Though there are plenty of developers and hardware manufacturers that are known for providing exceptionally crafted experiences, Sony is perhaps the most revered to those who enjoy single player and narrative-driven titles. From Uncharted to Spider-Man, the company's first party offerings are usually praised for the way they handle storytelling and the state of polish they are in upon release. There are, of course, outliers that buck the trend, but Horizon Zero Dawn sits firmly in the former category, being one of the best games for its native PS4 system.
The 2022 arrival of Horizon Forbidden West has put the franchise back in the limelight, despite heavy overshadowing from Elden Ring. It's a sublime sequel to an already exceptional product, but rumors have been circulating that the first is receiving a remake in the same vein as The Last of Us Part 1. This is an intriguing thought to those who care deeply about graphical fidelity and performance, but could come at the direct cost of future innovations. Guerilla is looking for an inevitable third game, but Sony shouldn't place too much emphasis on the past, with history showing it can have mixed results.
The Last of Us Part 1 Sets a Concerning Precedent
The Last of Us released in 2013 at the end of the PlayStation 3's life to a sea of critical acclaim. It was a gorgeous story told from the perspective of two survivors who develop their relationship from a begrudging partnership to a stalwart reliance on one another over the course of a year. Joel and Ellie are some of the best characters in video games, so when they received a PS4 makeover in 2014 it was welcomed by all. Eight years later, the original product has been remade to closer resemble the visuals and accessibility of The Last of Us Part 2, which was a puzzling choice from Naughty Dog given how the PS3 and PS4 versions still look beautiful today, and are easily accessible on the PS5.
Its sales were largely underwhelming in comparison to expectations, though, which heightened conversations around whether it needed a remake at all. It's a rare sign that Naughty Dog, a developer known for quality, is susceptible to criticism, and Horizon Zero Dawn following suit would set a precedent that many may believe doesn't put the consumer's interests first. Horizon Zero Dawn released four years after The Last of Us and in the middle of the PlayStation 4's life cycle, so the need for a remake is even less than it was on Naughty Dog's masterpiece.
The PS5 Needs to be Innovative
While it has enjoyed almost two years on the market, the PlayStation 5 has seen plenty of remakes, remasters, and revisions on previous games. Demon Souls, Spider-Man Remastered, Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition, and Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade all do well to make great games even better, but the system is quickly becoming saturated with such titles, and it's getting harder to find true innovation. The PlayStation 4 was the start of a handful of promising new franchises, but its successor runs the risk of leaning heavily on remakes of the PS4's stars, effectively rendering the PS5 a half-step into a new console generation.
Dead Space and Resident Evil 4 are on the way, and while news around Knights of the Old Republic's remake have simmered down, there's hope that it too will receive a facelift. Horizon Zero Dawn is a visual marvel, even five years later, and simply doesn't need to be meddled with. To give such attention to a game that isn't even half a decade past its release would only fuel the belief that the decision is exclusively a financial one, and there are other PlayStation exclusives that are more deserving of a makeover. The Last of Us Part 1 was a dubious first step into a philosophy that should be avoided, as the PlayStation 5 needs far more than remakes to truly stand out among its competitors.
Horizon Zero Dawn is available now for PC, PS4, and PS5.