Games Like Horizon: Forbidden West – Open World Magic!

Games Like Horizon: Forbidden West – Open World Magic!

Horizon: Forbidden West, a sequel to the extremely popular Horizon: Zero Dawn, was a global hit. With one of the most breathtaking graphics and a huge open world, it was universally considered the action-adventure game everyone should play. The game offers action-packed fights, a compelling plot, and a beloved young girl protagonist.

But what if you enjoyed Horizon: Forbidden West and would like to try other games that have similar qualities? What would your following open-world action RPG title would be? Well then, you are in luck, as we have prepared some open-world games for you that will fill the void in your heart left after finishing Horizon: Forbidden West.

Searching for an action-adventure game set in a fast land? We’ve got that. Sprawling open worlds? Yes! Intense combat with some elements of RPG – definitely! So, for all the fans of the Horizon games who enjoyed this rich world of opportunities with massive creatures and open-world exploration – let’s dive in!

Elden Ring

  • Release Date: February 2022

  • Developer: From Software

  • Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

  • Meta Score: 96/100


And what a better start it can be than the best game ever (according to the critics) – Elden Ring . This title seems to have almost everything you would imagine when it comes to being similar to Horizon games. For starters, it has a vast open world full of exploration available. It may not be as cheerful as the Horizon fans would like, but its dark undertones have a quality that cannot be understated.

Additionally, when it comes to story, it’s one of the greats from, indeed, From Software. Created by George R.R. Martin and Hidetaka Miyazaki, it’s a terrifying world, full of threats and dangers but also beauty and just plain sadness that’s somehow even more aesthetic. You are living in the Land Between, the world of demigods where no one can die. It used to be ruled by Queen Marika, who took control over it with the Elden Ring, but now she disappeared, leaving the world shattered between different entities – her demigod children.

They called you Tarnished, a soul between life and death. You aim to become the Elden Lord and restore peace over the Land Between. Or do something else; it’s your choice in the end. You can be the bad guy in this story as well!

What made people enjoy this title is the quality that From Software is known for. It has an extensive arsenal for you to choose. From giant swords and axes to magic – dark, light, and everything in between. The game is mostly what you’d expect from a Souls game, with lots of rolling around and developing tactics to kill the enemy in front of you.

Similarly to the Horizon games, though, it’s all about exploring this crazy world, full of enemies and a few friends. There are plenty of stories about the Land Between, and you will meet many different people with various approaches to life. And that’s what makes this title so special – all the different shades of grey are present here for you to explore.

The lost legacy of the Lands Between is an open-world action-adventure you may be looking for if you have finished the Horizon games. Of course, it’s a much darker and twisted version of the world, but you should definitely give this one a chance. In the end, it won almost every single trophy that it could, so it’s only fair that it would also have a place on this list.

God of War

  • Release Date: PlayStation 4 April 2018, Windows January 2022

  • Developer: Santa Monica Studio

  • Platforms: PlayStation 4, Windows

  • Meta Score: 94/100


Next, we have another giant on our list, God of War . Thanks to the complaints of millions of fans, it’s no longer PlayStation exclusive, as you can now play it on PC as well. So, when it comes to accessibility features – it has a point from the start.

Where should we start with this game? It’s one of the best titles ever created – a son-father adventure full of wonders and threats awaiting you at every step. It has a fantastic combat system and definitely fewer climbing moments than Horizon games, so if you like good fights, a great story, and open-world exploration – this is something for you.

After murdering all of the Greek Gods, it’s time for Norse mythology to meet Kratos. Welcome to Midgard, one of the Nine Realms of this world, where everything seems peaceful. At least – at the first glance. After the death of Atreus’s mother, you are on a quest to fulfill her last wish – for her ashes to be spread over the highest peak in all of the Nine Realms. Unfortunately, she didn’t want just a standard gravestone and visiting her a few times a year; nope, it had to be the highest peak in the world.

It’s the Norse gods' territory, and they are not pleased that you came here. The only logical resolution of this is to start the bloodshed of gods. And you have some experience when it comes to that.

If you are a fan of the series, you will notice some changes made to the gameplay compared to what it looked like before. Here, you have a camera over the Kratos’ shoulder. And, your primary weapon is not the chains you had in the previous entries, but a giant Leviathan Axe that you can also throw. There are many upgrades awaiting you, so be sure to make the best of it.

The voice acting in this game is incredible. As the plot thickens, you see the growing connection between the father and the son. And, similarly to the Horizon games, you have an open world that you can travel through any time you’d like. So, if good games are something that you’re looking forward to – this is one of the greats!

NieR: Automata

  • Release Date: February 2017

  • Developer: PlatinumGames

  • Platforms: PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

  • Meta Score: 90/100


The next game on our list is NieR Automata, a title many people treat with cult-like care. It’s the sequel to the fantastic Ni game from the Drakengard series. In this installment, the world is, as always, at war with everything. Machines and people seem to never be able to get along in those dystopian circumstances. So, to fight them off, we have to build our machines. One of those is the protagonist of Nier: Automata – 2B. 

