Horizon Zero Dawn’s premiere in 2017 was a watershed moment in gaming. Guerilla Games made a dramatic departure from its Killzone roots, creating a gorgeous open environment, a gripping story, and a unique protagonist Aloy. Fast forward to 2024, when Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered for PlayStation 5 brings this masterpiece back to life, leveraging the PS5’s raw power to create a redefined experience for a new generation of players.
However, does this remaster warrant revisiting a game that many people have already played, especially in light of its equally acclaimed sequel, Horizon Forbidden West? Let’s find out.
Visualization: A Scientific Step Forward
The first thing you note about the restored game is the visual upgrade. Horizon Zero Dawn had already proven a visual marvel in 2017, but on the PlayStation 5, it is nothing short of spectacular.
The game now runs in native 4K with ray tracing, making the interaction between shadow and light feel almost theatrical. From the glittering reflections in rivers to the exquisite shadowwork in luxuriant vegetation, the environment seems more alive and immersive than ever.
Character models have been significantly improved, bringing you closer to Forbidden West’s degree of detail. Aloy’s hair reacts more naturally to movement, her reactions are richer, and NPC feels less like screen filler and more like real things.