The gaming community has long awaited a remaster of the beloved title Horizon Zero Dawn, a game that originally captivated players with its rich storytelling, intricate world-building, and stunning visuals. As a major installment in the gaming landscape, concerns about how the new remaster would perform on various platforms—especially within the confines of handheld devices like the Steam Deck—are completely valid. With its recent launch, it’s essential to dive deeper into the technical enhancements, performance benchmarks, and visual upgrades this remastered version brings to the table.
One of the most significant facets of Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered lies in its visual overhaul. Developed by Guerrilla Games with the aid of Nixxes Software for the PC port, this remaster offers a plethora of enhancements that elevate the original’s aesthetics. The updated graphics showcase an expanded range of high-resolution textures and improved lighting effects, designed to evoke a more immersive gaming experience. However, while these upgrades are impressive, it is worth noting that the remaster does not constitute a complete remake; it retains the core elements of the original while intricately enhancing its visual fidelity.
A notable change in this remaster is the substantial increase in file size—clocking in at 105 GB, it’s 33 GB more than the initial PC port. This uptick signifies not merely an expanded library of textures but a holistic enhancement of character and environment design. The fidelity of larger cities has been noticeably improved, aligning them more closely with player expectations of a post-apocalyptic world where nature has begun to reclaim urban landscapes. Those familiar with the original will undoubtedly recognize the setting, yet the refreshing nuances give it a new aesthetic allure.
As much as the remaster shines in visuals, performance is king in any gaming experience. Initial benchmarks reveal a roller coaster of experiences across different hardware configurations. For example, testing the game on an Asus ROG Ally X revealed a drop in performance at lower graphical presets compared to the original game. Under the ‘Original’ quality preset, the handheld device averaged around 42 fps, but in the remaster, this dipped to approximately 25 fps with low settings. However, the integration of upscaling technologies, such as AMD’s FSR and Nvidia’s DLSS, offers a glimmer of hope by enabling smoother frame rates without sacrificing visual quality.
Utilizing features such as shader-based frame interpolation can dramatically improve the frame rate, allowing a near 60 fps experience even at low quality settings. This is crucial, especially in longer gameplay sessions where consistency in performance is paramount. However, this does not come without trade-offs. The remastered version has shown inconsistent reflections and some character models may appear overly illuminated, leading to visual anomalies that could break immersion.
In an era where gaming accessibility is a hot-button issue, the developers deserve commendation for incorporating a range of options within the remaster. Players are given various quality settings that allow them to tailor the experience according to their system capabilities. Even those with low-end PCs have reported relatively consistent performance, assuming they adjust their settings appropriately. This represents a step forward in inclusivity within the gaming community, allowing a broader audience to enjoy the remarkable narrative and exploration of this expansive world.
That said, while performance seems generally improved, the original’s performance variability at times feels less noticeable. The remaster’s more stable frame rates can be credited to Nixxes’ enhancements in shader compilation and asset management, merely pointing to a well-optimized experience. Additionally, it’s notable that players on higher-end systems are enjoying the game with optimal settings, suggesting that the remaster successfully caters to a diverse range of gaming setups.
Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered feels as much an update to an already treasured legacy as it does a new experience. While the visual improvements and performance refinements are welcome, they come with certain quirks that could hinder immersion for some players. Developers should be lauded for pushing the limitations of the remaster into uncharted territories while also recognizing that it may not completely satisfy every expectation set by fans of the original. As gamers continue to explore this revitalized gem, discussions around its merits and flaws will likely persist, making Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered an ongoing focal point in the gaming community.