Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds cover image

CRITIK

Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds
Item: Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds
Author: Critik Editorial Team

2017

GenresAdventure, Action, Science Fiction and Futuristic, Third Person Perspective, Open World, RPG, Stealth, Single Player

AvailableNov 7, 2017

PlatformPlayStation 4

DeveloperGuerrilla

Overview

The Frozen Wilds contains additional content for Horizon Zero Dawn, including new storylines, characters and experiences in a beautiful but unforgiving new area.

Elsewhere

8.7

Game analysis

Critik Scorecard

EXPAND ALL

Story and Narrative

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

69%

Mixed (50-79)

31%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The opinions of several critics regarding the story of Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds are generally positive. Critics such as 3DJuegos and Game Informer appreciate the well-written missions, captivating storytelling, and interesting new characters introduced in the expansion. They highlight how the narrative adds depth to the game's universe by exploring the Banuk tribe and their struggles, providing a new chapter to Aloy's journey. Additionally, critics like CGMagazine and Digital Chumps commend the expansion for expanding upon the mythology of the original game and providing tragic short stories that add depth to the overall narrative. On the other hand, some critics express concerns about the story of The Frozen Wilds. Critics like Digitally Downloaded and Gameplanet mention that the expansion feels like a rehash of the main game's plot, lacking new ideas and originality. They note that while the DLC offers some new lore insights and hints at a sequel, it ultimately falls short of expectations. Similarly, critics such as Polygon and The Digital Fix criticize the expansion for retreading familiar narrative paths from the core game, with Polygon mentioning that it lacks richer ambitions for the ongoing narrative and The Digital Fix pointing out pedestrian dialogue and lack of interesting characters. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the story of Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds is mostly positive, with many appreciating the expansion for its well-developed characters, intriguing world-building elements, and engaging narrative experience. Critics like Attack of the Fanboy and Hardcore Gamer praise the expansion for offering a satisfying story with intriguing new characters and leaving plot threads open for a potential sequel. While there are criticisms about the lack of originality and narrative depth in some reviews, the majority of critics agree that The Frozen Wilds successfully expands on the main game's story, providing an enjoyable and immersive experience for players looking to delve deeper into the world of Horizon Zero Dawn.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Critics generally praise Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds for its well-written missions, captivating storytelling, and new characters that add depth to the game's universe. Some feel it rehashes the main game's plot and lacks originality, but overall, the expansion offers an engaging narrative experience with intriguing world-building elements and well-developed characters, leaving room for a potential sequel.

Gameplay Mechanics

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

68%

Mixed (50-79)

32%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The majority of critics praised the gameplay of Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds, highlighting various positive aspects. Critics like 3DJuegos, CGMagazine, and GameSpot appreciated the introduction of new skill trees, weapons, and armor, enhancing the combat experience and providing players with engaging challenges. Attack of the Fanboy and Easy Allies mentioned the addition of new enemies and creatures that added depth to the gameplay, while Digital Chumps and Gameplanet noted the fun puzzles and increased combat challenge brought by the expansion. Furthermore, Game Over Online and RPG Site commended the new gameplay elements, such as an expanded skill tree and improved combat mechanics, which made the core game more rewarding to play. On the other hand, some critics pointed out certain negatives regarding the gameplay of The Frozen Wilds. Gameplanet mentioned flawed design elements in combat and exploration that detracted from the overall experience, while Polygon highlighted struggles with the item management system and the need to relearn combat mechanics. Additionally, GamingTrend mentioned encounters that felt unfairly difficult, and The Digital Fix noted that some new weapons were mainly useful against specific enemies, affecting the overall utility of the arsenal. Overall, the consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive towards the gameplay of Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds. The expansion was praised for introducing new challenges, enemies, weapons, and skills that enhanced the overall experience for players. Critics appreciated the depth and variety brought by the new content, with many noting the engaging combat, satisfying progression systems, and the overall fun factor of the gameplay. Despite some minor criticisms regarding specific aspects like difficulty spikes and weapon utility, the general sentiment is that the gameplay additions in The Frozen Wilds significantly enriched the Horizon Zero Dawn experience, making it a worthwhile expansion for fans of the base game.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Critics rave about Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds gameplay improvements, praising new skills, weapons, and challenges that enhance combat. Some mention flaws like combat design issues and specific weapon limitations, but overall, the expansion is a hit for adding depth and fun to the core game experience.

