Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered Reviews
Horizon Zero Dawn has aged quite gracefully, and while the remastered release might feel unnecessary to some, thanks to the boost in visual fidelity, it's the definitive way to play the game.
Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered is a welcome tune-up of a modern classic. If you have never played Guerrilla Games' 2017 original, this is the definitive way to experience it. While many of the visual enhancements may be rather subtle, they are widespread, and do a lot to bring the game up to the standards of its sequel, Horizon Forbidden West. The new DualSense controller features and accessibility options are also excellent additions that serve to make Horizon Zero Dawn far more immersive and approachable. That said, Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered doesn't deliver much more than that, and players wanting more improvements on the gameplay side of things may be left wanting.
Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered is the best way to play one of PlayStation's defining games. It's improved visually in every way, with a great amount of love and care put into every detail and will be a joy for newcomers and fans alike.
Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered is a gorgeous update to a powerhouse title that brings it visually on par with its successor
Horizon Zero Dawn was one of my favourite games of the eighth console generation, and this new remaster only improves it further. Many of the changes present may seem subtle at first, and a lot of them are, but when compared to the original side-by-side, some of the changes are substantial, making this the definitive way to experience the game.
There is no doubt that Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered is the edition that those who are approaching the saga for the first time must aim for, to fully experience Aloy's debut journey. In the same way, this work of rejuvenation – as much as a 2017 game may really need rejuvenation – is purely technical, in line with the obsessions of today's video game industry, which puts lighting effects and photorealism even before playful depth.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Whether or not you think it needed to happen, Nixxes and Guerrilla Games' effort to refresh Horizon Zero Dawn in its sequel's image is an incredibly successful one. It makes the original version look like a first draft by comparison, and while it won't convince anyone who disliked Zero Dawn on a fundamental level, $15 for the upgrade should be an easy sell for diehards.
Nixxes' latest effort is undeniably stunning in its own right, even when it stands on the shoulders of the excellent original. A $10 upgrade cost is a fair ask from existing owners of the game, considering the breadth of improvements present in the game and the very apparent labour it must have required from the developers.
Overall, the Horizon: Zero Dawn Remaster is the kind of bonus that didn't really need to be there. Visually, the title has been brought into the present day, but not everything has been improved. It's a shame, perhaps, that gameplay elements or expanded content aren't also improved to give original players more incentive to upgrade.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
The decision to pick up Horizon: Zero Dawn Remastered is completely dependent on your status with the original PS4 title. If you've never played the first game and like open-world adventure games, then this is definitely worth getting. From the story to the action to the decidedly different postapocalyptic setting, the game delivers a good time from beginning to end, even when factoring the expansion pack into the mix. Those people can look at the score and rate it higher. If you've played and beaten the game, then things get more complicated. For $10, the upgrade gets you much richer-looking environments and some better graphics during some of the cut scenes while also introducing some minor issues. Proper DualSense support is also thrown in for good measure, and if you're big on those things, then the price for the upgrade makes it worthwhile. However, for those who aren't so big on aesthetics and were fine with the original controls, you're best waiting a bit for LEGO Horizon Adventures to drop to get a completely different experience in this world.
I was highly sceptical about this remaster. However, Nixxes did a great job and you have to give them the royal credit. If you love the Horizon series, buying the Remaster is a no brainer.
Review in Polish | Read full review
Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered features fantastic graphics, is technically flawless, and offers some quality-of-life improvements. However, the original game hasn't aged so badly to already receive a remaster and revisiting it without having certain improvements to its sequel is something strange. However, it is still a must-have title if you haven't played it yet.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered offers a fresh coat of paint to a game that was already boasting beautiful graphics, bringing it on par with its sequel. If you've never played it before, it's a great excuse to get into the series and if you have already completed it then the low cost of the upgrade is a good excuse to relearn the lore and dig into a New Game+. 🏹
Horizon Zero Dawn already was a fantastic game and this remaster proves that's still the case thanks to a suite of visual upgrades.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
If this remastered version is what it takes to get more people playing a modern classic, then so be it – Horizon Zero Dawn is a great game, and this remaster just reinforces that every step of the way.
Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered is a very successful refresh of the original. The introduced changes are not particularly groundbreaking anywhere, but they make a noticeable difference during gameplay. The game looks and sounds better, and the gameplay has greatly benefited from expanded gestures, facial expressions, and new movements of the heroine. If you didn't play it Horizon, then this remaster is an excellent choice. However, if you already know her story, then there's not enough new content here that could make you immerse yourself in this world again.
Review in Polish | Read full review
After playing Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, any qualms about this remaster can and will vanish. This is an in-depth remaster that’s just shy of being a remake. The way Nixxes Studios manages to rework countless motion capture footage to make interactions more lifelike and having the environments pop more than they did in the past is incredible.
Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered may not have been an essential release, but it successfully revitalizes one of the PlayStation 4’s standout titles, bringing it in line with modern standards and allowing it to sit comfortably alongside its sequel. The visual improvements, character model updates, refined animations, and DualSense support combine to make this an incredibly polished remaster that will delight both newcomers and returning fans.