Many fans are eagerly awaiting the release of Horizon Forbidden West, the follow-up to one of the most critically acclaimed games of the PlayStation 4's life cycle. The open-world mix of action, stealth, and RPG elements put players in the shoes of Aloy, as she journeys beyond the small piece of the post-apocalyptic world she lived in as an outcast.

With Horizon Forbidden West planned to release later this year, fans have some time to check out some other games that help set expectations for what's coming in the upcoming sequel.

RELATED: Horizon Forbidden West Might be Avoiding the First Game's Biggest Combat Mistake

Ghost of Tsushima

Ghost Of Tsushima Legends Ronin

One of the other most acclaimed titles on PS4 is Ghost of Tsushima. Alongside the first Horizon, it helped set a new bar for open-world games in terms of immersive experiences, which helped bring a game world to life in ways that few others have mastered.

Gameplay-wise fans of Horizon who missed out on Tsushima so far will likely find a lot to like. The archery mechanics feel relatively similar to those in Horizon, and hunting/foraging to fuel a crafting system for both expendable items and gear will also be familiar to Horizon players. Ghost of Tsushima is a testament to what's possible in an open world, and likely a game that Guerilla Games has taken note of while working on Horizon Forbidden West.

Final Fantasy 7 Remake

FF7 Remake gameplay screenshot

While Final Fantasy 7 Remake is a very different kind of game from Horizon, fans should check out the JRPG for a couple of reasons. Fans of Horizon Zero Dawn likely already own a PS4, so if players have hit a lull in games to play, Final Fantasy 7 Remake is a solid game for all fans, whether they played the original or not.

It's also noteworthy because the game's director has said that Horizon Zero Dawn was one of their favorite games of the generation, and as such could  impact the development of Final Fantasy 7 Remake's next part. Final Fantasy 7 Remake definitely has its own legs to stand on, with a deep combat system and an engaging story. Fans of Horizon, that might not normally explore JRPGs, would find a lot to like in Final Fantasy 7 Remake.

God of War

god of war third year anniversary

Another PlayStation exclusive that, if players have missed out so far, would have a lot of appeal for fans of Horizon Zero Dawn. Both games' sequels are already among the most anticipated games for the PS5, and despite obvious differences, both share some thematic ideas in common. Both games draw their aesthetics heavily from Norse and Greek mythology, with Horizon's obvious technological twists. While it's more than likely that PS4 owners have already played the soft reboot of God of War, for those who missed out; the game's expansive world, engaging crafting system, and visceral combat, make it one of the best games to play before Horizon Forbidden West launches.

Monster Hunter World

Monster Hunter World

A cross-platform title that fans of Horizon Zero Dawn will find a lot to love, Monster Hunter World features unique enemies and an elaborate crafting system. Carefully plotting a strategy to take down monsters more than twice the size of the player is a staple of Monster Hunter and Horizon alike. Another parallel is the array of unique weapons in the Monster Hunter series at large. Horizon featured a slew of weapons that felt fresh to the genre and Monster Hunter shares much in that respect. Fans looking for an expansive world to dive into before Forbidden West releases would do well to check out Monster Hunter World.

Horizon Zero Dawn

HORIZON ZERO DAWN MACHINES - Glinthawk

The best preparation for the release of Forbidden West is naturally its predecessor Horizon Zero Dawn. Any player interested in Forbidden West that's yet to play the original will find an immersive and interesting world to explore. Emotional moments and heart-stopping action permeate nearly every minute of the first chapter of Aloy's journey. And while Forbidden West is likely to add many new features, the original lays out a very solid framework to build from. Its unique combat mechanics and weapons, deep crafting systems, and seemingly alive ecosystem all come together to create an adventure that has been unforgettable for many players.

Horizon Forbidden West is set to release later in 2021 on PS4 and PS5.

MORE: Horizon Forbidden West Will Only Further Cement Aloy as a PlayStation Mascot