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Horizon Forbidden West is joining the October 2026 PlayStation Plus Game Catalog for PS5 and PS4. Sony Interactive Entertainment announced the addition on October 14, 2026, with the lineup scheduled to become available on October 20, subject to regional differences and the release-day store listing.
What PlayStation Plus is adding
Horizon Forbidden West is the headline open-world addition in October’s PlayStation Plus Game Catalog. Sony describes it as a PlayStation Plus re-release and places it in the catalog associated with the Extra and Premium tiers. The announcement also lists Mafia: The Old Country and Mycopunk in the same monthly lineup, with Mycopunk releasing day one into the catalog.
The catalog date is October 20, 2026. Sony’s date is a general lineup date rather than a guarantee that every country will receive the game at the same local time, so subscribers should check the PlayStation Store listing for their account region.
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Is Horizon Forbidden West free with PS Plus?
It is included at no additional game charge for members whose subscription includes the Game Catalog—Extra and Premium in Sony’s announcement—while the game remains listed. “Free” does not mean permanent ownership: access depends on an active qualifying subscription and the title’s continued catalog availability. If Sony removes the game later, you would need to buy it or use another licensed access method to continue playing.
#1 Best Overall
- Experience the epic Horizon Forbidden West in its entirety, including bonus content and the Burning Shores expansion:
- Brave an expansive open world – discover distant lands, new enemies, rich cultures and striking characters.
- A majestic frontier – explore the lush forests, sunken cities and towering mountains of a far-future America.
- Confront new dangers – engage in strategic battles against enormous machines and mounted human enemies by using weapons, gear and traps crafted from salvaged parts.
- Unravel startling mysteries – uncover the secret behind Earth’s imminent collapse and unlock a hidden chapter in the ancient past… one that will change Aloy forever.
Can you play it on PS4?
Yes. Sony’s October announcement identifies both PS5 and PS4 versions. On PS4, you can play the supported version through the Game Catalog; on PS5, you play the PS5 version listed for the service. The announcement does not provide a separate feature-by-feature technical comparison, so resolution, frame-rate modes and loading behavior should be confirmed in the store listing for your console and region.
What the game is about
You play as Aloy in a post-apocalyptic frontier. The campaign sends her across distant lands to investigate the legacy of the ancient world while confronting larger machines, meeting new tribes and building alliances. Exploration, machine combat and the world’s surviving human societies are connected rather than presented as separate activities: reaching new areas reveals threats, characters and pieces of the old-world mystery.
Rank #2
- An epic Action/RPG Adventure:
- Brave an expansive open world - discover distant lands, new enemies, rich cultures and striking characters.
- A majestic frontier - explore the lush forests, sunken cities and towering mountains of a far-future America.
- Confront new dangers - engage in strategic battles against enormous machines and mounted human enemies by using weapons, gear and traps crafted from salvaged parts.
- Unravel startling mysteries - uncover the secret behind Earth's imminent collapse and unlock a hidden chapter in the ancient past. one that will change Aloy forever.
Why it is regarded as a visual showcase
Digital Trends has called Horizon Forbidden West one of the most beautiful open-world games on PS5. That is a critical description, not a measurable award or an official performance statistic. Its visual reputation comes from the combination of a large, densely detailed world, mechanical creatures with distinctive silhouettes and animations, and a cinematic presentation of landscapes and settlements. No attributable sales, player-count or benchmark figure establishes a numerical “best-looking” ranking.
What to expect from the experience
| Area | What the October announcement and available coverage establish | Practical implication |
|---|---|---|
| Visual fidelity | Independent coverage places it among the most beautiful PS5 open-world games; no universal ranking or benchmark is supplied. | It is a strong choice if environmental detail and machine design are priorities. |
| Machine combat | The setting includes larger machines and varied machine encounters. | Expect fights built around identifying threats and adapting to different mechanical enemies. |
| Exploration and traversal | The premise emphasizes distant lands and a dangerous frontier. | Travel is a central part of the campaign, not merely movement between missions. |
| Narrative scale | Aloy investigates the ancient past while forming alliances and meeting new tribes. | The story combines personal objectives with a broad world and historical mystery. |
| PS4 versus PS5 presentation | Both platforms are supported; Sony’s announcement does not state resolution or frame-rate figures. | Choose the version shown for your hardware and check the local store page for technical details. |
| Subscription convenience versus ownership | Extra and Premium catalog access avoids a separate game purchase while the listing remains active. | Subscription access is convenient, but buying a physical copy provides continued access independent of catalog rotation. |
How to access it on October 20
- Confirm that your PlayStation Network account is in a region where the October catalog listing is available.
- Make sure your PlayStation Plus membership is on a tier that includes the Game Catalog, identified in Sony’s announcement as Extra or Premium.
- On your PS5 or PS4, open the PlayStation Plus hub and select the Game Catalog, or search the PlayStation Store for “Horizon Forbidden West.”
- Open the listing dated for the October 2026 lineup and verify that it shows the PS5 or PS4 version you intend to use.
- Select the catalog download option after the title becomes available. If it is not visible immediately on October 20, refresh the store, check your account region and allow for local rollout timing.
Should you subscribe or buy instead?
A catalog subscription makes sense if you want to start the game without paying its standalone price and are comfortable with access being conditional. It is also useful for sampling the campaign before deciding whether it deserves a permanent place in your library.
Rank #3
- EARTH IS OURS NO MORE
- Experience the critically acclaimed Horizon Zero Dawn with stunning new visuals and upgraded features
- In a far future where colossal machines roam and rule the Earth, pockets of humanity survive in unique tribes amon the lush, overgrown ruins of our long-lost civilization
- Take up bow and spear as Aloy, a youn machine hunter and outcast of her tribe, as she discovers her origins, the truth of this mysterious world, and her own destiny to save it from impending doom.
- On her journey, Aloy will come across unique tribes, lively settlements, and compelling characters and companions.
Buying a physical PS5 copy is the clearer choice if you want ownership that does not depend on a catalog listing, plan to replay the game years from now, or expect to cancel your subscription. A disc purchase may still require updates and does not change the need to use the correct platform version. Digital purchase is another ownership route, but the terms and price are set by the PlayStation Store in your region.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- An epic Action/RPG Adventure:
- Brave an expansive open world - discover distant lands, new enemies, rich cultures and striking characters.
- A majestic frontier - explore the lush forests, sunken cities and towering mountains of a far-future America.
- Confront new dangers - engage in strategic battles against enormous machines and mounted human enemies by using weapons, gear and traps crafted from salvaged parts.
- Unravel startling mysteries - uncover the secret behind Earth's imminent collapse and unlock a hidden chapter in the ancient past. one that will change Aloy forever.
Rank #4
- An epic Action/RPG Adventure:
- Brave an expansive open world - discover distant lands, new enemies, rich cultures and striking characters.
- A majestic frontier - explore the lush forests, sunken cities and towering mountains of a far-future America.
- Confront new dangers - engage in strategic battles against enormous machines and mounted human enemies by using weapons, gear and traps crafted from salvaged parts.
- Unravel startling mysteries - uncover the secret behind Earth's imminent collapse and unlock a hidden chapter in the ancient past. one that will change Aloy forever.
Important limits to keep in mind
- Catalog membership is time-sensitive; Sony can change or remove titles.
- Availability and release timing can differ by country, so the local PlayStation Store is authoritative for your account.
- The October announcement confirms PS5 and PS4 availability but does not publish universal resolution, frame-rate, download-size or performance figures.
- There is no reliable sales or player-count statistic in the announcement that would quantify the game’s popularity.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
