Horizon Zero Dawn vs Watch Dogs: Legion

• Perspective: Third-Person
• Multiplayer: Single-player Only
• Setting: Post-Apocalyptic 31st Century Earth (Colorado, Utah, Wyoming)
• Platforms: PlayStation 4, Windows PC, PlayStation 5 (via Backward Compatibility & Remaster)
• Initial Release (PS4): 2017-02-28
• PC Release (Complete Edition): 2020-08-07
• Remastered Release (PS5, PC): 2024-10-31
• Unique Feature: Unique post-apocalyptic world with robotic creatures, compelling story of Aloy, strategic machine combat by targeting weak points, machine overriding.

• Perspective: Third-Person
• Multiplayer: Watch Dogs: Legion Online (Co-op Missions, Tactical Ops, PvP Modes, Free Roam)
• Setting: Near-Future Dystopian London, UK
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Google Stadia, Amazon Luna
• Unique Feature: 'Play As Anyone' System (Recruit any NPC), Detailed London Recreation, Diverse Operative Skills & Gadgets, Hacking Integrated into all Gameplay Pillars.

• Rost (Early Game Mentor): Aloy's adoptive father and mentor during her childhood and adolescence. He teaches her essential survival, hunting, and combat skills. He is not a persistent companion throughout the main journey but is a crucial character in her formative years.
  Human (Nora Outcast)
• Various Story Allies (Temporary): Throughout her journey, Aloy teams up with various individuals for specific quests or story segments (e.g., Erend, Sona, Varl, Talanah, Aratak & Ourea in The Frozen Wilds). These allies fight alongside her but are not permanent, controllable companions.
  Human (Nora, Carja, Oseram, Banuk)
• Overridden Machines (Temporary Mounts/Allies): Aloy can use her spear to override certain types of machines. Some (like Striders, Broadheads, Chargers) can be used as mounts for faster travel. Others might fight alongside her for a limited time if their combat protocols are enabled during the override.
  Robotic Machines

• DedSec Operatives (Player Controlled): The core gameplay revolves around switching between recruited DedSec operatives. While not AI companions in the traditional sense, the player effectively has a team. In online co-op, other players' operatives act as companions.
  Human (Various)
• Spider-Bot (Infiltrator/Combat): A deployable gadget that can be remotely controlled to infiltrate areas, perform stealth takedowns, hack terminals, and (if upgraded to combat variant) engage enemies. Essential for reconnaissance and accessing small vents.
  Robot (Small Drone)
• Drones (CT-Drone, Cargo Drone, News Drone, Riot Drone - Hackable/Summonable): Various drones populate London. DedSec can hack them to use for surveillance, distraction, or combat (e.g., turning an Albion CT-Drone against its owners). Certain operatives (like Construction Worker) can summon specific drones (Cargo Drone for riding/transport).
  Robot (Aerial Drone)
• Bagley (AI): Serves as DedSec's mission handler and tech support, providing intel, sarcastic commentary, and coordinating operations. Not a physical companion but a constant presence via comms.
  Artificial Intelligence

• Vantages: Datapoints found at scenic overlooks. When activated, Aloy's Focus reveals a glimpse of the Old World location as it once was, along with an audio log from a man who documented the fall of civilization. There are 12 in the base game.
• Metal Flowers: Mysterious, artificial glowing flowers with intricate designs, found hidden throughout the world. Collecting sets of them unlocks rewards from a specific merchant in Meridian. There are 30 in the base game.
• Banuk Figures (Arnak's Figures): Small wooden effigies of Banuk hunters and machines, often found in high, difficult-to-reach places, usually requiring climbing or precise jumps. There are 6 in the base game.
• Ancient Vessels: Old World coffee mugs with various designs. Found in ancient ruins and can be traded to a collector in Meridian for special reward boxes. There are 12 in the base game.
• Grazer Training Dummies: Training dummies set up by the Nora tribe in the Sacred Lands. Destroying all 23 of them grants a small reward and an achievement/trophy.
• Power Cells (for Shield-Weaver Armor): Five rare Power Cells hidden in specific Old World ruins and main quest locations. Collecting all of them is required to unlock the Shield-Weaver outfit.
• Animal Figurines (The Frozen Wilds DLC): Six animal-themed figurines hidden within 'The Cut,' the new region in The Frozen Wilds expansion. Part of a side quest.
• Pigments (The Frozen Wilds DLC): Sets of colorful mineral pigments found in The Cut. Collecting these allows a Banuk shaman to create special dyes for Aloy's outfits and face paint.

