Why does Horizon Zero Dawn need a remaster? - The head of Guerrilla Games gave a detailed answer about the necessity and advantages of the updated game

By: Anton Kratiuk | yesterday, 13:21

Yesterday, Sony announced a remaster of Horizon Zero Dawn, a 2017 action game that still looks great and is not technically outdated.

This decision by the Japanese company has perplexed gamers, as Sony has many games that are much more in need of an update and moreover, many of them are not available on modern platforms, like the iconic Bloodborne, which has remained a PS4 exclusive since 2015.

Guerrilla Games executive Jan-Bart van Beek explained why the Horizon Zero Dawn remaster is needed and who it's aimed at.

Here's What We Know

In PlayStation.Blog, the developer published a post in which he shared his thoughts.

Every year, millions of people touch Horizon Zero Dawn for the first time. 7 years is quite a long time in the world of computer graphics, because technology is constantly improving. Over time, we wanted new players who are immersed in the story of Aloy to have a version worthy of their PS5 or proper PC. So we're happy to announce that the game will be getting a remaster from our talented friends at Nixxes.

From the same post by van Beek, it became known that the remaster involves a lot of technical improvements, among which are the following:

  • ten hours of re-recorded dialogue and staged scenes;
  • technical and graphical improvements that will bring the game to the level of Horizon Forbidden West (2022);
  • the developers will modernise character models, improve textures, enhance lighting quality and make other important changes;
  • 4K support and significantly faster load times;
  • Nixxes studio will improve sound mixing and add Tempest 3D Audio and Atmos technologies, and improve sound design in general;
  • support for all DualSense controller features, including haptic feedback and adaptive triggers;
  • the remaster will utilise all the features of the PS5 Pro;
  • Horizon Forbidden West's accessibility settings will be available;
  • saves from the original game will be compatible with the remaster;
  • On PC, HZD Remastered will get PlayStation overlay, DLSS 3 and FSR 3.1 image scaling technologies with frame generation, and support for ultra-wide monitors.

Other details of the PC version of the remaster will be revealed by developers from Nixxes at a later date.

The remaster includes The Frozen Wilds add-on.

The only thing that gamers won't be happy about is the necessity to register an account in PSN.

When We Can Expect It

Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered will release on 31 October on PC and PlayStation 5.

Those who already have the game purchased on the said platforms will be able to upgrade for just $9.99, while the full price will be $49.99. The pre-order will open on the 3rd of October.

Source: PlayStation.Blog