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Horizon Zero Dawn
Critics Consensus (Play It)
A beautiful open-world that delivers consistent fun, challenge, and intrigue. Guerrilla Games has finally found its voice.
Game Info
Horizon Zero Dawn, an exhilarating new action role playing game exclusively for the PlayStation 4 system, developed by the award winning Guerrilla Games, creatos of PlayStation’s venerated Killzone franchise. As Horizon Zero Dawn’s main protagonist Aloy, a skilled hunter, explore a vibrant and lush world inhabited by mysterious mechanized creatures.
0%
Recommended
0%
Average Score
Total Reviews: 122
Best Adventure Game (2017), Editors' Choice
Gold TIER
36% of scored reviews fell within the range of 86 to 92 / 100
RELEASE DATES:
GENRES:
- RPG, Adventure
DEVELOPER(S):
- Guerrilla Games
PUBLISHER(S):
- Sony Interactive Entertainment
SERIES/FRANCHISE:
- Horizon
GAME MODES:
- Single player
GAME ENGINE:
- Decima
Where to Play
WHERE TO PLAY
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RATING & REVIEWS
Ratings & Reviews
122
Critic Reviews
90
Average Critic Score
Where to Play
CRITIC REVIEWS
All reviews are from professional critics. Learn more about the critics VSG aggregates.
High Score
100%
Median Score
90%
Low Score
50%
What did you think of Horizon Zero Dawn?
Player Reviews0 Votes
0
Lucy O’Brien (IGN)
February 20, 2017
9.3/10
Horizon Zero Dawn presents us with a beautiful world full of unforgettable challenges.
Dave Meikleham (PC Gamer)
August 6, 2020
86/10
A classy sandbox that stands out from the pack thanks to its brilliant battles against an array of fantastic beasts.
Zoe Delahunty-Light (GamesRadar+)
February 20, 2017
4.5/5 stars
An open-world that tailors to each and every interest, Horizon: Zero Dawn keeps combat fresh, with an intriguing protagonist to match.
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Score Ranges
Read the Reviews (122 total)
| Outlet | Author | Score | Date | Quote | Read |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3DNews | Иван Бышонкoв | 8 / 10 | 02-25-2017 | Guerilla Games did an amazing job on creating a nice open world game at first attempt. Yes, there are some issues here and there, but Horizon is still worth playing because of interesting story and solid combat. And holy crap, how gorgeous this game looks! | Read review |
| ACG | Jeremy Penter | Recommended | 02-25-2017 | “An excellent title with a few issues here and there.” | Read review |
| Arcade Sushi | Jason Fanelli | 9.5 / 10 | 02-20-2017 | With Horizon Zero Dawn, Guerrilla Games crafted a beautiful open world filled with life, both mechanical and human, and crammed full of things to do. | Read review |
| Areajugones | Juan Linares | 9.3 / 10 | 02-20-2017 | Horizon Zero Dawn was as good as everbody expected. A powerful narrative and a solid gameplay make this Guerrilla game one of the best titles that 2017 has to offer. | Read review |
| Atomix | Emilio Reyes | 93 / 100 | 02-20-2017 | Horizon: Zero Dawn offer us a very interesting story with good characters, and a huge beautiful world that invites you to explore with its narrative. With interesting tribes, dialogues, myths, towns and ruins of our civilization, the travel of Aloy in the adveture to know herself is completely enjoyable and the hunting of mechanic beasts is a memorable experience that found its basis to create the new big PlayStation IP. | Read review |
| Attack of the Fanboy | Dean James | 4.5 / 5 stars | 02-20-2017 | Featuring a likeable new protagonist in Aloy alongside a compelling story, deep combat system and stunning visuals — Guerrilla Games has already raised the bar for exclusives this year with Horizon: Zero Dawn. | Read review |
| AusGamers | Joaby | 9.6 / 10 | 02-20-2017 | All my gripes are just areas for a brand new, spectacular franchise to grow from though. It even feels a bit off talking about them, because Horizon came out so big to begin with. It’s odd to think that a team could get away with doing less — probably a lot less — and still earn acclaim. | Read review |
| BaziCenter | Sina Mozaffari | 9 / 10 | 03-03-2017 | Horizon: Zero Dawn not only gathers all the great elements of Action-RPG genre, but also introduces some neat and new ideas; and most importantly, executes all those new ideas brilliantly. A great setting, exciting new character, engaging combat system, a large and wonderful world full of quests; Horizon: Zero Dawn is the complete package. | Read review |
| Cerealkillerz | Gabriel Bogdan | 9.5 / 10 | 02-28-2017 | Horizon: Zero Dawn combines a fresh setting with some of the best parts that were already established by some Open-World Games and on top of that, it looks amazing. Besides a weak enemy AI and some minor animation issues you get one of the best action-rpgs of the last years. | Read review |
| CGMagazine | Brendan Quinn | 8.5 / 10 | 02-20-2017 | Horizon Zero Dawn is the gaming equivalent of realizing that sounding too much like the legends—when done well—is just fine. | Read review |
