Horizon Zero Dawn, originally launched on PS4, has received a unique remaster for PS5. Despite being technically proficient and too recent to appeal to new generations, its value is debated. The remaster boasts upgraded graphics and refined animations, yet retains the original game’s content and gameplay mechanics. While visually stunning, it may not justify the full price for previous players. A €10 upgrade option is recommended for those with the PS4 version.
Originally released on PS4, Horizon Zero Dawn has undergone a rather unique remastering. In the realm of gaming, few titles this recent have received such treatment: too new to resonate with the new generations, technically still impressive… At first glance, it’s hard to see the value in this updated version. Let’s delve into the reality of this remaster with our review based on the PS5 edition.
- Note: This review complements our comprehensive analysis of the PS4 version. While Nixxes has made significant improvements in the remaster, the content of the game and its expansion remains unchanged.
- Genre: Action-adventure
- Release Date: 31/10/2024
- Platforms: PS5, PC
- Price: €49.99
- Tested on: PS5
The Strongest Horizon
For those who haven’t yet experienced the first Horizon, here’s a brief overview: Aloy, ostracized from a young age, must leave her comfort zone to join a neighboring tribe. There, she uncovers a destiny that leads her to explore a world filled with post-apocalyptic landscapes dominated by strange dinosaur-like machines, putting her hunter instincts to the test. Aside from its enchanting universe, Horizon Zero Dawn distinguished itself with engaging combat against some of the largest machinery on the map.
More technical than the average game, it required players to aim precisely to detach useful parts from enemies, offering refreshing gameplay until the enemy types became repetitive. Ultimately, one of its biggest drawbacks was its release alongside the acclaimed indie title, Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Since then, Zero Dawn has seen an expansion and an initial remaster upon its PC launch four years ago. Now, we have a lavish remaster developed by Nixxes that encompasses both the base game and its DLC, boasting graphics on par with the best PS5 titles.
Aloy in Focus
This remaster integrates all the lessons learned from the development of Forbidden West into the original game. Beyond meticulously redone environments and high-resolution textures that dazzle the eyes, it is the revamped animations of NPCs and the improved staging that truly impressed us. It is indeed a rejuvenating transformation Nixxes has implemented, even if the original didn’t necessarily require it. It may feel too soon for this remaster, as once you look past the technical enhancements, it doesn’t significantly add to the original experience. Only the unique features of the DualSense controller provide a minor benefit, which is not enough to warrant full-price entry for those who played it on PS4.
For those wanting to relive the experience and who still own their physical copy, a €10 upgrade could be tempting, reminiscent of the offer seen with Ghost of Tsushima. While the existence of this remaster may be up for debate, there’s no denying that the developers’ work is of high quality. For tech enthusiasts, the game offers three modes: a quality mode at 4K/30 fps, a performance mode at 60 fps that sacrifices some details, and a balanced mode, which we believe is the best way to enjoy this version, running around 50 frames per second. Considering that the increased detail in the environments—lush vegetation and enhanced lighting—constitutes the main draw of this remaster, it would be unfortunate not to experience the extra visual fidelity it offers. In three words: beautiful, but optional.
Our Opinion on Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered
It’s challenging to identify the target audience for this remaster of Horizon, aside from die-hard fans of Aloy’s adventures, who now have access to the definitive version of Guerilla’s title. The €10 update might be a great deal: the game shines brightly on PS5, showcasing production values that rival the console’s finest titles, including Forbidden West, and it makes good use of the DualSense. However, it’s hard to justify a full-price purchase at €50