Sony's Horizon Zero Dawn Remaster: Excitement or Disappointment?

Recent information has surfaced suggesting that an unannounced game from Sony has garnered attention on the Entertainment Software Rating Board's (ESRB) official site. The ESRB, responsible for assigning age and content ratings to video games, appears to have indicated that a refreshed edition of Horizon Zero Dawn is set to launch for PlayStation 5 and PC shortly.

Despite the significance of this revelation, it hasn't resonated well with the PlayStation audience. There seems to be a variety of factors influencing this sentiment, with many players anticipating a different remaster rather than one for a title released less than ten years ago. Fans of established franchises like God of War and Bloodborne have been hoping to see their favorite titles adapted to new hardware, but Sony has yet to respond to these requests.

There is speculation that the remaster of Horizon Zero Dawn from Sony Interactive Entertainment is nearing completion, given its recent rating from the ESRB, despite the absence of any formal statement from Sony. Originally launched in 2017 for PlayStation 4 and later on Windows in 2020, Horizon Zero Dawn achieved remarkable success, garnering acclaim from both fans and critics alike. A sequel, Horizon Forbidden West, followed in February 2022 for both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. However, excitement regarding this remaster seems muted as many believe Sony should prioritize other titles.

The history of struggling remasters is extensive, with notable disappointments including Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition, the Silent Hill HD Collection, and Mafia II Definitive Edition. Observers speculate that the upcoming remaster of Horizon Zero Dawn could face a similar outcome, as enthusiasm for the news appears limited.

Moreover, Sony has numerous beloved franchises that could be better candidates for remastering than Horizon Zero Dawn. Reports suggest that Guerrilla Games is occupied with development on a third installment in the series. This raises questions about the necessity of this remaster. Players were optimistic about remasters for titles such as Bloodborne from 2015 and God of War from 2005, so it's puzzling why Sony would allocate resources to Horizon Zero Dawn instead.

This decision by Sony might not be well-received, particularly with Microsoft making strides in the gaming space. The company should take player feedback seriously to ensure their choices align with community desires. While Horizon Zero Dawn is undoubtedly an excellent action role-playing game, it appears that this remaster is not in line with what the community hopes for, and Sony may come to realize this too late.

What are your thoughts on the upcoming Horizon Zero Dawn Remaster? We welcome your opinions in the comments!