videogamescritic
← all games
Horizon Zero Dawn™ Remastered

Horizon Zero Dawn™ Remastered

Guerrilla Games, Nixxes Software · released Oct 30, 2024

ActionAdventureRPGPCPlayStation 5

Experience the critically acclaimed Horizon Zero Dawn™ with stunning new visuals and upgraded features. In a far future where colossal machines roam the Earth, pockets of humanity survive in unique tribes among the lush, overgrown ruins of our long-lost civilization.

78
VGC Score
Stablehigh confidence
71%
At launch
85%
Steam all-time
84%
Press
79%
Player sentiment
89%
Recent sentiment

Screenshots & trailers

Review sentiment over time

Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.

How this score was computed

The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.

ComponentPositiveQuality (0-100)Weight (pseudo-reviews)
Press reviews (OpenCritic)84125
Creator reviews (1 tracked)1002
All-time Steam reviews85%781000
Metacritic user ratings74362
Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted)89%8375
Calibration prior (typical game)7250

Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 214 reviews sampled · 182 total reviews in window · weighted 153.6 up / 18.9 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →

Press & Creators reviews (97)

Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.

  • 80
    trust 78Nov 23, 2024

    Suffice it to say, Nixxes Software put a whole lot of work into this new revision of Horizon: Zero Dawn, even if it's not that apparent of the first glance.

    read full review ↗
  • 40
    trust 77Nov 11, 2024

    Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered invites us to an epic journey in a post-apocalyptic world more beautiful than ever, perfect for new players, but with no new features for veterans. Those who already have the original, and want to see it in all its splendor, will be able to update it for a small fee. For its part, the remastered version includes the expansion, which offers more than 40 hours of action and adventures. In any case, I don't think an upgrade was necessary. The game remains just as colorful and fun as before.

    read full review ↗
  • 85
    trust 77Oct 30, 2024

    Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered is the definitive version of the PlayStation classic, though the need for it to exist is debatable. For new players or those looking to revisit Aloy's world with the latest improvements, this version is certainly worth a play.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    trust 76Nov 11, 2024

    Horizon: Zero Dawn Remastered is the ultimate way to experience the beginning of Aloy's journey. Despite seeming like a frivolous restoration on paper, in practice its subtle improvements ensure that this game will even further last the test of time.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    trust 76Nov 8, 2024

    Nixxes' latest effort is undeniably stunning in its own right, even when it stands on the shoulders of the excellent original. A $10 upgrade cost is a fair ask from existing owners of the game, considering the breadth of improvements present in the game and the very apparent labour it must have required from the developers.

    read full review ↗
  • 83
    trust 75Dec 16, 2024

    The remastered version of Zero Dawn makes the game as impressive as the original was back in 2017, if not more. Yet the entire package feels more like a luxury than a necessity. If you are a hardcore fan or someone new to the series, this is a true gem. But it undoubtedly offers very little if you’ve already experienced its world a few years ago.

    read full review ↗
  • 85
    trust 71Nov 14, 2024

    The Horizon franchise has received a significant number of new titles over the past two and a half years, but we believe this visually spectacular remaster will be remembered fondly. It’s the perfect starting point for new players looking to experience this beautiful post-apocalypse ruled by robotic dinosaurs for the first time.

    read full review ↗
  • 85
    trust 70Oct 30, 2024

    Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered goes well beyond expectations for a simple remaster, providing a technically marvelous and now quintessential way to experience Aloy's first adventure on PS5.

    read full review ↗
  • 91
    trust 70Oct 31, 2024

    If you already own Horizon Zero Dawn (which was even given away for free in Play At Home 2020), the upgrade to the Remastered version can be purchased for US$10, both on PlayStation 5 and PC, as long as the title is on the same platform. I consider it an affordable price, especially considering the visual and performance improvements offered. And although the story and gameplay structure remain the same, the remaster delivers a very interesting technical experience and improved visuals. On the other hand, if you were already impressed by the original and are just looking for new content, this is not where you will find it. That said, I would recommend Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered to new players or to those who want to relive Aloy's adventure in its best version yet.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    trust 69Nov 11, 2024

    Sony revisits the 2017 classic with Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, aligning it visually and technically with its 2022 sequel, Horizon Forbidden West. While the remaster provides cleaner character models, enhanced lighting, and improved animations for NPCs, it doesn’t add new content. Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered is just providing options to those who want that extra bump to the experience from a technical and graphical standpoint. If that’s all you want out of this remaster, then you won’t be disappointed at what Nixxes has done in this version of the game, especially with it being a $10 upgrade for those who own the original.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    trust 69Oct 30, 2024

    Horizon Zero Dawn is very much one of Sony's standout projects of the past ten years, and this superb remaster by Nixxes puts it among the best looking games on the PS5. While the side-quests and supporting content don't quite match up to sequel Forbidden West, the more focused story is arguably better than its successor, and it's presented almost flawlessly in this remastered format.

    read full review ↗
  • 84
    trust 69Oct 30, 2024

    Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered is an excellent option for those who haven't yet experienced the game, allowing them to enjoy it in its best version, and also for fans who want to relive Aloy's first adventure with a relatively affordable upgrade. However, aside from graphical improvements and enhanced NPC movement, it doesn't bring anything new, keeping practically the same strengths and issues as the original game.

    read full review ↗

…and 85 more tracked reviews.

Patch history