Tom Uren Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered Review

Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered - A 2026 perspective Nine years late, I finally played Horizon Zero Dawn - and boy am I glad I did. The idea of Horizon always intrigued me, being a fan of open world games of all kinds. After finishing the main story and The Frozen Wilds expansion, I was pleasantly surprised at this take on a Sci-fi apocalyptic setting. Out of the gate, the visuals stood out as absolutely stunning. From dense vegetation to breathtaking vistas and the haunting sound design of the Old Ones’ ruins, the world constantly rewards exploration. It's worth keeping in mind that this is the remastered version, which has uplifted the visuals to a far greater level than I originally assumed. The variety of environments across the Sacred Lands and The Sundom is also great. A Compelling Mystery The story follows Aloy as she uncovers the mystery of her heritage while confronting a cult obsessed with resurrecting ancient robotic beasts. The narrative remains strong throughout. Playing in 2026, the narrative feels like a path the real world could go on if not careful - which grounded me as I played. The increasing use of AI is apparent, and this narrative constantly reminds the player of the consequences of technological reliance. Horizon's gameplay has its improvements over the safe yet reliable structure of action RPGs from the 2010s - but I find that in 2026, the number of map icons and markers to lead you where to go can age some parts of the game. The exploration mode does its best to mitigate some of the markers whilst in the world, but due to the dialogue and structure of the game, it only makes a slight improvement. On the other side, the combat in this game is extremely flexible and satisfying. Every kill with a bow feels well deserved, and tackling some of the huge mechanical beasts can be fought head on, but end up more rewarding from strategising methods of attacking. The machines have their own strengths, weaknesses and weak points creating opportunities for well placed shots and carefully set traps. Shooting the Ice sack off a Glinthawk to freeze it in mid-air was especially satisfying. However, the melee combat is lacking in complexity - with only a light and heavy attack to use. The frozen Wilds expansion begins to expand this area but there is definitely a room for improvement. A Masterpiece of a Score The score is one of the best in gaming. It interweaves the mystery of the unknown with the looming threat of a world ending event that could happen at any moment. The soundtrack blends tribal beats with a techno flourish which gives Horizon a distinction among other Sci-fi games I've played. It's the kind of music that inspired exploration rather than overpowering it. 'Years of training' summarises what I mean if you want a taste. Verdict Overall, I am super glad I gave this world the time it needed. Although it shows some of the outdated design of its era, the narrative, visuals and music keep this game relevant and make me excited to delve into its sequel. Despite some outdated open-world pitfalls, Horizon Zero Dawn remains a beautiful and compelling game. ‍ ‍ This is worth your time - 8.4/10