• Tech Points: Found throughout London in restricted areas, on rooftops, or as mission rewards. Used to upgrade DedSec's universal tech gadgets (e.g., Spider-Bot abilities, AR Cloak duration) and hacking skills.
• Audio Logs & Text Files (Data): Found on computers, phones, and data pads across the city. Provide lore about the world, characters, factions (Albion, Clan Kelley, DedSec, Zero-Day), and insight into the dystopian state of London.
• Masks: Hidden in distinctive parcel boxes throughout London, often requiring parkour or puzzle-solving to reach. Unlocks cosmetic masks for operatives to wear.
• ETO Caches (In-game Currency): Small stashes of ETO (the in-game currency) hidden in various locations, often in safes or less accessible areas.
• Relics (Drink, Darts, Paste-Up locations for Borough Uprising): Activities required to complete borough uprisings, such as playing darts in a pub, drinking at a specific bar, or putting up DedSec propaganda posters. Not traditional collectibles but contribute to area liberation.

• Post-Apocalyptic
• Nature vs. Technology
• Tribal Societies
• Matriarchy
• Mystery of the Past
• Artificial Intelligence
• Identity & Belonging
• Survival
• Environmentalism
• Ancient Civilizations
• Machine Ecology

• Dystopian Future
• Surveillance State
• Resistance & Rebellion
• Hacking & Cyber Warfare
• Artificial Intelligence
• Authoritarianism
• Social Commentary
• Individuality vs. Conformity
• The Power of the People
• Near-Future London

• Spear (Lancer): Primary Melee Weapon
  Aloy's versatile spear used for light and heavy melee attacks, critical strikes on downed machines, and prying open components. Can be upgraded with modifications.
• Hunter Bow: Ranged (Versatile Bow)
  A balanced bow capable of firing Hunter Arrows (basic damage), Fire Arrows (burning damage over time, igniting blaze canisters), and Hardpoint Arrows (high tear and damage).
• Sharpshot Bow: Ranged (Precision Bow)
  A long-range bow designed for high precision and damage. Fires Precision Arrows (high damage, good tear), Tearblast Arrows (removes machine components), and Harvest Arrows (increases resource drops from components).
• War Bow: Ranged (Elemental Bow)
  A bow specialized in delivering elemental damage. Fires Shock Arrows (stuns machines, detonates shock canisters), Freeze Arrows (makes machines brittle, increases impact damage), and Corruption Arrows (causes machines to attack anything nearby, including other machines).
• Tripcaster: Tactical Trap Tool
  Deploys tripwires between two points that trigger an effect when crossed by an enemy. Available wires include Shock Wires (stun), Blast Wires (explosive damage), and Fire Wires (burning).
• Ropecaster: Tactical Immobilization Tool
  Fires ropes that can tie down machines to the ground, immobilizing them temporarily for easier targeting of weak points or overriding. Can be upgraded for heavier ropes.
• Sling: Ranged (Elemental Bombs)
  Launches elemental bombs in an arc. Types include Freeze Bombs (area freeze effect), Shock Bombs (area shock effect), and Blast Bombs (area explosive damage).
• Rattler: Ranged (Close-Quarters Bolts)
  A rapid-fire bolt gun effective at close to medium range. Fires Metal Bolts (standard damage), Shock Bolts (shock damage), and Freeze Bolts (freeze damage).
• Tearblaster (Craftable Weapon): Specialized Tool (Component Removal)
  A craftable weapon that fires compressed air blasts, highly effective at tearing off machine armor and components without dealing significant health damage.
• Stormslinger, Icerail, Forgefire (Frozen Wilds DLC Weapons): Specialized Elemental Weapons
  Unique elemental weapons introduced in The Frozen Wilds expansion. Stormslinger (electricity), Icerail (frost), and Forgefire (fire) offer powerful, charge-up attacks with unique mechanics.

• Lethal Firearms (Pistols, SMGs, Assault Rifles, Shotguns, LMGs, Grenade Launchers): Conventional Ballistic & Explosive
  A wide variety of standard firearms. Each operative class or specific recruit might have a preference or unique access to certain types (e.g., Spies get silenced pistols, Hitmen get Desert Eagles). Some weapons are DedSec issue, others are Albion or Clan Kelley specific.
• Non-Lethal Weapons (Shock Weapons): Stun/Disruptive
  Weapons designed to incapacitate rather than kill, such as shock pistols, shock shotguns, and shock SMGs. Useful for players wanting a less lethal playthrough or for recruiting operatives who might be injured by lethal force.
• DedSec Unique Weapons (e.g., LTL 68P DedSec SMG, DedSec Grenade Launcher): Faction Specific
  Special DedSec-themed versions of weapons, often with non-lethal variants or unique properties, unlocked through tech upgrades or as operative perks.
• Melee Weapons (Batons, Wrenches, Fists): Close Quarters Combat
  Operatives can engage in melee combat. Some operatives are more proficient or have unique melee weapons/takedowns (e.g., Bare Knuckle Fighter, Construction Worker with Sledgehammer/Wrench).
• Gadgets (Spider-Bot, AR Cloak, Electro-Fist, Missile Drone, etc.): Tactical/Hacking/Utility
  A wide array of deployable gadgets unlocked via Tech Points. These include various types of Spider-Bots (Infiltrator, Combat), an augmented reality cloak for temporary invisibility, shock traps, electro-fist for powerful melee, and more. Operatives can equip two gadgets.
• Operative-Specific Weapons/Abilities (e.g., Spy Watch, Nail Gun, Berserker's Shockwave): Unique Character Perk
  Many operative archetypes come with unique inherent weapons or special abilities that cannot be unequipped or changed (e.g., Spy's silenced pistol & car, Construction Worker's nail gun, Anarchist's smoke grenade).

