Original Horizon Zero Dawn is Outdoing the Remaster on PC

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Key Takeaways

  • Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered has fewer players on Steam than the original version of the game.
  • PC fans have reported issues with the remastered version, leading to lukewarm reviews.
  • The third and presumably final main Horizon game has not yet been formally announced.

As a die-hard fan who has been following the Horizon series since its inception, I must say I’m a bit taken aback by the lukewarm reception to the remastered version of Horizon Zero Dawn on Steam. Having spent countless hours exploring the post-post-apocalyptic world of Aloy, I was eagerly anticipating the upgraded graphics and new features promised with the remaster.

In simpler terms, it appears that the original Horizon Zero Dawn game on Steam has a higher number of simultaneous players compared to its recently-launched remastered version. While their player numbers are fairly close, the remaster seems to be less favored by PC gamers compared to the original release.

As a gaming enthusiast, I was thrilled to jump into the world of Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered on October 31, available now on both PC and PS5. This updated edition elevated the 2017 RPG’s graphics to match that of Horizon Forbidden West, complete with fresh animations and enhanced quality-of-life and accessibility options. However, it seems this remastered version hasn’t been met with universal acclaim, particularly on PC, where Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered currently holds Mixed reviews on Steam.

The current player count for Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered on PC indicates a lukewarm response to the remaster. Since its release, Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered has peaked at approximately 2,548 players, with around 1,741 players currently. On the other hand, the original Horizon Zero Dawn Complete Edition had nearly 2,000 concurrent players at launch time, with a recent peak of 2,872. This suggests that an average of 200-300 more players are choosing to play the original game instead of upgrading to Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered for $10.

Horizon Zero Dawn Steam Performance – Remastered Vs. Original

  • Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered
    • 1,741 players at press time
    • 2,538 player peak since October 31
  • Horizon Zero Dawn Complete Edition (Original)
    • 1,938 players at press time
    • 2,872 player peak since October 31

Indeed, the figures provided pertain exclusively to the PC version of Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered. Although it’s plausible that the number of players on PS5 could be comparable, fans have pointed out various problems with the PC port, such as audio and graphic glitches, occasional crashes, and other technical issues. Despite the successful PC port of Horizon Forbidden West, the initial version of the first game on Steam encountered similar problems before Guerrilla Games managed to solidify the release. Consequently, some PC gamers might be hesitant to upgrade until they see a few more updates addressing the stability concerns in Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered.

It wasn’t beneficial for Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered that Dragon Age: The Veilguard was released on the same day. Originally, Horizon Zero Dawn had been launched a week prior to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and Horizon Forbidden West followed closely behind Elden Ring. This means that Dragon Age: The Veilguard is the most recent high-selling game to negatively impact the release timing for the Horizon series.

The anticipated third installment of the main “Horizon” series hasn’t been officially unveiled yet, but given that thousands of gamers continue to enjoy the initial release in various forms, fans eagerly await the conclusion of Aloy’s journey through her trilogy. Here’s hoping that the “Horizon” sequel doesn’t come out too soon after another potential Game of the Year candidate, and any future PC version of the game will be free from the issues that have affected both “Horizon Zero Dawn” and its remaster.

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2024-11-04 23:54