The highly anticipated follow-up to 2017's critically lauded Horizon Zero Dawn was finally released this month, and fans were eager to get their hands on Horizon Forbidden West and see for themselves if it was able to live up to the hype. Launching a new IP is always a risk – one that many studios avoid, looking at the sheer number of sequels and franchises flooding the video game market – but Guerrilla Games' gamble paid off when it launched the action RPG Horizon Zero Dawn a few years ago. The sequel sought to push the boundaries of the previous game, offering players more to do and see in Horizon Forbidden West's vast open-world setting and expanded storyline.

Returning to Horizon Zero Dawn's post-apocalyptic version of the United States, players once again take control of resourceful hunter Aloy as she navigates the dangerous world inhabited by animalistic machines and enemy factions. With a larger map than the first game, Horizon Forbidden West certainly gives players their money's worth when it comes to areas to explore, with added underwater sections to show off the game's gorgeous design and new mechanics. But players may have had a bit of a surprise when they actually got down to playing Horizon Forbidden West, especially when comparing the tropical focus of the marketing material pre-launch to the reality of the game's new settings.

RELATED: Horizon Forbidden West's Traversal Might Be Its Best Improvement Over Horizon Zero Dawn

The Build-Up To Horizon Forbidden West's Release

horizon forbidden west aloy sunbirds golden gate bridge art

First announced at Sony's PlayStation 5 reveal event in June 2020, many gamers were unsurprised that the commercially successful and well-received Horizon Zero Dawn was getting a sequel. Originally aiming for a 2021 release, the launch of Horizon Forbidden West gradually began to shift away from its initial window as delays sprung up, in part due to the global pandemic and the developer's wish to avoid overtime crunch and pressurized working conditions. Finally, it was announced that Horizon Forbidden West had gone gold at the end of January 2022, with the game officially launched in February.

Despite the delays, development for Horizon Forbidden West progressed fairly swiftly, with less than two years between the game's announcement and its eventual launch date. During this time, players were able to get a look at what they might come to expect from the new title, with the release of trailers and gameplay demos showing off the power of the PlayStation 5 and the platform's Tempest Engine. The majority of marketing images and most of the announcement trailer showed off the game's new tropical settings, with lush forests and sandy beaches as Aloy weaves between palm trees to avoid raptor-like creatures and machine-riding raiders.

The pre-launch focus on coastal regions was an exciting glimpse at the new areas that Horizon Forbidden West would offer fans, moving away from the regions of Colorado and Northern Arizona that they saw in the previous game. Although Utah would make a return in Horizon Forbidden West, the chance to explore the detailed and dilapidated ruins of San Francisco as shown extensively in the marketing materials was a big draw for players. While the story trailer and announcement trailer did show off some other types of terrain like mountainous plains, lifeless deserts, and snowy landscapes, the focus was definitely on the coastal regions, with their coral-encrusted underwater ruins inhabited by shoals of fish.

The Game's New Setting

horizon forbidden west monster hunter

There's no doubt that early glimpses of the game showed a beautiful world full of rich details and gorgeous visuals, and now that players have been able to actually experience Horizon Forbidden West for themselves, it seems the game's aesthetics remain a standout aspect. From the ruins of San Francisco that feature iconic landmarks being slowly swallowed by the elements in striking detail to the vast deserts and stunning night skies, Horizon Forbidden West is really demonstrating everything that next-gen consoles have to offer.

Spanning Utah, Nevada, and California, Horizon Forbidden West sees Aloy venture out of familiar territory to explore the mysterious Forbidden West – an uncharted frontier ravaged by conflict and uncontrollable mechanical creatures. With new climbing mechanics and in-depth side missions on offer, Horizon Forbidden West emphasizes exploration and rewards players for it as well. However, players were a little surprised to see how little of the game actually took place in San Francisco and its tropical environs, especially considering how much the marketing focused on this new area. While the open world is still vast and packed with impressive content, some players felt short-changed at this seemingly deceptive marketing tactic.

RELATED: 7 Xbox Games That Are Like Horizon Forbidden West

The Problem With Deceptive Game Marketing

horizon forbidden west snake machine

Although the game's developers haven't exactly lied in the pre-launch marketing material, Guerilla Games' decision to focus the majority of advertising visuals on San Francisco and its coastal areas now seems like an attempt to showcase the one area that is the most visually distinct from the settings in Horizon Zero Dawn. While it is still impressive and still features in the game, the marketing focus may have led gamers to believe the area would have had more significance in Horizon Forbidden West instead of just being one region among many.

Some players may not mind this and might prefer that there are a number of regions to explore rather than a main focus on just one or two. However, with other areas of Horizon Forbidden West merely looking like graphical upgrades to what players have already seen in Horizon Zero Dawn rather than newly designed locations, they might feel like they've gotten slightly less than they bargained for. Horizon Forbidden West may not necessarily be lacking in the settings department, but it's the fact that some players may feel misled that is the biggest disappointment.

This isn't the only case where the game has gotten into hot water when it comes to misleading messaging. A lawyer has also criticized Sony's marketing practices relating to Horizon Forbidden West's PS5 upgrade. It was revealed that players who owned the PS4 version of the game wouldn't in fact get the PS5 upgrade for free – a reversal that went directly against comments made by Sony CEO Jim Ryan. Due to fan backlash, Sony rectified the issue by saying Horizon Forbidden West would be the last free PS5 upgrade. Still, the damage had been done, and the company came under fire for apparently deliberately misleading players. It seems game developers may have to be more careful in the future, or risk raising the ire of fans and potentially ruining reputations in the process.

Horizon Forbidden West is available now on PS4 and PS5.

MORE: The Best Tips To Get Started With Horizon Forbidden West