| Cheat Code Central | Patrick Tretina | 4.9 / 5 stars | 02-20-2017 | When all is said and done, Horizon Zero Dawn far exceeds my expectations and is on course to be one of the best titles the gaming community has seen in a long time. | Read review |
| COGconnected | Shawn Petraschuk | 100 / 100 | 02-20-2017 | Horizon Zero Dawn is Guerrilla Games’ crowning achievement in video game development. | Read review |
| ComiConverse | Dan Goad | 5 / 5 stars | 03-22-2017 | Horizon Zero Dawn is one of the best games of this generation. Whilst it borrows elements from other games, it melds them into a seamless experience that sets a new bar for open world games. | Read review |
| Critical Hit | Alessandro Barbosa | 9 / 10 | 03-01-2017 | Horizon Zero Dawn is a love letter to the finer details, as they reinvigorate an open-world setting in startling ways. Its tight combat and engrossing world are icing on a package that just shines from all angles, making it an easy recommendation to not only play on PS4, but to buy one in the first place. | Read review |
| Cubed3 | Drew Hurley | 9 / 10 | 03-12-2017 | There are exclusive titles on every console that epitomise the system; titles that are indelibly linked with that hardware through future generations. Adventures like The Last of Us, like Kingdom Hearts, like GoldenEye and Super Mario 64. Horizon: Zero Dawn stands worthily alongside these iconic releases. The story is enthralling, the open world is lush and inviting, the gameplay extremely addictive, and the sheer scale of it all is amazingly vast. Simply put, this is a phenomenal game. | Read review |
| Daily Dot | AJ Moser | 4 / 5 stars | 02-20-2017 | Though Horizon doesn’t represent a revolution in open-world adventures, it borrows heavily from past success stories and elevates the genre to a beautiful new standard. | Read review |
| Daily Mirror | Jeff Parsons | 5 / 5 stars | 03-03-2017 | Blending familiar gameplay with a stunning new world and dynamic lead character, Horizon is a tour de force for Sony’s console | Read review |
| Daily Star | James Wright | 5 / 5 stars | 07-04-2019 | Previously we’d have said that Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End was unequivocally the greatest game you’d ever see on the PS4. But now, thanks to the extra processing power of PS4 Pro, Horizon Zero Dawn probably edges it. Hell, it even has a fantastic photo mode thrown in just for good measure that can make those breathtaking vistas look all the more impressive. | Read review |
| DASHGAMER.com | Dan Rizzo | 10 / 10 | 08-05-2020 | Reveling in its allure, basking in its glory, and indulging in its refinement, Horizon takes a seat among the PC elite, demonstrating that Greatness has been on-hand, for an entire generation. Horizon: Zero Dawn is, and will forever be a masterpiece. | Read review |
| Destructoid | Chris Carter | 7.5 / 10 | 02-20-2017 | Horizon Zero Dawn is a fascinating premise wrapped in a tortilla of tropes. It has detective vision, radio towers, skill trees, masked load screens (Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland gets no credit for popularizing this in 2005, by the way), and a world map littered with billions of points of interest — all stuff you’ve seen before. But after you set up and execute a cunning plan to decimate a pack of giant robot crocodiles and that smile hits your face, it’s more excusable. | Read review |
| Digiato | Shayan Ziaei | 94 / 100 | 03-08-2017 | Horizon: Zero Dawn meets all our expectations of an exclusive game and even beyond. The story is really fascinating, music is no less than Ramin Djawadi’s masterpiece in Game of Thrones, artistic and technical graphics run at a level which we’ve never seen anything like it and gameplay speaks for itself. | Read review |
| Digital Chumps | Nathaniel Stevens | 9.8 / 10 | 02-20-2017 | Is this game worth you time and money? GOD, YES. Are you crazy? Honestly speaking, I didn’t expect this big of a game with HZD. I knew it was going to be pretty, like all Guerrilla Games are in their own way, but I didn’t expect the game to raise the bar with current generation games. | Read review |
| Digital Trends | Will Fulton | 4.5 / 5 stars | 02-20-2017 | ‘Horizon Zero Dawn’ nails every aspect of the open-world action RPG, including robot dinosaur hunting. | Read review |
| Digitally Downloaded | Matt Sainsbury | 3.5 / 5 stars | 02-20-2017 | Horizon is a remarkably refined and technically brilliant game, but Guerrilla has yet to prove that it can take that next step and produce a genuine classic. | Read review |
| DualShockers | Giuseppe Nelva | 10 / 10 | 02-22-2017 | Guerrilla Games has broken free from the claustrophobic limits of linear shooters and has spread its wings with a gorgeous open world RPG that sets itself as a strong contender for game of the year… and it’s only February. | Read review |
