Guerrilla pushed out Update 1.0.43 for Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition. This patch fixes the HDR Max Luminance slider, allows DLSS 3 FG in cutscenes and fixes a few key bugs for PC users.
It’s been a week since the release of Horizon Forbidden West’s Complete Edition on PC (Steam and Epic). Not counting the small hotfix from March 22nd, today’s patch is the first real one containing important changes and improvements for PC players.
On my Steam client, the update finished before I realized it even exists. It’s only 61.1 MB in size, compared to the gigantic ~122 GB folder size of the entire game.
Changes Overview
Horizon Forbidden West is a masterclass in visual fidelity and Nixxes’s PC port was near- excellent in both performance and functionality. This doesn’t mean we can’t find a few things to complain about.
HDR Max Luminance Fix
The most important fix from today’s update, in my eyes at least, is the HDR fix. Granted, not every player has an HDR capable monitor or TV screen, but those who do, can now properly enjoy the full gorgeousness of the game’s world.
Before today’s update the setting was limited to max 300 nits, which was resulting in not exactly bad, but still improper HDR image.
After 1.0.43 you will be able to properly use the HDR Max Luminance slider to tweak the image on your screen based on your monitor’s HDR capabilities and your personal taste.
The Max Luminance slider is available in the “Dynamic Range” sub-tab located in the middle of the General settings in the game’s main menu.
DLSS 3 Frame Generation in Cutscenes
If you own an RTX 40 gen video card, and play the game on a high-resolution monitor or 4K TV, you probably have tried Frame Generation.
Some players noticed that some of the cinematics, especially the ones in the intro and opening mission, do not look and feel fluid for some reason. I personally did not notice this.
Thanks to today’s update, Frame Generation is now available for cutscenes and while you are using the Weapon Wheel UI. Time is slowed while using the wheel, so you may not have even noticed the missing FG there, unless you have been specifically paying attention to the FPS counter perhaps.
The Frame Generation feature is only officially available on RTX 40 GPUs. If you have one, you can find this setting in at the bottom of the General tab.
I would advise you to try the game without Frame Generation active. While it features fast-paced combat, you will not really require high frame rates to enjoy the game. I personally am enjoying on everything maxed at 3440x`1440 with ~100-150 FPS, supported by 7950X3D and a 4090. Frame Generation introduces annoying ghosting effect and smudginess often and it may be distracting. For me it certainly is.
While this tech is still relatively new and never perfect in any game, it works far better here in Horizon Forbidden West, compared to other popular games we at VULKK play and enjoy, such as The Witcher Next-Gen and Star Wars Jedi Survivor.
Mouse Cursor Bug on the Map
An annoying, though not game-breaking, bug has been fixed today causing a mouse cursor offset on the map on a non Full HD resolutions. Have you had this happen to you? I had it and I was wondering if I was doing something to cause it. Guess not, it was a bug.
Patch Notes for 1.0.43
Below you can read the list of patch notes officially published by Guerrilla.
- Various crash fixes and stability improvements.
- Resolved an issue that prevented players from claiming rewards at the Hunting Grounds when using the mouse.
- The HDR Max Luminance slider is now functioning correctly.
- The game is now able to save when the Documents folder is rerouted to the root of a drive instead of a folder.
- DLSS 3 Frame Generation is now active in cutscenes and while UI screens such as the weapon wheel are displayed.
- Photo Mode now shows the correct ‘Hide UI’ button prompt when using a controller.
- Fixed a bug that could result in multiple Quest categories being highlighted at the same time.
- Resolved a bug that caused a mouse cursor offset on the map on resolutions other than 1920×1080 pixels.
If you have not yet picked up the game and are wondering if it’s worth playing or replaying on PC, we have a detailed overview of the Complete Edition with recommendations why you should or shouldn’t get it.
And for those who want to give the game a try with the Mouse and Keyboard controls, our in-depth guide to Horizon Forbidden West’s PC controls will help you learn the differences. If you manage to get used to KMB, you may even find it more flexible and powerful compared to a standard controller. Nixxes really did a good job with the PC port.
