Diving Deep: How Many Hours of Gameplay Does Horizon Forbidden West Offer?
Horizon Forbidden West, the highly anticipated sequel to Horizon Zero Dawn, delivers a sprawling and immersive open-world experience that’s sure to captivate players. But just how much time are you likely to spend traversing its stunning landscapes and battling formidable machines?
The answer depends on your play style. For players primarily focused on the main story objectives, Horizon Forbidden West clocks in at around 29 hours. However, if you’re the type of gamer who likes to explore every nook and cranny, complete every side quest, and achieve 100% completion, you can expect to spend around 88 hours in Aloy’s world. This doesn’t include the Burning Shores DLC, which adds approximately 8-9 hours of additional gameplay. So, the range is substantial, catering to both casual players and completionist enthusiasts. If you’re truly dedicated and want to complete the DLC at 100%, expect to play for even longer.
A Breakdown of Playtime
- Main Story Only: Approximately 29 hours
- Main Story + Side Quests: Roughly 50-60 hours
- 100% Completion (Including All Side Activities): Around 88 hours
- Burning Shores DLC: 8-9 hours (main story) / Even longer for 100% completion.
These figures are estimates based on average player experiences, so your mileage may vary depending on your skill level, difficulty setting, and how much time you spend simply enjoying the scenery. The vast and beautiful open world will certainly provide ample reason to wander from the beaten path!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Horizon Forbidden West Gameplay
Here are some frequently asked questions to help you plan your Horizon Forbidden West journey:
How does Horizon Forbidden West’s playtime compare to Horizon Zero Dawn?
Horizon Forbidden West generally offers a longer playtime than Horizon Zero Dawn. While the main story of Horizon Zero Dawn can be completed in around 22-25 hours, achieving 100% completion typically takes around 60-70 hours. Horizon Forbidden West, with its larger map and increased content, extends those numbers significantly. The developers have confirmed that Horizon Forbidden West has a larger map than Horizon Zero Dawn.
Is Horizon Forbidden West’s DLC, Burning Shores, worth the playtime?
Absolutely! The Burning Shores DLC is a worthwhile addition to Horizon Forbidden West. It offers a new region to explore, new machines to fight, and expands on Aloy’s story. The estimated 8-9 hours of gameplay provide a substantial dose of fresh content, making it a rewarding experience for fans of the base game.
Does difficulty level affect playtime?
Yes, the difficulty level can influence your playtime. Playing on a higher difficulty setting will likely require you to spend more time strategizing and crafting, potentially increasing your overall playtime. Conversely, playing on a lower difficulty might allow you to progress through the story more quickly.
Is Horizon Forbidden West’s open world filled with meaningful content, or is it just filler?
Horizon Forbidden West’s open world is generally praised for its meaningful content. While there are some repetitive tasks, the game features a wealth of engaging side quests, challenging combat encounters, and intriguing lore to discover. Exploring the world feels rewarding, with plenty of secrets and surprises to uncover.
Can I skip side quests and still enjoy the main story?
Yes, you can focus solely on the main story of Horizon Forbidden West and still have a fulfilling experience. However, completing side quests can provide valuable experience, resources, and insights into the world and its characters, enriching your overall enjoyment of the game.
What factors contribute to the longer playtime of Horizon Forbidden West?
Several factors contribute to Horizon Forbidden West’s extended playtime:
- Larger Map: The game features a significantly larger map than Horizon Zero Dawn, providing more areas to explore and discover.
- More Content: Horizon Forbidden West offers a greater number of side quests, challenges, and collectibles, extending the gameplay experience.
- Enhanced Combat: The combat system has been refined and expanded, requiring players to master new strategies and weapon combinations, which can add to playtime.
Is Horizon Forbidden West repetitive?
While some elements of Horizon Forbidden West may feel repetitive to some players, the game generally avoids becoming monotonous. The variety of quests, environments, and combat encounters helps to keep the gameplay fresh and engaging.
Is it worth pursuing 100% completion in Horizon Forbidden West?
Whether or not it’s worth pursuing 100% completion depends on your personal preferences. If you enjoy exploring every aspect of a game and completing every challenge, then striving for 100% completion in Horizon Forbidden West can be a highly rewarding experience. However, if you prefer a more streamlined experience, focusing on the main story and select side quests may be more suitable.
Are there any missable trophies or achievements that could affect my playtime?
While Horizon Forbidden West doesn’t feature any truly missable trophies or achievements, some tasks are only available at certain points in the story. Make sure to explore and complete quests as they come available.
Does Horizon Forbidden West have multiple endings?
No, Horizon Forbidden West does not have multiple endings. Despite the illusion of choice throughout the game, the narrative concludes with a singular ending, regardless of player decisions.
Is Horizon Forbidden West a challenging game?
Horizon Forbidden West can be challenging, especially on higher difficulty settings. The machines are formidable opponents, and players will need to master the combat system to survive. However, the game also offers a range of difficulty options to cater to different skill levels.
Is it necessary to play Horizon Zero Dawn before Horizon Forbidden West?
While not strictly necessary, playing Horizon Zero Dawn before Horizon Forbidden West is highly recommended. Horizon Zero Dawn introduces the world, characters, and lore that are essential to understanding the story and appreciating the narrative depth of Horizon Forbidden West. If you skip the first game, you might miss key character developments and plot points.
Can I play Horizon Forbidden West on PS4?
Yes, Horizon Forbidden West is available on both PS4 and PS5. However, the Burning Shores DLC is exclusive to the PS5 version of the game.
Will there be a Horizon 3?
Yes, it appears a third main Horizon game is in development at Guerrilla Games. So Aloy’s adventures are set to continue.
How does Horizon Forbidden West contribute to educational learning through gaming?
Horizon Forbidden West, like its predecessor, provides many opportunities for educational learning through gaming. Games like Horizon can help learners to develop problem-solving skills, and decision-making skills, as well as enhance their overall creativity. For more information on how games like Horizon can contribute to educational learning, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.
In conclusion, Horizon Forbidden West offers a substantial and engaging gameplay experience, with playtime varying significantly based on individual play styles. Whether you’re a casual player or a completionist enthusiast, Horizon Forbidden West has something to offer everyone. Its rich world, compelling story, and challenging gameplay will keep you immersed for hours on end.