Horizon Zero Dawn Gameplay Video
Featured: Game Comparisons
Horizon Zero Dawn Key Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Engine | Decima |
| Genre | Action Role-Playing (Action RPG), Open World |
| Initial Release (PS4) | 2017-02-28 |
| PC Release (Complete Edition) | 2020-08-07 |
| Remastered Release (PS5, PC) | 2024-10-31 |
| Developer | Guerrilla Games |
| Publisher | Sony Interactive Entertainment / PlayStation Publishing LLC (PC) |
| Setting | Post-Apocalyptic 31st Century Earth (Colorado, Utah, Wyoming) |
| Perspective | Third-Person |
| Platforms | PlayStation 4, Windows PC, PlayStation 5 (via Backward Compatibility & Remaster) |
| Multiplayer | Single-player Only |
| Unique Feature | Unique post-apocalyptic world with robotic creatures, compelling story of Aloy, strategic machine combat by targeting weak points, machine overriding. |
Horizon Zero Dawn System Requirements
Minimum_720p_30FPS_VeryLow_Remastered
tune Minimum (Remastered - Target: 720p, 30 FPS, Very Low Preset) – Very Low Preset. Upscaling may be needed.
Recommended_1080p_60FPS_Medium_Remastered
tune Recommended (Remastered - Target: 1080p, 60 FPS, Medium Preset) – Medium Preset. Upscaling (DLSS/FSR/XeSS 'Quality' or 'Balanced') recommended.
High_1440p_60FPS_OR_4K_30FPS_High_Remastered
tune High (Remastered - Target: 1440p @ 60 FPS / 4K @ 30 FPS, High Preset) – High Preset, Upscaling (DLSS/FSR/XeSS 'Quality' for 1440p, 'Balanced' for 4K) recommended.
VeryHigh_4K_60FPS_VeryHigh_Remastered
tune Very High (Remastered - Target: 4K @ 60 FPS, Very High Preset) – Very High Preset, Upscaling (DLSS/FSR/XeSS 'Performance' or 'Balanced') essential.
Horizon Zero Dawn Laptop Recommendations
memory Intel Core I9 13900 H
developer_board NVIDIA RTX 4060 140W
storage 16GB DDR5-5200MHz
999
Model: Acer Nitro V with RTX 4060 and i9 13th Gen
memory CPU: Intel Core I9 13900 H (Score: 1058)
developer_board GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4060 (Score: 6700) @ 140W TGP
storage RAM: 16GB DDR5-5200MHz
save Storage: 512GB NVMe
desktop_windows Display: 1920 x 1080 (FHD)
Meets criteria for tier: Minimum_720p_30FPS_VeryLow_Remastered - Minimum (Very Low Preset. Upscaling may be needed.).
memory Intel Core I9 14900 H
developer_board NVIDIA RTX 4060 140W
storage 32GB DDR5-5600MHz
1749
Model: Lenovo Legion Pro 5i (i9-14900HX, RTX 4060)
memory CPU: Intel Core I9 14900 H (Score: 1200)
developer_board GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4060 (Score: 6700) @ 140W TGP
storage RAM: 32GB DDR5-5600MHz
save Storage: 2000GB NVMe
desktop_windows Display: 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA)
Meets criteria for tier: Minimum_720p_30FPS_VeryLow_Remastered - Minimum (Very Low Preset. Upscaling may be needed.).
memory Intel Core I9 12900 H
developer_board NVIDIA RTX 3070 TI 150W
storage 16GB DDR5-4800MHz
1397
Model: Asus Rog Strix Scar 15 with RTX 3070 Ti and i9 12th Gen
memory CPU: Intel Core I9 12900 H (Score: 1030)
developer_board GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3070 TI (Score: 7100) @ 150W TGP
storage RAM: 16GB DDR5-4800MHz
save Storage: 1000GB NVMe
desktop_windows Display: 2560 x 1440 (QHD)
Meets criteria for tier: Minimum_720p_30FPS_VeryLow_Remastered - Minimum (Very Low Preset. Upscaling may be needed.).
memory AMD Ryzen 7 7435 HS
developer_board NVIDIA RTX 3050 75W
storage 32GB DDR5-4800MHz
799
Model: ASUS TUF A15 with RTX 3050 and Ryzen 7
memory CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7435 HS (Score: 1655)
developer_board GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3050 (Score: 7220) @ 75W TGP
storage RAM: 32GB DDR5-4800MHz
save Storage: 1000GB NVMe
desktop_windows Display: 1920 x 1080 (FHD)
Meets criteria for tier: Minimum_720p_30FPS_VeryLow_Remastered - Minimum (Very Low Preset. Upscaling may be needed.).
