For those who have cherished their adventures in the stunning landscapes of Horizon Zero Dawn, the release of a remastered version has stirred both excitement and skepticism. Fans of the game might find themselves anxious over how this revamped iteration will perform on their gaming systems, particularly on handheld devices like the Steam Deck. The remaster’s lack of official verification for the Steam Deck has fueled these concerns. However, based on experiences with other gaming handhelds, such as the Asus ROG Ally X, there’s a hopeful optimism that this remaster will run smoothly even on more modest hardware.
At its core, this remaster from Guerrilla Games, enhanced by the expertise of Nixxes Software, aims to elevate the original game by improving its graphical fidelity significantly. The original title, though groundbreaking at its time of release, showed signs of age when compared to more recent releases like Horizon Forbidden West. Fortunately, the remaster not only maintains the essence of the original but also gifts it with a fresh lease on life through improved graphics, textures, and visual effects. Players can expect a vibrant experience as they traverse a world now more richly detailed and visually engaging.
The remastered version arrives packed with visual enhancements that aim to create a visceral and engaging experience. The game’s file size has ballooned to 105 GB, a stark contrast to the initial PC port, which is 33 GB smaller. This increase isn’t merely due to added textures; the cities, characters, and the overall environment have been intricately redesigned, reflecting a world that nature has lovingly reclaimed. Familiar sights may greet fans, but they will notice differences that provide a refreshing take on the beloved landscapes.
This remaster brilliantly showcases the developers’ commitment to progress. For example, larger cities seem more realistic, with a design that captures the juxtaposition of technology and nature elegantly. Exploring these revamped locales, players will find that genuine attention has been given to detail, making returning to this world feel both nostalgic and exciting.
While the graphical improvements are undeniably exciting, they come with hefty demands on system performance. The intricacies of rendering these detailed graphics can lead to performance dips, particularly on lower-end machines. This was noticeable during my playtime with the ROG Ally X, where I recorded roughly 42 fps using lower quality settings in the original gameplay. In stark contrast, the remaster attempts to balance visual depth with accessibility but struggles with performance limits on handhelds.
However, the game features advanced upscaling technologies that make it possible to regain some performance without sacrificing too much graphical quality. With the latest iterations of AMD and Nvidia technologies integrated, even users with entry-level setups can tweak their graphics experience, finding a balance between fidelity and framerate. Notably, using features like FSR and frame generation can push frame rates closer to that much-desired 60 fps mark.
Despite the remaster’s impressive upgrades, certain quirks remind players that even the best efforts can lead to minor imperfections. For instance, some character models occasionally exhibit excessive glow, creating odd visual artifacts that detract from the immersive experience. Additionally, while surface reflections have improved, the reliance on screen space techniques can lead to inconsistent results, occasionally pulling players out of the experience.
From a performance standpoint, the remaster has made strides toward consistency, minimizing the variable frames per second that characterized the original game. The work by Nixxes in managing shader compilation and asset streaming appears to have notably improved this aspect. On a higher-end PC configuration, such as one equipped with a Core i7 processor and an RTX 4080 Super, players can experience smooth gameplay without significant hitches.
The remastered version of Horizon Zero Dawn manages to honor the legacy of its predecessor while offering a more visually refined experience. Although potential players on lower-end devices may find it necessary to adjust their settings to meet performance demands, there’s enough flexibility built into the remaster to cater to various hardware capabilities. The remaster isn’t without its imperfections, but it delivers a remarkable return to the charming world that has enchanted so many. With some adaptations, players can enjoy a reimagined adventure filled with stunning graphics and enduring memories, paving the way for both veterans and newcomers to dive into Aloy’s captivating journey once again.