Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered Review

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As a long-time fan of the Horizon series and someone who has spent countless hours exploring the post-apocalyptic world of Aloy, I can confidently say that Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered is a worthwhile upgrade, especially for newcomers to the franchise. The game looks stunning on PS5 with improved graphics and the DualSense’s haptic feedback adds an extra layer of immersion.

Back in 2017, Guerrilla Games and PlayStation introduced us to the world of Horizon Zero Dawn, an action-adventure game set in a post-apocalyptic Earth filled with dangerous machine creatures resembling dinosaurs. This game was a massive hit commercially and gave birth to a new franchise for PlayStation. Since then, fans have enjoyed Horizon Forbidden West and Horizon Call of the Mountain, with protagonist Aloy making appearances in other games as well. Now, Horizon Zero Dawn fans get another chance to revisit where it all began with Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered. Releasing seven years after its initial release, Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered boasts several significant upgrades.

Originally, “Horizon Zero Dawn” was exclusive to the PS4, but now, “Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered” will be available on both PC and PS5 platforms. Unlike its predecessor, this new version for the PS5 offers enhanced graphics that are similar to the PS5 version of “Forbidden West.” Although the original “Horizon Zero Dawn” was already visually stunning, some fans who have already experienced it might find the improved visuals less enticing since they have already played a significant amount of the original game.

Essentially, Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered isn’t primarily intended to convince previous fans to buy again. Instead, it enhances the original game and offers an excellent starting point for those yet to experience the Horizon series. Newcomers can now enjoy a more enhanced version of Horizon Zero Dawn, benefiting from graphics that maximize the capabilities of the PS5 hardware. The remastered version makes the game’s visuals even more stunning, with upgraded textures and lighting throughout. By taking advantage of the PS5’s power, the game showcases a world that feels more vibrant and alive than ever before.

Occasionally, it can be challenging to spot significant differences between the graphics of the original Horizon Zero Dawn and its remastered version in still images. However, in motion, the remastered game consistently outshines the original. This game is visually stunning and holds its ground against many other PlayStation 5 games. I did encounter some occasional clipping issues and a few odd animations, such as Aloy’s hair moving unnaturally when she aims with the bow. But overall, Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered looks nothing short of spectacular.

In the revamped version of “Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered”, you’ll notice enhancements in character conversations as well. Throughout her journey, Aloy engages with numerous characters, but some felt the original release lacked in facial animations during these interactions. The motion capture updates have significantly improved these conversations, making them appear less mechanical. While I personally didn’t mind the initial wooden animation, I often felt that the dialogue between characters could have been more engaging and interesting, a concern that hasn’t been addressed in this upgrade. The secondary dialogues within the “Horizon” series still seem sparse to me.

Is Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered Worth Paying $10 to Upgrade?

Horizon Zero Dawn: Remastered effectively enhances the visual appeal of the 2017 original, yet it doesn’t fundamentally alter the gameplay or respond to the criticisms that have surfaced since its debut. This is a remaster, not a remake, so this isn’t entirely surprising, but the question then arises as to whether the asking price justifies the experience.

If you’ve fully experienced Horizon Zero Dawn, there might not be a pressing need for you to purchase the remastered version as it mainly offers improved graphics and enhanced features like DualSense haptic feedback. However, if you’re still working your way through the original game or haven’t played it yet, the remastered edition could be worth investing in, especially since players can transfer their save data and continue their journey in a more visually appealing world that was originally only available on PS4.

Playing Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered is not just a superior way to enjoy Horizon Zero Dawn, but it gives players the complete experience, including the acclaimed DLC expansion, The Frozen Wilds. This expansion enhances the game’s storyline and gameplay elements, offering an additional 10-15 hours of immersive content. For those who wish to explore every corner of this expansive open world, The Frozen Wilds provides a substantial extension. Furthermore, these new features are optimized with the enhancements made to the original game.

An Unfortunate Price Increase

The primary letdown regarding Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered is that it’s led to a considerable price hike for the PS4 edition of the initial game. Now, individuals seeking Horizon Zero Dawn on PS4 will have to pay $39.99, an increase from its previous price of $19.99. Additionally, Horizon Zero Dawn was taken off PlayStation Plus Extra this year. This move might deter some enthusiasts, and the fact that no one seemed to be requesting a remaster of Horizon Zero Dawn in the first place could also be a concern for potential buyers.

Horizon Zero Dawn was previously playable on PS5 due to backward compatibility, and many found it visually impressive. However, some PlayStation fans might feel disappointed by the decision to remaster the game rather than focusing on other community-demanded titles. Nevertheless, this doesn’t make Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered a poor product. On the contrary, when evaluated independently, it significantly outshines the original with improved graphics and makes excellent use of PS5’s unique capabilities. For those who have not played Horizon Zero Dawn before, this remaster provides an excellent starting point, and it is a valuable upgrade for those who are yet to complete their initial playthroughs.

On October 31, the remastered version of Horizon Zero Dawn will debut on both PCs and PS5 consoles. For this review, we were given a PS5 code by Game Rant.

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2024-10-30 19:44