memory Intel Core I9 14900 H
developer_board NVIDIA RTX 4070
storage 32GB DDR5-5600MHz
1699
Model: MSI Creator M16 HX with RTX 4070
memory CPU: Intel Core I9 14900 H (Score: 1200)
developer_board GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4070 (Score: 8700)
storage RAM: 32GB DDR5-5600MHz
save Storage: 2000GB NVMe
desktop_windows Display: 2560 x 1600 (QHD+)
Meets criteria for tier: Minimum_720p_30FPS_VeryLow_Remastered - Minimum (Very Low Preset. Upscaling may be needed.).
memory Intel Core I9 14900 H
developer_board NVIDIA RTX 4070
storage 16GB DDR5-5600MHz
1615
Model: ASUS ROG Strix G16 with RTX 4070
memory CPU: Intel Core I9 14900 H (Score: 1200)
developer_board GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4070 (Score: 8700)
storage RAM: 16GB DDR5-5600MHz
save Storage: 1000GB NVMe
desktop_windows Display: 2560 x 1600 (QHD+)
Meets criteria for tier: Minimum_720p_30FPS_VeryLow_Remastered - Minimum (Very Low Preset. Upscaling may be needed.).
memory Intel Core I9 12950 H
developer_board NVIDIA RTX 3080 TI 175W
storage 32GB DDR5-4800MHz
2499
Model: ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 Se with RTX 3080 Ti and i9
memory CPU: Intel Core I9 12950 H (Score: 1054)
developer_board GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3080 TI (Score: 9100) @ 175W TGP
storage RAM: 32GB DDR5-4800MHz
save Storage: 2000GB NVMe
desktop_windows Display: 2560 x 1440 (QHD)
Meets criteria for tier: Minimum_720p_30FPS_VeryLow_Remastered - Minimum (Very Low Preset. Upscaling may be needed.).
memory Intel Core I9 14900 H
developer_board NVIDIA RTX 4080
storage 64 GB DDR5-5600MHz
2699
Model: HP OMEN 16 with RTX 4080 and intel i9 14th Gen
memory CPU: Intel Core I9 14900 H (Score: 1200)
developer_board GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4080 (Score: 10500)
storage RAM: 64 GB DDR5-5600MHz
save Storage: 1000GB NVMe
desktop_windows Display: 2560 x 1440 (QHD)
Meets criteria for tier: Minimum_720p_30FPS_VeryLow_Remastered - Minimum (Very Low Preset. Upscaling may be needed.).
memory AMD Ryzen 9 7945 HX
developer_board NVIDIA RTX 4080
storage 32GB DDR5
2499
Model: Lenovo Legion Pro 7 Gaming Laptop with RTX 4080 and Ryzen 9
memory CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7945 HX (Score: 1150)
developer_board GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4080 (Score: 12500)
storage RAM: 32GB DDR5
save Storage: 1000GB SSD
desktop_windows Display: 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA)
Meets criteria for tier: Minimum_720p_30FPS_VeryLow_Remastered - Minimum (Very Low Preset. Upscaling may be needed.).
memory Intel Core I9 14900 H
developer_board NVIDIA RTX 4080
storage 64GB DDR5-5600MHz
3399
Model: Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 2024 With Rtx 4080
memory CPU: Intel Core I9 14900 H (Score: 1200)
developer_board GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4080 (Score: 12500)
storage RAM: 64GB DDR5-5600MHz
save Storage: 4000GB NVMe
desktop_windows Display: 2560 x 1600 (2.5K)
Meets criteria for tier: Minimum_720p_30FPS_VeryLow_Remastered - Minimum (Very Low Preset. Upscaling may be needed.).
-
Core Requirements
- desktop_windowsOperating System: Windows 10 64-bit (version 1909 or higher for Remastered)
A 64-bit version of Windows 10 (specified version or newer) or Windows 11 is required.
- save_altStorage Note: 135 GB available space (SSD Strongly Recommended for Remastered/Complete Edition)
An SSD is highly recommended for faster load times, reduced texture pop-in, and a smoother overall experience. The original PC port required ~100GB.
settings_applications Optimization Notes:
Upscaling: 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: Resolution, Model Quality, Anisotropic Filtering, Shadows, Reflections, Clouds, Ambient Occlusion, and Anti-Aliasing significantly impact performance. The Remastered version also has enhanced graphics options.
Horizon Zero Dawn: Map Size and Regions
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.
Horizon Zero Dawn: Post-Launch Content / DLC
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.
Horizon Zero Dawn: Game Editions
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.
Horizon Zero Dawn: Cross-Platform / Crossplay
Horizon Zero Dawn is a single-player game, so cross-play is not applicable. Save files might be transferable between PS4 and PS5 versions for the original game via backward compatibility or specific upgrade paths for the Remastered version.
Horizon Zero Dawn Specific Game Elements
Horizon Zero Dawn Weapons
- securityHunter 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).
