Horizon Forbidden West is the long-awaited follow-up to 2017's Horizon Zero Dawn, which saw Aloy exploring a post-apocalyptic world populated by small tribes and overrun with gigantic mechanical creatures. Forbidden West is a direct sequel to the original, but this time Aloy heads west to unravel a new mystery and battle fearsome new foes.

Instead of reinventing the wheel, Forbidden West keeps much of Zero Dawn's gameplay intact. You'll still be facing off against towering enemies, there are dozens of abilities to upgrade, and its story continues to push the action forward and keep things interesting. Several mechanics have been reworked to offer a better experience (including new climbing mechanics and animations), and folks on PlayStation 5 will be treated to dazzling visuals — thanks to its enhanced processing power.

As impressive as Horizon Forbidden West is (and it's mighty impressive, earning an 88 Metascore), there are plenty of similar games on the market to fill your time once its credits roll. Or, if you don't own a PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5, numerous titles can scratch the same itch across Xbox, Switch, and PC.

Breath of the Wild, for example, offers a striking world to explore, an engaging story to unravel, and gigantic beasts to battle. And if you found Forbidden West's lumbering beasts to be the main draw, you can check out Monster Hunter Rise or Shadow of the Colossus. No matter what interests you about Sony's highly reviewed game, there's guaranteed to be another title that will provide a similar experience.

Here are 10 games like Horizon Forbidden West to play next, listed by Metascore.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Switch)

Metascore: 97
Best for: Fans of the Zelda franchise
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The Zelda franchise had grown a bit stagnant, launching highly reviewed but formulaic games over the past decade. Breath of the Wild changed that, bringing the series' iconic sense of adventure, and transplanting it into an open-world version of Hyrule. A few quest markers are thrown your way, but its largely up to you to determine where to go, what quests to tackle, and which order to slay the game's many bosses. A mysterious story slowly unfolds as you explore Hyrule, and it continues to be one of the best games on Nintendo Switch.

"A new direction for the franchise that is as brilliantly successful as it is bold, Breath of the Wild raises the bar for a series that has already set a phenomenally high standard." — RPG Fan

God of War (PS4)

Metascore: 94
Best for: Fans of intense combat (and shouting "Boy!")
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God of War first launched on PlayStation 2 in 2005, before a reimagining arrived on PlayStation 4 in 2018. The game is effectively a sequel to God of War III, following Kratos as he grieves the death of his wife and tries to raise is son, Atreus. Its narrative is much more compelling that anything we'd previously see in the franchise, and the tense, methodical action leads to dozens of memorable battles. Kratos is just as brutal and morose as fans have come to expect, although bits of humanity shine through in his interactions with Atreus. A sequel, God of War: Ragnarok, is expected to arrive later this year.

"God of War is a new beginning for Kratos, a different game, but still one of the best entries in the series and one of the best games of this generation." — IGN Italia

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (PS4)

Metascore: 92
Best for: Fans of mature narratives
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Taking place in a sprawling open world known as The Continent, The Witcher 3 follows Geralt —one of the last of his kind and an expert at slaying any number of monsters. Its narrative is one of the most complex in the genre, with political intrigue, demonic spirits, and dozens of characters weaving their way in and out of Geralt's path. Along the way players are treated to nuanced combat system that rewards patience, variety, and preparation. Its world is a bit darker than that of Horizon Forbidden West, but it's no less intoxicating.

"Its shockingly cohesive world is as beautiful as it is demanding, and it's packed full of mature content that throws you from one emotional response to the next." — Push Square

Shadow of the Colossus (PS4)

Metascore: 91
Best for: Fans of towering enemies
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Shadow of the Colossus is all about the boss fights. It sees you stepping into the shoes of a mysterious character known only as the Wanderer, before setting out to defeat 16 Colossi. If successful, he's hoping to bring a young girl, Mono, back to life. Its world is desolate and filled with despair, but its combat and moment-to-moment gameplay is both satisfying and challenging. The original PS2 game was remade for PS4, bringing stunning new visuals to the timeless gameplay. Although its several years old, Shadow of the Colossus is an easy recommendation for anyone who loved taking down Forbidden West's skyscraper-sized enemies.

