UK Sales Charts: Horizon Forbidden West Soars Back to the Top

Keep selling like hotcakes, ps5 m'boy!

All those people at launch who said this was buried are looking awfully silly right now. How many times has this topped the charts since release?

"As expected, sales lean heavily to the PS5 version with 96 per cent of the share."

This still annoys me. Sony pricing the ps5 version £10 higher than the ps4 version, yet the ps4 version having a free upgrade to ps5 is their way of sticking to their promise of having a free upgrade, but the masses do not realise and go and buy the more expensive version when they do not need to, meaning more money for Sony. Even now the prices quoted from amazon have the ps4 version cheaper...but the ps5 version is selling so many more copies. This is why sony 1st party are £70, the masses will pay it anyway. This is why Last Of Us PS5 is £70, the masses don't want to play the ps4 version on ps5, they want the ps5 version no matter how much of a minor upgrade it is. Sony raking it in with these decisions to take advantage of the general userbase

@Danloaded It's because it's bundled with new PS5s so pretty much everyone who buys a new console is getting a copy whether they want one or not.

Hopefully we get info on DLC soon, If we are getting any. Looking forward to the art book releasing in November. Can't go wrong with a hardcover Darkhorse book whether it's purely just art from a popular IP or a great comic series like my main man Hellboy!

@Ooccoo_Jr
Yes as a digital code not a hard copy
I think these charts are hard copy charts
Not sure.

@Ooccoo_Jr why anyone wouldn't want this game is beyond me. It was fantastic, but you are right they probably sold it to pay for FIFA and V bucks.

Can't wait to start my 2nd run, game is superb! I was missing it the other day and then yesterday I was missing General Radahn and friends. 😆

@lumothesinner still not as annoying as £60 FIFA every year. £70 for TLOU is a bit much but ND is one of those studios I don't mind them making more money. I mean they don't even sell skins like other games, you unlock a lot of stuff just by playing. They hardly make anything after a game's release, same as most of these PS exclusives.

@MightyDemon82 Dark Horse published the fantastic trio of Zelda art books which I have on my coffee table, they really are wonderful.

As for Forbidden West I'm not saying it is undeserving of success, just that calling it the top-seller is a bit misleading.

@Dezzy70 That's a good point so I googled it and found this from PushSquare in May:

"Horizon Forbidden West has come top of the newest weekly UK sales chart documenting physical purchases thanks to the latest PS5 hardware bundle offered by Sony. While the official bundle only included a code for a digital download, Chris Dring of GamesIndustry.biz has clarified GfK counts codes supplied in bundles as physical sales. As a result, the PlayStation exclusive takes first place."

@Ooccoo_Jr I have the first one, I may have to grab the others a some point.

@paulbuck1996 Plains Song level is crazy a friggen BASKET themed community built on the skeleton of a friggen satellite dish!!

@MightyDemon82 If you only get one then get the third one "Zelda Encyclopaedia". The second one (Art & Artifacts) is pure art so whilst beautiful there are no words or info to go with it.

It’s great to see horizon forbidden west still selling well

@lumothesinner It's likely the vast majority of HFW sales are from the PS5 hardware bundles as sales seem to always spike whenever PS5 becomes available. In that outcome you don't have a choice to pick between PS4 version with free upgrade and PS5 version at £10 more expensive.

@Ooccoo_Jr yep, totally the case. And one I can back up with this... GAME recently had PS5 disc editions in stock, listed on their site with a price, not greyed out. They also had the bundles listed. I tried to purchase the console only, and it would not add to my basket, but the bundles would add to my basket no problem. Even though the bundles in some cases were just an added controller that they pack up before shipping, as well as the HFW edition. So they were clearly funnelling people to spend more and buy bundles, and a game with a fancy picture on the box seems to add more value than a controller slapped on the side. So even when there was definitely console only stock available, it wouldn't let you have it. So why wouldn't people who don't have a PS5 just pay the extra for a bundle if that's all they can get?

