In recent years, PlayStation has increasingly embraced the trend of remastering its most beloved titles, particularly those from popular franchises like Horizon and The Last of Us. January 2024 marked the release of a remastered edition of The Last of Us Part 2 by Naughty Dog, which included enhancements for the DualSense wireless controller, visual upgrades for the PS5, new Lost Levels, and the introduction of the No Return roguelike survival mode, all occurring less than four years after the game’s original launch. Following suit, Guerrilla Games announced the remastered Horizon Zero Dawn in October 2024, boasting re-recorded dialogue, the inclusion of the Frozen Wilds DLC, updated character models, and improved graphics tailored for PS5, a mere seven years after the game first debuted. While both remasters are well-regarded, it’s essential for Guerrilla Games to consider delaying the remaster of Horizon Forbidden West.
An Argument to Hold Off on a Horizon Forbidden West Remaster
The announcement of The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered in November 2023 left many gamers baffled, especially since the game was only about three years old and fully playable on PS5 due to its backward compatibility feature. Many perceived the remaster as redundant compared to older titles that could benefit more from the upgrade, such as Bloodborne. It’s worth noting that Naughty Dog has previously remastered titles shortly after their original release, as demonstrated by The Last of Us Remastered, which came out just a year after the PS3 launch.
Similarly, when Guerrilla Games revealed its plans for a Horizon Zero Dawn remaster in September 2024, fans reacted skeptically, seeing it as prematurely timed given that the original game was just over seven years old and still performed well on the PS5. While some applauded the intention to enhance Zero Dawn’s visuals and gameplay to align with Horizon Forbidden West, others felt that the remaster should have been postponed. Critics suggested that Guerrilla might have redirected the resources spent on the remaster towards the development of anticipated new entries in the Horizon series, such as a multiplayer game or the rumored NCSoft MMO, or even Horizon 3.
Why a Modern Horizon Forbidden West Remaster Would Be Too Soon
As of February 2025, Horizon Forbidden West will approach its third anniversary following its initial launch on both PS4 and PS5 in 2022. The Complete Edition of Forbidden West will turn two years old by October 2025, and the PC release will celebrate its first anniversary in March. Furthermore, December 2024 brought exciting news as Guerrilla announced that the Complete Edition would feature enhanced capabilities for the upcoming PS5 Pro, boasting refined depth of field, superior volumetrics, and augmented rendering for NPCs and environments. Considering these updates and enhancements, the prospect of a remaster for Horizon Forbidden West in 2025 or even 2026 feels premature given the game’s consistent updates since its rollout.
Predicting a Release Window for Horizon Forbidden West Remastered
While a remaster of Horizon Forbidden West may not be urgently needed, there is potential for Guerrilla to release it in the future. Should they follow the timeline established by Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, a Forbidden West remaster could arrive around 2029, marking seven years since its original debut. By that time, the PS5 could be nearing its life cycle’s conclusion, positioning the remaster as an attractive launch title for the anticipated PlayStation 6. Additionally, it could be made available for both PS5 and PS6, ensuring all PlayStation fans have access to this updated classic.
However, in light of the mixed responses regarding the timing of Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, it might be wiser for Guerrilla to aim for a 10th anniversary remaster of Horizon Forbidden West in 2032. History shows that remasters typically gain acceptance when they’re released near or after the decade mark, exemplified by the Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary in 2011 and the Halo 2 Anniversary in 2014. By 2032, the conclusion of Aloy’s story in Horizon 3 would likely evoke nostalgia, making the timing of a remaster for Forbidden West more palatable and allowing its improvements to stand out more distinctly.
To date, Guerrilla Games has launched five titles in the Horizon series, starting with Horizon Zero Dawn in 2017, followed by Horizon Forbidden West in 2022, and including the VR experience, Horizon Call of the Mountain, released in 2023, in addition to Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered and LEGO Horizon Adventures in 2024.
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