• Nora Brave Outfit (Starting Outfit): Aloy's initial outfit, offering basic protection. Multiple variants can be acquired, providing minor resistances or stealth benefits.
• Carja Blazon Outfit: Ornate Carja attire, often providing resistance to fire damage. Available in light, medium, and heavy variants with increasing protection and modification slots.
• Banuk Sickness Eater Outfit: Banuk tribal wear, typically offering resistance to freeze or corruption damage. Available in different tiers.
• Oseram Arrow Breaker Outfit: Sturdy Oseram-made armor, primarily providing increased resistance to ranged projectile damage. Comes in light, medium, and heavy versions.
• Nora Silent Hunter Outfit: Specialized Nora outfit designed to enhance stealth, making Aloy harder for enemies (humans and machines) to detect.
• Shield-Weaver Outfit (Unique Ancient Armor): A highly sought-after ancient armor set that generates a rechargeable force field, absorbing a significant amount of damage before needing to recharge. Unlocked by finding all Power Cells.
• Frozen Wilds Outfits (e.g., Banuk Chieftain, Carja Blazon Master): New outfits introduced in The Frozen Wilds DLC, often with unique perks or higher stats, tailored for the challenges of the new region. Many offer enhanced elemental resistances.
• Modification Slots: All outfits have modification slots (number varies by rarity/tier) where 'Weaves' can be inserted to further boost resistances (melee, ranged, fire, freeze, shock, corruption) or enhance stealth.

• Operative Traits (e.g., 'Tough Drunk', 'Physically Fit'): Individual operatives may possess traits that grant them inherent damage resistance or increased health (e.g., 'Tough Drunk' takes less damage while intoxicated, 'Physically Fit' might have more health). This is not traditional armor but contributes to survivability.
• Gadgets (e.g., Riot Shield Drone - Hypothetical/Similar to existing tech): While no direct wearable armor is equipped, certain gadgets or operative abilities might provide temporary defensive bonuses or shields (e.g., a construction worker's cargo drone could be used as cover, or a specialized drone might project a temporary shield).
• Clothing (Cosmetic): Clothing choices are primarily cosmetic and do not offer direct armor or damage reduction values. Operatives might appear more 'armored' based on their profession (e.g., an Albion soldier recruit), but this is visual.

• Nora Outfits (Brave, Protector, Silent Hunter, Survivor): Various outfits reflecting Nora tribal craftsmanship. Each set (often available in Light, Medium, Heavy variants) provides different resistances (e.g., melee, ranged, fire, freeze, shock, corruption) and can be enhanced with modifications (weaves).
• Carja Outfits (Silks, Blazon, Shadow): Ornate and functional attire from the Carja Sundom. Typically offer good fire resistance or other combat/utility perks depending on the specific set. Available in tiered versions with modification slots.
• Banuk Outfits (Sickness Eater, Ice Hunter, Chieftain - Frozen Wilds): Outfits adapted for the harsh, cold environments of the Banuk lands. Often provide high freeze resistance and unique perks related to survival or machine interaction. The Frozen Wilds DLC adds more advanced Banuk attire.
• Oseram Outfits (Sparkworker, Arrow Breaker): Sturdy, practical gear crafted by the Oseram tribe, known for their metalworking. Often provide good melee or ranged damage protection.
• Shadow Carja Outfits (Kestrel): Darker, more menacing attire associated with the Shadow Carja faction.
• Shield-Weaver Outfit: A unique and powerful ancient armor that generates a rechargeable energy shield. Cannot be modified but provides exceptional protection. Unlocked via a specific side quest involving Power Cells.
• Pre-order / Deluxe Edition Outfits (Nora Keeper, Carja Storm Ranger, Banuk Trailblazer): Cosmetic outfits that were part of pre-order bonuses or included in the Deluxe/Complete Editions of the game.

• Tops, Bottoms, Outerwear, Headwear, Eyewear, Masks, Gloves, Footwear: Extensive clothing customization for each operative. Players can purchase a wide variety of items from numerous clothing shops scattered around London, reflecting diverse London street styles, subcultures, and professional attire. Items include jackets, hoodies, t-shirts, trousers, skirts, shoes, hats, glasses, etc. Masks are a key cosmetic, with many unique designs to find or buy.
• Full Outfits: Some pre-set outfits are available, often tied to specific operative archetypes (e.g., Albion uniform for an Albion recruit, construction gear for a worker) or purchasable as cosmetic sets.
• Weapon Skins & Vehicle Skins: Players can apply various skins and paint jobs to their DedSec weapons and owned vehicles for further personalization. Unlocked through progression, challenges, or store purchases.

