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Play Overview
Horizon Zero Dawn (2017) is a post-apocalyptic action adventure where you explore an overgrown landscape with now-crumbling remnants of modern life. Play involves exploring the world, learning your new abilities as the story unfolds and using them to defeat the robotic dinosaurs. It stands out for the scale and scope of its open world, along with a compelling story about parent-child relationships and the survival of civilisation.
Horizon Zero Dawn plunges you into an overgrown landscape with now-crumbling remnants of modern life where animalistic machines have taken over. The exploration and combat don’t dwell on the downfall of the world, but there is an interesting undercurrent of self-annihilation that lingers as you play. It’s an impressive and enjoyable world to explore that says as much about humanity’s ability to survive as any direct narrative.
The combination of overblown disaster and sometimes simplistic solutions – such as the discovery of a small group of scientists with a plan to remake the planet – manages not to jar. It’s a game that invites you to find the resilience of life even in a catastrophe. Life goes on, maybe differently and haphazardly, but still finds a way to continue.
Our examiner, Ben Kendall, first checked Horizon Zero Dawn 4 years ago. It was re-examined by Jo Robertson and updated 3 months ago.
Horizon Zero Dawn plunges you into an overgrown landscape with now-crumbling remnants of modern life where animalistic machines have taken over. The exploration and combat don’t dwell on the downfall of the world, but there is an interesting undercurrent of self-annihilation that lingers as you play. It’s an impressive and enjoyable world to explore that says as much about humanity’s ability to survive as any direct narrative.
The combination of overblown disaster and sometimes simplistic solutions – such as the discovery of a small group of scientists with a plan to remake the planet – manages not to jar. It’s a game that invites you to find the resilience of life even in a catastrophe. Life goes on, maybe differently and haphazardly, but still finds a way to continue.
Our examiner, Ben Kendall, first checked Horizon Zero Dawn 4 years ago. It was re-examined by Jo Robertson and updated 3 months ago.
Kids not old enough for this yet? There are lots of games similar to Horizon Zero Dawn. Here are some similar younger-rated games:
Play Style
Benefits
Age Ratings
Content Rating
Rated for younger players in the US. Rated ESRB TEEN for Blood, Drug Reference, Language, Mild Sexual Themes, Violence. Aloy uses arrows, spears, and explosive traps to injure and kill machines, boar, and occasional human enemies. Animals and humans emit small puffs of red blood when struck; one sequence depicts an abandoned camp with large blood stains on rocks and trees. The game contains a brief reference to sexual material (e.g., “Eighteen months hard labor in exchange for thirty years lounging around Elysium watching porn?”). In text/audio files, characters sometimes reference fictional drugs, overdoses, and getting high: “...not even out of junior high and already a drug addict”; “...I ran across a pusher who was selling Razorwing for eight bucks a tab”; "I'd spend a few days getting high, then OD on Overcast." The word “sh*t” appears in the text/dialogue.
This game includes some emotionally challenging aspects. These include: an animal dies or is harmed, there are medical scenes, there are themes of mental disorders, there is the depiction of death or dying, children are harmed and there are violent scenes. More detailed information is available on DoesTheDogDie.com.
Skill Level
12+ year-olds usually have the required skill to enjoy this game. Still, it's important for parents and guardians to consider the maturity required to process the game content. It's also important to ensure children understand in-game purchases and have spending limits set-up. Young players need to be able to traverse the huge world, both following a map as well as navigating the best route when climbing. You also need quick reactions for battle where you must switch to the best weapons to deal maximum damage to enemies. It's fast-paced and demanding. There are prolonged story elements of the game that while optional, are a key ingredient of why players enjoy this experience.
Costs
Horizon Zero Dawn usually costs £15.99 to £39.99.
Additional paid content in the form of "The Frozen Wilds" substantially extends the experience with storylines, characters, machines and new areas.
It's important to set up your accounts and devices appropriately. More information is on our Financial Resources page.
Horizon Zero Dawn
There are the following additional costs associated with this game:
- In-Game Purchases: Additional in-game purchases are offered for items that enhance the experience.
Additional paid content in the form of "The Frozen Wilds" substantially extends the experience with storylines, characters, machines and new areas.
It's important to set up your accounts and devices appropriately. More information is on our Financial Resources page.
Game Details
Release Date: 01/03/2017, updated in 2020
Out Now: PC and PS4
Skill Rating: 12+ year-olds
Players: 1
Genres: Adventure, Narrative (Action, Fighting, Shooting, Stealth and Traversal)
Accessibility: 32 features
Components: 3D Third-Person, Day and Night, Open World and Weather
Developer: Guerrilla (@Guerrilla)
The Horizon Franchise
Horizon Zero Dawn is part of the Horizon franchise of games:
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Written by parents for parents, the database complements the in-depth discussion about video game addiction, violence, spending and online safety in the Taming Gaming book. We are an editorially independent, free resource without adverts that is supported by partnerships. |
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