When Horizon Zero Dawn originally launched on the PS4, it stunned players with its incredible visuals and immersive open world, pushing the boundaries of what the console could handle. Guerrilla Games delivered an ambitious post-apocalyptic world teeming with robotic creatures and breathtaking landscapes. Now, Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered brings this world back to life on the PS5 and PC, with every technical improvement from Horizon Forbidden West included, making a strong case as one of the best-looking games of 2024. Here is our Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered review.
In Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, the improvements are immediately apparent. The game now supports 3D audio and full DualSense functionality. Foliage looks more realistic and alive, skin tones and armor details are rich with texture, and lighting feels vibrant and dynamic, especially in the sunlight as it filters through some of the best forests seen in a game. Particle effects, hair physics, and clothing were already impressive with the original version. And somehow, Nixxes Software pushed the boundaries even further. The game was already “next-gen” back then. It’s even more so now.
To be fair, to the normal eye, the visual upgrades might not seem much. This is mostly because we all remember the original version as one of the most graphically impressive games of that generation. Once you place it side-by-side with the Remastered version, you’ll start to see just how much attention to detail the developers had with this. It’s not just a lazy touch-up port. They took what was already a fantastic base and said, “Why don’t we make it rival games that are released in 2024?”
The remaster has also reworked conversations with new motion capture and facial animations, moving beyond the limited camera angles of the original. While the new scene direction is a welcome change, making the story more digestible (especially with the countless and lengthy expositional conversations), character animations sometimes still appear stiff, a minor limitation in an otherwise exceptional visual update.
Beyond the graphical upgrades, Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered includes the Frozen Wilds expansion, a sizable addition that further expands Aloy’s story. The main game and expansion together offer a dense open-world experience with light RPG mechanics. The narrative explores humanity’s hubris in trying to “save” itself, often creating greater problems, and its chunky codex entries, audio logs, and lore add layers to the story. Considering this was Guerilla Games’ first go at it, it’s impressive how interesting they made the world to be.
The story also delves into political and racial themes among various tribes, presenting clashing ideologies and complex worldviews. Aloy is someone who, rather than simply accepting the current state, questions the unknown and challenges conventions, providing the player with new perspectives. Her curiosity makes her easy to root for, and her portrayal here feels more down-to-earth than in Forbidden West, where her character occasionally leaned toward arrogance.
For those who prefer gameplay to story, the game’s world is packed with exploration opportunities and incredible battles with mechanized creatures. Climbing towering Tallnecks to scan the environment or taking on a massive Thunderjaw still delivers an exhilarating sense of scale and spectacle, even years after the original game’s debut.
Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered Review Final Verdict – 9/10
Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered is the definitive way to experience Guerrilla Games’ groundbreaking first entry into the open-world genre. It’s an action-adventure gem made even better with the countless technical and visual improvements brought by the sequel.
If you already own the original game, you only need to pay $10 to receive the Remastered version. You can also easily port your PS4 saves into this one. Whether you are just experiencing it for the first time or looking to continue your old playthrough, Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered is the way to go.
This review was made using a game code for the PS5 provided by the publisher.