The Daily Populous Monday October 3rd, 2022 evening edition
Authored by mp1st.com and submitted by Aggressive_Sea_8206

While we just got a remake for The Last of Us, it looks like PlayStation may not be quite done with remakes just yet, as a source close to the situation who wishes not to be named has revealed to us that a Horizon Zero Dawn remake is in the works for the PS5!

If you thought The Last of Us Part 1 divided players up on whether or not a game needed a remake, prepare yourselves as it has been revealed to us that PlayStation is now remaking or remastering (details are still unclear) Horizon Zero Dawn, a game that is only five years old and had its sequel released earlier this year.

Our source didn’t elaborate whether or not this was a “built from the ground up” style of remake, however we were told that the remake features an improved lighting system (ambient occlusion, and such), overhauled textures. and better animations, with new character models to match those found in the sequel, Horizon Forbidden West.

To get a better understanding of how the sequel improved over the first graphically, here’s a comparison we did earlier this year – Horizon Forbidden West: A Look at How the Decima Engine Has Evolved Graphically

Outside of that, we were told there is big focus on bringing the accessibility options that the sequel introduced. Different graphic modes will also be available, though that is a given since most PS5 games have a performance, quality, and uncapped performance to take advantage of VRR (variable refresh rate). For gameplay changes themselves, there are some subtle improvements, mostly those being the quality of life improvements the sequel brought. It wasn’t confirmed whether or not we would see flyable mounts, or a glider, though we suppose that is unlikely given to their story related importance in the sequel.

While Horizon Zero Dawn did see a performance patch released for the PS4 that allowed the PS5 to run it at a unlocked, but stable 60fps with 2160p checkerboarding resolution, the title has yet to natively receive a PS5 port that takes advantage of the hardware, as well as the DualSense features.

A PC port, however, was released, which introduced some PC specific improvements such as draw distance, higher frame rates, widescreen support, and more. Yet despite those improvements, the PC release was still just a port of the original, meaning graphically, the textures and character models all remained the same for the most parts.

It is to our understanding that the Horizon Zero Dawn remake/remaster will bring it closer to Forbidden West, from improved textures, draw distance. character models, to even new and improved animations, and much more. Whether it’s on the scale as The Last of Us Part 1 Remake, is not known at this time.

For newcomers of the franchise, this remake/remaster may just be the perfect way to get into the series, though arguably a tough sell for current owners. Horizon Zero Dawn isn’t that old of a game to begin with, having only released five years ago. Understandably, that news may be a bit disappointing to some, but we do have some good news if you want something to look forward to the series outside of the upcoming VR game and a rumored Forbidden West DLC.

As it turns out, the Zero Dawn Remake/Remaster isn’t the only Horizon related project that is in the works, as we also learned from other sources (info collaborated with our original source) that a team (presumed to be Guerrilla Games) at PlayStation are currently developing a Horizon online multiplayer game for both the PS5 and PC.

Two sources have verified that the project is in indeed real, with a third giving some brief details that it may feature a form of co-op. Customization is said to around the different tribes established in the Horizon franchise, however, we have not been able to verify either that, nor the details on whether or not the online would feature any sort of co-op, or PvP.

As for when these are expected to be announced? That’s anyone’s guess, though known leaker Dusk Golem did mention a month back on ResetEra that a PS4-era Sony game is getting a PS5 release in the form of a “face-lift,” believing that it wasn’t far off from being announced. Could Horizon Zero Dawn be the title they were referring to?

Should there be any new developments regarding either projects, we’ll be sure to keep you posted.

jojobubbles on October 2nd, 2022 at 23:58 UTC »

Horizon did get a remaster. It's called the PC release.

hatim05 on October 2nd, 2022 at 21:54 UTC »

You’re fucking kidding, Sony

syqesa35 on October 2nd, 2022 at 20:54 UTC »

I hope we get an elden ring remaster soon.