I didn't bother in the end, because I already have a PS5 and was just looking for a second so I could have the disc version. Very annoying practises from GAME

I'm sure HFW is a really good game too, one that I will buy at some point, but I hadn't finished the first one before other games took precedent, and I was a bit burned out and was just fast travelling everywhere and not enjoying it as much.

Lots of people were gonna buy Horizon FW with every iteration of ps5 stock regardless of the bundle. The bundle just means more people have it physical than digital. Most of my friends waited for a PS5 before buying the game as they are collectors like me and like having ps5 game covers on the shelf. It's also effective marketing to get new customers to immediately buy into their first party games with their console purchase.

@Ooccoo_Jr
That’s why it’s at the top then.
PS5 console selling well then.
Good to know though.
But my game of the year so far this year.

Well deserved. But as many have already pointed out it’s likely thanks to all the bundling. Every PS5 drop here is a HFW bundle. Smart move, given that PS5 console shortage is still present people will pay extra for the bundle regardless if they’re interested in HFW or not.

This is fantastic news. Horizon Forbidden West is my current game of the year.

The new PS5 bundle that includes HFW aside, isn't this bad news in a way? With the amount of PS4's out there and the major hurdle people are still going through to hopefully aquire a PS5, surely sales could be even higher.

I love HFW, as I did HZD, but I wonder how many people are just holding off on the game entirely until they can get their hands on a PS5.

I can't speak for anyone else, but my brother told me he had all kinds of issues with HFW running on his launch PS4. Such so that he just stopped playing it until he could get a PS5.

I was lucky enough to be able to get him one a week or so ago with a Best Buy restock.

Anyway, I'm glad to see HFW doing so well, and deservedly so. I really hope we get another big expansion size DLC.

Yes this is due to bundles. Only way I could get a PS5 was with a physical version of this game. Traded it in straight away and got half my money back, didn't even open the wrapper. Once they announced it was a PS4 game I lost all interest.

@Danloaded the reason it keep topping the charts is because everyone is selling the hfw ps5 bundle and that counts towards sales wether people want the game or not its not nothing to shout about ps have done this to help sales because compared to hzd this game doesnt compare poor graphics even on ps5 swimming controls are awful and just feels more clunkey to me iv tried it twice after updates and its terrible sorry

@TrickyDicky99 atlast someone with a brain 👍

They should have bundled Demons Souls. I would love Bluepoint to make a sequel to it. I know it’s FromSoft but they did such a good job, they clearly understand what makes this game tick

@TrickyDicky99 Your comment made my day, thanks for that!

@Grumblevolcano ah yes, great point. That would tip the scales towards ps5 version

@somnambulance That's not a bad showing for live a live considering the genre I think.
it didn't have a collector's edition, if it had then it would likely have been a lot higher as they add a massive boost to week 1 sales.

The Wii Sports of PS5.

Good to see PS5s are around in the wild.

Not surprised since its the best game released this year and my game of the year, unless God of war Ragnarok can change my mind

96% of sales on PS5. Confirms that 96% of the population is unable to calculate simple maths.

@Kyevo8814 The amount of different people saying it's currently the best looking game on console would suggest your not looking at it right 🙈

I still need to do a second playthrough. The wack baddies and disappointing story put me off doing so.

@KayOL77 hahahaha whos saying its the best looking game out on console at the minute???? I always play in performance i want 60fps no matter what and it was like 900p not even 1080p and i no that 100%

I despise that the PS4 has stuck around for so long. I believe in generations.

Ohh, you can’t get a PS5 yet, we’ll, you have something to look forward too. You’ll feel like a kid again.

@TrickyDicky99 You skipping GoW2 as well?

@TrickyDicky99 "Traded it in straight away and got half my money back, didn't even open the wrapper. Once they announced it was a PS4 game I lost all interest."

Yeah because so far Returnal looks better than HFW. Skip GoWR while you're at it too. I know a guy who's lost interest in every game because he has a £10,000 PC and all games are available on PS5/XSX.