Horizon Zero Dawn features a large open world divided into distinct ecological regions: the mountainous Sacred Lands of the Nora, the desert canyons and mesas of the Carja Sundom (including the capital Meridian and Sunfall), dense jungles, and the snowy, harsh northern territories of the Banuk (expanded in 'The Frozen Wilds' DLC with 'The Cut'). The map is traversed on foot or by overriding and riding certain machines. Tallnecks must be overridden to reveal sections of the map.

Features a detailed and faithful recreation of central London, divided into several iconic boroughs like City of Westminster, Camden, Islington & Hackney, Lambeth, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, and City of London. Each borough has its distinct architecture, landmarks (e.g., Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, Piccadilly Circus), and atmosphere. The map is dense with activities, collectibles, and opportunities for emergent gameplay.

• Overridden Machines (Mounts): Organic-Robotic Mount / Land Traversal
  Aloy can learn to override certain machine types (e.g., Striders, Broadheads, Chargers) using her spear. Once overridden, these machines can be ridden as mounts for faster travel across the game's vast open world. Each mountable machine has slightly different speeds and handling.
• Zip-lines & Rappel Points: Traversal Tool (Environmental)
  While not vehicles, zip-lines are frequently used for quick descents across chasms or down cliffs. Rappel points allow for controlled descent from heights. These are fixed environmental interaction points.

• Cars (Compact, Saloon, Sports, Super, Off-Road, Utility, Emergency, Taxi, Bus): Land Vehicle (Wheeled)
  A vast array of vehicles reflecting London's traffic. Includes iconic British cars (Minis, black cabs, double-decker buses), sports cars, everyday vehicles, and specialized service/emergency vehicles. All are hackable (distract, steer, explode) and drivable. Some operatives have personal unique vehicles.
• Motorcycles & Scooters: Land Vehicle (Two-Wheeled)
  Various motorcycles and scooters for agile urban traversal. Also hackable and drivable.
• Drones (Cargo, CT-Drones, News Drones, Riot Drones, Parcel Drones): Aerial Vehicle (Unmanned)
  Numerous types of drones populate London's skies. Cargo drones can be hijacked and ridden for aerial access. CT-Drones (Albion) and Riot Drones are often hostile but can be hacked or disabled. News and Parcel drones serve civilian functions but can be interacted with.
• Boats (Speedboats, Patrol Boats, Workboats): Watercraft
  Various boats for navigating the River Thames and other waterways. Can be hijacked and driven.
• Unique Operative Vehicles (e.g., Spy Car, Getaway Car): Personalized Land Vehicle
  Certain operative archetypes (like Spy or Getaway Driver) come with their own unique, often modified or weaponized, personal vehicle that they can summon.
• London Underground (Fast Travel): Mass Transit System
  Tube stations across London serve as fast travel points once discovered, allowing players to quickly move between different boroughs.

• Aloy: Protagonist / Nora Huntress & Seeker
  A skilled hunter, archer, and machine expert. Cast out from the Nora tribe at birth, she is curious, determined, and compassionate. Her journey is to uncover her origins and the secrets of the Old World. Voiced by Ashly Burch.
• Rost: Aloy's Guardian / Nora Outcast
  A stoic and skilled Nora warrior who was also an outcast. He raised and trained Aloy in the ways of survival and hunting. Plays a pivotal role in Aloy's early life.
• Sylens: Mysterious Researcher / Reluctant Ally
  An enigmatic and highly knowledgeable wanderer obsessed with uncovering the secrets of the Old Ones and the machines. He communicates with Aloy via her Focus, providing guidance but also pursuing his own agenda. Voiced by Lance Reddick.
• High Matriarch Teersa: Nora High Matriarch / Spiritual Leader
  One of the three High Matriarchs of the Nora tribe. She is more open-minded and sympathetic towards Aloy compared to the other Matriarchs.
• Erend Vanguardsman: Oseram Warrior / Captain of the Vanguard
  A boisterous but loyal Oseram warrior who becomes an ally to Aloy. He is investigating the death of his sister, Ersa.
• Avad: Sun-King of the Carja
  The current enlightened ruler of the Carja tribe, who overthrew his tyrannical father, the 'Mad Sun-King' Jiran. He seeks peace and reforms within the Carja Sundom.
• Helis: Antagonist / Leader of the Eclipse
  The fanatical leader of the Eclipse, a cult loyal to the Shadow Carja and the mysterious entity HADES. He is a formidable warrior and a primary antagonist.
• GAIA: Ancient AI / Earth's Terraforming System
  The primary AI of Project Zero Dawn, responsible for overseeing the terraforming of Earth and the reintroduction of life after the Faro Plague. Aloy's existence is directly linked to GAIA.
• HADES: Antagonist / Subordinate Function of GAIA
  One of GAIA's subordinate functions, designed as a last-resort extinction protocol. It becomes a rogue AI and the primary threat Aloy must stop.
• Dr. Elisabet Sobeck: Creator of Project Zero Dawn / Key Figure from the Old World
  A brilliant scientist from the 21st century who spearheaded Project Zero Dawn to save life on Earth from the Faro Plague. Aloy bears a striking resemblance to her.
• Ted Faro: CEO of Faro Automated Solutions / Architect of the Faro Plague
  The CEO of the corporation that created the self-replicating combat machines which caused the Faro Plague, ultimately leading to the end of the Old World. His actions had catastrophic consequences.

