Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered – Review

Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered offers a visually stunning way to revisit Aloy’s captivating journey or experience it for the first time on the PlayStation 5. The game’s breathtaking landscapes, intricate machine designs, and detailed character models have been significantly enhanced, taking advantage of the PS5’s powerful hardware.

Visual Fidelity:

  • Ray Tracing: The implementation of ray tracing adds a new level of realism to the game’s lighting and reflections, making the world feel more immersive and dynamic.
  • Enhanced Textures: The game’s textures have been upgraded, resulting in sharper details and more vibrant colors.
  • Improved Draw Distance: The increased draw distance allows players to admire the vast open world in greater detail.
  • Faster Load Times: The PS5’s SSD significantly reduces load times, making the experience smoother and more seamless.

Gameplay and Performance:

While the visual enhancements are impressive, the core gameplay remains largely unchanged from the original. The game’s combat system, exploration mechanics, and story remain as engaging as ever. However, some players may find that the game’s pacing and open-world design feel slightly dated compared to more recent titles.

The Verdict:

Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered is a fantastic way to experience this critically acclaimed game on the PS5. The visual upgrades are truly breathtaking and elevate the game to new heights. However, if you’ve already played the original game on a high-end PC or PS4 Pro, the improvements may not justify a full purchase.

Who Should Buy It:

  • New Players: If you’ve never played Horizon Zero Dawn, this is the definitive way to experience it.
  • PS5 Owners: If you’re a PS5 owner and enjoyed the original game, the visual upgrades are worth considering.
  • Fans of the Series: If you’re a fan of the Horizon series, this remaster offers a chance to relive Aloy’s journey with improved visuals and performance.

Overall Rating:

  • Visuals: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Gameplay: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Performance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Depends on previous ownership)

Final Thoughts:

Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered is a beautiful and technically impressive remaster that offers a great way to experience this beloved game on the PS5. While the core gameplay remains largely unchanged, the visual upgrades are significant enough to justify a purchase for new players or those who want to revisit Aloy’s world with enhanced fidelity.