This guide helps you learn the controls in Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition on PC, how they differ from the Consoles’ Controllers and how they work and which ones you should change!
Horizon Forbidden West is the sequel to the critically acclaimed Horizon Zero Dawn. This guide focuses on the Complete Edition‘s PC Controls but has all the information you need in case you want to play with an Xbox or PlayStation controller!
Table of contents
- In-Menu Controls
- In-Game Controller Buttons
- In-Game PC Keyboard and Mouse Controls
- Controller Presets
- How to Customize your Controller’s preset
- How to Customize your Keyboard and Mouse Controls
- Hidden PC Controls and Special Tips
In this guide and all the tables below I am using letters and symbols, to make everything easier to understand. Some of you may want to first learn what some of them mean, so here’s a quick summary, especially if you are a PC player, trying to match controller binds to keyboard and mouse:
- RS – Move Right Stick
- LS – Move Left Stick
- RS↓ – Press Right Stick
- LS↓ – Press Left Stick
- ↑↓→← – Arrows on the plus-shaped pad (D-pad) of the consoles controllers
In-Menu Controls
The first thing that you’ll see in the game is the menu. Before playing as Aloy you must navigate through the game’s menus and do some tweaks if/when necessary. Buttons have different functions depending on the situation.
| Action | PC | Xbox Controller | PlayStation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forward | E | RB | R1 |
| Back | Q | LB | L1 |
| Ok | Enter | A | X |
| Reset | F | Y | Triangle |
| Reset Action | R | X | Square |
| Up | ↑ | LS↑ | LS↑ |
| Down | ↓ | LS↓ | LS↓ |
| Close | Esc | B | O |
In-Game Controller Buttons
Here are the default controls for Sony PlayStation and Microsoft Xbox controllers. You can remap most of them if you wish to and I explain how to do it later in the guide.
| Action | Xbox | PlayStation |
|---|---|---|
| Aim | LT | L2 |
| Weapon Wheel | LB | L1 |
| Sprint Toggle | Press LS | L3 |
| Heal/Refill Pouch | D-Pad Up | D-Pad Up |
| Tool/Weapon Technique/Override Mode Shift Left | D-Pad Left | D-Pad- Left |
| Tool/Weapon Technique/Override Mode Shift Right | D-Pad Right | D-Pad Right |
| Tool Use/Hold to Open Hunter’s Kit | D-Pad Down | D-Pad Down |
| Pause Game | View Button | Options Button |
| Open Menu | Menu Button | Touchpad |
| Focus Tag/Pry/Melee Heavy Attack | RT | R2 |
| Valor Surge (while using Weapon Wheel)/Melee Quick Attack | RB | R1 |
| Repair/Focus Tag Part/Use (Prompt) | Y | Triangle |
| Shieldwing Activation/Toggle Quick Swap Target | X | Square |
| Dodge/Shieldwing Deactivation/Swan Dive | B | O |
| Jump/Grapple | A | X |
| Focus Activate | Press RS | R3 |
In-Game PC Keyboard and Mouse Controls
This is the list of PC controls. If you’re used to playing with a controller you’ll find that the mouse and keyboard have a higher learning curve and playing Forbidden West might not feel as intuitive during the first hours of playthrough.
However, playing with a mouse and keyboard allows you to have unmatched precision and speed when it comes to doing multiple things. The big table below shows all the default actions as well as some suggestions that we recommend.
Here is an explanation of the PC-specific terms used in the table below:
- LMB – Left Mouse Button
- RMB – Right Mouse Button
- MMB – Middle Mouse Button
- KBM – Keyboard and Mouse
The “Change to” column is a recommendation. You do not have to do it if you like the default setup.