| Easy Allies | Brandon Jones | 4 / 5 stars | 02-20-2017 | Video Review | Read review |
| Echo Boomer | David Fialho | Recommended | 08-05-2020 | Already a fantastic game got even better with higher frame-rates, that makes its world even more alive. | Read review |
| EGM | Matt Buchholtz | 9 / 10 | 02-22-2017 | Horizon Zero Dawn is a great choice for those craving action and adventure. With a terrific combat system, a strong female protagonist, and a deep pool of side content, it will surely go down as one of PlayStation’s star exclusives. | Read review |
| Eurogamer | Martin Robinson | Recommended | 02-20-2017 | Guerrilla Games goes open world in this sumptuous, enjoyable yet overly generic new age sci-fi RPG. | Read review |
| Everyeye.it | Tommaso Montagnoli | 9.2 / 10 | 02-20-2017 | None available. | Read review |
| Fextralife | rubhen925 | 9 / 10 | 03-02-2017 | With no multiplayer to support the game’s replayability, Horizon Zero Dawn focuses on providing an exceptional single player campaign, robust and flexible combat mechanics, creative and unique enemy designs (both aesthetically and in combat), a vast and fully realized world to explore, engaging side mission stories, and most importantly a compelling and likable main character. Horizon Zero Dawn does not drastically invent anything new in the open world genre, but rather makes it enjoyable to explore in. And isn’t that all we want as gamers: to enjoy the game we are playing? | Read review |
| Forbes | Paul Tassi | 9 / 10 | 02-20-2017 | I was impressed with Horizon from the outset, my interest lagged a bit in the middle, but by the end I was a convert. This is a very cool universe with a genuinely likable new lead. Gameplay is excellent in most sections, and it avoids some irritating open world tropes like overloading players with substance-free side missions. There are some problems that reflect Guerrilla being new to this genre, but ultimately the good far outweighs the bad. | Read review |
| Game Informer | Jeff Marchiafava | 8.8 / 10 | 02-20-2017 | Horizon doesn’t reinvent open-world gaming, but it delivers consistent fun, challenge, and intrigue from start to finish | Read review |
| Game Rant | Anthony Taormina | 4.5 / 5 stars | 02-20-2017 | Horizon: Zero Dawn takes familiar open world elements and makes them its own, but it is the game’s blend of nature and technology that help create a memorable PS4 exclusive. | Read review |
| Game Revolution | jamalr | 4.5 / 5 stars | 02-19-2017 | To simply put it, there is a certain appeal to Horizon: Zero Dawn which I have not found in any other open-world RPG game. Perhaps it is the addition of shiny robots to the mix or the story of Aloy herself. Either way, this game has my full attention and I wouldn’t call it anything less than stellar. | Read review |
| Game Volt | Mohamed Ashmawy | 9 / 10 | 03-26-2017 | Horizon Zero Dawn is a new Benchmark for Sony’s Exclusives, we have a new Face for Sony Games which is Aloy, and just Like Nathan Drake and Kratos also Joel and Ellie she is gonna be the new hero for PlayStation Brand, The Game Beautiful Design isn’t only the main selling point but the incredible work Guerrilla Studio did with bringing new IP Different than Killzone with great quality is the real surprise | Read review |
| Gameblog | Julien Chièze | 9 / 10 | 02-27-2017 | The Guerrilla team could easily be called the “European Naughty Dog”. If you look for a clever, gorgeous and immersive adventure, Horizon has what it takes to become one of the greatest game of this generation ! | Read review |
| GameCrate | Angelo D’Argenio | 9 / 10 | 03-03-2017 | Horizon Zero Dawn is one of the most entertaining open world games I have played in a while. It’s a truly creative take in an otherwise saturated genre. | Read review |
| GameMAG | xtr | 9 / 10 | 02-20-2017 | Horizon Zero Dawn is one of the most exciting games of the year. The story is amazing and touches the most delicate strings of the soul. The journey of Aloy absorbed all the best from the industry and with unique design of the robotic animals created something completely new. The developers managed to maintain the magic that makes you come back to this shattered world again and again to explore the beautiful scenery, collect ancient artifacts, or just hunting for the rare creatures. | Read review |
| Gameplanet | Tim Stanton | 9 / 10 | 02-20-2017 | Guerrilla Games’ punt on a new IP has paid off handsomely, as despite its silly title, Horizon Zero Dawn is a magnificent open world action-adventure that lives up to its hype. | Read review |
| GamePro | Tobias Veltin | 90 / 100 | 02-20-2017 | Guerilla’s open world debut offers great gameplay, is huge and looks fantastic. A must-buy for PS4 owners. | Read review |
| Gamerheadquarters | Jason Stettner | 10 / 10 | 03-02-2017 | This was truly one of the best games I’ve ever played and Horizon Zero Dawn provided just an absolutely amazing world to explore. | Read review |