@lumothesinner I bought the PS4 version and regret it. Yeah you get the free upgrade to PS5 and save a tenner but it takes absolutely ages to download the PS5 version compared to if you installed it off a disc. I'd gladly have paid a tenner more and not have to wait hours to play it whenever I reinstall it.

I mean, a tenner is 2 pints of beer, or not even a medium pizza. It's not worth it when from now on, if I reinstall HFW several times in the future to replay it, it'll take a total of dozens of hours of waiting to play it.

@Kyevo8814 you're talking out of your backside saying HFW is 900p and a poor looking game. For a while it's AA in the 60fps mode was pretty terrible but after the latest update it looks fantastic and is significantly higher than 1080p. I'm not a big fan of the game for other reasons but without a shadow of a doubt its one of the very best looking games I've played on console

@Kyevo8814 GamingTech and Digital foundry to name a couple...although df did after saying it corrected it to best looking ps5 game. Probably to avoid a furore.

physical only sales chart yet again pointless

Why is the Political Correctness game so popular? lol
Give me the PC version and I'll mod it back to beautiful women.

@Kang81 I've clocked in almost 200 hours on my dusty base PS4 & most of the bugs I've encountered at launch were minor with the most distracting one being texture pop-ins but they were mostly minimal.

I'm currently seeing even fewer bugs after tons of patches.

Are there numbers to go with that list? "HFW at the top!" sounds cheery, but "HFW 5 ranks above a rebuilt niche SNES game" sounds less cheery.

From where I've seen numbers the whole industry in terms of sales has been sagging pretty terribly of late, and it's not a knock on HFW, Horizon's one of my favorites from the new Sony stuff, but, let's not forget Knack sold pretty well in Japan when it was bundled with hardware....

I really think the industry should be focusing on accumulated 6-12-18 month sales instead of these highly volatile weekly/monthly sales.

@carlos82 yeah exactly u said i was talking ***** then said it looked terrible urself haha 👍 it my opinion mate everyone has there choice but hfw is not the best console game available by far even in 4k sorry

@KayOL77 good on df thats there opinion ac oddysey looks better than hfw theres loads of games eldin ring being another

So that's why Horizon sales spike when loads of PS5s come in. The bundles are literally being counted as physical sales for the game.

@Kyevo8814 I said the AA was terrible

@Kyevo8814

Dude in performance mode it typically outputs at 1800P.

Where are you getting sub 1080 from?

@F2P-F2P It sells well because there is no politically correctness to be found. What on earth are you talking about?

@Kyevo8814

Dude. You’re insane.

Elden Ring is a great game, but visually speaking it’s the great art style that carries the weight.

It’s actual visual settings, quality of materials, environmental detail, and characters models are significantly below Horizon FW. Hell, Demon’s Souls Remake has better material quality. Even Returnal, which doesn’t have the highest visual detail in the world, has better visuals than Elden Ring.

What makes Elden Ring great is it’s gameplay, open world design that goes against the established norm, and it’s very strong art style. Visually speaking it’s alright, but not fantastic.

@F2P-F2P

Aloy is gorgeous but realistic. It’s her small imperfections that put her above and beyond most female characters for me. Because she looks realistic.

Actually all of the women in the game are very pretty. They’re just more realistic than what is seen in Japanese games, which are unobtainable by actual human beings.

@Matroska Same for me too. You're lucky it took you hours. It took me days! At first I liked the idea of having the game for both consoles so I'd always have access to it one way or the other but now that I think about it I don't see myself playing it on PS4 once I get the platinum for that version. Going forward I would prefer to just stick with the PS5 version. The PS5 box also doesn't come with that ugly "PS5 upgrade available" stamp on the box art too if that matters. Would have been nice to get a digital PS4 version from the PS5 if they could have it tied to the account that installed and booted the game up for the first time, but I'd favour the PS5 disc for now on.

If you see yourself playing the game again and want to have it removed from the SSD, I would recommend moving it over onto an external HDD. It's a lot faster to copy that than going through the hassle of re-downloading all over again.