| Action | KBM Default | Change to |
|---|---|---|
| Move forward | W | |
| Move backward | S | |
| Move Left | A | |
| Move Right | D | |
| Jump/Grapple | Spacebar | |
| Crouch/Slide | C | |
| Dodge | L Ctrl | L Alt |
| Use (Prompt) | E | |
| Sprint Toggle | L Shift | |
| Aim | RMB | |
| Weapon Wheel | F | TAB |
| Toggle Quick Swap Target in Weapon Wheel | C | |
| Heal/Refill Pouch | Q | |
| Focus Activate | V | |
| Focus Tag | LMB | |
| Melee Heavy Attack | G | MMB |
| Swan Dive | L Ctrl | L Alt |
| Wall Jump (Climbing) | L Ctrl | L Alt |
| Grapple Jump | L Ctrl | L ALT |
| Tool/Weapon Technique/Override Mode Shift Left | Z | |
| Tool/Weapon Technique/Override Mode Shift Left | X | |
| Tool Use/Hold to Open Hunter’s Kit | R | |
| Shieldwing Activation | Spacebar | |
| Shieldwing Deactivation | L Ctrl | L Alt |
| Pry | LMB | |
| Valor Surge (while using Weapon Wheel) | Spacebar | |
| Walk | L Alt | L Ctrl |
| Select previous weapon | Scroll wheel up | |
| Select next weapon | Scroll wheel down | |
| Select weapon slot 1 | 1 | |
| Select weapon slot 2 | 2 | |
| Select weapon slot 3 | 3 | |
| Select weapon slot 4 | 4 | |
| Select weapon slot 5 | 5 | |
| Select weapon slot 6 | 6 | |
| Toggle continuous running | Shift | |
| Repair | R | |
| Open Inventory | I | |
| Open Map | M | |
| Open Skills | K | |
| Open Notebook | N | |
| Primary Fire | LMB | |
| Use Weapon Technique (aiming) | MMB | |
| Concentration (aiming) | L Shift | |
| Equip Pullcaster (aiming) | E | |
| Reload (aiming) | R | |
| Swim Ascend | Spacebar | |
| Swim Descend | C | |
| Mount/Dismount | E | |
| Mount Speed Up | L Shift | |
| Mount Brake | L Ctrl | L Alt |
| Mount Light Melee Attack | LMB | |
| Mount Heavy Melee Attack | G | MMB |
| Mount Duck Rider (Race Only) | C | |
| Tool Use (Race Only) | R | |
| Aim Behind Toggle (Race Only) | Q | |
| Rider Recovery (Race Only) | LMB |
Swapping Left Ctrl for Left Alt will help you access the functionality this button offers easier with your thumb. This allows you to move your hand more naturally and quicker to reach more buttons.
The G key, used for Heavy Attacks, is a bit too far from the WASD keys and if you don’t like the Middle Mouse Button we recommend, find another key that suits you better.
Walking in this game is mostly for taking in the gorgeous vistas. And when you want to approach something slowly and more carefully, of course. Another easy to access button to map Walk onto is ~. You will not find yourself using it too often and it will never be required when in combat and things around you are hot.
As of Patch 1.1.47, you can remap the TAB button. Previously, it was always default for opening the Map in-game. Now you can use it for something else. The Weapons Wheel for example.
I am sure all Horizon Zero Dawn PC players are very used to accessing the Weapons Wheel with TAB. As of Patch 1.2.48 when you open the Weapons Wheel, the cursor will also be centered in it. As of Patch 1.4.59 the Weapons Wheel keybind also works for the Focus Highlight feature as well, which was previously hard-coded to F on the keyboard.
Controller Presets
There are four different Controller Presets: Default, Alternative 1, Left-Handed and Custom.
Default
This is how the controller is configured the first time you play the game.
Alternative 1
This preset changes all the functions of the buttons on the right side of the controller, the Right Stick and the D-Pad up button.
Left-Handed
Choosing this preset will switch the functions from RT to LB, RB to LB, LS to RS, and vice-versa.
Custom
Initially, the custom preset is the same as the default one. This preset is for those who know very clearly how they want to play the game or if you want to experiment with an uncommon setting. The next segment below includes all the information to customize your controller layout.
How to Customize your Controller’s preset
Similar to the PC controls, you can completely customize the button layout of your controller. Go to the main menu, open the “Gamepad” tab and at the very top you will see “Button Layout and Customization“.
The preset menu of the controllers will open. Make sure that you are on the “Custom” preset. This preset is the only one that gives the “Edit Preset” option that appears in the bottom right corner.
