Horizon: Forbidden West won't offer a free upgrade from PS4 to PS5 on its standard or special editions, and you can't pay to upgrade a standard edition to one that does include the PS5 version.
As previously announced, Forbidden West will be receiving distinct PS4 and PS5 versions of the same game – you can play the PS4 version on PS5, but it won't receive the same visual and performance upgrades. Revealed on the game's FAQ page under the headline "Can I upgrade my PS4 version to the PS5 version?", it's revealed that Standard and Special editions of the game will come with no dual entitlement (i.e. include PS4 and PS5 versions).
Dual Entitlement is included in the (naturally more expensive) Digital Deluxe, Collector’s, or Regalla Editions, but they are entirely separate, full-game purchases. Unlike other PS5 games like Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut, there won't be a less expensive paid upgrade, either: "There are no plans for an update offer from standard to digital deluxe edition at this time," reads the FAQ.
Amid the already confusing landscape of upgrades on PS5, it's perhaps the least appealing. Sony hasn't formally explained its decisions in Horizon: Forbidden West's case but, aside from the fact that it will make it more money per game, it may stem from the fact that the company wants to use one of its biggest releases as a means of getting loyal fans to switch console now, rather than further down the line.
With the game delayed to February 2022, it seems likely we'll be seeing more of Aloy's next adventure during the PlayStation Showcase 2021, which will arrive next week.
Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.