| Gamers Heroes | Captain Camper | 8 / 10 | 03-05-2017 | A few poor decisions are the only things holding back Horizon Zero Dawn. It’s a great game in every sense of the word, but poor fundamental RPG mechanics stop it becoming something fantastic. Let’s hope they get it right in the sequel. | Read review |
| GamesBeat | Mike Minotti | 87 / 100 | 02-20-2017 | This is one of the PlayStation 4’s most interesting exclusives. | Read review |
| GameSkinny | Auverin Morrow | 9 / 10 | 03-01-2017 | Horizon Zero Dawn forays into a previously untapped corner of the RPG genre — and delivers a pretty incredible experience. | Read review |
| GameSpew | Sean Mesler | 9 / 10 | 03-09-2017 | With a large, beautiful, varied open world, a compelling central mystery, interesting side-quests and top of the field gameplay, Horizon Zero Dawn is easily Guerilla Games’ best effort yet and by far one of the best games this generation so far. | Read review |
| GameSpot | Peter Brown | 9 / 10 | 02-20-2017 | Horizon: Zero Dawn is an exciting and breathtaking odyssey. | Read review |
| GamesRadar+ | Zoe Delahunty-Light | 4.5 / 5 stars | 02-20-2017 | An open-world that tailors to each and every interest, Horizon: Zero Dawn keeps combat fresh, with an intriguing protagonist to match. | Read review |
| GameZone | Carter Washington | 9.5 / 10 | 02-20-2017 | Horizon: Zero Dawn is a PS4 must-own exclusive. It crafts a wonderful, fully realized and explorable world, and an interesting story that’s worth seeing through to the end, if just to find out what Zero Dawn actually means! | Read review |
| Gaming Nexus | Matt Mirkovich | 9.8 / 10 | 03-06-2017 | I got on the hype train early for this one, and I must say that Guerrilla Games delivers a nearly flawless gem of a game. Horizon: Zero Dawn is an exceptional title from start to finish and is an absolute must for any gamer, old or new. | Read review |
| GamingBolt | Aaron Main | 10 / 10 | 02-20-2017 | Horizon: Zero Dawn is a game that you owe yourself to experience. | Read review |
| GamingTrend | Travis Northup | 85 / 100 | 02-20-2017 | Horizon Zero Dawn is an excellent open-world experience that puts fighting towering robots at the center of the action. It’s held back somewhat by its weak narrative, and occasional glitches, but that doesn’t stop it from being the most badass game I’ve played this year. | Read review |
| GBAtemp | Jessie Ljunggren | 8.5 / 10 | 03-10-2017 | Definitely worth a purchase as you’ll get your money’s worth in play time and experience. One of the best exclusives for PlayStation. | Read review |
| Geeks Under Grace | Damien Chambers | 9.8 / 10 | 03-15-2017 | Every decade or so, a game comes along that sets a new high bar of achievement in the industry. These games stand the test of time and delight audiences for years to come, even if they never receive the sequel they deserve. Horizon: Zero Dawn is one of these games and it has rightly earned its place among the pantheon of some of the greatest games of all time. | Read review |
| Giant Bomb | Jeff Gerstmann | 5 / 5 stars | 02-20-2017 | All in all, it’s a great game, it’s Guerrilla’s strongest release to date, and I suspect I’ll go back in after the fact to clean up whatever side quests and errands I have remaining, if only to spend a little more time in that world. | Read review |
| God is a Geek | Chris White | 9.5 / 10 | 02-20-2017 | It’s been a long time since a game has been put together this well. The combat is awesome, the visuals are stunning, and Aloy is 100% badass. Go and buy this game! | Read review |
| Guardian | Dan Silver | 4 / 5 stars | 02-20-2017 | Its hunter/gatherer gameplay hasn’t moved on from Far Cry and Tomb Raider, but Zero Dawn sets a new visual benchmark | Read review |
| Hardcore Gamer | Kevin Dunsmore | 4.5 / 5 stars | 02-20-2017 | Guerrilla Games took a risk developing a brand new IP that is such a drastic departure from previous titles, and it worked. | Read review |
| IBTimes UK | Jake Tucker | 4 / 5 stars | 03-01-2017 | Horizon: Zero Dawn is a stellar open world game. Guerrilla has crafted a magnificent and utterly gorgeous adventure game with surprising depth that rewards player skill and will more than likely prove to be PS4’s next major action franchise. It’s just a shame the game’s open world is so desperate to validate its own existence that it never lets you truly enjoy the thrill of the hunt. | Read review |
| IGN | Lucy O’Brien | 9.3 / 10 | 02-20-2017 | Horizon Zero Dawn presents us with a beautiful world full of unforgettable challenges. | Read review |
| IGN Italy | Gianluca Loggia | 8.7 / 10 | 02-20-2017 | Horizon: Zero Dawn is a successful “first time” for Guerrilla in the open world genre. The game isn’t perfect, but it’s gorgeous to see and explore (best open world graphics ever) and offers engaging fights against fascinating machines. | Read review |