• Playable Operatives (Various): Protagonist (Player-Recruited DedSec Members)
  Any NPC in London can potentially be recruited. Each comes with a unique name, appearance, voice, backstory, daily schedule, and a set of perks/abilities (e.g., faster hacking, specific weapon proficiency, unique vehicle access, combat bonuses, negative traits like 'Doomed' or 'Low Mobility').
• Sabine Brandt: DedSec Leader / Key Ally
  One of the last original DedSec London members after the Zero-Day attacks. She guides the player in rebuilding the resistance and serves as a primary mission handler.
• Bagley: DedSec AI Companion / Mission Handler
  A sarcastic and witty AI that assists DedSec with hacking, intel, and mission coordination. Provides much of the game's humor and exposition.
• Nigel Cass: Main Antagonist / CEO of Albion
  The ruthless CEO of Albion, the private military corporation that has taken over London's security. He is a primary antagonist, seeking total control through technological dominance.
• Mary Kelley: Main Antagonist / Leader of Clan Kelley
  The sadistic leader of Clan Kelley, an organized crime syndicate involved in human trafficking, organ harvesting, and dark web activities. A major antagonist.
• Zero-Day: Main Antagonist (Mysterious Entity)
  The enigmatic individual or group responsible for the bombings that framed DedSec. Uncovering their identity and motives is a central plotline.
• Aiden Pearce (DLC Playable Character): Returning Protagonist (Watch Dogs 1)
  The protagonist of the first Watch Dogs game, returns as a playable character in the 'Bloodline' DLC and can be recruited into the main campaign's DedSec team.
• Wrench (DLC Playable Character): Returning Character (Watch Dogs 2)
  A popular anarchist hacker from Watch Dogs 2, returns as a playable character in the 'Bloodline' DLC and can be recruited into the main campaign's DedSec team.
• Darcy Clarkson (DLC Playable Character): Crossover Character (Assassin's Creed)
  A modern-day member of the Assassin Brotherhood, added as a free post-launch operative, bringing Assassin skills and gadgets to DedSec.
• Mina Sidhu (DLC Playable Character): Unique Operative
  A former test subject who gained mind-control abilities (Omini Project). Added as part of the Season Pass.

• Main Quests (Aloy's Journey)
  A series of narrative-driven quests that follow Aloy's personal journey to discover her origins, the truth about the Old World, the cause of the machine derangement, and the threat posed by HADES and the Eclipse cult. These missions span the entire game world and involve critical story revelations and boss encounters.
• Side Quests
  Optional quests given by various NPCs throughout the world. These often involve helping individuals or tribes with their problems, exploring specific locations, hunting particular machines, and provide more lore, XP, and rewards.
• Errands
  Simpler, shorter optional tasks, often involving fetching specific items or dealing with minor threats for NPCs.
• Tallnecks
  Climbing massive, giraffe-like communication machines (Tallnecks) and overriding them from their heads. This clears the fog of war from that section of the map, revealing points of interest, machine sites, and settlements.
• Cauldrons
  Infiltrating and navigating dangerous underground machine factories (Cauldrons). Successfully reaching the core and overriding it unlocks the ability for Aloy to override new types of machines in the open world. Each Cauldron features platforming, puzzles, and a boss fight.
• Hunting Grounds
  Designated arenas where Aloy can undertake timed trials that test her combat and trapping skills against specific machines under various conditions. Earning higher ranks (Half Sun, Full Sun, Blazing Sun) rewards XP and special items.
• Bandit Camps
  Clearing out encampments occupied by hostile human bandits. Usually involves defeating all bandits and their leader, and often freeing prisoners or recovering stolen goods.
• Corrupted Zones
  Areas where machines have become more aggressive and powerful due to corruption. Clearing these zones typically involves defeating all corrupted machines within the designated area.
• The Frozen Wilds Main & Side Quests (DLC)
  A new set of main and side quests within 'The Cut' region, focusing on the Banuk tribe, a new machine threat (the Daemon), and the mysteries of an ancient AI entity called the Spirit.