- securityRattler (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).
- securityRopecaster (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.
- securitySharpshot 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).
- securitySling (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).
- securitySpear (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.
- securityStormslinger, 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.
- securityTearblaster (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.
- securityTripcaster (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).
- securityWar 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).
Horizon Zero Dawn Vehicles
- directions_carOverridden 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.
- directions_carZip-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.
Horizon Zero Dawn Characters
- personAloy - Protagonist / Nora Huntress & Seeker (playable)
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.
- personAvad - 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.
- personDr. 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.
- personErend 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.
- personGAIA - 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.
- personHADES - 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.
- personHelis - 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.
- personHigh 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.
- personRost - 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.
- personSylens - 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.
- personTed 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.
Top 3 Characters:
The resilient, curious, and skilled Nora outcast protagonist, driven to uncover her origins and the world's secrets. 2. Rost: Aloy's stern but caring adoptive father figure, an outcast himself, who teaches her survival skills. 3. Sylens: A mysterious and enigmatic researcher obsessed with Old World knowledge and the machines, who both aids and manipulates Aloy.
Horizon Zero Dawn Missions / Objectives
- flagBandit Camps
Objective: Clearing out encampments occupied by hostile human bandits. Usually involves defeating all bandits and their leader, and often freeing prisoners or recovering stolen goods.
- flagCauldrons
Objective: 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.
- flagCorrupted Zones
Objective: 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.
- flagErrands
Objective: Simpler, shorter optional tasks, often involving fetching specific items or dealing with minor threats for NPCs.
- flagHunting Grounds
Objective: 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.
- flagMain Quests (Aloy's Journey)
Objective: 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.
- flagSide Quests
Objective: 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.
- flagTallnecks
Objective: 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.
- flagThe Frozen Wilds Main & Side Quests (DLC)
Objective: 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.
Top 3 Missions/Objectives (Conceptual based on game structure):
Proving: A Nora tribal rite of passage that sets Aloy on her main quest and introduces key conflicts. 2. Overriding Tallnecks: Climbing massive, giraffe-like machines to synchronize with them and reveal sections of the world map and points of interest. 3. Exploring Cauldrons: Delving into ancient, self-replicating machine factories (Cauldrons) to learn new machine override codes and face challenging encounters.
Horizon Zero Dawn Companions / Summons
- groupOverridden Machines (Temporary Mounts/Allies) (Robotic Machines)
Ability: 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.
- groupRost (Early Game Mentor) (Human (Nora Outcast))
Ability: 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.
- groupVarious Story Allies (Temporary) (Human (Nora, Carja, Oseram, Banuk))
Ability: 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.
Horizon Zero Dawn Collectibles
- collections_bookmarkAncient Vessels
Location/Use: 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.
- collections_bookmarkAnimal Figurines (The Frozen Wilds DLC)
Location/Use: Six animal-themed figurines hidden within 'The Cut,' the new region in The Frozen Wilds expansion. Part of a side quest.
- collections_bookmarkBanuk Figures (Arnak's Figures)
Location/Use: 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.
- collections_bookmarkGrazer Training Dummies
Location/Use: 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.
- collections_bookmarkMetal Flowers
Location/Use: 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.
- collections_bookmarkPigments (The Frozen Wilds DLC)
Location/Use: 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.
- collections_bookmarkPower Cells (for Shield-Weaver Armor)
Location/Use: 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.
- collections_bookmarkVantages
Location/Use: 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.
Top 3 Collectibles:
Datapoints that reveal glimpses of the Old World when Aloy views them through her Focus, often located in scenic, hard-to-reach spots. 2. Metal Flowers: Mysterious, glowing metallic flowers found throughout the world, tied to a set of poems. 3. Ancient Vessels: Mugs and cups from the Old World, often found in ruins, which can be traded for rewards.
Horizon Zero Dawn Armor
- shieldBanuk Sickness Eater Outfit
Focus/Stats: Banuk tribal wear, typically offering resistance to freeze or corruption damage. Available in different tiers.
- shieldCarja Blazon Outfit
Focus/Stats: Ornate Carja attire, often providing resistance to fire damage. Available in light, medium, and heavy variants with increasing protection and modification slots.
- shieldFrozen Wilds Outfits (e.g., Banuk Chieftain, Carja Blazon Master)
Focus/Stats: 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.
- shieldModification Slots
Focus/Stats: 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.
- shieldNora Brave Outfit (Starting Outfit)
Focus/Stats: Aloy's initial outfit, offering basic protection. Multiple variants can be acquired, providing minor resistances or stealth benefits.
- shieldNora Silent Hunter Outfit
Focus/Stats: Specialized Nora outfit designed to enhance stealth, making Aloy harder for enemies (humans and machines) to detect.
