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Horizon Zero Dawn

Horizon Zero Dawn is that rare gem of a game: it’s the one you make an exception for, it’s the one you just have to keep going back to, no matter how much you’ve seen of it before, and now, we have the ultimate version of the game on PC.
Horizon Zero Dawn Game Cover
87%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
optimization, stability
89% User Score Based on 65,483 reviews
Critic Score 85%Based on 23 reviews

Platforms

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Horizon Zero Dawn Game Cover

About

Horizon Zero Dawn is a single player open world role playing shooter game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Guerrilla and was released on August 7, 2020. It received positive reviews from both critics and players.

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.

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Horizon Zero Dawn screenshot
Horizon Zero Dawn screenshot
Horizon Zero Dawn screenshot
Horizon Zero Dawn screenshot
Horizon Zero Dawn screenshot
Horizon Zero Dawn screenshot
Horizon Zero Dawn screenshot
Horizon Zero Dawn screenshot
Horizon Zero Dawn screenshot
Horizon Zero Dawn screenshot
Horizon Zero Dawn screenshot
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89%
Audience ScoreBased on 65,483 reviews
story18.5k positive mentions
optimization1.7k negative mentions
  • The game features a captivating story with rich world-building and emotional depth, drawing players into its post-apocalyptic setting.
  • Horizon Zero Dawn is praised for its stunning graphics and immersive atmosphere, creating a visually breathtaking experience.
  • The gameplay offers engaging combat mechanics and a satisfying strategic loop, allowing players to exploit machine weaknesses.
  • Many players find the pacing uneven, with some sections feeling repetitive and tedious, particularly in side quests and gameplay mechanics.
  • The character development is criticized for being inconsistent, with supporting characters often lacking depth and meaningful arcs.
  • The game suffers from technical issues, including bugs and performance problems, which can detract from the overall experience.
  • story
    35,061 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Horizon Zero Dawn" is widely praised for its compelling narrative and rich world-building, drawing players into a post-apocalyptic setting where they uncover the mysteries of a world dominated by robotic creatures. While the main storyline is engaging and filled with emotional depth, some players find the pacing uneven, particularly in the early hours, and criticize the repetitive nature of many side quests. Overall, the game is celebrated for its strong protagonist, intricate lore, and the way it intertwines personal stakes with broader themes of humanity and technology.

    • “The story is captivating, gameplay is amazing and the graphics are exceptional.”
    • “Horizon Zero Dawn is a triumph of storytelling, world-building, and gameplay, offering an unforgettable adventure that stands out in the action RPG genre.”
    • “The story is rich and thought-provoking, seamlessly blending personal stakes with larger, world-shaking mysteries.”
    • “But about 20% into the story it all gets stale, making 80% of the game a slog.”
    • “The story is boring as hell and horribly predictable; the NPCs either look directly at you and stare at you like you just ran them over with your car, then asked them for money, or they space out and look off in some random direction.”
    • “The story is incredibly boring, woke slop as expected, and there are 0 likable characters, and you have to look at Aloy's disfigured face through the whole thing, which adds another layer of misery.”
  • gameplay
    12,393 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Horizon Zero Dawn" is generally praised for its engaging combat mechanics, which involve strategic use of bows and elemental weaknesses of mechanical enemies, creating a satisfying hunting experience. However, some players find the gameplay repetitive over time, with certain mechanics feeling clunky or underdeveloped, particularly in climbing and stealth. Overall, while the game offers a visually stunning world and a compelling story, the gameplay can sometimes feel derivative of other open-world titles, leading to mixed opinions on its long-term enjoyment.

