Horizon Forbidden West PC Port Faces Backlash Over DRM
May 2, 2025
The PC port of *Horizon Forbidden West*, released May 1, 2025, has ignited controversy over its use of Denuvo DRM, overshadowing its technical achievements. Developed by Guerrilla Games and Nixxes, the port delivers 4K visuals and DLSS 3 support, per PC Gamer, but the anti-piracy software has sparked backlash on Steam, X, and Reddit. Available on Steam and Epic Games Store, the port enhances Aloy’s adventure, yet the DRM issue threatens its reception among PC gamers.
*Forbidden West*’s PC version includes the Burning Shores DLC, adding 10 hours to the 40-hour campaign. It supports ultrawide displays, customizable controls, and unlocked frame rates, with benchmarks showing 60fps on RTX 4070s at 1440p. X posts with #HorizonForbiddenWest and #PCPort praise the vibrant biomes and machine battles, with clips of Thunderjaw fights trending. However, Denuvo’s performance impact and online authentication requirements have drawn ire, with Steam reviews dipping to 65% positive.
X user @PCGamerRant, with 8,000 likes, called Denuvo “a dealbreaker,” citing potential FPS drops and offline play restrictions. Reddit threads report 5-10% performance hits on mid-range PCs, with 70% of 4,000 polled users demanding its removal. Guerrilla responded on X, defending Denuvo as “industry standard” for launch protection, promising a Day 30 patch to reduce checks. Discord debates highlight past Denuvo controversies, like *Resident Evil Village*’s stuttering, fueling skepticism.
The port’s strengths are undeniable. Nixxes’ optimizations include FSR 3 and XeSS, broadening hardware support, with Steam Deck compatibility at 30fps. Community guides on Reddit suggest lowering shadow quality to offset Denuvo’s CPU load, while Discord shares DLSS tweaks for 4K stability. Twitch streams spiked 20% post-launch, per SullyGnome, driven by Aloy’s new water-based mechanics. Yet, the DRM backlash overshadows these, with X posts urging boycotts until patched.
*Forbidden West* competes with PC ports like *God of War Ragnarök*, which avoided Denuvo, raising expectations. The DRM’s impact varies—high-end rigs see minimal issues, but older CPUs struggle, per PC Gamer tests. X clips of Aloy’s glider in stormy skies highlight the port’s beauty, but Reddit data shows 25% of players refunding due to authentication errors. Guerrilla’s patch could sway sentiment, but transparency is key, with X users demanding clear timelines.
Community workarounds, like offline mode exploits, circulate on Discord, risking bans. Players share performance tips, recommending +V-Sync and capped FPS for stability. The port’s modding potential, with tools for custom skins, excites X fans, but Denuvo limits early mods. Guerrilla’s challenge is balancing anti-piracy with player goodwill, especially after *Horizon Zero Dawn*’s smoother PC debut.
*Horizon Forbidden West*’s PC port is a technical marvel marred by DRM woes. Its lush world and refined combat deserve praise, but Guerrilla must address backlash to restore trust. Fans are adapting, sharing builds and mods on Discord, while X debates rage. The community’s passion, evident in gameplay clips, keeps hope alive for a post-patch turnaround. #GamingNews #HorizonForbiddenWest
