Sony Interactive Entertainment and Guerrilla Games recently announced the remastered version of Horizon Zero Dawn, and if you’re wondering how it compares to the original, read ahead.
With the upcoming remastered release, developer Guerrilla Games is bringing all the improved rendering technology found in the sequel, Horizon Forbidden West, to Horizon Zero Dawn. Characters have been upgraded, bringing them in line with current generation advancements in character models and rendering. The remastered version also features improved animation, lighting, and textures.
Foliage in Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered is much denser than in the original. New detail has been added to the environment, and the LOD and draw distance have both been improved. Furthermore, volumetric fog has is of much higher quality than in the original Horizon Zero Dawn. Atmospheric rendering has also been significantly improved to match the dynamic clouds seen in Horizon Forbidden West. Facial, hair and eye rendering has been overhauled to appear more realistic and in line with the sequel.
The DualSense controller’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers enhance the experience during combat, exploration, and when climbing large machines like the Tallneck, offering a more immersive feel in the remastered version. Custom haptic feedback has been integrated throughout the game to deepen player engagement further. A new optional accessibility feature has also been added, using sound and haptic feedback to alert players to interactive elements, such as pickups, which were previously indicated only visually. In addition, Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered offers native support for the PlayStation 5 Pro, introducing enhanced graphical features that take advantage of the console’s power while delivering high fidelity and fast frame rates.
The PC version of Horizon Zero Dawn on Windows includes the PlayStation overlay with Trophy support and offers several unique features. These include support for ultra-wide resolutions and cutting-edge performance-enhancing technologies, such as NVIDIA DLSS 3 and AMD FSR 3.1 with frame generation, providing an optimized gaming experience.