    • “Gameplay offers a satisfying and strategic combat loop, focused on exploiting machine weaknesses.”
    • “The gameplay is a perfect blend of action and RPG elements, with numerous weapons and skills to unlock and upgrade as you progress through the story.”
    • “The gameplay mechanics are meticulously crafted, showcasing an impressive combat system.”
    • “The gameplay itself isn't anything special, so you're mostly just playing for the story, but at that point, you'd be better off just saving your money and watching a playthrough.”
    • “Many missions involve similar objectives such as traveling to a specific area, clearing enemies, or collecting items, which can make the gameplay feel repetitive over time.”
    • “The gameplay is shallow, repetitive, limited, and overall not very fun.”
  • graphics
    11,806 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Horizon Zero Dawn" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and intricate design, showcasing a beautifully crafted open world filled with diverse environments and detailed character models. Players have noted the game's ability to maintain high graphical fidelity even years after its release, with many praising the vibrant landscapes and the impressive rendering of robotic creatures. While some minor graphical glitches have been reported, the overall aesthetic experience is considered one of the game's strongest aspects, making it a must-play for fans of visually immersive gaming.

    • “The graphics are stunning, the gameplay is smooth and engaging, and the story is captivating and immersive.”
    • “Horizon Zero Dawn is a breathtaking masterpiece that combines stunning visuals, a captivating storyline, and innovative gameplay mechanics.”
    • “The graphics are absolutely gorgeous, few games ever come close to achieving the same level of beauty as Horizon does.”
    • “Numerous glitches, numerous flaws in pathing, numerous flaws in graphics... it's a fight just to play the game.”
    • “The graphics are a bit dated, and talking NPCs definitely feel their age in graphical detail - but it's serviceable.”
    • “The graphics are so much better on PC too, but the performance was the biggest problem, a lot of crashes and a big drop in frame rate.”
  • optimization
    5,925 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of "Horizon Zero Dawn" has received mixed feedback from players. While many report significant improvements in performance following multiple patches, some still experience issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and long shader optimization times upon startup. Overall, the game is considered well-optimized for high-end systems, but players with mid-range or older hardware may encounter performance challenges, leading to a recommendation to wait for further updates before purchasing.

    • “The graphics and optimization are absolutely top-notch, even more so with the remastered upgrade.”
    • “Performance: runs flawlessly with wide support for DLSS 3, FSR 3.1, and ultrawide monitors.”
    • “The game is well optimized, played through the whole game on ultra.”
    • “Optimization is still absolutely horrible, massive stuttering even with a 4070 and now going to charge $10 to maybe fix it with a remastered version, on top of their bulls$!”
    • “The game really wants you to care about its story, but there is so much terrible writing and poor voice performances you likely never will.”
    • “The port is a nightmare, the game is terribly not optimized, it is banally difficult to run.”
  • music
    1,919 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in "Horizon Zero Dawn" has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the game's atmosphere and emotional depth. Many players noted that the soundtrack, composed by Joris de Man and others, effectively blends orchestral and electronic elements, creating a hauntingly beautiful soundscape that complements both exploration and combat. While some found the music to be occasionally forgettable or repetitive, the overall consensus is that it significantly contributes to the immersive experience of the game, making it a standout feature alongside its stunning visuals and engaging story.

    • “The soundtrack, composed by Joris de Man and others, is atmospheric and haunting, perfectly complementing both the beauty and melancholy of the world.”
    • “Julie Elven on vocals for some soundtrack really captivates the entire thing - chilling, emotional, with a glimmer of hope.”
    • “The music enhances the atmosphere, whether you’re exploring the serene wilderness or engaging in intense combat, and it helps to further immerse players in the world.”
    • “The music is also not all that memorable, and both the voice acting and the physical actions of the characters feel very stiff.”
    • “The soundtrack was completely forgettable, though not bad at least.”
    • “The music is a combination of free flowing beats with robotic sounds spiking at times, it really sells this prehistoric yet futuristic world of Horizon Zero Dawn.”
  • stability
    1,481 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of the game has received mixed feedback from players. While many report a smooth experience with minimal crashes and graphical glitches, others have encountered significant issues, including frequent crashes, stuttering, and various visual glitches that detract from gameplay. Overall, the game appears to have improved since its initial buggy launch, but some players still recommend waiting for further patches to address ongoing stability concerns.

