Horizon Forbidden West: When Should You Start Exploring
The Best Time to Begin Your Journey in Horizon Forbidden West and What to Expect
Horizon Forbidden West builds upon the open-world elements of its predecessor, Horizon Zero Dawn, with a much larger and more diverse world that invites players to dive into exploration. The game offers stunning environments and a variety of new locations, which will likely tempt players to roam freely. However, it’s important to note that some areas and objects are inaccessible without specific equipment, so timing your exploration is crucial to ensure a smooth experience.
Why You Should Hold Off on Full Exploration Early On
While exploring Horizon Forbidden West, you’ll encounter several barriers that restrict your progress. These include obstacles like Metal Flowers, Firegleam, and underwater sections that require specialized equipment to overcome. In the early game, you may face these roadblocks even in the starting region, The Daunt, making it tempting to get frustrated when you can’t complete all available side content.
To avoid these moments of frustration, it’s advised to focus on progressing through the main story and save some exploration for later. However, this doesn’t mean you should ignore side content entirely; certain activities can still be completed early on and offer useful rewards.
Essential Equipment for Unrestricted Exploration
As you progress through the game, you’ll eventually unlock key pieces of equipment that will allow you to explore the world without running into these barriers. The essential tools you’ll need are:
Pullcaster
Igniter
Diving Mask
Vine Cutter
When Can You Begin Full Exploration in Horizon Forbidden West?
The good news is that all these essential items are naturally unlocked through the main story, so you don’t need to search for them in hidden caves or side quests. While you’ll acquire the Pullcaster and Igniter early on, the Diving Mask and Vine Cutter will require a bit more progress. Here’s what you need to do to unlock them:
Vine Cutter
To get the Vine Cutter, you’ll need to complete the “Seeds of the Past” quest, which is the most difficult of the three main quests you’ll unlock after finishing the "Eye of the Earth" quest. This will allow you to clear areas obstructed by Metal Flowers.
Diving Mask
You’ll obtain the Diving Mask after completing part of the "The Sea of Sands" quest. You don’t need to finish the entire quest or start the "The Broken Sky" quest to get the mask. Once you’ve acquired it, you’ll be able to explore underwater sections.
Once you’ve unlocked all four of these tools, you’ll be fully equipped to explore the world without limitation, allowing you to complete side quests, unlock hidden secrets, and enjoy everything the game has to offer. By waiting until you have these items, you can explore the world of Horizon Forbidden West at your own pace and without unnecessary setbacks.