Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered reintroduces Aloy’s epic journey for those who missed out on the first run or for veterans wanting to return to the beautiful world of the orginal. Guerrilla Games has taken an already stunning world, filled with robotic beasts and tribal warfare, and enhanced it for modern standards. Not only does it shine on a technical level, but this remaster breathes new life into a post-apocalyptic landscape that blurs the lines between past and future. In this review, we’ll dig deep into how the remaster elevates an already beloved title while examining if this visual upgrade truly warrants a return trip to Aloy’s world.
A ‘classic’ enhanced
The remaster of Horizon Zero Dawn doesn’t just slap on some higher-resolution textures and call it a day. Instead, it aims to reframe the entire experience, bringing the game to a level of fidelity that rivals more recent titles. Aloy’s journey, originally released in 2017, had already set a high standard for open-world games. But with this new version, the game feels like it was always meant to be seen in 4K. From a distance, sprawling landscapes are richer and more immersive, drawing players back into the wonder and chaos of a world reclaimed by nature.
The upgrades don’t stop at textures alone. Shadows are sharper, lighting effects are more pronounced, and colors are richer, giving each environment, from snowy mountains to sunlit deserts, way more depth. The leap to 60 frames per second makes combat feel smoother, with dodges, rolls, and aiming all benefiting from the increased responsiveness. Fans of Aloy will find this remaster a worthy tribute, yet newcomers will experience the adventure in its most refined form. The only weird thing about the remaster is perhaps its timing. Horizon quickly became an important franchise for PlayStation but remaking a game that’s still pretty young is still a bit odd to me. That being said, if you own the original, you can upgrade for a small price which makes things fair again. Now, back to the review!
The visual upgrades in this remaster are immediately noticeable when you first start playing. The original Horizon Zero Dawn was already celebrated for its unique post-post-apocalyptic art style, with towering robots roaming wild landscapes reclaimed by forests and rivers. This time around, the developers have upped their game, literally. In the remaster, foliage responds with realistic sway to Aloy’s presence, sunlight filters more naturally through tree canopies, and distant landscapes appear in crystal-clear detail. The added resolution truly highlights Guerrilla Games’s work in this world, making the technology’s decay amidst natural beauty feel more alive than ever before.
Character models have also received a face-lift. Aloy’s model, now with improved textures and more realistic skin shading, feels more lifelike than ever and resembles the Aloy of the sequel more. The nuanced facial expressions and improved lip-syncing create a deeper connection to the story. Minor NPCs have also been given a pass, with more attention to detail in clothing textures and facial animations. These tweaks may seem small but they subtly elevate the world’s believability, lending depth even to its sideline characters.
Slashing in 60fps
Arguably, one of the most significant improvements in this remaster is the move to 60 frames per second. Anyone who has experienced Horizon Zero Dawn in its original form knows that combat is both strategic and intense. The game’s mechanics rely heavily on precision and timing, aiming your bow at weak points on metal beasts, timing rolls to avoid devastating attacks, and managing Aloy’s arsenal to adapt to different types of enemies. All of this becomes far more satisfying with the frame rate boost.
The fluidity provided by 60 FPS doesn’t just enhance the aesthetic quality of combat, it changes how the combat feels. Firing an arrow from Aloy’s bow has a smoother, almost tactile quality now. Whether sneaking up for a critical strike or launching a spear at a foe, each move feels incredibly responsive. The frenetic battles against Thunderjaws and Stormbirds feel more realistic than ever, with every dodge, parry, and strike registering with an immediacy that elevates the overall experience.
Rediscover the story
At its core, Horizon Zero Dawn tells an intriguing story about the cyclical nature of humanity’s rise and fall. Playing as Aloy, a skilled hunter in a world where ancient technology and natural landscapes merge, players uncover secrets about what led to the collapse of human civilization and the rise of the machines. For those who have yet to explore Aloy’s journey, this remaster offers an incredible introduction to her world. For returning players, it’s a chance to dive deeper into the lore with even more immersive visuals and sound.
What truly stands out is how well the story and worldbuilding hold up even years after the original release. Aloy’s growth from a determined outsider to a savior figure feels authentic, with the game’s pacing allowing players to discover her history gradually. The new version doesn’t change anything in terms of the main narrative or side quests, but the additional detail in the environments makes exploration feel even more rewarding. Discovering an ancient ruin or scanning for clues about past events has extra weight when the visuals are this polished. It’s a testament to the writing and design that, even after all these years, the story of the Old Ones and the secrets of Project Zero Dawn still captivate. That being said, dialogues can certainly overstay their welcome and the story can feel filled with needless information at times, something I noticed in the original and something that didn’t change replaying this version.
Is it worth it?
For those who have already sunk dozens of hours into Horizon Zero Dawn, the question is whether the remaster’s visual and technical upgrades warrant a return. In many ways, the answer depends on how much the world of Horizon still resonates with you. The 60 FPS upgrade, visual improvements, and enhanced atmosphere bring a fresh level of immersion to the game. It’s not a wholly new experience, but it’s undeniably a better one.
Newcomers, however, are the true winners here. This remaster offers them the opportunity to dive into the series with a version that brings the game closer to nowadas standards. The magic of exploring a post-apocalyptic landscape filled with mechanical creatures is still intact, only now it’s accompanied by visuals that make the world feel even more alive. The enhanced graphics and fluid performance make this version the definitive way to experience Horizon Zero Dawn.
While this remaster does a lot right, some of the original game’s minor issues remain. Aloy’s climbing mechanics, for instance, can still feel a bit clunky, especially when compared to more recent open-world games with freer movement systems. While it’s a small complaint, there are moments when Aloy’s lack of mobility or slightly stiff animations during traversal might feel frustrating.
Another sticking point is the game’s side quests. While main story missions are gripping, some side quests still follow familiar fetch-or-kill patterns. While the remaster has polished everything visually, it hasn’t changed much in terms of quest variety or the repetitive nature of certain tasks. The addition of more dynamic or multi-layered side activities would have been a nice touch, though these are minor complaints in the grand scheme.
Conclusion
Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered is a visually stunning reintroduction to one of gaming’s most unique worlds. By enhancing every element, from 4K graphics to smoother frame rates, the remaster does more than just make an old game prettier; it redefines what we expect from a remaster. Guerrilla Games has polished an already remarkable experience, ensuring Aloy’s journey feels as fresh and immersive as it did when she first graced our screens.
9/10
Tested on PlayStation 5