    • “The game is very well optimized and runs great on a vast majority of different graphics cards.”
    • “Runs great, no hitching or stuttering and no fps drop.”
    • “The game runs smoothly, no freezes, no stuttering, nothing - it's all gone.”
    • “The game is a buggy mess and has constant visual bugs that take you out of the game.”
    • “This game is incredibly buggy and lacks any quality at all.”
    • “The game is still buggy after almost 2 years, but still the gameplay and the story are good.”
  • grinding
    1,104 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, particularly in resource gathering and combat encounters. While some appreciate the depth it adds to crafting and character progression, others feel that the necessity to hunt animals and collect materials detracts from the overall enjoyment, leading to a sense of monotony. Overall, players suggest that while grinding is present, it varies in intensity and can be mitigated by focusing on main story quests rather than side activities.

    • “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 while overcoming different types of machines, progressing your character into a better fighter with better gear and upgrades.”
    • “It's not grindy unless you want to get the best weapon or outfit, which is relaxing compared to other grind-heavy games.”
    • “No grinding was necessary and every fight seemed pretty fun to me.”
    • “But after 4 hours of being continually frustrated by having to engage with meaningless activities and repetitive and tedious fights, I simply lost interest.”
    • “There's really a limited amount of fun you can get before killing your 150th machine using the exact same method, shooting the exact same arrows, and crafting the exact same stuff becomes tedious.”
    • “The quests are uninspiring, character progression feels non-existent, and the core gameplay is downright tedious.”
  • emotional
    765 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of "Horizon Zero Dawn" is widely praised, with many players noting its deeply engaging narrative that evokes a range of feelings, from joy to heartbreak. Aloy's journey of self-discovery and the exploration of themes such as identity, loss, and humanity resonate strongly, often leading players to tears during key moments. However, some critiques highlight inconsistencies in character development and emotional depth, suggesting that while the main story is compelling, certain interactions and side quests may lack the same emotional impact. Overall, the game is celebrated for its ability to create a profound emotional connection with players through its storytelling, character arcs, and atmospheric soundtrack.

    • “Aloy's journey is deeply emotional, and the supporting cast brings their own layers of depth and intrigue.”
    • “The story is rich, emotional, and brilliantly written—it kept me hooked from start to finish.”
    • “The emotional depth of her character, coupled with the game’s exploration of themes like identity, belonging, and the struggle against oppressors, provides a powerful narrative that resonates with players.”
    • “Negatives are numerous: barebones, restrictive and unpolished gameplay, uncanny writing, shallow characters, and mostly boring story, safe for some genuinely good moments that are, alas, far apart.”
    • “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.”
  • atmosphere
    548 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in this game is widely praised for its stunning visuals, immersive sound design, and rich world-building, creating a captivating experience that draws players into its unique blend of post-apocalyptic and tribal elements. Many reviewers highlight the seamless integration of the soundtrack with the environment, enhancing the emotional depth and overall ambiance of the game. While some critiques mention occasional repetitiveness, the overwhelming consensus is that the game's atmosphere is a standout feature, making it a must-play for fans of immersive storytelling and exploration.

    • “The sea of colors also worked brilliantly with the Philips Hue light system, with the game constantly moving from one color scene to another seamlessly, giving an immersive and rich atmosphere - not to mention the music and sound transitions as the story and events unfold.”
    • “Guerrilla Games masterfully blends the beauty of nature with the imposing presence of the machines, creating a unique and awe-inspiring atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere is breathtaking, and sometimes you will find yourself just standing on some cliff somewhere thinking 'wow' just 'wow'.”
    • “Maybe that was the point, but it brought the overall atmosphere of the game down for me.”
    • “The atmosphere and the world is pretty, but all the quests felt like chores and the game was very monotonous overall.”
    • “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.”
  • character development
    355 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising the depth and growth of the protagonist, Aloy, and her relationships, while others criticize the lack of meaningful development for supporting characters and the overall narrative. Many players appreciate the strong female lead and engaging story, but feel that character arcs can be simplistic or underdeveloped, particularly in side quests. Overall, while there are standout moments and well-crafted character designs, the execution of character development varies significantly across the game.

