Horizon Zero Dawn PS4 In-depth Review
Published: Mon Oct 30 2023
Table Of Contents
Released in 2017, Horizon Zero Dawn was one of the first action RPGs I was truly interested in on the PS4. Everything from the visuals and graphics to the unique and complex story had me hooked. Needless to say, from the first 10 minutes of the game to the very end I was completely immersed in the diverse, post-apocalyptic world and thoroughly enjoyed the gameplay experience.
In this in-depth review, we will further explore what makes Horizon Zero Dawn such a captivating PS4 game through a breakdown of relevant and tailored metrics. This isn’t another critic review; this is from one gamer to another.
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Horizon Zero Dawn 4
Play Time
- Main Story: 25-30 hours
- Side + Main: 55-60 hours
Ratings (Out of 5)
Game Features
- Open World Exploration
- Dynamic Day-Night Cycle
- Bow and Arrow Combat
- Crafting and Resources
- Skill Tree
- Stealth and Tactical Gameplay
- Dialogue Choices
- The Frozen Wilds Expansion (DLC)
Story 5
Horizon Zero Dawn follows Aloy, a young yet skilled outcast hunter, as she attempts to uncover the truth about the Old Ones and what caused the fall of civilization as we know it. In a post-apocalyptic world teeming with mechanized creatures, Aloy sets out to discover the secrets of her own past, clearing corruption zones and encountering varied and diverse tribes as her story progresses.
Horizon Zero Dawn’s storyline is truly what makes this game so spectacular, with a world flowing with lore, history, and unique and varied cultures. The regressed tribes juxtaposes with more advance technology such as holographic recordings and datapoints, allowing the world to feel both familiar and mysterious. Undeniably, this game is long and, without total attention to the story, it can be easy to get a little lost with the complex lore. However, with a strong mix of emotional, thrilling and heart-warming interactions and cutscenes, Horizon Zero Dawn is a wonderfully captivating story.
Gameplay 4
The gameplay in Horizon Zero Dawn offers a satisfying blend of action and RPG elements. It excels in dynamic combat, but some repetitive tasks may hinder the overall experience. The game offers meaningful choices throughout that impact the story’s direction and outcome, which provides personal investment in the narrative. You are often faced with moral dilemmas, with your decisions shaping Aloy’s relationships with both other characters and the world around her.
Character Development 4
Aloy’s character development is well done, but other characters could benefit from more depth as the game progresses. Despite this, the main protagonist herself is a charming and well-developed character. Her journey of self-discovery, resilience, and determination is central to the story. The game also introduces a cast of diverse and memorable characters, each with their own motivations and backstories. The interactions between characters, as well as the choices you make throughout their dialogue, significantly impact the narrative’s progression. The skill tree feature is well-implemented and enjoyable to utilise. The appearance of Aloy is set, meaning there is limited customisation, however there is a variety of armour and outfits that can be chosen from, all of which offer distinct styles and features.
Graphics and Visuals 5
Horizon Zero Dawn is truly a visual masterpiece. The game boasts stunning graphics, with detailed landscapes and beautifully designed robotic creatures. From breathtaking towns and landscapes to emotive and detailed character graphics, Horizon Zero Dawn is as much a treat for the eye as it is the mind, if not more so.
Open World Design4
The open world is vast and filled with interesting places to explore, but some areas can feel a bit empty of both other characters and machines. Despite this, the game offers a good balance between freedom and guidance. Indeed, the game’s world-building is a standout feature. The world is teeming with lore, history, and unique cultures, each with its own beliefs and customs. The ruins of the past civilization, along with holographic recordings and datapoints, add depth and intrigue to the environment. The juxtaposition of primitive tribes and advanced technology is a constant source of fascination, making the world feel both familiar and mysterious.
Quests and side content3
The game offers a wide variety of quests and side activities, but some can feel repetitive, and they can be hard to find (don’t bother looking in Meridian). Due to the vast nature of the world, some side quests can be easy to miss but are nonetheless worthwhile if you are interested in world building and character development. Some side quests, such as ‘Hunter’s Blind’, reward you with items that can’t be bought from merchants so exploration of side quests and errands throughout the game would be key here.
Combat Mechanics 3
The combat in Horizon Zero Dawn is a real highlight, with a wide array of weapons and tactics to select from. With a selection of weapons ranging from bows of different types, spears, and ropecasters, it’s truly a joy to customise the combat to your own preference. Furthermore, the strategic element of targeting specific components on different machines is revolutionary, as well at the ability to override machines to either ride or fight for you. Whilst there is no target locking mechanism during combat, which can take some patience in getting used to, the slow motion skill counteracts this and allows you to truly hone your aim throughout the game.
Sound and Music 5
The game’s sound design and music truly enhance the overall experience and immersion, in particular the tribal and mechanical soundscapes are particularly memorable. Furthermore, as you battle and face challenges, the music grows in intensity, further adding to the tension and thrill as you play.
Replay value 3
While there may be incentive to replay for different story choices and character builds, additional endgame content or a deeper New Game+ experience could improve replay value of the game. Aloy is often given the choice to respond to narrative with a fist, brain or heart and but none of these truly impact the game direction in a drastic sense and certainly not in a way that warrants a replay. Furthermore, coming in at a minimum of 55 hours with side quests and errands, for some the game might simply be too long to play again. Ultimately, the charm of Horizon Zero Dawn is in its mystery, discovering how civilisation has fallen to such an extent. Once you have uncovered its secrets, there is little incentive to replay the game, if only to re-immerse yourself in the wonderful lore of Horizon Zero Dawn.
