Horizon: Zero Dawn Remastered – Global Release Times, Pricing, and What You Need to Know

Sony has just confirmed the global release times for Horizon: Zero Dawn Remastered, a title that’s stirring up both excitement and a bit of controversy. With visual upgrades and re-recorded dialogue, Horizon: Zero Dawn Remastered landed on October 31, 2024, on PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, bringing Aloy’s post-apocalyptic adventure to next-gen visuals. But alongside the improvements come some raised eyebrows over pricing and access.

Global Release Times – When Can You Play?

For those on PlayStation 5, Horizon: Zero Dawn Remastered officially launches at midnight local time across all regions, which means PS5 players can dive in as soon as the clock hits 12. PC players, however, will have varying release times depending on their location. Here’s the full list of release times worldwide:

• Los Angeles – 8:00 am
• Quebec – 11:00 am
• Rio De Janeiro – 12:00 pm
• London – 3:00 pm
• Amsterdam – 4:00 pm
• Madrid – 4:00 pm
• Cape Town – 5:00 pm
• Mumbai – 8:30 pm
• Kuala Lumpur – 11:00 pm
• Tokyo – 12:00 am (November 1)
• Sydney – 1:00 am (November 1)

What’s New in Horizon: Zero Dawn Remastered?

The remastered edition isn’t just a quick re-release—it comes with a host of upgrades designed to make the most of current-gen hardware. Here’s a breakdown of the highlights:

1. Enhanced Visuals: Sony has optimized the game with sharper graphics and higher fidelity to better capture the beauty of the post-apocalyptic world filled with robotic wildlife and lush landscapes.
2. Re-recorded Dialogue: With 10 hours of fresh dialogue recordings, fans will notice clearer and more impactful character interactions that elevate the narrative experience.
3. Performance: The PS5 remaster is built to run at a smooth frame rate, making the gameplay feel more responsive and immersive.

IGN originally rated Horizon: Zero Dawn a 9/10 for its rich storytelling and captivating world design, so this upgrade takes those foundational elements and raises the visual and audio experience to next-gen standards.

Controversial Pricing Decisions

The remaster’s pricing structure has stirred up some debate. The remaster launches at a price of $49.99—quite a jump, especially when compared to the PlayStation 4 version, which was part of the PlayStation Hits collection for $19.99 for years. Here’s how the pricing has evolved recently:

• $19.99: Originally part of the PlayStation Hits collection.
• $39.99: The price was doubled on PS4 when the remaster was announced.
• $49.99: The new PS5 remaster edition.

Moreover, Horizon: Zero Dawn was removed from the PlayStation Plus Extra Games Catalog back in May, where it was previously available at no additional cost to subscribers. This transition means that fans who once had free access to the game will now need to shell out up to $49.99 if they want the full remastered experience.

This pricing shift has led some fans to question the logic behind Sony’s strategy. Other PlayStation classics like God of War and The Last of Us Remastered have kept their PlayStation Hits price point, making Horizon’s sudden price hike stand out.

Why a Remaster for Horizon: Zero Dawn?

The decision to remaster a game only a few years old has sparked mixed reactions. Horizon: Zero Dawn, which debuted in 2017, is still regarded as a visually stunning and well-performing game on the PS4. While the remaster enhances Aloy’s world with more polish and detail, some fans feel that it’s unnecessary for such a relatively recent release, especially compared to other remasters that have revitalized older games from past generations.

Sony, however, likely sees this remaster as a way to make Horizon: Zero Dawn accessible to a new generation of players who may have missed the original release and to build up excitement as the series grows. With Horizon Forbidden West already expanding on Aloy’s story, the remaster serves as a way to ensure fans experience the journey from the very beginning with the latest visual and audio quality.

The Future of Horizon on PlayStation

As PlayStation dives deeper into the world of Horizon, we’re likely to see more content and expansions that build on Aloy’s story. Sony’s focus on upgrading and remastering recent titles like Horizon and The Last of Us shows a commitment to leveraging their popular franchises on PS5 hardware, offering high-quality experiences while hinting at further adventures for these beloved characters.

For fans wondering if Horizon: Zero Dawn Remastered is worth the price, the answer may depend on how much value you place on visual and performance improvements. If you’re eager to experience Aloy’s journey in the best quality currently possible on PlayStation or PC, the remaster will undoubtedly deliver. For those already satisfied with their original experience, however, the pricing and relatively quick turnaround since the game’s first release might make this one a wait-and-see.

^{While games are fun, it’s highly important to note that there’s more to life than sitting countless hours playing games – there’s a purpose and more to life; seek out that purpose more often!}