The post-apocalyptic Horizon Zero Dawn, first released back in 2017 gets its second PC edition, this time remastered to the same level as the sequel, Horizon Forbidden West.

It seems all I’ve been playing lately is remastered and revamped games: Silent Hill 2, Until Dawn, and most recently, Red Dead Redemption on PC. All the games look stunning on current-gen equipment, but so did their last “upgrade.”

Every one of these titles, including the nearly fifteen-year-old Red Dead Redemption, has had some sort of polish-up in the years since their initial release. But to be fair, it is a testament to modern games that they have reached a point whereby the quality has become almost timeless, like movies. They may need some tweaks to sort out technical limitations and the expectations of a modern audience, but the hearts of these games are so strong that to a newcomer these ARE new games.

Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered takes the original game, previously polished up as the “Complete” edition and gives it a further shine. But this is not just a simple texture and lighting upgrade.  Character models and animations have been updated, as well as new dialogue. The comparatively wooden performances during cut scenes have been replaced with more natural head movements and hand gestures. The lead character, Aloy, even has peach fuzz hair on her face. These additions, for the most part, bring the game in line with Horizon Forbidden West. This new edition also includes the original’s DLC, Frozen Wilds.

If you’ve never played Horizon Zero Dawn before, you are in for a treat as this is the definitive version of a truly remarkable game. PC players probably get the best deal with DLSS, uncompromising 4K visuals and ultra widescreen monitor support. PlayStation 5 Pro owners are not far behind with performance pro and resolution pro modes. The resolution pro mode delivers PS5 Pro visuals that look more like a Hollywood animated movie than a video game.

The developer, Guerilla Games, previously renowned for its Killzone games, has referred to Horizon as being post-post-apocalyptic. The game world is set long after the fall of technologically advanced civilisation. Cities have crumbled, ancient objects have been repurposed, and their original use has long been forgotten. The old ones’ technology and knowledge have been lost to the mists of time.

The game places players in control of Aloy, a Nora brave. Cast out by the tribe as a baby, she was brought up by another outcast, the warrior Rost. As a young girl, Aloy finds an ancient device, a focus, which projects an augmented reality display that only Aloy can see. Her focus device aids her after a sequence of events sets her on a path to find out the truth behind her origin and secure the fate of the world.

Horizon Zero Dawn does a great job of world-building, layering mysteries that draw you into the game. Aloy’s world is breathtakingly beautiful and extremely dangerous. It feels alive, with a scattering of tribes, who use only basic tools, contrasted with the variety of robotic animals, some hostile, others skittish roaming the landscape.

The game errs towards that of a third-person action role-playing game with crafting, climbing and combat being the important parts of the game. None of this is too complex, giving the game a lighter, more accessible feel that may put off the more hard-core but opens it up to those who would sooner not be overwhelmed.

It is a narrative game, the story driving the player via a series of missions across a huge map. Side missions offer distractions that further flesh out the Aloys world. There’s also fun to be had hunting, either the natural fauna or the mechanical beasts.

Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered plays every bit as well as it did when it first came out. The upgrades put it on par with a freshly minted title, with a slick presentation every bit as good as any new AAA game.

Whilst I think there are still good reasons to play the game if you’ve played the 2017 original and/or the 2020 PC Complete Edition, your mileage will vary. It depends on how much you liked the game the first time around. Everyone else, you owe it to yourself to play this great game.

Rating: Great