Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition has been revealed by Singapore's rating board

10.09.2023 - 11:05 / eurogamer.net

Singapore's rating board, the IMDA, has rated an unannounced version of Horizon Forbidden West.

«Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition» popped up on the IMDA's website, having been approved for a «M18» – that's a mature 18 – given its «sexual references». The bundle includes both the base game and its expansion, Burning Shores.

«Set on post-apocalyptic Earth, the protagonist, Aloy, travels to the west to discover the source of a mysterious signal and to find a way to restore Earth,» the extended classification information explains (thanks, TryHard).

«The compilation is classified M18 for sexual references. Played from a third person perspective, the player controls Aloy to explore new lands. Along the way, she fights humans from enemy tribes, machines and alien monsters. Defeating these enemies drop items or crafting materials which she can use to upgrade or craft her own weapons.»

It goes on to confirm that while Aloy starts with a basic bow and javelin, she later acquires more powerful bows, slingshots and launchers which can shoot various ammunition such as ropes, canisters and tripwires, with combat described as «frequent with a frenetic pace».

Whilst the blood of Aloy's enemies does not «stain» the environment, «blood puffs are seen» when she damages them.

HORIZON FORBIDDEN WEST COMPLETE EDITION for PS5 has been rated by Asian INFOCOMM MEDIA DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY in Singapore

> https://t.co/xsNnjyQlW7

The game includes main title and Burning Shores expansion for <a href=«https://twitter.com/PlayStation?ref_src=» https:>@PlayStation

5<a href=«https://twitter.com/hashtag/HorizonForbbidenWest?src=hash&ref_src=» https:>#HorizonForbbidenWest <a href=«https://twitter.com/hashtag/BurningShores?src=hash&ref_src=» https:>#BurningShores <a href=«https://twitter.com/hashtag/PS5?src=hash&ref_src=» https:>#PS5 pic.twitter.com/rd0bg28fqk

It's the sexual references that gives the adventure its mature rating, though. For those yet to play you may want to look away now as the next bit contains story spoilers...

As the storyline «contains references to same sex relationships, where various characters mention their partners during conversations with the protagonist» and a scene where «two women affirm their romantic feelings for each other before embracing and kissing», this automatically gets a M18 rating as the board gives an 18 to any media with «depictions of same-sex kissing and hugging».

Did you know that The Horizon Forbidden West team considered cutting flying from the game, because it wasn't sure the PlayStation 4 hardware could support it?

Studio director Jan-Bart van Beek said Guerrilla faced technical challenges when developing the Zero Dawn sequel, as it was releasing across two generations