Horizon Zero Dawn Game Cover

In Horizon Zero Dawn Complete Edition, play as Aloy, a skilled hunter in a world overrun by robotic creatures. Uncover your past, shape your destiny, and protect the future in this expansive action RPG. The Complete Edition includes the base game, the frozen wilds expansion, and additional outfits, weapons, and packs. Explore a vibrant, dangerous open world and battle unique machines with tactical attacks.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Cloud
  • Epic Games
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet

Reviews

90%
Audience ScoreBased on 48,729 reviews
story13,704 positive mentions
optimization1,302 negative mentions
  • story25,649 mentions

    The story of "Horizon Zero Dawn" is widely praised for its engaging narrative and rich world-building, drawing players into a post-apocalyptic setting filled with mystery and intrigue. Many reviewers highlight the emotional depth of the storyline, particularly the protagonist Aloy's journey of self-discovery and her interactions with various characters, which add layers to the overall experience. While some side quests are seen as repetitive or less impactful, the main story and its twists keep players invested, making it a standout title in the action RPG genre.

    • “Simply the best original story line of any action RPG game on the market.”
    • “The story is rich and overall gameplay is challenging and very satisfying.”
    • “The story is captivating and plays with emotions, providing a strong narrative that keeps players engaged.”
    • “The story is filled with suspense, emotion, and unexpected twists, keeping players engaged and eager to uncover every detail.”
    • “The story is surprisingly well written.”
    • “The story kept me at the monitor from start to finish.”
  • gameplay8,983 mentions

    The gameplay of "Horizon Zero Dawn" is widely praised for its engaging mechanics, combining stealth, archery, and strategic combat against a variety of robotic enemies. Players appreciate the depth of the combat system, which encourages experimentation with different weapons and tactics, although some find the climbing mechanics and certain gameplay elements to be clunky or repetitive. Overall, the game offers a visually stunning open world and a compelling narrative that enhances the gameplay experience, making it a standout title in the action RPG genre.

    • “Horizon Zero Dawn stands as a groundbreaking achievement in the realm of gaming, seamlessly blending a captivating narrative with breathtaking visuals, innovative gameplay mechanics, and a meticulously crafted open world.”
    • “The combat mechanics are a true highlight, offering a satisfying blend of ranged and melee attacks, with a strategic component of identifying weak points on robotic foes that adds an extra layer of depth to the gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is a beautiful balance between stealth and pseudo boss fight mechanics for each of the creatures, enabling both the 'low level boss monster becomes a regular enemy at higher levels' and 'shoot here to disable ability x' type gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is repetitive and always feels a bit janky.”
    • “The gameplay loop becomes as repetitive as your alarm clock every morning.”
    • “The gameplay is painfully mediocre in absolutely every aspect.”
  • graphics8,869 mentions

    The graphics of "Horizon Zero Dawn" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and intricate detail, often described as breathtaking and among the best in gaming. Players appreciate the vibrant environments, character designs, and the overall aesthetic that combines a post-apocalyptic setting with tribal elements. While some users noted minor graphical glitches and performance issues, the majority found the graphics to be a significant highlight, enhancing the immersive experience of the game.

    • “The game has stunning graphics, beautiful landscapes, and intricate details that make every area feel alive.”
    • “The graphics are absolutely gorgeous, showcasing detailed character models and breathtaking environments.”
    • “Horizon Zero Dawn is a technical marvel, with top-notch graphics and flawless performance that truly enhance the gameplay experience.”
    • “Googling reveals that there have been a lot of graphic issues with the PC version.”
    • “It feels like a glorified tech demo because the only thing it has going for it are its graphics.”
    • “The graphics are a little dated, and talking NPCs definitely feel their age in graphical detail, but it's serviceable.”
  • optimization4,648 mentions

    The optimization of Horizon Zero Dawn has received mixed feedback from players. While some report smooth performance and minimal issues on high-end systems, many others experience significant stuttering, crashes, and poor frame rates, particularly in crowded areas or during cutscenes. Despite improvements from patches, the game is still considered poorly optimized for PC, with long initial optimization processes and inconsistent performance across different hardware configurations. Overall, players recommend waiting for further updates to address these issues before purchasing.

    • “The game is beautifully optimized for both NVIDIA and AMD systems.”
    • “The game is very well optimized and runs great on a vast majority of different graphics cards.”
    • “The optimization of this PC port is fantastic, offering a wide range of graphical settings to suit various hardware specifications.”
    • “I am having some issues with performance, and I am concerned that my machine could be worse than a PS4, but the most likely thing is that this version is less optimized than the one on the PS4, or there is some other issue that I am not sure of.”
    • “The game isn't optimized to run higher than 30 fps, which causes issues with some physics and lip sync.”
    • “This game is so poorly optimized that I got cancer from the install.”
  • music1,366 mentions

    The music in "Horizon Zero Dawn" has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the game's atmosphere and emotional depth, with many reviewers praising the hauntingly beautiful soundtrack composed by Joris de Man. While some players found the music to be immersive and fitting for both exploration and combat, others noted that certain tracks could be forgettable or repetitive. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant aspect of the game's experience, contributing to its emotional resonance and immersive world-building.

