Returning to a world that feels both familiar and alien, where towering machines roam amidst lush ruins and every step carries awe, danger, and the promise of discovery.
Returning to Horizon Zero Dawn felt almost like coming home. This was the first game I ever platinumed on PS4, during lockdown, and revisiting it years later on PC — polished, smoother, and visually enhanced — offered a fresh perspective on a title that defined a generation.
A Story That Still Resonates
If there’s one thing that remains absolutely untouchable, it’s the narrative. Aloy’s journey across a post-apocalyptic Earth dominated by machines is captivating from start to finish. The mystery of the “Old World,” the origin of the machines, and the protagonist’s own identity is paced with intelligence, culminating in revelations that hit just as hard, even when you already know what’s coming.
The writing is confident, the world-building dense and carefully structured, and Guerrilla Games’ universe strikes a surprising balance between sci-fi and tribal elements. Every story beat feels deliberate, creating a living world that feels coherent and rich.
Combat That Demands Strategy
Combat remains one of the game’s greatest strengths. Facing machines requires preparation, careful analysis of weaknesses, and strategic use of traps, elemental ammo, and a variety of weapons. Each encounter — especially against larger machines like the Thunderjaw — is tense, rewarding, and deeply satisfying.
On PC, the experience benefits enormously from improved fluidity, faster load times, and the precision of mouse and keyboard (or simply the greater stability of a controller). This smooth performance elevates an already excellent combat system, making every hunt feel more engaging.
A World That Amazes the Eyes
Visually, the game is stunning. Dense forests, snow-capped mountains, deserts, and technological ruins create breathtakingly artistic environments. The direction of art is still top-tier, and the remastered version enhances lighting, textures, and draw distance to make the world even more immersive.
Yet, here lies one of the game’s small weaknesses. While beautiful, the open world isn’t always the most stimulating to explore. Traversing long distances can feel tedious, and many side activities follow familiar structures. Occasionally, the world lacks that spark of surprise that makes every corner unforgettable.
Progression, Crafting, and Side Quests
Progression is clear and satisfying, with a well-organized skill tree and meaningful upgrades that impact both combat and exploration. Hunting, crafting, and resource gathering fit naturally into the gameplay loop, though they sometimes introduce minor grind.
Side quests vary in quality: some expand the lore and deepen secondary characters, while others feel functional rather than memorable. Still, they provide enough variety to enrich the world without feeling repetitive.
The Definitive Experience
Replaying Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered reminded me why this was my first platinum game. There’s something special about the combination of a strong narrative, a charismatic protagonist, and strategic combat that remains effective years later.
Even with an open world that could push the boundaries of exploration and variety further, the game stands as a reference point in the open-world action RPG genre. The PC version breathes new life into the experience, making it the definitive way to experience Aloy’s journey.
More than nostalgia, revisiting Horizon Zero Dawn was a confirmation: some journeys are worth returning to. Aloy’s adventure remains one of the most memorable of the past decade.
FINAL SCORE: 8/10
REVIEW PLATFORM: PC