To change the assignment of a button, select what action you wish to remap. It shows the button each action is currently assigned to. Press A or X (depending on your controller) to Edit. Then press the new button that will do the respective action.
How to Customize your Keyboard and Mouse Controls
You can change any and all keybinds in the game if you wish to. In the main menu of the game, open the “Mouse and Keyboard” tab and at the very top you will see “Mouse and Keyboard Remapping“.
To change a keybind, click twice (once to select the row and a second time to enter edit mode) on the Primary or Secondary keybind in the table and choose a new keybind. If you have a multi-button mouse, you can bind those buttons as well. Having a secondary keybind for the same action may help you in certain situations.
You have to be agile and on the move constantly while playing, especially when facing tough machines in higher difficulties. Having an alternative button you can press in a specific moment when your primary finger/button is busy elsewhere, can result in you staying alive and succeeding in your hunt.
If there are any conflicts with other buttons, the game will warn you. Controllers have fewer buttons than keyboards, so you must make sure that everything is properly assigned before continuing your playthrough.
Nixxes supports the game post-release with small patches and they continue to improve and unlock customizations with nearly every weekly update. Things that were originally locked and unable to set as custom keybinds, are getting unlocked and can be customized. We saw this in a series of patches in April.
Here are some actions that you can perform that might be obvious for players that use keyboard and mouse.
Turn on Auto Pickup
Go to the main menu, and select the Auto Pickup option to save time. This will be most helpful at the beginning of the game. You can turn this option off when your stash is almost full or you’re only looking for a specific material.
This tip is borrowed from our guide on what settings to change to improve your gameplay experience in Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition on PC.
Double Tap to Roll
Double-tap any of the movement keys (WASD) to roll over in the respective direction. This saves some time when in the middle of a heated battle.
Use the Buttons on your Mouse
Having extra buttons on the mouse is something that you should use to your advantage. For example: Having two additional buttons on the left side of your mouse would allow you to change weapons in a much more comfortable way by keybinding the respective key. This could prove very useful when facing enemies that have different weaknesses.
The second extra button on your mouse could be used to keybind the Dodge function. This is to roll over even faster than using the double-tapping technique. Having the ability to swap weapons and quickly evade enemy attacks makes everything a lot easier.
Use the shortcut keybinds to quickly open specific windows
The game has a number of menus and windows you can browse through. You can always open the Inventory (by pressing I by default) and from there you can access other helpful windows like Skills, Map, Quests and Notebook.
N will open up the Notebook. There are a lot of tutorials you may miss if out on if you don’t open the Notebook early on during the intro mission of the game.
You can also use dedicated shortcut keys to directly open specific windows. For example, pressing K will immediately open the Skills window. Tab or M will bring up the map right away. And J will show you the quest log. Unless you are a Horizon Zero Dawn PC player and are used to have TAB open the Weapons Wheel for you. In this case, you will likely want to remap the default TAB function.
As you will probably notice during the tutorial, the H key will bring up all elements of the HUD up and make them visible. Having the HUD on “Auto” will increase the immersion by cleverly hiding and displaying certain elements and overlay segments when the game sees fit. If you need to check your current objective or anything else, you can press H to show the entire HUD on the screen.
Some UI elements are clickable, but you may not recognize them
There are certain elements of the UI that can be inspected, but the game doesn’t make it obvious. For example: by clicking on the Potent Medicine you can see the description of the item, how to use it, and its effects.
Don’t use Toggle for Sprint
At a first glance it may seem like a good idea to have Sprint activate on a simple tap (Toggle On function). If you want to master the slide-and-dodge mechanic, it may be a lot easier if you disable the toggle on Sprint.
Having to press Shift will make it easier in combat to make sure Aloy is sprinting. Also, when you exit the slide-and-dodge move, while pressing Sprint, Aloy will just continue to run.
It’s incredibly useful to master the slide-and-dodge mechanic. It gives you extra space to move and avoid damage, especially from the giant machines you will be facing near the end of the game.
While sliding, you can also aim much faster. This is a secret mechanic that you may easily play the entire game without learning of and noticing it even exists.