"A fresh coat of paint spruces up an already timeless classic that still feels like a breath of fresh air today." — Games Master UK 

Monster Hunter Rise (Switch)

Metascore: 88
Best for: Fans of gigantic monsters
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As the latest entry in the storied franchise, Monster Hunter Rise makes a few big changes. For one, you're given the Wirebug — a gadget that lets you quickly traverse the environment and gain a new sense of verticality. It's also the first original Monster Hunter game on Nintendo Switch, although a PC version recently launched, too. The familiar gameplay loop is largely unchanged, with you setting out on a quest, tracking down deadly beasts, harvesting materials, and upgrading your gear. Rampage quests break up the action (offering tower-defense-like gameplay), but most of your time will be spent out in the wild slaying monsters with a few friends by your side.

"When you consider all of these new additions on top of the solid foundation of Monster Hunter World, what you're left with is the best Monster Hunter game around." — Gfinity

NieR: Automata (PS4)

Metascore: 88
Best for: Fans of fast-paced combat
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NieR: Automata is an action RPG from PlatinumGames, described as both a spin-off and sequel to Drakengard. Directed by Yoko Taro, NieR: Automata is just as complex, absurd, and time-consuming as the beloved creator's previous games. To unravel the entire story, you'll need to play through the game multiple times, learning more about the world, its people, and the war that's ravaging its landscape. Gameplay is varied, with players swinging between on-foot combat and piloting a mech throughout the long-winded adventure. It's all a bit wild, but take enough time to overcome its learning curve and you'll find an impressive game hiding underneath.

"NieR: Automata is one of the most original, surprising and brilliant games of this generation. Not perfect, but unmissable." — IGN Italia

Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration (PS4)

Metascore: 88
Best for: Fans of dangerous adventures
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Rise of the Tomb Raider pulled in an impressive 86 Metascore when it first launched, but the 20 Year Celebration edition is without a doubt the best way to experience Lara Croft's harrowing journey (and is even more beloved by critics). Offering the base game, all available DLC, and numerous other enhancements (including in-game cosmetics and co-op support for Endurance Mode), there's a treasure trove of content packed into this version of the game. Its world isn't quite as open as that of Horizon Forbidden West, but tense combat and an ever-present sense of exploration makes this a journey worth taking.

"Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration is a joyous occasion that properly commemorates the evolution of Lara Croft and her franchise." — Hardcore Gamer

Genshin Impact (PS4)

Metascore: 81
Best for: Fans of sprawling open worlds
Where to buy: MiHoYo Store
Also available on: iOS, PC, PS5

The world of Teyvat might be the largest on this list. Multiple post-launch patches have only expanded Genshin Impact's world and, considering it's a free-to-play title, there's a wealth of content to explore. Genshin Impact tasks you with the simple objective of finding your lost sibling, although you quickly get caught up in a bigger story filled with dragons, royalty, and a host of anime-inspired characters. The world and characters alone are worth the low price of entry, but its fast-paced combat and cooperative play make Genshin Impact stand out in a marketplace filled with open-world adventures.

"Genshin Impact is an amazing open-world adventure that draws heavily on both its Breath of the Wild and anime inspirations to create something truly special." — IGN

Immortals Fenyx Rising (XBX)

Metascore: 81
Best for: Mythology buffs
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Ubisoft is known for crafting game worlds filled to the brim with places to explore and items to collect, and that holds true for Immortals Fenyx Rising. And while the formula feels familiar, everything about Immortals is new and exciting — largely due to its mythological setting. You're tasked with saving the Greek gods, a task that sends you on a globe-trotting quest across its colorful (and diverse) universe. Combat is engaging, there are plenty of upgrades and unlockables to collect, and its story is exciting enough to keep you playing into the early hours of the morning.

"Immortals Fenyx Rising is an enjoyable and fun adventure, with a classic open-world gameplay structure in a fascinating and humorous setting." — MondoXbox

Biomutant (PC)

Metascore: 66
Best for: Fans of quirky, apocalyptic adventures
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Biomutant didn't set the world on fire when it launched, largely due to a litany of bugs and underdeveloped systems. Post-launch patches have fixed many of the bugs, and while some of its systems still feel like they need more attention, there's no denying the appeal of Biomutant's apocalyptic world. Your goal is to save the Tree of Life by defeating five massive creatures, which are slowly destroying its life-giving roots. Biomutant gives you the freedom to play however you like, with melee weapons, long-ranged weapons, and a variety of magical powers all part of your arsenal. If you don't mind a few rough edges, Biomutant's quirky world will keep you busy for weeks on end.

"Biomutant is a superb open-world, action-focused RPG. You can fight to your heart's content, meander through gorgeous…environments, and enjoy a story that takes you to far corners of a wonderful in-game map." — GAMINGbible