Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, launching on October 31, 2024, for PS5 and PC, indeed represents a massive upgrade from the original game. Here are the key improvements:
1. Visual Enhancements:
- Graphics upgraded to match the standards of Horizon Forbidden West
- Improved terrain, foliage density, and set dressing in settlements
- Enhanced clouds, lighting, and facial animations
- Overall cinematic quality boost
2. Technical Improvements:
- 10 hours of additional motion-capture data for characters
- Livelier conversations, more akin to Horizon Forbidden West
- Updated animations for nearly 300 conversations and over 3100 dialog options
3. Performance:
- Takes full advantage of PS5 and compatible PCs (specific details not provided, but likely includes improved frame rates and loading times)
4. Content:
- Includes The Frozen Wilds expansion
- Borrows technology from the expansion to enhance the base game
5. Accessibility:
- Many accessibility features from Horizon Forbidden West incorporated
6. Pricing:
- $49.99 for new purchasers
- $9.99 upgrade fee for existing owners of Horizon Zero Dawn or Horizon Zero Dawn Complete Edition
The remaster goes beyond a simple visual update, with developers describing it as stretching "the very definition of a remaster." They've rebuilt many aspects of the world, making it a comprehensive upgrade that brings the original game closer to the visual and technical standards of its sequel, Horizon Forbidden West.
