Sony’s decision to remove Horizon: Forbidden West from the PlayStation Plus Games Catalog has left many fans puzzled. Despite Sony wholly owning the game through its first-party studio Guerrilla Games, the title is set to be taken off the subscription service soon. This move is part of a larger trend of Sony removing popular titles from the catalog, including other heavy hitters like Marvel’s Midnight Suns, Alien Isolation, NieR Replicant Ver. 1.22474487139, and Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2.
The PlayStation 5 now lists Horizon: Forbidden West as one of 12 „Last Chance to Play“ titles on its PlayStation Plus Games Catalog page. Alongside it are other games like Spiritfarer, Cloudpunk, and five Star Ocean games. The removal of Horizon: Forbidden West is particularly surprising given that Sony owns the game itself. Typically, games come and go from subscription services like PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass due to licensing agreements, but in this case, Sony has full control over the title.
Horizon: Forbidden West was added to the PlayStation Plus Games Catalog in February 21, 2023, a year after its initial launch and exactly 18 months ago tomorrow. This move mirrors Sony’s decision to remove the first game in the franchise, Horizon: Zero Dawn, in May 2024. Speculation suggests that Sony may be planning a remaster of the 2017 game, although no official confirmation has been made.
Sony’s recent focus on remasters and remakes, such as The Last of Us Part 1 and 2 Remastered, and Until Dawn, hints at a potential strategy behind removing Horizon: Forbidden West from the subscription service. By taking the game off PlayStation Plus, Sony may be encouraging fans to purchase the full versions of both titles instead of accessing them through the subscription service.
In IGN’s 9/10 review of Horizon: Forbidden West, the game was praised for its enthralling combat, top-tier creature and character design, and captivating open world. The title was hailed as a fantastic showcase for the power of the PS5, further solidifying its status as a must-play for fans of the franchise.
As Sony continues to make strategic decisions regarding its PlayStation Plus Games Catalog, fans can only speculate on the reasoning behind the removal of Horizon: Forbidden West. Whether it’s part of a larger plan to release remastered versions of the games or a shift in focus towards full game purchases, one thing is clear – Horizon: Forbidden West remains a standout title in Sony’s lineup.