• Main Story Campaign (Rebuilding DedSec & Uncovering Zero-Day)
  A series of narrative missions focused on rebuilding DedSec London after the Zero-Day bombings, recruiting new members, destabilizing the control of Albion and Clan Kelley over the city, and ultimately investigating and confronting the mysterious Zero-Day entity.
• Borough Uprising Missions
  Each of London's boroughs is under oppressive control. Completing a series of specific destabilization activities within a borough (e.g., rescuing prisoners, destroying propaganda, sabotaging Albion equipment) culminates in a unique liberation mission. Completing this frees the borough and unlocks a skilled operative with unique abilities related to that borough.
• Operative Recruitment Missions
  After profiling an NPC and marking them as a potential recruit, players often need to complete a short mission tailored to that NPC's problems or needs to convince them to join DedSec (e.g., clearing their debt, finding a lost item, exposing a corrupt employer).
• Side Missions & Activities
  Various optional tasks and activities found throughout London, such as parcel delivery missions (Parcel Fox), bare-knuckle fighting leagues, kick-up (football juggling) challenges, and disrupting specific Albion or Clan Kelley operations not tied to borough uprisings.
• Online Co-op Missions (Watch Dogs: Legion Online)
  Narrative-driven cooperative missions designed for 2-4 players, often involving multi-stage objectives, teamwork, and unique challenges separate from the single-player campaign.
• Tactical Ops (Watch Dogs: Legion Online)
  Challenging, end-game 4-player cooperative missions requiring high levels of coordination, communication, and skilled use of operative abilities and gadgets to overcome difficult scenarios with multiple complex objectives.
• Bloodline Story Expansion (DLC)
  A separate story campaign set before the events of the main game, starring Aiden Pearce and Wrench as they undertake a new mission in London. Features its own narrative, missions, and progression.

Originally released with a Standard Edition. The 'Complete Edition' (for PS4 and PC) includes the base game, 'The Frozen Wilds' expansion, a digital art book, a PS4 dynamic theme, and several in-game item packs (Carja Storm Ranger Outfit and Mighty Bow, Carja Trader Pack, Banuk Trailblazer Outfit and Culling Bow, Banuk Traveller Pack, Nora Keeper Pack). A 'Remastered Edition' for PS5 and PC was released on October 31, 2024, featuring graphical enhancements and new features.

Available in Standard, Gold, Ultimate, and Collector's Editions. Gold Edition included the Season Pass (Bloodline story expansion, 4 unique heroes including Aiden Pearce and Wrench, extra DedSec missions, car skin). Ultimate Edition included Gold content plus the Ultimate Pack (3 additional characters, masks, and 4 weeks VIP status for in-game currency boost). Collector's Edition included physical items like a DedSec Coronet Mask replica, SteelBook, posters, and all Ultimate Edition digital content.

The major post-launch content is 'The Frozen Wilds,' a significant story expansion that adds a new northern region ('The Cut'), new characters, new machines (e.g., Frostclaws, Fireclaws), new weapons, new skills ('Traveler' skill tree), and a compelling storyline. This expansion is included in the Complete Edition and Remastered Edition.

Major post-launch content included the 'Bloodline' story expansion (starring Aiden Pearce from Watch Dogs 1 and Wrench from Watch Dogs 2), new playable hero characters (Mina Sidhu with mind control, Darcy Clarkson from Assassin's Creed), new online modes (Tactical Ops, Spiderbot Arena, Invasion PvP), free roam activities for online, and various cosmetic packs and operative unlocks. Ongoing support with seasonal events and smaller updates.

• Q: When was Horizon Zero Dawn originally released?
  A: Horizon Zero Dawn was first released for PlayStation 4 on February 28, 2017 (North America). The PC (Complete Edition) version was released on August 7, 2020. A Remastered Edition for PS5 and PC launched on October 31, 2024.
• Q: What is the story of Horizon Zero Dawn about?
  A: It follows Aloy, an outcast hunter in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by robotic creatures, as she uncovers the secrets of her mysterious birth, the fate of the ancient human civilization (the 'Old Ones'), and the origin of the machines that now roam the Earth.
• Q: What kind of game is Horizon Zero Dawn?
  A: It is an open-world action role-playing game (Action RPG) played from a third-person perspective. Gameplay focuses on combat against machines using bows, traps, and other tools, stealth, crafting, exploration, and a rich narrative.
• Q: What is the Focus device Aloy uses?
  A: The Focus is an augmented reality device from the Old World that Aloy finds as a child. It allows her to scan machines to identify weak points and elemental vulnerabilities, track enemies and paths, analyze ancient data logs, and interact with Old World technology.
• Q: Can you ride machines in Horizon Zero Dawn?
  A: Yes, Aloy can learn to override certain types of machines by completing Cauldrons. Once overridden, some machines like Striders, Broadheads, and Chargers can be used as mounts for faster travel across the open world.
• Q: Is Horizon Zero Dawn a multiplayer game?
  A: No, Horizon Zero Dawn is a single-player only experience. It does not have any multiplayer or co-operative modes.
• Q: What is 'The Frozen Wilds'?
  A: 'The Frozen Wilds' is a major story expansion for Horizon Zero Dawn. It adds a new icy northern region called 'The Cut,' a new storyline involving the Banuk tribe, new characters, dangerous new machines (like Frostclaws and Fireclaws), new weapons, and new skills. It's included in the Complete Edition and Remastered Edition of the game.