| IGN Spain | Juan García, David Soriano | 9.2 / 10 | 02-20-2017 | There’s so much to love on Horizon: Zero Dawn. You may love its gameplay, its magnificient world, its crips visuals or the excellent sound desing. An experience that’s worth it. | Read review |
| Impulsegamer | James Wright (Impulsegamer) | 4.8 / 5 stars | 03-11-2017 | There’s been much hype surrounding Horizon Zero Dawn and thankfully it has delivered in more ways than one. It boasts a very likeable and interesting protagonist and the story behind Horizon Zero Dawn is one that is filled with mystery and intrigue. Of course, it’s all about the gameplay and Guerrilla should be commended in creating such a fluid and dynamic game as you explore this post-apocalyptic world 1000 years in the future that is filled with different cultures and even history which seems so real. Combat is fun and the missions are diverse and at the end of the day, Horizon Zero Dawn is a title that really raises the benchmark on the PlayStation 4. | Read review |
| JVL | Malcolm89 | 9.5 / 10 | 02-20-2017 | Games that go so far as to making their mark on people’s minds right from their first entry are pretty rare nowadays, but Horizon belongs to this closed circle without any doubt possible. Offering a unique story that keeps us on tenterhooks for a minimum of thirty hours, the game stands out with its principal protagonist that we won’t forget any time soon, a universe cleverly mixing genres and a visual masterpiece never seen before. Sony keeps months old promises and missing out on such a game early this year seems almost impossible for any Playstation 4 owner. Horizon knocks out its competitors and puts itself in a great place for the GOTY 2017 title. | Read review |
| Kotaku | Patricia Hernandez | Recommended | 02-20-2017 | With Horizon, developer Guerrilla Games] is finally let loose to show us how much more they’re capable of, and what they’re capable of is jaw-dropping. | Read review |
| Leadergamer | Kaan Gezer | 10 / 10 | 03-02-2017 | Horizon: Zero Dawn is definitely a game equal to The Last of Us or God of War series. It’s a must play for open world and RPG players. | Read review |
| LevelUp | Rodrigo Villanueva | 8.6 / 10 | 02-20-2017 | Horizon: Zero Dawn represents the birth a new and promising IP, thanks to a clever concept, solid combat mechanics and an outstanding presentation. Having said that, it can be repetitive at times and the lack of spontaneity stops Horizon: Zero Dawn from being a true classic. | Read review |
| M3 | Billy Ekblom | 9 / 10 | 02-20-2017 | Horizon: Zero Dawn doesn’t reinvent the wheel – but delivers an immersive action experience, set in a gorgeous world with lots of mysteries and thrilling encounters. | Read review |
| Marooners’ Rock | Josh Pedroza | 9.4 / 10 | 03-22-2017 | Considering this is Guerrilla Games’ first open-world title, I must say I’m impressed with what they gave us. Using the full potential of the Decima engine, Guerilla Games was able to show the true power of the Playstation 4. | Read review |
| Metro GameCentral | GameCentral | 8 / 10 | 02-20-2017 | State-of-the-art visuals help create one of gaming’s most entertaining open worlds, even if the gameplay doesn’t quite reach the same standards. | Read review |
| Nerd Much? | Nerd Much? | 9.8 / 10 | 03-11-2017 | If you have a PS4, you owe it to yourself to play this game as soon as possible (and if you don’t yet own a PS4, it’s worth buying one for). | Read review |
| New Game Network | Alex Varankou | 80 / 100 | 02-20-2017 | Horizon Zero Dawn offers an entirely unique world and a thrilling experience as an action game, complete with a great story and likeable characters. It doesn’t reach its grand RPG aspirations, but the highs are so memorable and entertaining that it’s easy to forgive the shortcomings. | Read review |
| Next Gen Base | Ben Ward | 9 / 10 | 02-20-2017 | A magnificent technical achievement, Horizon Zero Dawn mixes up the open world style in all the right ways, with an intriguing premise that kept me entertained, and which dug its hooks into me the deeper I got into it. A stunning game that deserves your attention. | Read review |
| Nexus | Sean Hattingh | 9.5 / 10 | 02-27-2017 | Horizon Zero Dawn is a perfect mixture of great gameplay and excellent story. It has introduced PlayStation’s next big franchise and its next iconic figure in Aloy. The dissonance of Stone Age people living together with futuristic animal-like machines is a mystery steeped in intrigue, set in an open-world with rich rewards for exploration. | Read review |
| NZGamer | Keith Milburn | 8 / 10 | 02-20-2017 | A journey of pros and cons, but it’s one worth taking. | Read review |
| Oyungezer Online | Yasin İlgün | 9.1 / 10 | 02-26-2017 | Horizon Zero Dawn is a must buy for the PlayStataion 4 owners. It’s almost a flawless and a fantastic production. Sony created something that will surely make PC and Xbox One players jealous. | Read review |
