Horizon Forbidden West – Patch 1.17 is Live, Adds VRR and “Balanced” Graphics Mode on PS5

Guerrilla Games has a new patch available for Horizon Forbidden West, adding support for Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and High Refresh Rate (HFR) on PS5. VRR offers dynamic resolution scaling at 60 Hz and along with HFR, it targets a refresh rate between 60-120 Hz. There’s also a new “Balanced” graphics mode which provides a 40 Hz refresh rate on supporting displays.

Other fixes and changes include Elemental Arrows from fully upgraded bows now properly detonating canisters instead of destroying them. Elite Precision Arrows from Iriv’s Downfall should also now deal more damage to enemies affected by Brittle. The text for Ultra Hard difficulty has also been updated, clarifying that it can’t be changed once selected. You’ve been warned for real this time.

For more details, check out the full patch notes below (spoilers follow for some quests and Machines so be warned). Horizon Forbidden West is available for PS4 and PS5. Check out our official review here.

Horizon Forbidden West – Patch 1.17

NEW FEATURES (PlayStation 5)

• Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and High Refresh Rate (HFR) support
• VRR improves dynamic resolution scaling on 60Hz
• VRR & HFR targets a refresh rate between 60Hz and 120Hz
• New “Balanced” Graphics Mode introducing 40Hz for supported displays

FIXES AND IMPROVEMENTS

Performance and Stability

• Multiple crash fixes.

Main Quests

• Fixed an issue in Main Quest “The Wings of the Ten” where the objective “Defeat Regalla” was not updating.
• Fixed an issue in Main Quest “The Wings of the Ten” where the “Sunwings” might be missing during the objective “Override a Sunwing”.
• Fixed an issue in Main Quest “All That Remains” where the cinematic with Tilda after the gallery might not start.
• Fixed an issue in Main Quest “The Broken Sky” where sometimes Dekka would be behind Hekarro’s throne during the objective “Talk to Dekka”.

Side Quests

• Fixed an issue in Side Quest “Shadow in the West” where the objective “Kill Vezreh and His Machine” was not updating.
• Fixed an issue in Side Quest “The Gate Of The Vanquished” where the objective “Defeat Yarra/Drakka” was not updating.

World Activities

• Fixed an issue in Errand “Nights of Lights” where collecting the “Gizmo” earlier would block progress.
• Fixed issues in Relic Ruin “The Stillsands” where the activity would be blocked.

Machines

• Fixed an issue where the “Dreadwing” would remain cloaked when knocked down.
• Fixed an issue where “Apex Clawstrider Hearts” would be placed in “Valuables to Sell” in the inventory

Weapons

• Fixed an issue where “Elemental Arrows” from fully upgraded bows would destroy canisters instead of detonating them.
• Fixed an issue where using “Elite Precision Arrows” with “Iriv’s Downfall” would not deal additional damage for enemies in “Brittle” state.

UI/UX

• Updated text for selecting “Ultra Hard” difficulty to clarify that the setting cannot be changed.
• Removed exclamation point icon when all skills have been unlocked and skill points are available.

Other

• Fixed an issue where “Desert Bird Wing” could not be looted from birds.
• Fixed an issue where trophy “All Machine Types Scanned” would not unlock, if scanning remaining machines on NG+
• Fixed an issue where changing the “Crouch/Slide” button to R1 would make it unusable.
• Multiple localization and subtitles fixes and improvements.