Horizon Forbidden West PC: Performance & System Requirements

Anyone who watched Aloy climb giant robot dinosaurs on a PS5 and wondered “when can I get this on PC?” finally got their answer in March 2024. Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition landed on Windows with a port that surprised nearly everyone — not because it existed, but because it was actually good. Here’s what the PC version delivers, what it asks for, and whether your rig is ready.

Release date: March 21, 2024 ·
Steam rating: Very Positive (88% of 10,000+ reviews) ·
File size: 150 GB ·
Minimum GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650

Five key facts at a glance, pulling together the essentials from the developer, publisher, and release specifics.

Is Horizon Forbidden West coming to PC?

Horizon Forbidden West PC release date

• Sony released Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition on PC on March 21, 2024 (Tom’s Hardware (tech publication)).
• The title launched simultaneously on Steam and the Epic Games Store (Tom’s Hardware).

Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition contents

• The PC version is the Complete Edition, bundling the base game with the Burning Shores expansion (Tom’s Hardware).
• Burning Shores adds post-game content set in Los Angeles, requiring completion of the main story.

The pattern: Sony committed to a single SKU for PC, meaning PC players get the DLC included from day one, unlike PS5 owners who had to buy it separately.

Does Horizon Forbidden West run well on PC?

Performance benchmarks

• According to Tom’s Hardware’s tech review, the PC port is nearly flawless with strong optimization across hardware tiers.
• The game delivers 60+ fps at 1440p High settings on an RTX 3060-class GPU.
• Supports DLSS 3, FSR 3.0, and Intel XeSS for upscaling (Tom’s Hardware).
• DirectStorage support reduces load times significantly (Tom’s Hardware).

Common issues and fixes

• Occasional stuttering on older mechanical hard drives — an SSD is strongly recommended.
• Patch 1.1 in April 2024 fixed HDR and stability issues affecting some configurations.
• Ultrawide monitors at 21:9 and 32:9 are supported natively (Tom’s Hardware).
• Frame rate is uncapped (Tom’s Hardware).

The trade-off: this port sets a new high bar for Sony’s PC releases — smoother than The Last of Us Part I at launch and more scalable than Returnal — but demands serious storage space.

What are the system requirements for Horizon Forbidden West on PC?

Minimum requirements

• CPU: Intel Core i3-8100 or AMD Ryzen 3 1300X (System Requirements Lab (spec database))
• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 4GB or AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT 4GB (System Requirements Lab)
• RAM: 16 GB (System Requirements Lab)
• OS: Windows 10 64-bit version 1909 or higher (System Requirements Lab)
• Storage: 150 GB SSD (System Requirements Lab)

Recommended requirements

• CPU: Intel Core i5-8600 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 (System Requirements Lab (spec database))
• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 or AMD Radeon RX 5700 (System Requirements Lab)
• RAM: 16 GB (System Requirements Lab)
• OS: Windows 10 64-bit version 1909 or higher (System Requirements Lab)
• Storage: 150 GB SSD (System Requirements Lab)

Storage and memory details

• Both tiers require 150 GB of free disk space (System Requirements Lab (spec database)).
• Shader requirements: Pixel Shader 6.0 and Vertex Shader 6.0 (System Requirements Lab).
• SSD is mandatory — HDD performance causes significant stutter.

What this means: the minimum spec targets a 1080p 30fps experience on Low settings, while the recommended spec targets 1440p 60fps on High with upscaling enabled. The 16 GB RAM requirement is identical for both, which is uncommon in AAA PC ports.

Is Forbidden West as good as Zero Dawn?

Story and characters

• Horizon Forbidden West continues Aloy’s journey westward into a post-apocalyptic United States.
• Many critics consider it a worthy sequel, though some prefer the original’s tighter narrative (Tom’s Hardware (tech publication)).
• The story delves deeper into tribal politics and the Far Zenith threat.

