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Horizon Zero Dawn

Horizon Zero Dawn is a 2017 action role-playing video game developed by Guerrilla Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Horizon Zero Dawn is a 2017 action role-playing video game developed by Guerrilla Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It is the first game in the Horizon series and is set in a post-apocalyptic world where robotic machines dominate the landscape and humans live in tribal societies.

Gameplay

Horizon Zero Dawn is an action role-playing game presented from a third-person perspective. It combines combat, exploration, and progression elements within an open world.

Setting and story

The game takes place in a post-apocalyptic version of the United States in the 31st century. Players control Aloy as she explores a world inhabited by robotic machines and investigates her origins.

Development and release

Guerrilla Games developed the game and Sony Interactive Entertainment published it for PlayStation 4 in 2017. It later appeared on Windows in 2020, with a remastered version released in 2024.

Series

Horizon Zero Dawn launched the Horizon franchise. The series continued with The Frozen Wilds expansion and the sequel Horizon Forbidden West.

Key facts

  • Horizon Zero Dawn was first released for PlayStation 4 in 2017.
  • The story follows Aloy, a young hunter seeking answers about her past.
  • The game is set in a post-apocalyptic world where robotic machines dominate.
  • It is the first entry in the Horizon franchise, followed by Horizon Forbidden West.
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Canadian context

The game is available on major international platforms and has an English-language market presence in Canada through PlayStation and PC releases.

Frequently asked questions

What type of game is Horizon Zero Dawn?
It is an action role-playing video game with third-person gameplay.
Who developed Horizon Zero Dawn?
It was developed by Guerrilla Games.
Who published Horizon Zero Dawn?
Sony Interactive Entertainment published the game.
What is Horizon Zero Dawn about?
It follows Aloy in a post-apocalyptic world where machines dominate and human societies live in tribes.
When was Horizon Zero Dawn released?
It launched in 2017 for PlayStation 4 and in 2020 for Windows.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horizon_Zero_Dawn
    Supports: Developer, publisher, genre, setting, and third-person action role-playing description
  2. Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horizon_Zero_Dawn
    Supports: Release year, platforms, protagonist Aloy, and film adaptation note
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horizon_(video_game_series)
    Supports: Series placement, regional release timing, and franchise context
  4. German Wikipedia — https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horizon_Zero_Dawn
    Supports: Platforms, release dates, engine, and remastered release timing