Since its debut, Horizon Forbidden West—the sequel to the critically acclaimed Horizon Zero Dawn—has cemented itself as one of the most visually stunning and narratively rich action RPGs of the last decade.
The most recent update for Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition rolled out on June 13, 2025, according to SteamDB, marking the build ID update at 18:27:45 UTC. Although official patch notes are yet to arrive, this follows a clear trend from Linux developer Nixxes and Guerrilla: frequent under‑the‑hood patches that improve performance, fix obscure bugs, and occasionally enhance visuals.
Although PC patch 1.5 (June 2024) introduced significant upgrades—like AMD FSR 3.1 with frame generation, cinematic face‑detail toggle, stylized cursor, audio output modes, UI refinements, and Steam Deck/Pro Controller support—the June 2025 update likely focuses on further stability, minor bug fixes, and perhaps compatibility tweaks for emerging PC hardware. As with prior builds, no new story content or DLC is expected at this time.
1. AI Enhancements and Decima Engine Talks
Guerrilla Games recently attended GDC 2025, spotlighting their continued investment in the Decima engine. They highlighted how they built AI behavior for flying and swimming machines in Forbidden West—hints that future updates or sequels may further push technical innovations.
2. Aloy and Seyka’s Relationship—What’s Next?
In an April 2025 interview, Aloy’s voice actress Ashly Burch discussed the emotional arc introduced in the Burning Shores DLC, featuring Aloy and Seyka’s budding romance. She expressed hope that future content would “explore that side of her more if there’s another game,” emphasizing Aloy’s growth and personal life.
The Horizon universe has widened considerably in recent years:
LEGO Horizon Adventures (Nov 2024), a family‑friendly spin‑off in Unreal 5 by Guerrilla & Studio Gobo.
A new multiplayer Horizon game, tentatively nicknamed “Hunters Gathering,” is currently in development at Guerrilla.
A big‑screen adaptation: Sony confirmed a live‑action Horizon Zero Dawn film in January 2025, produced by PlayStation Productions and Columbia Pictures.
A. More Post‑Launch Enhancements?
Though no major free content patches are on the horizon, PC players might see new quality‑of‑life tweaks or performance optimizations—the kind we saw in updates 1.4.x and 1.5 last year . Official changelogs aren’t out yet, but fans report minor performance dips in GPU‑heavy areas like Burning Shores, which Guerrilla may have addressed in June’s release.
B. Anticipating Horizon 3
The existence of a third mainline Horizon game has been dropping hints since April 2023, when Guerrilla confirmed plans to “expand the world of Horizon with Aloy’s next adventure”. While neither title nor theme has been announced, insiders and fans speculate:
A likely release window: 2027–2028, maintaining a 5‑year gap after Forbidden West.
A teaser reveal could arrive late 2025 or early 2026—especially around major PlayStation events like The Game Awards or State of Play.
The story is expected to continue Aloy’s arc, likely following the emotional beat left hanging with Seyka in Burning Shores.
C. New Multiplayer Horizon?
The upcoming Horizon online project (“Hunters Gathering”) is shaping up to be Guerrilla’s priority—possibly launching before Horizon 3 is fully revealed. Reddit discussions indicate fans suspect an announcement later in 2025. Guerrilla is clearly allocating resources to expand the franchise beyond single‑player storytelling.
D. Media Expansions: Film & Franchise Strategy
Sony’s January 2025 announcement of a Horizon Zero Dawn feature film underscores the growing commercial appeal of the franchise. While TV plans for Netflix were scrapped last July, the film could reignite interest in the IP—and potentially tie into future game releases.
What’s Realistic in 2025?
Tuning patches continue through 2025—June’s update included.
Multiplayer Horizon is likely to dominate Guerrilla’s roadmap, with a reveal possibly soon.
Teaser for Horizon 3 credible in late 2025; full reveal likely in 2026.
Film project may arrive post-2026, building on game momentum—and potentially on the release timeline for Horizon 3.
Release of June update patch notes (Steam, PS blogs).
Multiplatform reveals at summer/fall 2025—possible multiplayer reveal at Gamescom or The Game Awards.
Early signs of Horizon 3 in interviews, job ads, and studio news.
Horizon Forbidden West is far from static. June’s 2025 update cements Guerrilla’s dedication to refining the experience, and ongoing AI/engine work at GDC suggests deeper plans lie ahead. Aloy’s personal story—with Seyka—has opened emotional windows that fans hope to walk through in future narratives. Meanwhile, the franchise is spreading its wings with multiplayer ambitions and a big-screen adaptation, setting the stage for Horizon 3.
If you’re a fan, keep your eyes peeled for Guerrilla’s summer updates, multiplayer announcements, and Horizon-themed media—especially if they’re planning an encore for Aloy’s tale.
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