| Paste Magazine | Reid McCarter | 6 / 10 | 02-20-2017 | There is much beauty to see in the game’s world—such incredible vision and craft exercised in its conception—but it’s subservient to a poor story, lackluster combat and, worst of all, an evident paranoia that players won’t appreciate the world Aloy inhabits unless it’s put within the context of a laundry list of tasks that have to be completed. | Read review |
| PC Gamer | Dave Meikleham | 86 / 100 | 08-06-2020 | A classy sandbox that stands out from the pack thanks to its brilliant battles against an array of fantastic beasts. | Read review |
| PC Invasion | Andrew Farrell | 8 / 10 | 08-05-2020 | Horizon Zero Dawn is gorgeous and innately playable, even if the open-world gameplay it presents will feel overly familiar to most. The port has some issues that will almost certainly get stamped out in short order and the gameplay has its fair share of frustrations, but anyone looking for to stalk some robots will find plenty to like. | Read review |
| PCGamesN | Malindy Hetfeld | 7 / 10 | 08-05-2020 | A very workmanlike open-world game. Great to look at, competent overall, and charming when it tries something new, but formulaic when it doesn’t | Read review |
| Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | Max Parker | 8.5 / 10 | 02-22-2017 | “Horizon Zero Dawn” hits the mark in almost everything it sets out to do, and it’s that much more impressive that it’s the team’s first attempt at an open world game such as this one. Unfortunately, the character experience gets stale toward the second half. But, story woes don’t ruin everything the game has to offer. It’s still absolutely gorgeous and the combat is varied enough to be satisfying. There’s room for improvement, but that just makes me more excited to see what’s possible in the eventual sequel. | Read review |
| Player.One | Scott Craft | 8 / 10 | 02-20-2017 | Horizon Zero Dawn doesn’t redefine open world RPGs but it absolutely raises the bar for future additions to the genre. Few projects successfully weave all of their disparate parts together into something both unique and interesting. Guerilla managed to do both in its first non-FPS release while simultaneously incorporating many of those (still optional) parts into the core story. | Read review |
| Player2.net.au | Matt Hewson, Paul James | Recommended | 03-06-2017 | I think for me this game is at it’s absolute best in the unscripted moments that come about just wandering the world. That isn’t to take away anything from the missions themselves because they are excellent but things happen in that wonderful open world that leave me breathless | Read review |
| PlayStation Universe | Kyle Prahl | 9.5 / 10 | 02-20-2017 | Horizon Zero Dawn reinvigorates open-world RPGs with an excellent story, creative science fiction, and demanding gameplay. Aloy’s debut is one of PS4’s greatest games. | Read review |
| Polygon | Philip Kollar | 9.5 / 10 | 02-20-2017 | Horizon Zero Dawn feels like a storied developer finally finding its voice | Read review |
| Post Arcade (National Post) | Chad Sapieha | 9 / 10 | 03-01-2017 | It’s so unlike anything Guerrilla Games – a studio better known for macho, gory shooters – has done before, and it’s so fully formed right our of the gate for such a vast and ambitious game that it just seems sort of…well, improbable. And yet here it is. A giant open-world action RPG that can stand toe-to-toe with some of the biggest and best in the genre. | Read review |
| PowerUp! | Leo Stevenson | 9.5 / 10 | 03-13-2017 | Horizon is a better game than BotW and while maybe not as ‘important,’ Horizon is the game that will have a lasting, personal impression. | Read review |
| Press Start | Shannon Grixti | 9 / 10 | 02-20-2017 | Horizon Zero Dawn is an incredible game. Guerrilla has managed to find a perfect balance between creating an extremely challenging and deep Action RPG whilst still managing to make it accessible to almost any gamer. It’s without doubt the most beautiful game on PlayStation 4, set in a world that’s full of life and intrigue. There’s definitely some minor issues with the game, but at the end of the day, Horizon Zero Dawn reminds me why I love games. I was able to get lost in the world for hours on end, fighting bad-ass machines without a care in the world. | Read review |
| pressakey.com | Darius Kubisch | Recommended | 04-11-2017 | Horizon: Zero Dawn convinces with a fresh scenario with an interesting story and the fantastically staged battles against machines. In addition, Aloy is a new hero and the bombastic graphics of the Decima engine will enchant you throughout the entire game. Gladly more of it. | Read review |
| PS4Blog.net | Tracey | 9.5 / 10 | 03-03-2017 | Horizon Zero Dawn is an incredible game. It is so easy to end up immersed in Aloy’s world as time stands still. The game’s story is great and offers several twists and surprises. And even though I mentioned it at the start of my Horizon Zero Dawn review, this is certainly one of the best-looking games on the PS4, no question. I highly recommend this game, and if you have a PS4 Pro, you’ll enjoy even better visuals that will rock your world! | Read review |
