I still remember how shocked I was when I played Aloy’s adventure for the first time in 2017. It was the most beautiful and visually stunning game I had experienced up to that point. I also fell in love with its protagonist and it went on to become one of my favorite games of all time. But even with all my love towards Horizon Zero Dawn I was confused when PlayStation announced this version of the remastered game for PS5 and PC. The original game still looks spectacular, especially with the update that allows you to play at 60 frames per second. How much can it improve in this new edition?
Let’s find out in this review.
Before continuing we have to clarify that this It is NOT a ‘remake’. In terms of gameplay and story, it is exactly the same game that came out for PS4 seven years ago and although it has some new features, none of them radically change the experience. It is an improved version of the original title but only on a technical level. In fact, if we have played the original title on PS5 or moved it from our previous generation console, we can migrate our game to this edition and continue it as we left it.
It should also be clarified that it is the full version of the game and includes the excellent DLC The Frozen Wilds.
The best way to play Horizon Zero Dawn
Needless to say, if you haven’t played this game yet—and you should, since it’s excellent—this is the best way to do it. Looks and sounds better than previous versions. It will dazzle them with the beauty of its settings and the incredible details of the robotic creatures with every step they take.
More than you think.
On the surface, the game looks brighter and more colorful than the original version, with new textures that bring out much more the beauty of the natural settings, the ruins of the old world and the creations of new civilizations. We have new and notable effects in water, snow and sand that make playing with photo mode even more enjoyable and all while keeping intact the original intention of the developers at Guerrilla Games. The sounds, especially the effects of wind and the noises made by machines, are clearer and are a delight to listen to with headphones.
I have to insist that all this was already excellent in the Horizon Zero Dawn original, so experiencing it in an improved form was a real surprise. If you want more precise details about the improvements it has and how they compare to previous editions of the game, I highly recommend Digital Foundry’s video about it.
But the most notable improvement is not in the increase in graphic quality or in the new sound mix, but in the “performances.” The voices and dialogues are the same—at least in the Latin American Spanish dubbing— but Characters’ facial and physical expressions during conversations are completely new
One of the best stories in video games
I’m not exaggerating when I say that. I consider that Horizon Zero Dawn It has an excellent plot, one of the best protagonists in video games and revealing the secrets of its mysterious ‘lore’ is really exciting, so you have to take advantage of this remastered version to experience it if you haven’t done so yet.
If you’re a regular PS5 reader you probably already know how much I love this game and may have read my essay ‘Healed the world’ about everything Aloy’s story means to me.
I had wanted to re-experience this story for a long time and hadn’t found the space to do so, so the remastering served as a perfect excuse. Listening to the tunes of its main theme song gave me chills and I fell in love with Aloy again very quickly. It didn’t matter that I already knew in advance all the plot twists and surprises that awaited me, I was excited again by all the events.
Better than its sequel
Although I consider that Forbidden West it’s a great game (especially thanks to its excellent DLC), I always found it to be inferior to its predecessor and play Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered It made it much clearer to me why.
The second adventure of the red-haired Seeker has too many things: too big a map, too many weapons, too many combat mechanics, too many optional missions, too much everything. It has so many things that although it does not get tiring, it can overwhelm. Also, the story is not as good as the first game, it has many wasted elements and Aloy becomes somewhat annoying. It is one of those cases that shows that “more is not necessarily better.” There are only two elements of the sequel that I truly missed and they are the glider and being able to ride flying machines.
Visually, I think Forbidden West still looks slightly better, but Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered gets very close to him.
Anything bad to say?
Very little, to tell the truth. Performance is perfect and the main flaw that the original version had – the animations during conversations – have been corrected. If I have to complain about something, it is that there are some problems with collisions between elements of the settings and the characters’ clothing. This is mainly noticeable in Aloy’s hair, which tends to “go through” some elements of some of her outfits.
Another notable “bug” is that some supporting characters’ hair looks too static, especially when compared to Aloy’s vibrant hair, which tends to dance at the slightest movement or breath of air.
Is it worth buying the remaster of a game that is not that old?
Despite my feelings towards the world of Horizon, I approached this edition quite cynically because, even with all of its improvements, I felt—still feel—that this game didn’t need a remastered version.
I have no doubt that The main reason why PlayStation commissioned Nixxes to make this version was to fill a gap in the launch schedule of exclusive titles for PS5. Whether the studio has done an admirable job is a different matter. Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered It exists for reasons of business and not art.
And yet, I want to say that this version is worth it. If you haven’t played it yet, I highly recommend it and especially because it’s not too expensive. It costs 184,000 pesos on PC—both in Steam as in Epic Games Store— and 217,000 on PS5. If you already have the original version and plan to play it again, you will decide if it is worth paying the extra $10 for the upgrade to better enjoy this version. Of course, please keep in mind that the improvements are only visual and many of them you will not notice unless you have the other version running right next to it.
This review is made with a digital copy of Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered for PlayStation 5 provided by PlayStation Latin America. This game will also be available for PC through Steam and Epic Games Store starting October 31, 2024.
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