Horizon: Forbidden Westis finally available for preorder and there are a handful of different versions available for fans to choose from. As is typical with many AAA releases, the different versions of the game include different items such as a digital soundtrack or a collector’s edition steelbook. Unfortunately, the marketing for the preorders isn’t particularly clear as to which version ofHorizon: Forbidden West, PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5, comes with each edition. This seems to be something of a common trend with games that are receiving synchronous PS4 and PS5 launches or PS5 upgrades as titles likeGhost of Tsushima: Director’s CutandFinal Fantasy 7 Remake: Intergradehad similar issues.
Hopefully, Sony figures out a more easily digestible way to understand their upgrade paths with future releases astitles likeGran Turismo 7and the currently untitledGod of Warsequelhave both been confirmed to be launching on both consoles as well. This is exactly what buyers need to know about which version ofHorizon: Forbidden Westcomes with each edition.
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Horizon: Forbidden West on PS4
Those looking topurchaseHorizon: Forbidden Weston the PS4are able to get it through the PS4 Standard Edition, the PS4 Launch Edition, and the PS4 Special Edition. It’s important to note that PS5 owners who purchase any of these editions of the game will not be able to get the PS5 version of it as a free upgrade. Instead, they’d be playing the PS4 version on their PS5 via backward compatibility. While there aren’t a ton of different features between the two versions, PS5 owners playing the PS4 version of the game would be losing out on features such as any of the DualSense support that’s been added toForbidden Westas well as any graphical, frame rate, or load time improvements.
Horizon: Forbidden West on PS5
Similar to the PS4 editions,the PS5 version ofHorizon: Forbidden Westis available through the PS5 Standard Edition, the PS5 Launch Edition, and the PS5 Special Edition. While this separation between generations seems pretty much in line with how cross-gen games have been handled in the past, this generation there has been a major push from console manufacturers to include free upgrades to those who’ve purchased their new consoles. Some fans feel like Sony wasn’t being entirely truthful about the upgrade path forHorizon: Forbidden Westas PS4 owners will need to purchase the game again on PS5 if they end up getting a next-gen console and want to experience the PS5 version of the title.
All of this stems from a September 2020 blog post by Sony that mentionsHorizon: Forbidden WestalongsideSpider-Man: Miles MoralesandSackboy A Big Adventureas being titles that will be receiving PS4 and PS5 editions. Almost in the same breath, Sony clarified thatall PS5 launch gameswill include a free upgrade for those who end up buying them on PS4 and transitioning to the PS5. BecauseHorizonwas mentioned with launch titlesMiles MoralesandSackboy, many feel like it was included in the list of games that would be getting a free PS5 upgrade when it launches.
Horizon: Forbidden West on Both PS4 and PS5
The only way to get both editions ofHorizon: Forbidden Westis to either buy two copies, one for the PS4 and the other for the PS5, or to purchase one of the following editions: the Digital Deluxe Edition, the Collector’s Edition, or the Regalla Edition. Unfortunately for those looking for astraightforward next-gen upgrade pathfor the game, there really isn’t one as the editions listed above are much more expensive than the standard, launch, and special editions.
Horizon Forbidden Westreleases for PS4 and PS5 on July 22, 2025.
