PGC NEWS

Horizon Zero Dawn, the critically acclaimed PlayStation 4 exclusive, finally made its way to PC, promising enhanced visuals and performance. This review focuses on the PC version’s unique aspects, comparing it to the original PlayStation 4 release and examining both its triumphs and shortcomings.

A Visual Feast for the Eyes

The PC port of Horizon Zero Dawn delivers breathtaking visuals, surpassing even the impressive graphics of the original. The enhancements aren’t just a simple resolution bump; Guerrilla Games has clearly put effort into optimizing the game for PC hardware.

alt: Aloy standing in a lush forest environment with detailed foliage and lighting.

The most noticeable improvement is the enhanced texture quality, particularly apparent when playing at 4K resolution. The implementation of AMD TressFX technology adds a new level of realism to hair, fur, and foliage, creating dynamic and natural movement. This is a significant upgrade from the original, where foliage interaction sometimes felt clunky and unnatural.

alt: Close-up of Aloy's face showcasing improved textures and lighting details.

The lighting and shadow system also receives a substantial upgrade, with more detailed and dynamic shadows cast across the environment. Even water reflections have been enhanced, adding to the game’s immersive world.

alt: Aloy aiming her bow and arrow at a robotic creature in a dimly lit area, highlighting improved shadow details.

The implementation of HDR (High Dynamic Range) is arguably the most impactful visual enhancement. This technology brings a new level of vibrancy and depth to the game’s already stunning visuals, especially noticeable on HDR-compatible displays. Cinematic cutscenes and combat sequences, particularly those involving fire or other light sources, benefit significantly from HDR, creating a more immersive and visually striking experience.

alt: A panoramic view of the game's landscape showcasing the vibrant colors and dynamic lighting enabled by HDR.

Beyond graphical fidelity, the PC version also unlocks the frame rate, allowing for a smoother and more responsive experience compared to the 30fps cap on the PlayStation 4. This eliminates the need for motion blur and significantly improves combat fluidity, especially during intense encounters that caused frame rate drops on the original console.

alt: Aloy running through a field, demonstrating the smooth gameplay enabled by the unlocked framerate.

Finally, native keyboard and mouse support adds another layer of precision and control, particularly beneficial in combat scenarios requiring precise aiming and quick reactions.

alt: Aloy engaging in combat with a robotic creature, highlighting the precision afforded by keyboard and mouse controls.

Technical Troubles at Launch

Despite the visual and performance upgrades, the PC launch of Horizon Zero Dawn was marred by technical issues. Initial testing revealed minor bugs, but reports from other players indicated more severe problems, ranging from stuttering and crashes to system instability. These issues seemed particularly prevalent among users with Nvidia graphics cards, suggesting potential optimization issues for non-AMD hardware.

alt: Aloy facing a group of robotic creatures, a scenario where performance issues could potentially occur.

Further testing on different hardware configurations confirmed these issues, including crashes, HDR malfunctions, and graphical glitches. The game also exhibited performance inconsistencies, similar to the PC port of Red Dead Redemption 2, likely due to suboptimal CPU utilization.

Guerrilla Games has since addressed many of these problems through patches, notably update 1.04. While the initial technical issues detracted from the overall experience, the post-launch support has significantly improved the game’s stability and performance.

Conclusion

Horizon Zero Dawn’s PC port offers a visually stunning and enhanced experience, capitalizing on the power of modern PC hardware. However, the initial launch was hampered by technical problems, impacting the enjoyment for some players. While subsequent patches have addressed many of these issues, the rocky launch is worth noting. Despite the initial setbacks, the PC version ultimately delivers a compelling experience for both newcomers and those revisiting the game after playing on PlayStation 4.