| Pure Playstation | Kyle Durant | 10 / 10 | 03-05-2017 | Horizon Zero Dawn is nothing short of a masterpiece that elevates Guerrilla Games to the likes of Naughty Dog and CD Projekt Red. The unique, engrossing story, complex and fast-paced gameplay, absolutely gorgeous open world to traverse, and so much more are brought to life thanks to the Killzone developer. The game has genuinely made it into my top ten list of all time and will probably make it higher once time has passed. There’s nothing that should stop you from buying this title if you have a PlayStation 4. Hell if you don’t have one, buy a system just for this game. This isn’t just a magnificent RPG video game, it’s a journey that everyone should experience. | Read review |
| Push Square | Sammy Barker | 9 / 10 | 02-20-2017 | Debuts don’t get much stronger than Horizon: Zero Dawn. Guerrilla Games’ latest borrows liberally from a variety of different sources, and yet it leverages these fundamentals to forge an experience that’s daringly unique. The main quest tires a little towards the end, and the writing never hits the same highs as The Witcher 3 – but the tactical action stands leagues ahead of what we’ve come to expect from the genre, and the presentation is quite simply unmatched. | Read review |
| Rectify Gaming | Daniel Brennan | 9.5 / 10 | 03-30-2017 | Horizon Zero Dawn is nothing short of a masterpiece. | Read review |
| Rocket Chainsaw | Andrew Cathie | 4 / 5 stars | 08-06-2020 | Overall, Horizon Zero Dawn Complete Edition is a fantastic re-release and visual elevation of the original 2017 game. | Read review |
| Saudi Gamer | مشهور الدبيان | 8 / 10 | 02-23-2017 | Horizon: Zero Dawn exceeded my expectations in almost every way. Although it has a number of annoying issues, it’s still a must-play game whether you usually enjoy open world games or not, as the game delivers a unique experience through a great world and its own unique gameplay style. | Read review |
| Shacknews | Steve Watts | 9 / 10 | 02-20-2017 | When I began Horizon: Zero Dawn, I was anxious it wouldn’t be able to maintain itself for thirty-plus hours. I’m thrilled that fear was unfounded. The play was constantly rich and rewarding, and the mysteries constantly unfolding. I’m left not just feeling satisfied the entire time, but wanting more. This one is something special. | Read review |
| Sirus Gaming | Lexuzze Tablante | 10 / 10 | 02-21-2017 | Horizon entices me to come back for more, there was never a time that I got bored with its side-missions which I usually care less in most RPG titles. Horizon: Zero Dawn is by far the best cinematic and most immersive game I’ve played this year. | Read review |
| Slant Magazine | Justin Clark | 5 / 5 stars | 02-24-2017 | Horizon Zero Dawn creates a world that captivates you just by the very act of having you feel as if you’re living within it. | Read review |
| SomHráč.sk | Martin Kubeš | 99 / 100 | 03-01-2017 | Horizon Zero Dawn is without any doubt a masterpiece of a videogame that’s must own for any PlayStation 4 user. The visuals are fantastic, the core gameplay is great and even after many hours, the game can still surprise you. Guerilla Games have managed to create their best game yet and also one of the best exclusive titles of current generation. | Read review |
| SpazioGames | Domenico Musicò | 9 / 10 | 03-22-2017 | Horizon Zero Dawn is one of the best open world games of this generation, a really solid experience and a great piece of work from Guerrilla. | Read review |
| Stevivor | Steve Wright | 7 / 10 | 02-20-2017 | For all the hype that’s been extended to Horizon: Zero Dawn, it hasn’t managed to fully deliver. | Read review |
| TechnoBuffalo | Joey Davidson | 4.5 / 5 stars | 02-20-2017 | Horizon Zero Dawn is, at times, the best game on the PlayStation 4. | Read review |
| TechRaptor | Andrew Otton | 9 / 10 | 03-24-2017 | Horizon Zero Dawn is great game design wrapped up in one of the best AAA packages put out to date. | Read review |
| Telegraph | Kirk McKeand | 5 / 5 stars | 02-20-2017 | If you went into Horizon Zero Dawn without knowing a thing about it, you would never guess that this open-world RPG comes from Guerrilla Games | Read review |
| The Digital Fix | Rob Kershaw | 9 / 10 | 03-07-2017 | Horizon is a must-play title for any PS4 owner, which boasts a remarkable lead character and a rich, thrilling open world. | Read review |
| The Games Machine | Davide Mancini | 9 / 10 | 02-19-2017 | Horizon Zero Dawn is an instant classic: tough, challenging, huge, incredibly fun to play. It’s the new definition of the videogame in the most classical way, where the center of the experience is the genuine entertainment of the player. There are some minor flaws here and there, and the narrative isn’t as strong as it could’ve been, but nonetheless, it’s the best action game of this generation. | Read review |