@OrtadragoonX "Actually all of the women in the game are very pretty. They’re just more realistic than what is seen in Japanese games, which are unobtainable by actual human beings"

Hahaa yeah right on point. I hate it when Japanese games just wanna make everybody extra pretty and handsome, it's unrealistic. I like how Rockstar makes faces that fits, no prettiness. And yeah I agree with your take on FromSoft, by now everyone should know their games are about style - art style and gameplay, not pretty looking graphics.

@carlos82 The AA was apparently completely overhauled on patch 1.17 I believe.

I thoroughly enjoyed the campaign in this game but my main gripe was that I found the upgrade paths for weapons and armour too difficult, did anyone else find this?

Great game though, still a 9/10 from me.

@OrtadragoonX Your right. Elden ring does look gorgeous but not any technical level. From even said after demon souls was remade they were worried they couldn't keep that level of graphical prowess. If Elden ring allowed 1800p target the frame rate wouldnt also be jumping around I think.

@Kyevo8814 The hatred is deep with this one.

@Kyevo8814 You know it's 900p 100%? That's what's called a bad-faith argument bud. You've exposed yourself as a liar or deluded.

@KayOL77 it was and now it looks fantastic

@Danloaded You realise it's because it's bundled with the PS5 right?

I traded my copy in for Sackboy as soon as I opened it lol

@OrtadragoonX I thought she looked like a cabbage patch doll lol

@Fishnpeas If everybody is saying it's a digital download can you explain please how you traded it?

@carlos82 Getting the patch just now to sample the delights 🙈

You wonder why Sony was going for cross platform releases when most of them are sold on PS5.

@lumothesinner Quality comes at a cost. Games have been $60 or more for more than 30 years and some even being over 100. It comes down to individual worth but also these high quality games can't continue without support. So honestly just compare them to other publishers and platforms and ask yourself are these worth that extra little bit? For me it's a easy yes when I've never been let down by PS 1st party studios. $70 isn't much when the experience or memories may last a lifetime.

i'm predicting it will sell 20 million in a 1 year and half easily

@lumothesinner I knew it was a free upgrade and still paid for the ps5 version. i'm sure i'm not the only one

@BartoxTharglod there's plenty of bundles that have other accessories. they didn't have to get the one with horizon.

Damn I'll bet Square is happy and probably a little surprised about Live a Live hitting #6

Well deserved, this is an awesome game. The trait that I feel was must improved as compared with Zero Dawn is one that is often overlooked: the soundtrack. The music in this game is really great, from beautifull and calm tunes in cities and safe places, dark and creepy tracks in rebel camps to dramatic battle themes in some bosses. The game is really a fantastic and captivating adventure.

@SaulGoodman couldn't agree more. The complaints are silly. Everything keeps getting more expensive. Why videos games would be the exception (especially when, for example, God of War costs much more to make than Super Mario bros 3 did) is beyond me. Plus, unlike cinema tickets, video games have sales and one can wait till they hit the price one can afford.

Horizon was bundled with every PS5 that was sold the past couple weeks, so people were forced to buy it.

@TheArt I am skipping Ragnarock, if a game is cross-gen it's an automatic no buy. Well saying that I might pick up a used copy when it hits around £10 or play it if it comes to Plus.

@OmegaStriver Yep, cross-gen games are automatic no buy, well maybe when I can buy a used copy for around £10, but knowing that the gamp has been purposely held back I probably won't.

I have decided not to buy ps5 because of ugly Aloy lol
I will buy it as soon as the PC version is released and the mod is close to the model.

@F2P-F2P she doesn't look like that in the game 😂. Don't believe everything you see posted on twitter.

@Danloaded Was so ridiculous to see people writing this game off, HFW oozes quality and will sell for years.

@shamirqushairi

That's good to hear. My brother's PS4 may just be in bad shape. He said it's loud as he plays any demanding games.

I'm not sure if he's changed, but he used to not dust off his consoles often.