- shieldOseram Arrow Breaker Outfit
Focus/Stats: Sturdy Oseram-made armor, primarily providing increased resistance to ranged projectile damage. Comes in light, medium, and heavy versions.
- shieldShield-Weaver Outfit (Unique Ancient Armor)
Focus/Stats: 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.
Horizon Zero Dawn Clothing / Appearance
- checkroomBanuk Outfits (Sickness Eater, Ice Hunter, Chieftain - Frozen Wilds)
Details: 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.
- checkroomCarja Outfits (Silks, Blazon, Shadow)
Details: 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.
- checkroomNora Outfits (Brave, Protector, Silent Hunter, Survivor)
Details: 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).
- checkroomOseram Outfits (Sparkworker, Arrow Breaker)
Details: Sturdy, practical gear crafted by the Oseram tribe, known for their metalworking. Often provide good melee or ranged damage protection.
- checkroomPre-order / Deluxe Edition Outfits (Nora Keeper, Carja Storm Ranger, Banuk Trailblazer)
Details: Cosmetic outfits that were part of pre-order bonuses or included in the Deluxe/Complete Editions of the game.
- checkroomShadow Carja Outfits (Kestrel)
Details: Darker, more menacing attire associated with the Shadow Carja faction.
- checkroomShield-Weaver Outfit
Details: 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.
Horizon Zero Dawn Other Features & Info
- labelMultiplayer Modes
Horizon Zero Dawn is a strictly single-player experience and does not feature any multiplayer or co-operative modes.
- labelUser Interface
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.
- labelSound and Music
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.
- labelGraphics and Visuals
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).
- labelAccessibility Features
Includes options for subtitle customization (size, background), remappable controls (PC), adjustable difficulty levels, aim assist, options to reduce camera shake, and audio cues. The Remastered version may include further enhancements.
- labelStory and Setting
Set in the 31st century in a post-apocalyptic United States (primarily Colorado, Utah, Wyoming), where humanity lives in primitive tribes and massive, animalistic machines dominate the wilderness. Aloy, an outcast of the Nora tribe, discovers a Focus device from the 'Old World' and seeks to uncover her origins and the truth about the cataclysm that ended the previous civilization (Project Zero Dawn, Faro Plague). Her journey leads her to interact with various tribes (Nora, Carja, Banuk, Oseram), confront a dangerous cult known as the Eclipse, and interact with ancient AI like GAIA and HADES.
- labelSkills and Upgrades Overview (Aloy's Abilities)
Aloy gains XP to level up and earn skill points, which can be invested in three main skill trees: 'Prowler' (stealth attacks, silent movement, resource gathering efficiency), 'Brave' (ranged combat damage, weapon handling, critical hits, melee power), and 'Forager' (crafting efficiency, potion effectiveness, machine override duration, resource carrying capacity). 'The Frozen Wilds' DLC adds a fourth 'Traveler' skill tree focusing on mounted combat, resource repairing, and new interactions. Weapons and outfits can be modified with coils and weaves for stat boosts and perks.
- labelTop 5 Weapons/Tools (Subjective/Iconic)
- 1. Hunter Bow: Versatile bow for various arrow types (fire, hardpoint, hunter arrows). 2. Sharpshot Bow: High-damage precision bow for sniping weak points and using tearblast arrows. 3. Tripcaster: Deploys tripwires with elemental effects (shock, blast, fire) to trap machines. 4. Ropecaster: Tethers machines to the ground, immobilizing them for critical hits or overriding. 5. Focus Device: Aloy's earpiece, used to scan machines (revealing weak points, elemental weaknesses, patrol paths), track enemies, and interact with ancient technology.
- labelTop 3 Gameplay Mechanics
- 1. Machine Combat & Weak Point Targeting: Strategic combat against diverse robotic creatures, requiring use of the Focus to identify and target specific components and elemental weaknesses for efficient takedowns. 2. Crafting & Resource Management: Gathering resources from machines and the environment to craft ammunition for various weapons, traps, potions, and inventory upgrades on the fly. 3. Overriding Machines: Learning to hack into different machine types through Cauldrons, allowing Aloy to turn them into temporary allies in combat or use them as mounts for faster traversal.
Horizon Zero Dawn Frequently Asked Questions
- help_outline When was Horizon Zero Dawn originally released?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.
- help_outline What is the story of Horizon Zero Dawn about?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.
- help_outline What kind of game is Horizon Zero Dawn?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.
- help_outline What is the Focus device Aloy uses?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.
- help_outline Can you ride machines in Horizon Zero Dawn?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.
- help_outline Is Horizon Zero Dawn a multiplayer game?No, Horizon Zero Dawn is a single-player only experience. It does not have any multiplayer or co-operative modes.
- help_outline What is 'The Frozen Wilds'?'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.