Horizon Hunters Gathering: PS5 and PC beta starts February 27
Horizon Hunters Gathering brings tactical 3-player co-op and a bold “Spider-Verse” art style, and with the first beta dates now announced, it’s time to see if this stylized machine hunt holds its own against the franchise’s single-player, narrative-driven roots.
Guerrilla Games and Sony are taking a leap of faith with Horizon Hunters Gathering, departing from the sprawling, photorealistic vistas of the mainline series for a session-based rogue-lite that feels more Monster Hunter than Zero Dawn.
Starting February 27, 2026, players will finally get their hands on this co-op experiment via a closed beta on PS5 and PC. You’ll step into the shoes of specialized Hunters, like the agile archer Sun or the heavy-hitting Axle, to defend the Gathering hub from machine incursions.
While some fans are skeptical of the cartoonish graphics, the upcoming playtest is an early opportunity for Sony to show its new live-service direction.
👉 READ ALSO: Horizon Hunters Gathering – Everything We Know
The Hunt Begins: What to Expect from the Beta?
The core of the experience revolves around the Hunters Gathering hub. This isn’t the sprawling, lonely trek across the Forbidden West we are used to, but a focused, session-based rogue-lite.
During the test window from February 27 to March 1, selected players will have access to two distinct game modes that highlight this shift:
- Machine Incursion: A high-intensity wave-defense mode where players must hold a position against escalating swarms of machines pouring out of underground gateways, culminating in a formidable boss encounter.
- Cauldron Descent: A longer, multi-stage tactical dungeon crawl. This mode features “ever-changing rooms” that shift with each run, forcing teams to adapt to randomized layouts and hidden doors that reward those who explore the depths.
To tackle these challenges, you’ll choose from three playable characters: Sun, Rem, and Axle. Each comes with a unique weapon archetype, ranging from precision bows to heavy to rocket-powered warhammers.
Whether you’re playing on PS5 or PC, the beta supports full cross-play, meaning you can squad up with friends regardless of their hardware.
Accessing the Wilds: How to Join the Beta
If you want a chance to hunt machines this weekend, you must register via the official PlayStation Beta Program page. You will need to sign in with your PlayStation Network (PSN) account.
A PSN account is also required to register for PC players, even if you’re going to be playing on Steam. This ensures that cross-play and cross-progression work seamlessly across both platforms.
Invitations are being rolled out starting today, February 24. If selected, you will receive an email containing a voucher code for the PS5 store or a unique key to redeem on Steam.
A Worthy Spin-off or a Machine Miss?
The shift to a stylized art direction might be jarring for those who live for the photorealism of the main games. However, if the combat maintains that signature surgical feel, tearing components off a Thunderjaw piece by piece, this could be a massive hit for the co-op crowd.
Is the Hunters Gathering concept enough to sustain a long-term community? That depends on how satisfying the progression feels once the initial novelty of the art style wears off.
Fueled by a passion for gaming and the ever-evolving world of gaming news, Daniel loves connecting with seasoned and new players to bring games to life on the page, exploring their narratives and gaming trends. A self-published fiction and fantasy author, Daniel has nearly 20 years of experience writing gaming news and a love for storytelling that drives his enthusiasm to deliver breaking news, in-depth analysis, and industry innovations. You will find him in-game as "Windfell."
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