Game Guide: Horizon Forbidden West
1. Introduction
Overview: Horizon Forbidden West continues Aloy’s journey in a post-apocalyptic, robot-inhabited world. The game expands into new lands west of the original game’s setting, introducing new machines, tribes, and environmental challenges.
Gameplay Style: It’s a blend of open-world exploration, strategic combat, and narrative-driven quests. Players use a mix of ranged and melee attacks, as well as traps and gadgets, to survive against robotic creatures and hostile human factions.
Unique Features: The game’s mechanical enemies, advanced skill tree, crafting system, and diverse environment make it stand out. The introduction of underwater exploration and new traversal tools adds layers to the game’s mechanics.

2. Before You Play: Must-Know Tips
Understand the Story So Far: If you didn’t play Horizon Zero Dawn, consider watching a recap or reading about it. Knowing Aloy’s journey and the world’s history will enhance the story.
Explore Thoroughly: The world is massive, with hidden collectibles, lore, and upgrades scattered across it. Take your time and don’t rush through the main story.
Stock Up on Resources: You’ll need various resources for crafting ammo, potions, and traps. Gather as much as you can while exploring, as they’re essential for survival.
Use Fast Travel Sparingly: While fast travel is convenient, exploring on foot or by mount reveals hidden paths, valuable resources, and interesting encounters.
Familiarize Yourself with the HUD and Settings: Adjusting settings for HUD, aim sensitivity, and difficulty can greatly improve your gameplay experience.

3. Beginner Tips & Tricks
1. Master Scanning: Use Aloy’s Focus (scanning ability) to identify machine weaknesses, loot locations, and environmental hazards. It’s invaluable for strategizing in combat.
2. Focus on Dodging: Combat can get intense. Master the dodge roll to avoid attacks, especially against larger machines with heavy-hitting moves.
3. Complete Side Quests: Side quests offer XP, valuable items, and sometimes unique gear. They’re also great for building Aloy’s character and understanding the world.
4. Upgrade Gear Regularly: Visit upgrade benches to improve weapons, armor, and pouches. Upgraded gear makes a significant difference in combat.
5. Prioritize Healing Supplies: Always have a healthy supply of healing items. Pick up medicinal plants and craft potions as you’ll often need them in difficult fights.
4. Advanced Tips & Tricks
1. Leverage Elemental Weaknesses: Different machines have specific weaknesses (like fire or shock). Tailor your attacks to exploit these weaknesses for faster takedowns.
2. Master New Tools: The Pullcaster (for climbing and grappling) and Shieldwing (for gliding) add mobility and tactical options. Use them for both exploration and combat.
3. Set Up Traps & Use Terrain: Prepare for fights by laying traps and luring machines into environmental hazards. This helps control the flow of battle.
4. Experiment with Skill Trees: There are several skill trees—choose skills that align with your playstyle. For example, the Infiltrator tree is perfect for stealth, while the Warrior tree boosts melee attacks.
5. Override Machines: Overriding allows you to turn machines into allies or mounts. Cauldrons (dungeon-like locations) grant new override abilities, so prioritize exploring them.

5. Combat Techniques & Skills
Weapon Mastery: Aloy has access to a wide array of weapons. Use bows for ranged attacks, the spear for melee, and heavy weapons for larger threats. Each has specific uses, so experiment to find your favorite combination.
Critical Strikes: When an enemy is downed, perform a critical strike for massive damage. This is especially helpful for larger machines.
Stealth Tactics: Stay hidden in tall grass and use silent strikes to dispatch enemies. The stealth approach can help avoid overwhelming fights.
Valor Surges: Valor Surges are powerful, ultimate-like abilities unlocked via the skill tree. Use them strategically in tough fights to gain an edge.
Resource Management: Ammo and traps cost resources to craft, so manage them carefully. Focus on high-damage shots and well-placed traps rather than spamming attacks.
6. Exploration & Quests
Main vs. Side Content: Balance your play between main and side quests. Side quests often reveal lore and grant XP and unique items that are helpful for tougher main missions.
Collectibles: Seek out collectibles like Black Boxes, Relics, and Signal Towers. They unlock rewards and additional story elements.
Cauldrons: These are essentially dungeons where you can unlock new machine overrides. They’re challenging but provide valuable abilities and upgrades.
Tallnecks: Climbing Tallnecks reveals portions of the map. Each Tallneck has a unique way to climb it, so be creative and use your new tools.
Underwater Exploration: With new diving equipment, you can explore underwater environments. They contain rare resources and hidden paths, so don’t overlook water-based areas.

7. Resources, Crafting, & Upgrades
Gather Materials Constantly: Collect Metal Shards, Blaze, Chillwater, and other resources for crafting. You’ll need them to make ammo, traps, and for upgrades.
Upgrade Stations: Use upgrade benches to improve your weapons and armor. Some upgrades require rare resources, so look for specific enemies that drop them.
Potions & Boosts: Potions can provide temporary boosts, like extra health or elemental resistance. Use them before facing tough enemies.
Prioritize Important Upgrades: Focus on upgrading weapons and armor that match your playstyle and the types of enemies you’re fighting. Some upgrades are critical for progress.
Trading with Merchants: Merchants sell rare items, gear, and crafting materials. Look out for them in settlements and camps to stock up on essentials.

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How do I level up quickly?
A: Complete side quests, hunt machines, and find collectibles. Taking down large machines and completing Cauldrons are also effective ways to earn XP.
Q: Which weapon upgrades are most important?
A: Focus on upgrading your primary weapons, especially bows and tripcasters. These weapons will be useful in most situations.
Q: How can I find rare materials?
A: Rare materials are often dropped by specific machines. Check your Focus for the material you need and hunt the corresponding machines.
Q: What’s the best way to manage resources?
A: Gather everything you see while exploring. Only craft items you need, and be strategic about trap and ammo usage to conserve resources.

9. Secrets & Hidden Content
Machine Catalog Completion: Scanning and studying every machine unlocks bonuses and allows you to learn more about them. This can provide insight into the best ways to tackle each type.
Hidden Bosses: Some regions have optional bosses with unique loot. Be prepared with upgraded gear before taking them on.
Legendary Gear: Legendary weapons and armor are hidden in secret areas or earned through challenging side quests. They offer significant advantages.
Skill Unlocks: Some abilities require you to complete specific challenges to unlock. These add depth to combat, so check the skill requirements.
DLC Areas: Complete Edition includes all DLC content, so make sure to explore the additional regions and quests for extra rewards.

10. Final Thoughts & Summary
Strengths: Expansive open world, engaging story, diverse combat mechanics, and improved traversal. The Complete Edition is polished, with added content that deepens the experience.
Weaknesses: Some players may find resource gathering and side quests time-consuming. The high difficulty can also be challenging for newcomers.
Replay Value: High—between side quests, hidden bosses, and the open-world exploration, there’s plenty to discover. The game’s DLC also adds a considerable amount of additional content.

11. Additional Resources
Official Guidebooks: Detailed maps, enemy lists, and walkthroughs are available in official