Many fans are eagerly awaiting the release ofHorizon Forbidden West, the follow-up to one of the most critically acclaimed games of the PlayStation 4’s life cycle. The open-world mix of action, stealth, and RPG elements put players in the shoes of Aloy, as she journeys beyond the small piece of the post-apocalyptic world she lived in as an outcast.
WithHorizonForbidden Westplanned to release later this year, fans have some time to check out some other games that help set expectations for what’s coming in the upcoming sequel.
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Ghost of Tsushima
One of the other mostacclaimed titles on PS4 isGhost of Tsushima. Alongside the firstHorizon, it helped set a new bar for open-world games in terms of immersive experiences, which helped bring a game world to life in ways that few others have mastered.
Gameplay-wise fans ofHorizonwho missed out onTsushimaso far will likely find a lot to like. The archery mechanics feel relatively similar to those inHorizon, and hunting/foraging to fuel a crafting system for both expendable items and gear will also be familiar toHorizonplayers.Ghost of Tsushimais a testament to what’s possible in an open world, and likely a game that Guerilla Games has taken note of while working onHorizon Forbidden West.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake
WhileFinal Fantasy 7 Remakeis a very different kind of game fromHorizon, fans should check out the JRPG for a couple of reasons. Fans ofHorizon Zero Dawnlikely already own a PS4, so if players have hit a lull in games to play,Final Fantasy 7 Remakeis a solid game for all fans, whether they played the original or not.
It’s also noteworthy because the game’sdirector has said thatHorizon Zero Dawnwas one of their favorite games of the generation, and as such could impact the development ofFinal Fantasy 7 Remake’snext part.Final Fantasy 7 Remakedefinitely has its own legs to stand on, with a deep combat system and an engaging story. Fans ofHorizon, that might not normally explore JRPGs, would find a lot to like inFinal Fantasy 7 Remake.
God of War
Another PlayStation exclusive that, if players have missed out so far, would have a lot of appeal for fans ofHorizon Zero Dawn. Both games' sequels are already among themost anticipated games for the PS5, and despite obvious differences, both share some thematic ideas in common. Both games draw their aesthetics heavily from Norse and Greek mythology, withHorizon’sobvious technological twists. While it’s more than likely that PS4 owners have already played the soft reboot ofGod of War, for those who missed out; the game’s expansive world, engaging crafting system, and visceral combat, make it one of the best games to play beforeHorizon Forbidden Westlaunches.
Monster Hunter World
A cross-platform title that fans ofHorizon Zero Dawnwill find a lot to love,Monster Hunter Worldfeatures unique enemies and an elaborate crafting system. Carefully plotting a strategy to take down monsters more than twice the size of the player is a staple ofMonster HunterandHorizonalike. Another parallel is the array ofunique weapons in theMonster Hunterseriesat large.Horizonfeatured a slew of weapons that felt fresh to the genre andMonster Huntershares much in that respect. Fans looking for an expansive world to dive into beforeForbidden Westreleases would do well to check outMonster Hunter World.
Horizon Zero Dawn
The best preparation for the release ofForbidden Westis naturally its predecessorHorizon Zero Dawn. Any player interested inForbidden Westthat’s yet to play the original will find an immersive and interesting world to explore. Emotional moments and heart-stopping action permeate nearly every minute of the first chapter of Aloy’s journey. And whileForbidden Westis likely to add many new features, the original lays out a very solid framework to build from. Its unique combat mechanics and weapons, deep crafting systems, and seemingly alive ecosystem all come together to create an adventure that has been unforgettable for many players.
Horizon Forbidden Westis set to release later in 2021 on PS4 and PS5.
MORE:Horizon Forbidden West Will Only Further Cement Aloy as a PlayStation Mascot