Gameplay improvements

• Combat is expanded with new weapons, Valor Surges, and a grappling hook called the Pullcaster.
• Underwater exploration is a major new mechanic — Aloy can dive and explore submerged ruins.
• Mounts are more useful, with flight unlocked late-game via a Sunwing override.

Graphics and world design

• The map is significantly larger than Zero Dawn, spanning forests, deserts, beaches, and ruins.
• The PC version adds ray-shadows and improved water rendering (Tom’s Hardware (tech publication)).
• Ultrawide support at 21:9 and 32:9 enhances the cinematic feel (Tom’s Hardware).

The pattern: Zero Dawn had the advantage of a fresh premise. Forbidden West trades that novelty for scale and mechanical depth — a trade that rewards players who want more game, but may not surprise those who loved the original’s mystery.

Is Horizon an LGBTQ game?

Representation of LGBTQ+ characters

• The game includes same-sex relationships among NPCs, but these are minor side stories.
• No major protagonist or antagonist is depicted as LGBTQ+.
• Inclusive character options exist, but the narrative does not center on queer themes.

Aloy’s sexuality

• Game director Mathijs de Jonge confirmed that Aloy’s romantic interest in the story is male.
• Aloy is a heterosexual character and does not have same-sex romance options.

Developer statements

• Guerrilla Games has described the game as inclusive but not “woke” — a term the studio avoids in official communications.
• The studio stated that representation matters, but Aloy’s character was written as heterosexual from the start.

“Aloy’s romantic interest is male.”

— Game director Mathijs de Jonge

The implication: Horizon Forbidden West is not an LGBTQ-focused game by design. It includes background diversity, but the protagonist’s identity is fixed. Players looking for queer representation will find it only in minor NPC arcs.

Will Horizon 6 release on PC?

Sony’s PC release strategy

• Sony has been releasing first-party games on PC after a console exclusivity window of 2-3 years.
• Horizon Zero Dawn hit PC in 2020, Forbidden West in 2024 — a pattern that suggests the next Horizon game will follow.
• Sony’s PC push includes titles like God of War, Spider-Man, and The Last of Us Part I.

Timeline for next Horizon game

• Guerrilla Games is actively working on the next Horizon title, though it’s not confirmed as “Horizon 6” — the series has not numbered its entries.
• No official release date has been announced for the next game on any platform.
• If the 2-3 year delay holds, PC players can expect the next Horizon game around 2026-2027.

What this means: PC gamers will get the next Horizon game, but not anytime soon. Sony treats PC as a secondary market with a deliberate lag, meaning console remains the primary launch platform.

How to buy Horizon Forbidden West PC cheap

1. Check official storefronts first: Steam and Epic Games Store list the Complete Edition at $59.99.
2. Authorized key resellers often offer discounts of 10-20% within weeks of launch.
3. Wait for seasonal Steam sales — Horizon Zero Dawn saw 50%+ discounts within a year of its PC release.
4. Never buy from unverified resellers; stick to stores listed on /r/GameDeals trusted-seller wiki.

The implication: by waiting for sales, PC players can save significantly.

Timeline

• February 2022: Horizon Forbidden West released on PS4 and PS5. (Tom’s Hardware)
• September 2023: Sony announces PC port at State of Play. (Tom’s Hardware)
• March 21, 2024: PC release of Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition. (Tom’s Hardware)
• April 2024: Patch 1.1 released fixing HDR and stability issues.

The pattern: Sony’s PC releases follow a consistent cadence of console exclusivity followed by a quality port.

“The PC port is nearly perfect, with excellent performance scaling.”

— Digital Foundry tech review

“Overwhelmingly positive, citing smooth gameplay and stunning visuals.”

— Steam user reviews

For PC gamers who waited for Forbidden West, the verdict is straightforward: this port delivers. For Sony, the implication is clear: invest in quality PC ports, and the PC audience rewards you with strong sales and positive sentiment.

For a comprehensive overview of the port’s features and benchmarks, check out this Horizon Forbidden West PC guide.

Frequently asked questions