You are an android walking in high heels, blindfolded with a black cloth over its eyes. A skilled warrior, wielding all sorts of weapons – spears, swords, and all the crazy Japanese-style arsenal we all learned to love. To help you in your quest, you are accompanied by the small scanner Android 9s and A2 prototype.  

When it comes to action-role-playing-game, there are not many other titles on this list that could surpass Nier: Automata. It has fast-paced combat, a post-apocalyptic world where nothing seems to be right, and a skill tree that allows you to develop your character in the traditional jRPG fashion. 

Regarding similar games to Horizon: Forbidden West, you will not find a faster game than this one. This dystopian world is something to look forward to, especially if you enjoyed Aloy’s agility.

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

  • Release Date: November 2021

  • Developer(s): Respawn Entertainment

  • Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, xCloud, Microsoft Windows, Google Stadia

  • Meta Score: 81


Next, we have the Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. It may feel a bit out of the ordinary when it comes to games like Horizon: Forbidden West, but let us tell you – the similarities are pretty interesting. This game is essentially the third Horizon game. It has an open-world action adventure full of giant creatures, some of which seem to be rideable. Additionally, it’s a narrative-driven, single-player experience on a planet far, far away. And – the protagonist has red hair. So, you know, it’s pretty much the same thing.

Here, you take control of Cal Kestis, who survived Order 66 and now works as a nobody, nowhere. He is Force sensitive person, so you know that they will find him someday and make him use his abilities. And that’s exactly what happens. After being caught, you are on the run, and the only thing that can save you is the Resistance and your skills.

In this game, you have everything you’d expect from a Star Wars kind of game. The lightsaber battles, the force-based powers, outstanding platforming elements, and the narrative within the Star Wars universe with Darth Vader popping out here and there. 

And let us tell you, those are some of the most intense lightsaber battles in gaming history. As the game nerds that we are, we have to say that the amount of fun we had in this title when it comes to sword swinging can only be compared to what we’ve seen in the old and gold Jedi Academy. 

The story continues. Jedis are not going anywhere, fighting for their right to stay alive as long as it’s humanly possible! After the credits roll, you feel this sense of accomplishment, like you added something to the story. And that’s what all great Star Wars games are known for!

Cyberpunk 2077

  • Release Date: December 2020

  • Developer: CD Projekt Red

  • Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Stadia

  • Meta Score: 87/100


Let us tell you one thing – this title is one of the best sci-fi games from the last few years and one that will surely be remembered as groundbreaking in many aspects – visuals, storytelling, and much, much more. We are, of course, talking about the famous/infamous Cyberpunk 2077

The issue was pretty simple. It came at the wrong time and the wrong place. Most games on this list hit that sweet spot when the game was done, and there were no glitches coming up, no issues with optimization, and everyone was happy with the result. 

Here, the game came out between two generations of consoles and had some problems with the older ones. So – it was deemed a flop, as many people could not play it due to various glitches and optimization issues. And they quickly forgot about it…or did they?

Cyberpunk 2077 has been getting a lot of attention lately, especially after the big 2.0 patch dropped. That update fixed major issues and made the game run way smoother. Plus, there's this cool new add-on that's changed things up a lot since the rocky launch. People are hyped about all these improvements, and it's making Cyberpunk 2077 a way better game to dive into!

The game, when it comes to the gameplay itself, is a crazy rollercoaster ride with a narrative that could be a movie. Well, there is an anime series set in the Cyberpunk world, and we highly recommend it. In this game, though, you live in the future Night City, a dystopian world where everything is tech-based. People are addicted to all sorts of things, with drugs being the least of their worries. You are V, who, well, you decide who you are. The game is heavy on the role-playing aspect, so you can choose anything you want.

And, as it’s a game created by the people behind The Witcher III: Wild Hunt, it’s only fair that the combat exceeds expectations. With so many tech upgrades to your weapons and yourself, the game provides many opportunities to smash enemies into a bloody pulp. Also – Keanu Reeves plays a role in this game – how cool can one title be?

You are welcome to take advantage of all of them! It was a hit back in the day, and we can safely say that it’s a hit today as well. It’s one of the best games in the RPG genre to this day, and with the latest entry – it’s a must-play!

Games like Horizon: Forbidden West – Conclusion

And here we are, at the end of our road! As you can see, there are plenty of games similar to what you could experience in the Horizon series. Of course, they don’t always look or feel the same. Nevertheless, those titles capture the essence of Horizon games. You have your dark fantasy games like Elden Ring or something lighter like a Star Wars-based title. We feel like everyone can enjoy at least one of these. And if you want something completely different – you can just play Cyberpunk and shoot your enemies with all those technological advances.

Each title shows that open-world gaming is the key element for which the Horizon games were famous for. So, if you have just finished Horizon: Forbidden West, you will surely find something among those games.

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