quality, others believed that a remaster or remake of the game should have been delayed a few more years. Instead, Guerrilla could have utilized the resources intended for the remaster to aid in developing some of their alleged future Horizon games, such as the multiplayer Horizon game, the rumored NCSoft MMO, or the anticipated Horizon 3.

Why A Modern Horizon Forbidden West Remaster Would Be Too Soon

As a hardcore gamer with years of experience under my belt, I have to say that I am thrilled about the continued updates and improvements being made to “Horizon Forbidden West”. Having played the game since its debut in 2022 on both PS4 and PS5, I can attest to its captivating storyline, stunning graphics, and immersive gameplay.

The recent announcement that the Complete Edition will receive enhanced features for the PS5 Pro console in December 2024 is particularly exciting for me because I’m a proud owner of a PlayStation 5. The prospect of experiencing cleaner volumetrics, improved rendering for both NPCs and the environment, and a stable field of depth in “Horizon Forbidden West” is nothing short of mouthwatering.

However, I have to admit that I am not in a rush for a remastered version of the game. The developers at Guerrilla Games have been consistently releasing updates for the game since its initial release, and I believe that they should be allowed the time needed to perfect these enhancements before releasing a “Horizon Forbidden West Remastered” edition.

In my opinion, it would be a disservice to both the game and the players if the remastered version were released too soon, as there is still much potential for further refinement and optimization of the game’s already impressive features. I am content to continue playing “Horizon Forbidden West” in its current form while eagerly awaiting the release of the enhanced PS5 Pro features and future updates.

Predicting a Release Window for Horizon Forbidden West Remastered

As someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the captivating world of the Horizon series, I must admit that the prospect of a remastered version of Horizon Forbidden West is both exciting and intriguing. Given my personal history with the franchise, having played through Horizon Zero Dawn multiple times, I can confidently say that Guerrilla Games has a knack for creating visually stunning and immersive open-world games.

If Guerrilla were to release a remastered version of Forbidden West in 2029, seven years after its initial debut, it would likely be a fitting tribute to the game’s legacy. By then, the PlayStation 5 may well be approaching the end of its life cycle, making Horizon Forbidden West Remastered an ideal early release for the impending PlayStation 6.

Personally, I believe that a dual-release on both the PS5 and PS6 would be a smart move to ensure that all PlayStation fans can enjoy this new iteration of a classic. With my own experience in gaming, I know that having access to games on multiple platforms is always appreciated by players like me who want to continue exploring the world of Aloy no matter what console they own.

All in all, while a remastered Horizon Forbidden West isn’t exactly necessary right now, the potential for a future release fills me with anticipation and excitement as I eagerly await Guerrilla Games’ next move in the world of Horizon.

Considering the mixed reactions from fans about the timing of the release of Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, it might be wiser for Guerrilla to launch Horizon Forbidden West Remastered in 2032, marking its 10th anniversary. Many gamers find it commonplace for games to receive remasters around or following their 10th anniversary, as seen with the releases of Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary in 2011 and Halo 2 Anniversary in 2014. By 2032, it’s likely that the anticipated Horizon trilogy will have wrapped up Aloy’s story in Horizon 3, fostering a sense of nostalgia for the adventure in Forbidden West. Delaying the release of Horizon Forbidden West Remastered to the late 2020’s or early 2030’s could make it more palatable compared to the remaster of Zero Dawn, and help distinguish its upgrades.

Guerrilla Games has already launched five titles under the Horizon series: starting from Horizon Zero Dawn in 2017, followed by Horizon Forbidden West in 2022, then Horizon Call of the Mountain in 2023. They also plan to release a remastered version of Horizon Zero Dawn and an exciting new game called LEGO Horizon Adventures in 2024.

Read More

2025-01-04 20:14