Horizon Forbidden West Reveal (2021) vs Retail (2022) | Direct Comparison

Early Access Review code provided by Sony Computer Entertainment.

Direct visual and feature comparison of Horizon Forbidden West 's original gameplay reveal in 2021 and the final retail product released in 2022.

Everything discussed in this video is based on my own personal experience with the game in its current state on the PlayStation 5 and do not reflect the views and opinions of Sony Computer Entertainment.

While this video is NOT sponsored - Sony did send me a free "Collector's Edition" of the game this weekend. This was a surprise gift and was provided after I had already completed my coverage for the game. You can find a link to this collectors edition in the link below

Horizon Forbidden West (Collector's Edition) Purchase Link:

(Please note that this is NOT an affiliate link. This channel will not make any commission off of sales made)

Table of Contents:

00:00 Intro
01:29 Jungle River
05:52 Beach
07:02 Clawstrider Chase
11:32 Underwater
14:01 Crashed Plane
15:39 Erend's Camp
17:18 Lombard River
18:22 Golden Gate Bridge
19:27 Tremortusk Fight
21:12 Conclusion

#HorizonForbiddenWest #StateofPlay #Comparison

[Nick]

Thanks for tuning in!! I was pleasantly surprised with the results of the final game here. The lighting was changed (which is most apparent in the underwater section), but the large amount of detail in every environment is still there. The only thing that is a bit disappointing is the removal of the Tremortusk fight on that beach, though there is at least other instances of these fights throughout the rest of the game.

As for the quality of the game itself, I've been really enjoying my time with it. It has some issues here and there that I've detailed in my final review, but it's a solid game otherwise. You can find additional coverage for Forbidden West with the following links.



Next up! We have Elden Ring, GT7, and the long-awaited "History of Halo" that i've been working on :)

[WoolleyGamer]

So much effort put into this. Massive props Nick

[canaryguycrazy]

Would've loved to see the more colorful saturated look for the ocean in the final retail version it really impressed me in that state of play presentation

[shannonsmith]

My biggest saddened part is the vibrant colors in the water. I really missed that in the actual game play. However I was impressed with the mission with Poseidon. The lights and colors made up for it a bit. The darkness in the gameplay made it quite hard to play at times not knowing were to go. Other than that and lost visuals they did a fairly good job with the game.

[mrmrc]

In 9:45, the rolling animation shown is still in the game, but it is an automatic animation, on the retail footages, you probably pressed the circle button when Landing, thus performing the dodging animation, that’s why it seems so unatural and clunky, if you do it again without pressing anything, Aloy will just roll as in the state of play gameplay

[grandmasterj]

I think the thing that makes it so impressive on the final release (and even still on the first game on previous gen) is being an open world game, the large scale detail that all of this is carried over the entire game, and not just the state of play demo area.

[BeerBourbonandGames]

It's incredible how closely this mirrored the state of play. I'm so used to watching the Ubisoft downgrade videos. This was a nice change of pace.

[TheScure]

Something i noticed in these trailers, E3 footages. Much more light sources, even at far distances. Crisp shadows and overall better ambient occlusion. Even small details cast a shadow and again, even at far distances. Plus everything is lit so brightly. It makes such a good feel, the retail always looks so... regular compared to it. Like the usual video game look.

[RobOngrui]

I wish there was an ingame option to turn on the hero lighting from this state of play instead of the toned down one we got. I think it looked awesome.

[Emi-pjbc]

I think it looks amazing, and the difference on Aloy is due to a "hero lightning" rig attached to her always, that makes the characters pop up more on screen, but for me now is looking much better, as before it was too exaggerated.

[samoerai]

Tbh I’m quite fine with how the game is now. Although I am a little bit disappointed about the game being darker and less vibrant colours. And I’m really disappointed the underwater scene isn’t even half as beautiful as the demo. But if I put those 2 points aside. I’m very satisfied with the final game :)

[NickKerr-ev]

imagine how much effort this man puts into his vids, every single one is top quality banger with constant uploads on interesting stuff, not much more i could ask for.👌🏼

[OutlanderCult]

I like the lighting and colours of the state of play version more but retail still looks good. Also the brighter water looks considerably better in my opinion.

[togrulalekperov]

Apart from minor indirect lighting and color grading adjustments, pretty much the same versions, retail looks less saturated/vibrant. Although prefer brighter underwater from SoP gameplay.

[popjibbletz]

I really hope you are making a ton of money. You put so much work into your videos and you clearly always know what you are talking about

[theplayer_]

Very much hoping for a lighting mode option where the underwater section specifically, looks like it's counterpart in the demo, I'm just way too much of a sucker for vibrant textures and lighting in games

[jamsta-_-.]

I’ve changed my monitor settings to a more cool tone as opposed to warm ones, and I can get a pretty close image to the one in the state of play. Looks phenomenal!

[talalahsan]

Surprising it got upgraded in many places.. not common nowadays.

[erenyeeagah]

6:55 another thing is that the tree animations are much more noticable in the retail version.

But idk if having more animations like this is more taxing and if the wind changes depending on the weather or not

[chili]

I've been using the photo mode lately and I'm just so impressed with the details and the overall world building in this game. Guerilla should be proud of what they have accomplished with this game.