    • “The music and atmosphere of the game is extremely immersive; hours flew by just totally lost in this world.”
    • “Horizon Zero Dawn's soundtrack, composed by Joris de Man, contributes significantly to the game's emotional resonance.”
    • “The soundtrack becomes a character in itself, shaping the tone and ambiance of the game, enriching the storytelling experience.”
    • “The soundtrack was completely forgettable, though not bad at least.”
    • “The only thing I didn't like was the music soundtracks; they are good but repetitive, this is just a small flaw compared to this piece of art!”
    • “Music is okay but nothing noteworthy in my opinion, especially compared to games with amazing OSTs like Mass Effect or Subnautica.”
  • stability1,168 mentions

    The stability of Horizon Zero Dawn on PC has received mixed feedback from users. While many players report a smooth experience with minimal crashes and glitches after recent patches, others continue to encounter significant issues, including frequent crashes, graphical glitches, and performance drops. Overall, the game appears to have improved since its rocky launch, but some users still recommend waiting for further optimizations before purchasing.

    • “This game runs great on my Steam Deck straight out of the box, and I have no issues when running the game.”
    • “The game is very well optimized and runs great on a vast majority of different graphics cards.”
    • “No freezes on PC, neither lags.”
    • “The game is still buggy, crashes sometimes and feels a bit unpolished.”
    • “This game is incredibly buggy and lacks any quality at all.”
    • “The game constantly freezes up all of my controls forcing me into combat situations that I cannot respond to and it takes about two minutes for the controls to respond to anything after it initially freezes up.”
  • grinding731 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and time-consuming, particularly in combat and resource gathering. While some appreciate the depth and challenge it adds, others feel it detracts from the overall enjoyment, leading to repetitive gameplay and a sense of monotony. Fast travel options and crafting improvements are noted as helpful in alleviating some of the grind, but the consensus suggests that players should be prepared for significant grinding, especially on higher difficulty levels.

    • “The combat isn't tedious in this game, and you can constantly change it up any way you want through the use of different weaponry and perks.”
    • “No grinding was necessary and every fight seemed pretty fun to me.”
    • “There is not a whole lot of waste in this game, collectibles are not overly strenuous, and there's no grinding for levels, as you venture forth you will naturally acquire everything you need as you work your way through the land running into different types of machines that you will need to overcome in order to get to your objectives and thus progressing your character into a better fighter with better gear and upgrades.”
    • “With so many enemy encounters in such a massive map, combat needed to be quicker to feel engaging but instead every encounter drags for so long it ends up feeling tedious.”
    • “The gameplay looks great at the beginning but becomes tedious early on, you only have two hits with your spear, and bow gameplay becomes redundant very quickly.”
    • “The game suffers from a bland and boring story, repetitive and tedious gameplay that ruin the enjoyment of the game.”
  • emotional552 mentions

    Horizon Zero Dawn is praised for its emotionally charged narrative and compelling character arcs, particularly that of the protagonist, Aloy. Many players report experiencing deep emotional connections, with moments that evoke tears and existential reflections, although some critique the overall depth of character development and the predictability of the plot. The game's soundtrack and sound design significantly enhance its emotional impact, creating a rich atmosphere that resonates with players throughout their journey.

    • “The game's narrative is rich and emotionally charged, slowly unveiling the secrets of the past as you journey through stunning landscapes.”
    • “The story is both emotional and thought-provoking, with themes of family, identity, and humanity woven throughout.”
    • “The soundtrack makes the experience so much more immersive and cinematic, while at the same time transforming many of the dialogue cutscenes into weighty and emotional moments.”
    • “The game suffers from a bland and boring story, repetitive and tedious gameplay that ruin the enjoyment of the game.”
    • “Having to play through such a boring story was something I despised about this; the concept of humans making machines that destroy the world is something I don't think I'll tire of, but this game's approach with that and the consequences of such an action is nothing less than stupidity.”
    • “The pathetic boring story, the uninteresting lifeless characters, combat was fun in the beginning but it dried up fast with AI probably just as bad as Cyberpunk. I mean, at least the world is nice to look at and the graphics are decent. I definitely regret buying for $40; this is a $25-$30 at most.”
  • atmosphere409 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its breathtaking beauty and immersive qualities, combining stunning graphics, dynamic weather, and a captivating soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Players often find themselves lost in the richly detailed world, with its unique blend of post-apocalyptic and tribal elements, creating a sense of wonder and engagement. The sound design and music further contribute to the game's haunting and emotional atmosphere, making it a standout feature that draws players into its narrative and environment.