    • “The character development is superb, with well-rounded personalities and nuanced relationships.”
    • “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.”
    • “Aloy's character development is masterfully executed, making her a relatable and empowering protagonist whom players root for throughout her epic quest.”
    • “The story, although set in an interesting universe, lacks depth, and character development is not strong enough to create a meaningful connection with players.”
    • “There isn't much character development, but the sequel has plenty of that.”
    • “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.”
  • replayability
    321 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players praising its engaging story, dynamic gameplay, and the inclusion of a New Game+ mode that enhances replay value. However, some critics feel that the lack of significant new content or mechanics in subsequent playthroughs limits long-term replayability, leading to a sense of repetitiveness. Overall, while many find it enjoyable to revisit, opinions vary widely, with some rating it highly for replayability and others deeming it lacking.

    • “This game has endless replayability and no fight ever goes the same.”
    • “The inclusion of new game+ and an ultra hard difficulty setting ensures replayability for those who want to revisit Aloy’s journey with greater challenges.”
    • “I have more than gotten my money's worth out of this game with the replay value, and I know I will continue returning to it again and again.”
    • “This is kind of soulslike, thus I wish they had focused a bit more on the replayability. New game plus isn't pushed far enough because it lacks new things to focus on other than a few new quests and equipment that aren't enough to avoid general repetitiveness. The 50 extra levels of the hardest difficulty should also change something and introduce a new mechanic for personalization of playstyle. It should have acted like a 'reincarnation' unlocking the player the chance to play the game their own way, allowing variation to the feel of the game. Just that would have elevated this game tenfold and at least doubled its lifespan.”
    • “Overall, a solid 8/10 game with no replayability for most people.”
    • “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.”
  • humor
    283 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding it both entertaining and unintentionally funny due to glitches, awkward animations, and clunky dialogue. Aloy, the protagonist, is often highlighted for her witty and sarcastic remarks, which add charm to the narrative, while some NPC interactions and side quests provide moments of genuine humor. Overall, the game's humor is described as subtle and sometimes absurd, contributing to a unique experience that balances serious themes with lighthearted moments.

    • “One-shotting a gigantic metal robot dinosaur with a singular primitive arrow, and hiding in tall grass from the advanced scanners of said metallic dinosaurs, will never not be funny.”
    • “The eye glitch movement when characters talk to each other outside of cutscenes is mentally hilarious.”
    • “The dialogue is well thought out with splashes of humor.”
    • “What's funny about that is I would love to buy more medicinal herbs, but I can't. The one thing I want to buy, because it takes a long time to gather enough, I can't.”
    • “It is not funny as another one (you know which one I am talking about).”
    • “NPCs are not funny enough, not interesting enough, not well written enough (i.e. [character] died too early).”
  • monetization
    84 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users criticizing it as a cash grab due to the unnecessary remaster and perceived lack of substantial updates. However, several players appreciate the absence of microtransactions, highlighting it as a refreshing change in a market often plagued by predatory practices. Overall, while some view the remaster as exploitative, others commend the game for being a complete experience without additional costs.

    • “A big, beautiful single-player cinematic game with absolutely no microtransactions.”
    • “Their decision to not take the early access route and deliver a finished game, their 'no microtransactions' approach and the low price tag are also very commendable and show honesty and respect towards the community.”
    • “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).”
    • “They have recently engaged in practices that resulted in people who rightfully purchased, downloaded, paid microtransactions on, and played for hundreds of hours completely incapable of accessing the content they owned.”
    • “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.”
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85%Critics’ scoreBased on 23 critic reviews
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25h Median play time
46h Average play time
23h Main story
61h Completionist
8-60h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 875 analyzed playthroughs
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Horizon Zero Dawn pivot to multiplayer gets seal of approval from No Rest for the Wicked lead: "Don't fret too much if people don't like your game just yet"

February 9 on gamesradar.com

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Frequently Asked Questions

Horizon Zero Dawn is a open world role playing shooter game with science fiction theme.

Horizon Zero Dawn is available on PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Windows and others.

The main story can be completed in around 23 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 61 hours to finish. On average players spend around 46 hours playing Horizon Zero Dawn.

Horizon Zero Dawn was released on August 7, 2020.

Horizon Zero Dawn was developed by Guerrilla.

Horizon Zero Dawn has received positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its optimization.

Horizon Zero Dawn is a single player game.

Similar games include Horizon Forbidden West, Rise of the Tomb Raider, Days Gone, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Assassin's Creed Origins and others.