Horizon Zero Dawnwas already, in my opinion, a masterpiece - and yet,Horizon Zero Dawn Remasteredis a stellar improvement that firmly cements this modern classic as an all-time great. While many called into question the need for such a remaster, playing through this latest iteration of the game will swiftly put any such debate to rest. Nixxes has worked in partnership with Guerrilla Games with a deft sensitivity to bringHorizon Zero Dawnup to par with its brilliant successorHorizon Forbidden West- and it’s a treat to experience.
You shouldn’t go intoHorizon Zero DawnRemasteredexpecting to find additional content. That’s not what this project is about, but I should hope that goes without saying. This particular remaster is far more concerned with enhancing the immersion, fidelity, and quality of the world in which Aloy inhabits. I’m firmly of the belief thatHorizon Forbidden Westboasts one of the most breathtaking open worlds of all-time - and nowGuerrilla’s original game features many of the qualities of its successor.
You see, inForbidden West, every minute detail was so wonderfully considered. The idea of having a weather cycle isn’t new, but Guerrilla took that idea a step further, asking the question of how varying weather systems might affect plant life or characters. You may not be yearning to see Aloy, or Varl and Erend, dripping with sweat, per se, or suffering from frostbite, but I’ve always appreciated Guerrilla for going the extra mile. A subtlety like this alone is, well, subtle but when this level of detail is implemented across a game, you end up with something truly special, andHorizon Zero Dawn Remasteredis easily now a game that fits into that category.
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Take a look atHorizon Zero Dawn Remasteredin action below.
While the world that you’ll venture through here feels wholly familiar, it’s had a total overhaul. Textures have been replaced, the density of the foliage has been improved, and lighting has been reworked. It’s odd because in my mind, the game has always looked this way but after jumping betweenHorizon Zero Dawn Remasteredand the original release, it’s clear to see the immense breadth of Nixxes’ ambition. Despite the size ofHorizon Zero Dawn’s world, no stone has been left unturned in this remaster. You could stop in any given location, pull up the original iteration for comparison and I think you’d be hard pressed not to come away from the experiment feeling impressed, and I’m only really scraping the surface of the improvements myself.
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That lifeloss look is long gone, with Nixxes having reworked over 10 hours of motion capture footage and dialogue recording to breathe new life into these old characters. There’s also a noticeably much greater density of NPCs, something which is clear to see in areas like Meridian. It was always one of the game’s most bustling locations but you’ll find that’s even moreso the case now. Areas that previously felt a tad empty or as if developers had run out of time or resources now feel infused with new life, with plenty of new NPCs going about their day.
Sony Interactive Entertainment
If there’s just one thing I was hoping to find which I didn’t, it was the implementation ofHorizon Forbidden West’s inventory system. In Guerrilla’s 2022 sequel, if Aloy exceeds her carry allowance, excess items you scavenge are sent to inventory chests across the map - typically located at both major settlements and smaller encampments, allowing you to easily stock up. It was a small quality-of-life improvement that had a much-welcomed impact, and I did wonder whether perhaps we might see it surface in this remaster. Sadly, that’s not the case so players will have to, as with the original release, stay organised.
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Sony Interactive Entertainment
Horizon Zero Dawn Remasteredoffers a reminder of why this franchise is here to stay, as if we needed one. Guerrilla Games’ storytelling and world building is industry leading, and with the help of Nixxes,Horizon Zero Dawn Remasteredimbues itself with the lessons learnt from the development of the original game’s successor,Forbidden West. You may not have thought it possible, but this version of Aloy’s world is even more beautiful, with Nixxes’ subtle attention to detail resulting in a space that feels even more immersive and brimming with life. When you can upgrade for just £10, there’s really no reason why you shouldn’t.
Pros:Improved NPC animations, enhanced textures, added haptic feedback, affordable price
Cons:No changes to inventory management
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For fans of:Horizon Forbidden West, Assassin’s Creed, God of War
9/10: Exceptional
Topics:Horizon Forbidden West,Horizon Zero Dawn,Guerrilla Games,PlayStation,PlayStation 5,Reviews
