I know I’m late to the party, nine years late, to be exact but I finally dove into Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered on my PlayStation. Games don’t really age, right? You can enjoy them whenever you want. Since I recently picked up a PlayStation, I’ve been on a mission to complete all the exclusives. Horizon was the only series I hadn’t touched, so I decided it was time. After spending over 20 hours and completing around 60% of the story, here are the things that truly impressed me.
World Design
The game is set a thousand years after a war between humans and machines, and the world feels transformed. Unlike most post-apocalyptic titles that drown you in endless deserts, Horizon offers diverse environments, deserts, snowy landscapes, ruins, and lush jungles.
Each biome feels alive and detailed. Forest areas genuinely look heavenly, cities are well-built, and every environment has machines that match its ecosystem. Snow regions have snow-type machines, deserts have desert-type ones, and jungles are filled with jungle predators. This design makes the world immersive and believable. Honestly, I loved exploring so much that I’ve already taken over 100 in-game photos.
Tactical Combat
Before playing, I thought combat would just be about shooting arrows at machines. But it’s far more strategic. Small machines can be taken down easily, but larger ones require planning. You need to scan them, identify weaknesses, and target critical components.
You can even shoot off their weapons and use those against them which is a brilliant mechanic. Traps, rope casters, and other tools add layers of strategy. Every encounter feels unique, and combat never gets boring.
Insane Sound Effects
With my Samsung sound system, the audio experience has been next level. When a massive machine passes by, the room literally vibrates like an earthquake. The booming sound effects make you feel like something colossal is moving right beside you.
It’s Dolby-like immersion, bullets whizzing past your ears, machines roaring with terrifying presence. Investing in a good sound system was the best decision I made, and I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to experience console gaming at its full potential.
Audio Data & Logs
Usually, players ignore audio logs in open-world games but here, they’re worth listening to. They reveal tragic stories from the past, what happened before and during the war, how humans were wiped out, and the emotional struggles of that era.
These logs add depth to the narrative, making the world feel richer and more haunting. Honestly, Horizon deserves a movie adaptation. The plot, setting, and characters are cinematic in every sense.
Aloy’s Personality
Finally, let’s talk about Aloy. Her personality is one of the strongest aspects of the game. The way she talks, her facial expressions, and her calm demeanor make her incredibly likable.
Her voice is soothing, not exaggerated like many female protagonists in other games. She treats NPCs with respect, and her interactions feel natural. Aloy is a character you genuinely connect with, and I’m sure many players feel the same.
Final Thoughts
so, these are the five things that stood out to me after 20 hours in Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, there’s still a lot more to cover, which I’ll save for a full review video on our YouTube channel. Until then, I’d love to hear what you enjoyed (or didn’t) about Horizon Zero Dawn.
