Summary
Guerrilla Games’Horizonseries is widely known for its stunning visuals, and its reputation began with the release of the first game in the series,Horizon Zero Dawn, on the PlayStation 4 in 2017. Just a few years after its console debut,Horizon Zero Dawnwas ported to the PC, boasting even better graphics than before, thanks to the power supplied by modern PC hardware. From there, Guerrilla followed suit with improved visuals inHorizonZero Dawn’s sequel,Horizon Forbidden West, on the PlayStation 5, which also eventually received an enhanced PC port. Now, rumors have been circulating about a possible PlayStation 5 remaster ofHorizon Zero Dawn, especially after a fairly recent move made by Sony’s PS Plus service.
On Jul 07, 2025,Horizon Zero Dawnwas removed from thePS Plus Extra gamecatalog, serving only to reinforce rumors that the beloved game would be receiving a PlayStation 5 remaster at some point. These rumors are now over two years old, with no confirmation made by Guerrilla to back them up. However, it’s nonetheless still safe to assume the remaster could eventually happen, and the game’s removal from the PS Plus Extra game catalog could be further evidence of that. While it’s still impossible to know for sure if the rumors are true, it’s worth examining the pros and cons ofHorizon Zero Dawnreceiving a PlayStation 5 remaster to speculate on whether it would be worth it in the end.
A Horizon Zero Dawn Remaster Would Be a Double-Edged Sword
The Pros of Horizon Zero Dawn Being Remastered for the PlayStation 5
As is the case with almost any remaster, the biggest upside to aHorizon Zero DawnPlayStation 5 remaster would be its improved visuals. While the firstHorizongame was certainly a spectacle to behold,Horizon Forbidden Westtook those visuals to the next levelon the PlayStation 5, and that is precisely what aHorizon Zero Dawnremaster would be able to accomplish on the powerful console as well. At this point,Horizon Zero Dawnis over seven years old, so a remaster might be worth it for the enhanced visuals alone. Finally, aHorizon Zero Dawnremaster might also attract newcomers to the franchise while simultaneously renewing interest in it until the next instalment arrives.
The Cons of Horizon Zero Dawn Being Remastered for the PlayStation 5
No matter how muchHorizon Zero Dawnmight benefit from the modern graphics that a PlayStation 5 can provide, the project would come with some downsides that would make it a highly divisive addition. Firstly, aHorizon Zero DawnPlayStation 5 remaster would likely be seen as nothing more than a shameless cash grab by Sony and Guerrilla Games, which has proven in the past to harm more than help a developer’s reputation. This is largely due to the fact thatHorizon Zero Dawnis currently playable in 4K on the PlayStation 4 with a 60 fps frame rate, as well as thePC port ofHorizon Zero DawnComplete Editionoffering improved visuals over the PlayStation 4 version. As such, there is arguably little need for aHorizon Zero Dawnremaster if the only reason for it is enhanced graphics.
Not only would aHorizon Zero Dawn Remake be seen as a cash grab, but it wouldalso be considered a waste of time!
The other downside to aHorizon Zero Dawnremaster would be that it could be seen as a theft of time devoted to thedevelopment ofHorizon 3, which has been repeatedly teased by Guerrilla Games. While a remaster takes significantly less time to develop than a complete remake, a PlayStation 5 port ofHorizon Zero Dawnmight be seen by fans as a waste of time that the developer could otherwise be committing toHorizon 3.
This is most likely a moot argument, as there could be just a small team dedicated to a possible remaster, effectively not removing any dev time from Horizon 3.
The PlayStation 5Horizon Zero Dawnremasteris still purely based on rumors, but it shouldn’t be so quickly dismissed — especially after the original game’s removal from PS Plus. However, if these rumors do end up being true, the remaster’s downsides might ultimately outweigh its upsides.
Horizon Forbidden West
WHERE TO PLAY
Join Aloy as she braves a majestic but dangerous new frontier that holds mysterious new threats. This Complete Edition allows you to enjoy the critically acclaimed Horizon Forbidden West on PC in its entirety with bonus content, including the Burning Shores story expansion that picks up after the main game.Explore distant lands, fight bigger and more awe-inspiring machines, and encounter astonishing new tribes as you return to the far-future, post-apocalyptic world of Horizon.The land is dying. Vicious storms and an unstoppable blight ravage the scattered remnants of humanity while fearsome new machines prowl their borders, and life on Earth is hurtling toward another extinction.It’s up to Aloy to uncover the secrets behind these threats and restore order and balance to the world. Along the way, she must reunite with old friends, forge alliances with warring new factions and unravel the legacy of the ancient past.