• Q: What does 'Play As Anyone' mean in Watch Dogs: Legion?
  A: It means that nearly every non-player character (NPC) you see in the game's open world of London can be profiled, recruited, and become a fully playable member of your DedSec resistance. Each character has their own unique combination of skills, traits, weapons, and even daily schedules.
• Q: Is there a main protagonist, or do you only play as recruited operatives?
  A: There isn't a single, fixed main protagonist in the traditional sense for the base game. You build your team from the citizens of London. However, the 'Bloodline' DLC features Aiden Pearce (from Watch Dogs 1) and Wrench (from Watch Dogs 2) as central playable protagonists for that specific story.
• Q: Can my operatives permanently die?
  A: The game offers a 'Permadeath' option. If enabled, when an operative is critically injured (e.g., 'killed' in combat), they are permanently lost from your team. If disabled (default), operatives are instead arrested or hospitalized for a period, becoming temporarily unavailable.
• Q: How does hacking work in Watch Dogs: Legion?
  A: Hacking is a core mechanic. Players can hack a wide variety of objects and systems: security cameras, drones, vehicles (distract, steer, weaponize), turrets, people's phones (distract, attract), environmental traps (explode junction boxes, raise bollards), and more. Advanced hacks are unlocked via Tech Point upgrades.
• Q: Is Watch Dogs: Legion Online still active?
  A: Yes, Watch Dogs: Legion Online is active, allowing players to team up for co-op missions, Tactical Ops, engage in PvP modes like Spiderbot Arena, or explore London in free roam with friends. Content updates have slowed, but servers remain online.

Powered by the Decima engine, Horizon Zero Dawn is renowned for its breathtaking visuals, featuring lush and diverse environments, highly detailed machine designs, realistic weather effects, and a dynamic day/night cycle. The PC port and PS5 Remastered Edition offer enhanced graphical options, including higher resolutions, framerates, improved draw distances, and ultrawide support (PC).

Powered by an updated version of the Disrupt engine, the game offers a detailed and vibrant recreation of London. It features impressive reflections (especially with ray tracing), realistic weather effects, dense crowds and traffic, and detailed character models. Ray-traced reflections are a key visual feature on supported hardware, significantly enhancing the look of London's glass and rain-slicked streets.

The acclaimed original score, composed by Joris de Man, The Flight, Niels van der Leest, and Jonathan Williams, features a blend of orchestral, tribal, and electronic elements that perfectly capture the game's atmosphere. Sound design for machines is distinctive and crucial for identifying threats.

Original score composed by Stephen Barton and additional music by various artists, blending electronic, grime, and orchestral elements to reflect near-future London's atmosphere. Features in-game radio stations with a diverse selection of licensed tracks across multiple genres. Sound design emphasizes a technologically advanced city with drone hums, AR sounds, and distinct weapon/hacking effects.

Features a clean and immersive UI with a compass, quest log, health/medicine indicators, weapon/ammo selection wheel, and contextual prompts. The Focus scan provides detailed information overlay about machines and the environment. A world map is used for navigation and tracking objectives.

Features a futuristic, AR-overlay style HUD displaying a mini-map, objective markers, hackable objects, and operative-specific abilities. The phone interface is used for mission selection, team management, map, and accessing DedSec tech. The 'Deep Profiler' allows players to scan any NPC to learn their schedule, connections, and potential recruitment viability.

Offers a comprehensive suite of accessibility options, including extensive control remapping, aim assist customization, subtitle options (size, background, speaker names, captions for important sounds), colorblind modes, options to change hold QTEs to toggles, adjustable text size, HUD scaling, and audio/visual cues for various gameplay elements.

