Horizon Zero Dawn Remaster adds much-needed options but the overall look is not it

WHEN people think of PlayStation exclusives, there are a few flagship series that are the hallmark of the company.

The Horizon series has only seen a few entries, but each of them is known for its beautiful expansive open worlds.

Guerilla Games

Guerilla Games

Guerilla Games

When the first game, Horizon Zero Dawn, launched, it was seen as a graphical showcase for the PlayStation 4, releasing late in the console’s life cycle.

With the increasing cost of game development over the years, studios have been turning to remakes and remasters to create new releases at a lower cost.

This is what has led to the release of Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, bringing the original game up to the visual fidelity of the sequel.

The issue with a number of these remasters that mostly exist to improve the game’s graphics, is that they often miss the point of the original.

Games will often have bright lighting added to each scene in an effort to better see the updated graphics.

However, this is at the cost of the art direction of the original, where lighting is placed strategically to help with the mood of each scene.

The Horizon Zero Dawn remaster unfortunately falls into this category, filled with blinding lights, and high-fidelity details we were never meant to see.

In the original game the vibrancy of the landscape contrasted with the golden-hour reds of the desert lighting.

In 2024 the models are dated, and the new bright lighting only brings this fact into brighter contrast.

These issues were more apparent in the reveal trailers and it appears that players’ feedback was taken into account to retain some of the original’s art direction.

The lighting is more realistic and bounces pleasantly across the scenery, but it is still to the detriment of the overall look.

Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered’s accessibility and performance changes are more welcome and make a big difference to how the game feels.

It adds gyro aiming, the option to turn off tinnitus-inducing sounds, and a smooth save transfer option.

There are a few quality-of-life changes we wish had been implemented, like the ability to auto-pickup resources, and an updated inventory.

These aspects break up the faster pace of the gameplay, and changes would help improve the overall experience.

Zero Need

The most disappointing part of the Horizon Zero Dawn remaster is that the original has been delisted, or seen a price increase since its announcement.

This means that most people are unable to experience the original if they don’t already own it.

The remaster offers some improvements, but harms the game in other places, and players deserve the choice to be able to purchase the cheaper original if they want.

It seems a shame that the original game with its beautiful and intentional art direction will be lost to time.

If you want to read more gaming reviews, check out our Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 review.