| The Jimquisition | Jim Sterling | 9.5 / 10 | 02-20-2017 | Horizon: Zero Dawn is just brilliant. I speak as a critic who has played more “open sandbox” games than any one human should and has grown so very weary of them. I should have gotten sick of this thing in an hour, but I’ve been glued to it for days and days and I don’t want it to end. | Read review |
| TheSixthAxis | Stefan L | 8 / 10 | 02-20-2017 | Horizon: Zero Dawn is a bit of a slow burn, but there’s more to Guerrilla Games’ latest than just its staggeringly pretty graphics. The story surprises as it takes several twists and turns and explores the past, but the games beating heart is with its excellently tense and engaging robotic monster hunting. | Read review |
| ThisGenGaming | Justin Oneil | 10 / 10 | 03-25-2017 | Horizon: Zero Dawn is a testament to the hard work and passion of every individual at Guerrilla Games. | Read review |
| Toronto Sun | Steve Tilley | 5 / 5 stars | 02-25-2017 | Amsterdam-based studio Guerilla Games, best known for PlayStation’s grim but visually impressive Killzone franchise, spent more than six years on Horizon Zero Dawn, and it shows: in the beauty of the game’s visuals, the depth of its backstory and the tightness of its design. Hopefully this isn’t the last we’ll see of this high-tech savage land. (Horizon Forbidden West, maybe? Please?) | Read review |
| TrueGaming | محمد البسيمي | 8.5 / 10 | 02-21-2017 | Horizon: Zero Dawn is an amazing experience by Guerrilla Games. It gives us a glimpse of what great things they can deliver in the future. | Read review |
| Twinfinite | Chris Jecks | 5 / 5 stars | 02-20-2017 | Horizon Zero Dawn is a treat to every PS4 owner. Its magical world is a wonder to explore, it controls and looks exceptional, and the unique, modular build of its enemies ensures that combat never gets old. | Read review |
| USgamer | Caty McCarthy | 2.5 / 5 stars | 02-20-2017 | Horizon Zero Dawn is disappointing. It has a story that I struggled to care about (complete with massive expository dumps—yay), a bland protagonist, and overtly repetitive and constraining missions that worked against its open world sensibilities. When Horizon Zero Dawn hit its rare strides—from its gloomy Cauldrons to traveling across its sprawling vistas—it only made me wish the rest of the game were as worthwhile. | Read review |
| VGN | Davide Frontera | 9 / 10 | 02-27-2017 | With Horizon: Zero Dawn, Guerrilla Games has created a fresh and beautiful sci-fi universe by combining a wild and decadent world with hi-tech dinosaurs-like machines. The action-RPG is one of the best-looking game ever made, and despite the lack of innovation and relevant plot twists, it offers a great mix of strong and mature storytelling, solid gameplay and breathtaking graphics. | Read review |
| VideoGamer | Colm Ahern | 8 / 10 | 02-20-2017 | Destroying large robot beasts while frantically switching between weapons is intoxicating, but the strength of Horizon Zero Dawn is in Aloy’s engaging quest to find out who she really is. | Read review |
| Washington Post | Christopher Byrd | Recommended | 02-21-2017 | “Horizon Zero Dawn” reminded me very much of a deftly engineered Hollywood movie. I wasn’t especially surprised by its plot twists, but that didn’t mean I didn’t generally enjoy it. Let’s see if it develops into a franchise with worthwhile staying power. | Read review |
| Wccftech | Chris Wray | 9.5 / 10 | 03-12-2017 | Horizon Zero Dawn is a pure sign of what can be completed with an exceptionally designed open world. Not only that, it has exceptional characterisation and a sincere story that doesn’t shoehorn elements, allowing for the organic growth of characters. This is a game that I can barely find any faults with, except borrowing some elements from other open world games. Even so, it made each and every element its own in one of the best games to date. | Read review |
| We Got This Covered | Jowi Meli | 4.5 / 5 stars | 02-20-2017 | Horizon Zero Dawn is a stunningly gorgeous game, an awesome open world action-RPG that overcomes the gameplay conventions of the genre by giving you so many options on how to tackle combat. It does stumble a bit trying to tell a cohesive story, but I was too caught up in exploring all the little details of the world to let that bother me. | Read review |
| WellPlayed | Kieran Stockton | 9.3 / 10 | 02-27-2017 | A technically magnificent action-RPG that blends a deep story with thrilling and diverse combat to deliver a killer exclusive for PS4 | Read review |
Awards & Recognition
RECOGNITION
Horizon Zero Dawn Credits
CREDITS
DIRECTOR(S):
Mathijs de Jonge
PRODUCER(S):
Lambert Wolterbeek Muller
DESIGNER(S):
n/a
PROGRAMMER(S):
Michiel van der Leeuw
ARTIST(S):
Jan-Bart van Beek
WRITER(S):
John Gonzalez, Ben McCaw
COMPOSER(S):
Joris de Man, The Flight, Niels van der Leest, Jonathan Williams
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