Horizon Forbidden West pre-load begins today on PS5 and PS4

Horizon Forbidden West
(Image credit: Guerrilla Games)

Horizon Forbidden West pre-load on PS5 and PS4 begins today, ahead of next week's release on February 18.

It's been about five years since the release of Horizon Zero Dawn, and now our Aloy is almost back. However, some players are confused about how to get the game ready for launch. With the pricing, upgrades, and how to pre-load your game all a little bit confusing, here's everything you need to know.

Pre-loading can start from today February 11, so let's talk about game sizes. For PS5, the Japanese version is the smallest at around 84GB, the North American version clocks in at about 88GB, and the biggest of all the European version is over 97GB. We currently don't know the reason for the varying sizes, but be wary of this when clearing out disc space. Those playing on PS4 can expect their version to be around 8GB smaller than their region's PS5 copy.

Horizon Forbidden West

(Image credit: Guerilla Games / Sony)

Many were also confused about the two versions offered on the PlayStation Store. The cheaper version which is £59.99 ($59.99) offers "Horizon Forbidden West (PS4). Digital upgrade to PS5 version". While the more expensive £69.99 ($69.99) version offers "Horizon Forbidden West PS4 & PS5." As both versions come with both the PS4 and PS5 copies, it's confusing what you get for your extra money.

Essentially, if you only have a PS4 right now, even if you are planning to buy a PS5 in the future, go with the cheaper version as it makes no difference to you. However, if you already have a PS5 then the price difference will depend on how soon after launch you want to play. Those who purchase the more expensive version can pre-load Horizon Forbidden West to their PS5 right now. However, if you don't mind waiting the time to download, the cheaper version will allow you to start loading the game on launch.

Those looking to get more out of their consoles can take a look at our list of upcoming PS5 games.

Georgina Young
Freelance News Writer

Freelance writer, full-time PlayStation Vita enthusiast, and speaker of some languages. I break up my days by watching people I don't know play Pokemon pretty fast.

Read more
Monster Hunter Wilds beta and trailer screenshots
Monster Hunter Wilds pre-load times – differences between PS5 and Xbox / PC explained
PS5 game deals with Spider-Man Miles Morales, Astro Bot and PS5 console
Best cheap PS5 game deals – all the latest sales in March 2025
Monster Hunter Wilds character with binoculars
Monster Hunter Wilds release date and times – here's when the behemoth action RPG unlocks
Assassin's Creed Shadows screenshot showing female protagonist Naoe
Assassin's Creed Shadows file size is the second-biggest in the series, beaten only by Valhalla and dwarfing Mirage
Sony may never give us Days Gone 2, but it did just announce Days Gone Remastered is coming to PS5 with three new modes: Horde, Permadeath, and Speedrun
PS5 bundles on a blue background
The best PS5 bundles and deals in March 2025
Latest in Horizon
Horizon Zero Dawn
In a rollercoaster week for Horizon Zero Dawn fans, its MMO is apparently not cancelled: "The 'H' that I mentioned has nothing to do with Horizon"
Horizon
Horizon Forbidden West is region-locked on PC 10 months after release for some reason, subjecting millions to Sony’s shenanigans
Horizon Forbidden West
The Horizon Zero Dawn MMO has reportedly been scrapped, following close behind God of War and Days Gone dev multiplayer cancellations
Horizon Forbidden West
PlayStation veteran Shuhei Yoshida says he's surprised by Horizon Forbidden West's success compared to Zero Dawn's own: "I was hoping that the sequel would do even better"
Screenshots from Horizon Forbidden West running on PS5
Horizon Zero Dawn's multiplayer spinoff has big dreams, as Guerrilla confirms it's hoping to attract more than 1 million users
A screenshot from Horizon Zero Dawn showing Aloy aiming her bow.
The Horizon curse is far from over as PlayStation's Zero Dawn multiplayer spin-off might bump into Elden Ring once again in 2025
Latest in News
The Last of Us 2
The Last of Us creator Neil Druckmann sounds like he's contemplating the end of his career: "When is it time to stop?"
Final Fantasy 14 Dawntrail Futures Unwritten Ultimate raid
As Final Fantasy 14 raiders tear through the MMO's hardest duty with no healers and then no tanks, the community can only see this going one way: "Now it's time to clear without DPS"
Saitama in One-Punch Man season 3
A One-Punch Man controversy has erupted after it was revealed the divisive new season 3 trailer was the work of only one animator: "Morale isn't great right now"
Diego Luna as Cassian Andor in Andor season 2
Andor season 2 showrunner Tony Gilroy breaks silence on the weird release schedule: "It's a Disney decision"
Lenovo Legion Go S with Xbox logo on screen next to white Series X controller on woodgrain surface
The rumored Xbox handheld isn't what you think, and I'm hoping it'll solve my Windows 11 problems
Jordan A. Mun looks at herself in a mirror in just a vest in Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet screenshot
5 years after starting development, Neil Druckmann says Naughty Dog's new game Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is "still evolving and changing as we're making it"