Recent reports suggest Horizon Forbidden West has been delayed to 2022, but the official stance from developer Guerrilla Games and Sony hasn't caught up yet. Horizon Forbidden West is set to be the big PS4 and PS5 exclusive for the 2021 holiday season, which is why it's so surprising the game still hasn't received a solid release date.
While it's arguably usually a good idea to wait at least a year or two before buying a new console, as that gives developers time to release games that make the most of the new hardware and gives consoler manufacturers time to fix firmware issues, the launch of the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S generation is unique. The pandemic and scalpers have made it incredibly difficult to purchase either console, despite rabid demand for these current-gen systems. With a comparatively smaller install base and many people looking to buy the systems regardless of their exclusive libraries, there's likely less pressure on developers to rush games onto the new systems.
While the PS5 has received a few high-profile exclusives in 2021, there have also been a number of delays, including Gran Turismo 7 and God of War: Ragnarok, pushed back to 2022. As such, reports claiming Horizon Forbidden West has also been delayed do seem likely, especially as it doesn't have a release date.
Why Horizon Forbidden West's Delay Reports Are Likely True
inside sources had confirmed Horizon's delay. As of the time of writing, neither Guerrilla Games nor Sony has confirmed or denied a delay. Grubb and Schreier have good track records for insider info, and the confirmation from both of them lends the rumor credibility. Still, without official word on the matter, the delay should be treated as rumor for now.
Even outside of rumors, however, it's looking increasingly likely Horizon Forbidden West won't launch in 2021. The game is set to be a big PlayStation exclusive for the year, so its the promotion machine would likely already be in action, if the companies were planning to hit its release window. It's possible Guerrilla Games and Sony could have a big promotional blowout soon, coupled with a late 2021 release date, but the chances of that happening are getting lower every day.
Horizon Forbidden West is officially due to be released for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 in 2021.
