Horizon Zero Dawn

Horizon Zero Dawn is a post-apocalyptic action adventure where you explore an overgrown landscape with now-crumbling remnants of modern life. Play involves exploring the world, learning your new abilities as the story unfolds and using them to defeat the robotic dinosaurs. It stands out for the scale and scope of its open world, along with a compelling story about parent-child relationships and the survival of civilisation.

CONTENT RATING

Violence

PLATFORMS

PC

PlayStation 4

POSITIVE GAMEPLAY

Ambitious

Exploration

Geography

Good Challenge

Hopeful

Interpretation

Systems Thinking

Comprehension

PLAY STYLE

Player vs Enemies

Horizon Zero Dawn plunges you into an overgrown landscape with now-crumbling remnants of modern life where animalistic machines have taken over. The exploration and combat don’t dwell on the downfall of the world, but there is an interesting undercurrent of self-annihilation that lingers as you play. It’s an impressive and enjoyable world to explore that says as much about humanity’s ability to survive as any direct narrative.

The combination of overblown disaster and sometimes simplistic solutions – such as the discovery of a small group of scientists with a plan to remake the planet – manages not to jar. It’s a game that invites you to find the resilience of life even in a catastrophe. Life goes on, maybe differently and haphazardly, but still finds a way to continue.

GAMEPLAY TRAILER

Good to know

Insights to ensure your child's gaming experience remains safe and enjoyable

Explore story themes

These games focus on storytelling and often have complex themes. Expect touching stories that can make your child feel strongly. Discuss the game's themes and emotions with them.

Stay engaged

Ask your child to tell you about the game, its story and the world it's set in so you can share the experience and enjoy the game together.

Support critical thinking

Talk about the story your child experiences through the game and the problems it brings up to solve. Ask them questions about the in-game world, the decisions they make and the content of the story to support their critical thinking.

Skill level

Suggested by Family Gaming Database

Young players need to be able to traverse the huge world, both following a map as well as navigating the best route when climbing. You also need quick reactions for battle where you must switch to the best weapons to deal maximum damage to enemies. It's fast-paced and demanding. There are prolonged story elements of the game that while optional, are a key ingredient of why players enjoy this experience.

Content rating

Rated PEGI 16 for Violence. Violence consists of Aloy, armed with a bow and spear, fighting mechanical dinosaur-type characters and humans from enemy tribes. While blood is not depicted, violent scenes during the cinematics can be quite realistic which contributes directly to the rating.

PEGI rating explained?