Can You Ride Robots in Horizon Forbidden West? A Comprehensive Guide

Yes, you can ride certain robots in Horizon Forbidden West. However, it’s not as simple as hopping onto any machine you encounter. Aloy can override specific machines and transform them into temporary mounts, allowing for faster traversal and combat assistance. Think of it as taming a wild, robotic beast – with a little technological know-how.

Taming the Machines: The Override System

Horizon Forbidden West expands on the override system introduced in the first game, Horizon Zero Dawn. This system allows Aloy to reprogram machines, effectively turning them from hostile enemies into allies. Overriding requires Aloy to get close to a machine undetected and use her override tool, which can be upgraded to override a wider variety of machines as you progress through the story.

Not all machines are overrideable, and even those that are may require specific upgrades to your override tool. Furthermore, some machines can only be overridden during specific story missions or after completing certain quests. Successfully overriding a machine turns it friendly, and you can then choose to mount it.

Which Machines Can You Ride?

While the game features a vast roster of robotic creatures, only a select few are rideable. The most common and easily accessible mount is the Charger. Other rideable machines include:

• Bristleback: These tough, boar-like machines offer significant combat capabilities in addition to increased speed and durability for traversal.
• Clamberjaw: These resourceful machines have excellent climbing skills, enabling Aloy to climb where others cannot.
• Sunwing: The Sunwing is a particularly exciting mount, offering Aloy the chance to take to the skies and explore the Forbidden West from a whole new perspective.
• Tideripper: Although you can’t ride these underwater behemoths, you can use them to traverse through vast bodies of water.
• Apex Machines: Apex versions of rideable machines can also be overridden with the proper upgrades, offering an additional challenge for experienced players.

It’s important to note that the availability of rideable machines might depend on story progression and side quest completion. Explore the world, complete quests, and upgrade your override tool to unlock the potential of new robotic companions.

Maximizing Your Machine Mount Experience

Riding machines in Horizon Forbidden West isn’t just about getting from point A to point B faster. It’s about strategically leveraging their abilities to your advantage. Here are a few tips:

• Combat Prowess: Rideable machines offer significantly increased damage output compared to Aloy’s standard weapons. Use them to take down larger machines or clear out groups of enemies.
• Strategic Positioning: Utilize the speed and maneuverability of your mount to gain a tactical advantage in combat. Circle around enemies, flank them, or use the environment to your advantage.
• Resource Gathering: Some rideable machines, like the Bristleback, are excellent for gathering resources. Their attacks can quickly break open resource containers and harvest valuable materials.
• Exploration: Explore areas you couldn’t reach on foot. The Sunwing, in particular, opens up entirely new possibilities for exploration, allowing you to discover hidden locations and vantage points.
• Machine Customization: As you progress through the game, keep an eye out for opportunities to upgrade your machine mounts. Enhancements can improve their speed, armor, and combat capabilities.
• Overriding: The act of overriding a machine can be just as important as riding it. Learning the best way to sneak into a machine’s territory will increase your chances of successfully overriding a machine.

FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About Riding Robots

1. Can I override any machine in Horizon Forbidden West?

No, only specific machines can be overridden and used as mounts. The game provides visual cues and information about which machines are overrideable.

2. How do I unlock the ability to override more machines?

You need to upgrade your override tool by completing story missions and side quests. These upgrades unlock the ability to override a wider range of machines.

3. Can I customize my rideable machines?

While you can’t directly customize the appearance of your machine mounts, you can improve their performance through upgrades to your override tool and by equipping Aloy with gear that enhances her riding abilities.

4. What happens if my rideable machine is destroyed?

If your rideable machine is destroyed, it will be disabled and eventually disappear. You’ll need to override another machine to replace it.

5. Can I use my own weapons while riding a machine?

Yes, Aloy can use her bow and other weapons while mounted. This allows you to engage in ranged combat while moving quickly and strategically.

6. Are there any special skills or abilities related to riding machines?

Yes, Aloy has specific skills in her skill tree that enhance her riding abilities, such as increased mount speed, improved combat effectiveness, and reduced mount stamina consumption.

7. How do I find the machines that I can ride?

Rideable machines are typically found in specific regions of the map. Explore the world, consult your map, and complete quests to discover their locations.

8. Can I use stealth while riding a machine?

While riding a machine, Aloy is less stealthy than when on foot. However, you can still use cover and terrain to minimize your visibility and avoid detection.

9. Is there a limit to how long I can ride a machine?

No, there’s no time limit. You can ride a machine for as long as it remains functional and undamaged.

10. Can I ride machines underwater?

While most rideable machines are terrestrial, some machines, like the Tideripper, allow Aloy to traverse through water quickly and safely.

11. Can I ride machines with other players in multiplayer?

Horizon Forbidden West is a single-player game, so you cannot ride machines with other players.

12. What are Apex machines, and can I ride them?

Apex machines are stronger, more challenging versions of existing machines. With the proper upgrades to your override tool, you can override and ride Apex versions of applicable mounts.

13. Can I call my overridden machine to me?

No, overridden machines do not have a “recall” feature. You’ll need to find and override a new machine if you lose your current mount.

14. How important is riding machines to completing the game?

Riding machines isn’t essential for completing the main story, but it significantly enhances the gameplay experience. It makes traversal faster, combat more dynamic, and exploration more rewarding.

15. Where can I learn more about the design and educational impact of games like Horizon Forbidden West?

For more insights into the learning and educational aspects of games, visit the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. The Games Learning Society studies the intersection of games and education and provides valuable resources for educators and game developers alike.

Horizon Forbidden West offers a rich and engaging world to explore, and the ability to ride machines is just one of the many ways that Guerrilla Games has elevated the gameplay experience. So saddle up, override a Charger, and embark on an unforgettable adventure!