    • “The atmosphere is just breathtaking and sometimes you will find yourself just standing on some cliff somewhere thinking 'wow' just 'wow'.”
    • “The music and atmosphere of the game is extremely immersive; hours flew by just totally lost in this world.”
    • “Horizon: Zero Dawn masterfully crafts an atmospheric experience that is both haunting and beautiful.”
    • “The setting is pretty fantastic, but it doesn't take long before 'humorous' dialogue and teenager banter take over, spoiling much of the atmosphere and immersion, leaving just another tedious, generic open-world game with pointless quests and mindless 'world activities' and little else to offer.”
    • “It fails to maintain and build its own atmosphere, even as you progress the game, just because every part reminds of something else, and then you want to play it instead.”
    • “Zero dawn is bad at open world activities, traversal, level design, creating atmosphere and the actual role-playing.”
  • character development262 mentions

    Character development in the game is widely praised, particularly for the protagonist, Aloy, whose journey from an outcast to a hero is compelling and relatable. Many reviews highlight the depth of character relationships and the nuanced portrayal of personalities, although some critiques mention a lack of development for secondary characters and a desire for more impactful choices. Overall, the combination of strong writing, engaging storylines, and detailed character design contributes to a rich narrative experience, despite some calls for improvement in certain areas.

    • “The character development is superb, with well-rounded personalities and nuanced relationships.”
    • “Aloy's character development is masterfully executed, making her a relatable and empowering protagonist whom players root for throughout her epic quest.”
    • “The depth of character development and the richness of the narrative keep you invested in Aloy's journey, as she uncovers the mysteries of her past and the secrets of the world around her.”
    • “Character development and facial animations could use some major improvements.”
    • “For some reason they focus on the inconsequential characters and ones who actually have some character development in the story are killed off.”
    • “Unfortunately the character development lets the game down terribly, especially in the side and errand quests - most of the secondary characters are completely wooden, poorly written and terribly executed.”
  • replayability233 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising its engaging combat, diverse difficulty settings, and the inclusion of a new game+ mode that enhances replay value. However, many reviewers express disappointment in the limited role-playing options and fixed story outcomes, which diminish the incentive for multiple playthroughs. Overall, while some find substantial replay value, others feel it lacks depth and variety, leading to a more average experience.

    • “With a plethora of content and engaging side quests, it elevates the game's value and replayability.”
    • “The combat against the various machine types is really enjoyable and exploiting the various weaknesses of each machine type really makes a big difference, some enemies initially seem annoying to fight until you figure out a strategy that works instead of just trying to brute force it, however there are always multiple ways to take them down and it vastly helps replayability and keeps it entertaining.”
    • “New game + gives you excellent replay value, and increased difficulty levels for those who enjoy a challenge.”
    • “Limited role-playing options cut down on replayability.”
    • “So as a solo game it is pretty serviceable if you are okay with a single ending and it has zero replay value since the story has a fixed ending and doesn't really warrant a second playthrough other than for trophies.”
    • “The only downside is that the game doesn't have significant replayability, despite the developers' attempts at adding it - this is a single-player game with an expansive amount of content in its story.”
  • humor218 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding it both entertaining and occasionally forced. While some appreciate the witty dialogue and humorous character interactions, others criticize the awkwardness of certain NPCs and the overall comedic timing. The presence of funny glitches and the absurdity of combat situations, particularly involving the robotic enemies, contribute to a lighthearted experience, though opinions vary on how effectively humor is integrated into the narrative.

    • “The dialogue is well thought out with splashes of humor.”
    • “The gameplay is nothing short of beautiful, with good looking landscapes and funny machines.”
    • “Aloy is a wonderful protagonist--smart, funny, self-aware.”
    • “She's not funny at all.”
    • “It is not funny compared to another game (you know which one I'm talking about).”
    • “NPCs are not funny enough, not interesting enough, not well written enough (i.e. [character] died too early).”
  • monetization61 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received largely positive feedback, with many users appreciating the absence of microtransactions and in-game purchases, which is seen as a refreshing change in a market often plagued by cash grabs. However, some players express concerns about the game's overall quality and optimization, suggesting that it feels like a rushed port rather than a fully supported release. Overall, the consensus is that the game offers a complete experience without the typical monetization pitfalls.

    • “A big, beautiful single player cinematic game with absolutely no microtransactions.”
    • “This one is a rare treat from the gals and guys at Guerrilla Games, a fantastic and complete single-player game without any tacked-on modes or predatory microtransactions (none at all in fact).”
    • “If we want more games like Horizon: Zero Dawn, a complete well-written experience without cash-grab monetization, we have to put our money where our mouth is.”
    • “This feels more like it was a quick cash grab than giving out to other communities than PlayStation.”
    • “Would not recommend to anyone, just another shameless cash grab with a crappy port.”
    • “Frankly, I don't think Guerrilla even really cares all that much about this port; unfortunately, it seems more like a cash grab with just a few token attempts at patching the game just so it appears like they're actually doing something.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Horizon Zero Dawn

Play time

24hMedian play time
48hAverage play time
23hMain story
61hCompletionist
8-56hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 707 analyzed playthroughs

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