• Official PC system requirements for 'Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered' (or Complete Edition on PC, which has similar demands). Performance can vary depending on specific hardware, driver versions, and in-game settings. An SSD is strongly recommended for optimal performance. The game supports various upscaling technologies.
• Laptop Performance Note: Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, while an older base game, can still be demanding on PC, especially at higher settings or resolutions. For a good laptop experience, a modern gaming laptop with a capable dedicated GPU, sufficient TGP, and good cooling is advised. **Actual performance can vary significantly based on the specific laptop model's TGP, cooling solution, CPU, RAM, and software configuration.** Always check reviews for specific laptop models.
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P Impact: Total Graphics Power (TGP) is crucial for laptop GPU performance. Higher TGP variants of the same GPU model will perform better. Check manufacturer specs.
• Laptop Consideration: Advanced Cooling Thermals: Effective cooling is essential to prevent thermal throttling and maintain consistent framerates during gameplay. Laptops with robust cooling solutions are preferred.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Performance Sustain: A modern mobile CPU (Intel Core H-series, AMD Ryzen H/HS-series) that can sustain good clock speeds is important to complement the GPU, especially in this open-world environment with complex machine AI.
• Laptop Consideration: R A M Configuration Speed: 16GB in dual-channel configuration is recommended for smoother gameplay. RAM speed can also impact performance in certain scenarios.
• Laptop Consideration: Display Panel G P U Pairing: Match the GPU's capability to the laptop's display resolution (1080p, 1440p) and refresh rate. Upscaling technologies can help bridge performance gaps.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch N V I D I A Advanced Optimus: Laptops with a MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus can offer improved performance by directly connecting the dedicated GPU to the display.
• Laptop Consideration: Driver Updates O S Optimization: Utilize the latest official GPU drivers and ensure Windows is optimized for gaming.
• Optimization Detail: Upscaling Tech: The PC (Complete Edition/Remastered) supports NVIDIA DLSS (DLSS 3 for Remastered), AMD FSR (FSR 3.1 for Remastered), and Intel XeSS. These are highly recommended for improving performance at higher settings and resolutions.
• Optimization Detail: Key Settings Impact: Resolution, Model Quality, Anisotropic Filtering, Shadows, Reflections, Clouds, Ambient Occlusion, and Anti-Aliasing significantly impact performance. The Remastered version also has enhanced graphics options.
• Game Name: Horizon Zero Dawn

• Official system requirements from Ubisoft. Performance can vary significantly depending on specific hardware, settings, areas in-game (especially dense city areas), and background applications. An SSD is strongly recommended.
• Laptop Performance Note: Laptop models of listed desktop GPUs may work if their performance is comparable, but TGP (Total Graphics Power) and cooling are extremely critical. **Watch Dogs: Legion is a demanding title, especially with ray tracing enabled. High-end laptop hardware is necessary for higher settings and resolutions.**
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: Maximum TGP is crucial for performance.
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: Excellent cooling is essential to prevent severe thermal throttling.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: Laptops with sustained high CPU power limits will perform better.
• Laptop Consideration: R A M Speed Dual Channel: Fast dual-channel RAM benefits performance.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: Using a MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is highly recommended for optimal framerates.
• Optimization Detail: Upscaling Tech: Supports NVIDIA DLSS (version 2.0+).
• Optimization Detail: Key Settings Impact: Ray Tracing Quality (Reflections), Shadow Quality, Geometry Detail, Environment Detail, and Texture Quality heavily impact performance. Using DLSS is highly recommended for higher settings/resolutions, especially with ray tracing.
• Game Name: Watch Dogs: Legion

• Upscaling Tech: The PC (Complete Edition/Remastered) supports NVIDIA DLSS (DLSS 3 for Remastered), AMD FSR (FSR 3.1 for Remastered), and Intel XeSS. These are highly recommended for improving performance at higher settings and resolutions.
• Key Settings Impact: Resolution, Model Quality, Anisotropic Filtering, Shadows, Reflections, Clouds, Ambient Occlusion, and Anti-Aliasing significantly impact performance. The Remastered version also has enhanced graphics options.

• Upscaling Tech: Supports NVIDIA DLSS (version 2.0+).
• Key Settings Impact: Ray Tracing Quality (Reflections), Shadow Quality, Geometry Detail, Environment Detail, and Texture Quality heavily impact performance. Using DLSS is highly recommended for higher settings/resolutions, especially with ray tracing.

• G P U T G P Impact: Total Graphics Power (TGP) is crucial for laptop GPU performance. Higher TGP variants of the same GPU model will perform better. Check manufacturer specs.
• Advanced Cooling Thermals: Effective cooling is essential to prevent thermal throttling and maintain consistent framerates during gameplay. Laptops with robust cooling solutions are preferred.
• C P U Performance Sustain: A modern mobile CPU (Intel Core H-series, AMD Ryzen H/HS-series) that can sustain good clock speeds is important to complement the GPU, especially in this open-world environment with complex machine AI.
• R A M Configuration Speed: 16GB in dual-channel configuration is recommended for smoother gameplay. RAM speed can also impact performance in certain scenarios.
• Display Panel G P U Pairing: Match the GPU's capability to the laptop's display resolution (1080p, 1440p) and refresh rate. Upscaling technologies can help bridge performance gaps.
• M U X Switch N V I D I A Advanced Optimus: Laptops with a MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus can offer improved performance by directly connecting the dedicated GPU to the display.
• Driver Updates O S Optimization: Utilize the latest official GPU drivers and ensure Windows is optimized for gaming.

• G P U T G P: Maximum TGP is crucial for performance.
• Cooling Thermals: Excellent cooling is essential to prevent severe thermal throttling.
• C P U Power Limits: Laptops with sustained high CPU power limits will perform better.
• R A M Speed Dual Channel: Fast dual-channel RAM benefits performance.
• M U X Switch Optimus: Using a MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is highly recommended for optimal framerates.