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Horizon Forbidden West on PlayStation 4 cannot be upgraded to PlayStation 5

By Tim Augustin - on 3 Sep 2021, 6:30pm

Horizon Forbidden West on PlayStation 4 cannot be upgraded to PlayStation 5

Image: Sony

Last-gen or next-gen? Your choice. 

Sony Interactive Entertainment has revealed Special Editions and Collector’s Editions for Horizon Forbidden West, but one crucial detail was hidden within these announcements: PlayStation 4 players will not be able to upgrade their copy of the game to a PlayStation 5 version. 

Here’s the lowdown: anyone who purchases Horizon Forbidden West will not be given the next-gen version of the game for free, nor can they pay for an upgrade. Instead, Sony is offering access to both the PS4 and PS5 versions of the game within its Digital Deluxe, Collector’s and Regalla Editions. Of these, only the Digital Deluxe Edition is currently available for pre-order in Asia. 

Image: Sony

Sony specifically says that, “Dual entitlement does not apply to the standard and special editions.” For reference, the Digital Deluxe Edition includes:

  • Horizon Forbidden West (Digital) PS4 and PS5 versions
  • 2 Special Outfits (Carja Behemoth Elite and Nora Thunder Elite)
  • 2 Special Weapons (Carja Behemoth Short Bow and Nora Thunder Sling)
  • In-game Resources Pack including ammunition, potions, and travel packs
  • In-game Apex Clawstrider Machine Strike Piece (more on Strike in the FAQ)
  • Exclusive Photo Mode pose and face paint
  • Digital Art Book
  • Digital Soundtrack
  • Digital Version of The Sunhawk, the first Horizon Zero Dawn graphic novel

Image: Sony

The Special Edition includes a steelbook, digital soundtrack and mini art book. The Collector’s Edition has a lot more stuff:

  • Horizon Forbidden West (Digital) PS4 and PS5 versions
  • Horizon Forbidden West SteelBook Display Case
    • Download code for the game will be supplied via voucher in the box.
  • A custom sculpted Tremortusk and Aloy statue
    • Statues will require some assembly; detailed instructions will be provided with the box!
  • Mini Art Book
  • 2 Special Outfits (Carja Behemoth Elite and Nora Thunder Elite)
  • 2 Special Weapons (Carja Behemoth Short Bow and Nora Thunder Sling)
  • In-game Resources Pack including ammunition, potions, and travel packs
  • In-game Apex Clawstrider Machine Strike Piece
  • Exclusive Photo Mode pose and face paint
  • Digital Soundtrack
  • Digital Version of The Sunhawk, the first Horizon Zero Dawn graphic novel

Image: Sony

And the Regalla Edition is the Collector’s Edition on steroids:

  • Horizon Forbidden West (Digital) PS4 and PS5 versions
  • Horizon Forbidden West SteelBook Display Case
    • Download code for the game will be supplied via voucher in the box.
  • A Regalla-themed, custom sculpted Tremortusk and Aloy statue
    • Statues will require some assembly; detailed instructions will be provided with the box!
  • Replica Focus and custom stand
  • 2 Art Print Cards
  • Replica Sunwing and Clawstrider Machine Physical Strike Pieces
  • Mini Art Book
  • Canvas Map
  • 2 Special Outfits (Carja Behemoth Elite and Nora Thunder Elite)
  • 2 Special Weapons (Carja Behemoth Short Bow and Nora Thunder Sling)
  • In-game Resources Pack including ammunition, potions, and travel packs
  • In-game Apex Clawstrider Machine Strike Piece
  • Exclusive Photo Mode poses and face paints
  • Digital Soundtrack
  • Digital Version of The Sunhawk, the first Horizon Zero Dawn graphic novel

PlayStation head Jim Ryan previously said that there would be, “an upgrade path for PS4 users to get the PS5 versions for free.” That is very much not true for Horizon Forbidden West, nor was it true for Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut. It’s also a little odd that the game’s most expensive Collector’s and Regalla Editions don’t come with a physical copy of the game. Instead, they come with a simple download code and steelbooks that don’t contain discs. 

Fans aren’t very pleased with Sony at the moment - and it’s not difficult to see why. Xbox, for example, implemented a feature called ‘Smart Delivery’ that allows players a simple and uncomplicated way to play the next-gen version of their games for free. By contrast, Sony’s pre-order options for Horizon Forbidden West were so complicated that they needed a dedicated FAQ page of their own.

the lack of an upgrade path for Horizon Forbidden West PS4 to PS5 is disappointing and a mistake

Hopefully enough community feedback gets Playstation to reconsider

— Parris (@vicious696) September 2, 2021

To sum up, you will need to buy a specific version of Horizon Forbidden West if you want access to both its PS4 and PS5 versions. If you get the PS4 version, you will be locked to the PS4 version and unable to access next-gen features on the PS5. Unless you cough up more money for a PS5 copy, that is. The game launches on 18 February, 2022 on PS4 and PS5. You can find more information on its various editions, and details on how to pre-order them here. 

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