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Play OverviewPlay 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 2 weeks 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 StylePlay Style

This is an Adventure and Narrative game with Action, Fighting, Shooting, Stealth and Traversal elements. This is a single-player game.

 
You can play this game in the following styles:

DurationDuration

Play Time: This game will take between 22 hours and 30 hours to complete.

Age RatingsAge Ratings

Content Rating

Rated PEGI 16 for frequent scenes of moderate violence. Violence consists of Aloy, armed with a bow and spear, fighting mechanical dinosaur-type characters and humans from enemy tribes. While blood is not depicted, violent scenes during the cinematics can be quite realistic which contributes directly to the 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.

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.

CostsCosts

Horizon Zero Dawn usually costs £15.99 to £39.99.
 

Horizon Zero Dawn

Steam Store PC £39.99

Horizon Zero Dawn Complete Edition

PlayStation Store PS4 £15.99
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.
 

DetailsGame Details

Release Date: 01/03/2017

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)


Taming Gaming Book 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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