As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I can confidently say that Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered is a masterful remake that has truly elevated an already exceptional game to new heights. Having played both the original and its sequel on PlayStation 4, I can attest to the stunning visual improvements in this remastered version. The attention to detail in maintaining the mood and atmosphere of the game while enhancing the visual quality is nothing short of commendable.
It’s amazing to think about it, but it’s been more than seven years since Horizon Zero Dawn debuted on PlayStation 4. With a Netflix series in the works, Aloy’s adventures through a post-apocalyptic world teeming with deadly robots remains one of Sony’s top-tier franchises. Now, to meet the quality expectations of its sequel, Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered is being launched prior to the release of PlayStation 5 Pro, and it already leaves a lasting impression on regular PS5 players.
The opening scene immediately showcases a significant enhancement in visuals compared to the original version. The characters are more detailed, the animations are smoother, and overall, the game appears remarkably sharp on a 4K OLED TV. Unlike many remasters that focus solely on improving visual quality while sacrificing style, this one stands out. The lighting in the game has been meticulously adjusted to preserve its mood and give you an almost identical visual experience when you play the sequel. This results in a visually stunning game featuring icy tundras and landscapes reclaimed by nature that will make you want to take screenshots constantly – just be aware, the awkwardness of young Aloy in the prologue remains, but it’s even more noticeable this time due to its intentional design.
In Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, developer Guerrilla has significantly upgraded the audio experience. This includes a total redesign of the game’s sound mix, ensuring an immersive audio journey whether you use headphones or not. Moreover, it now supports the PS5’s Tempest 3D Audio Tech, enhancing the excitement of hunting as you can hear every detail of the world clearly. Plus, over ten hours of in-game dialogues have been re-recorded, improving the quality of motion capture.
As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but marvel at the exceptional PS5 version of Horizon Zero Dawn. It doesn’t just offer upgraded visuals and audio; it masterfully leverages the DualSense controller’s adaptive triggers and haptic feedback, enhancing immersion like nothing else.
It’s also important to mention that extra accessibility features have been incorporated into the game port. These include all the a11y options from Forbidden West, like customizable controls and haptic feedback to help players. This shows attention to detail, making it enjoyable to transition between Horizon games with such seamless playability.
You can either begin anew or carry on from where you last played in Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, as your old saves from the PlayStation 4 version are transferable. If you prefer to resume your adventure in an enhanced version, it’s both possible and straightforward. Plus, it’s budget-friendly, as Sony is selling the game as a $9.99 upgrade for existing owners, making it quite a bargain.
Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered Review: Final Verdict
Horizon Zero Dawn: Remastered Edition is a remake executed skillfully. Aloy’s initial journey retains its beauty and aligns with all aspects of its successor. Whether you’re revisiting the meticulously created world or embarking on it for the first time, you’ll be amazed by the care taken in every detail and the significant improvements to its visuals and audio.
SCORE: 9/10
According to ComingSoon’s review guidelines, a score of 9 means “Excellent.” Such entertainment sets the bar high and represents the pinnacle within its genre – the ultimate goal for any creator.
Note: For the purpose of this Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered review, we were given a PS5 code by the game’s publisher. This review was conducted using version 1.003.000.
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2024-10-30 14:13