Graphics and Visual Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

95%

Mixed (50-79)

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The majority of critics praised the Graphics and Visual Design of Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds, highlighting various positive aspects. Critics like CGMagazine, Game Informer, and Multiplayer.it commended the stunning graphics, alien vistas, and detailed character designs present in the expansion. The snowy landscapes, snow effects, and attention to detail in the winter environments were particularly lauded by reviewers such as Digital Chumps, GameSpot, and Metro GameCentral. The addition of new snow weather effects, enhanced lighting systems, and improved character animations were also noted by GamingTrend, RPG Site, and RPG Fan as significant visual enhancements that added to the overall beauty of the game. On the flip side, some critics pointed out certain negatives regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of The Frozen Wilds. EGM mentioned that the new region, The Cut, lacked a distinct visual identity compared to the main game, which may have led to a sense of monotony in the snowy landscape. Hardcore Gamer highlighted lip-syncing issues as a persistent problem in the expansion, affecting the overall immersion and polish of the visual experience. Additionally, Easy Allies noted the presence of visual glitches in the game, which could detract from the otherwise impressive visuals presented in the snowy setting. Overall, the consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds. The expansion was widely praised for its breathtaking visuals, detailed environments, and immersive snowy landscapes that added a new layer of beauty and depth to the game world. Critics like Attack of the Fanboy and Worth Playing emphasized the unique and stunning visuals of The Frozen Wilds, showcasing the high graphical bar set by the main game and exceeding expectations with new snowfall effects and machine designs. Despite some minor issues such as lip-syncing problems and visual glitches, the majority of reviewers appreciated the exceptional visual presentation of the expansion, making it a visually captivating and immersive experience for players.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Critics raved about the stunning graphics and visual design of Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds, praising the detailed character designs, snowy landscapes, and enhanced lighting effects. While some noted issues like a lack of distinct visual identity in the new region and lip-syncing problems, the overall consensus was overwhelmingly positive. The expansion wowed with its breathtaking visuals, immersive snowy landscapes, and impressive attention to detail, making it a visually captivating and immersive experience for players.

Music and Sound Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

100%

Mixed (50-79)

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

The majority of critics praised the Sound Design and Music of Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds, highlighting various positive aspects. CGMagazine commended the expansion for its top-notch voice acting, while Game Over Online appreciated the solid new voice work and beautiful soundtrack. Impulsegamer also noted the professional voice acting, sound effects, and musical score, emphasizing the overall high quality of the audio elements. Push Square specifically highlighted the standout soundtrack, mentioning superb electronic ambience music that effectively set the tone for the game. RPG Fan further added to the positive feedback by mentioning the excellent voice acting, gorgeous new music, and smooth combat controls that maintained the high quality established in the base game. While the overall sentiment towards the Sound Design and Music of Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds was overwhelmingly positive, there were few criticisms mentioned by the critics. DarkStation pointed out that the audio remained solid but did not provide any significant improvements or standout features beyond good voice acting choices and new lines of Aloy talking to herself. This lack of notable enhancements in the audio department could be seen as a missed opportunity to further elevate the immersive experience of the game. In conclusion, the consensus among the critics is that the Sound Design and Music of Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds were highly impressive and well-received. The majority of reviewers appreciated the top-notch voice acting, beautiful soundtrack, and immersive sound design that added depth to the gameplay experience. Critics like Multiplayer.it highlighted how the sound design complemented the overall production quality of the game, enhancing the post-apocalyptic world exploration. Despite some minor critiques regarding the lack of significant improvements in the audio elements, the general consensus is that the audio aspects of the expansion contributed positively to the overall enjoyment and immersion of the game, making it a standout feature for many players and critics alike.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Critics raved about Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds' stellar Sound Design and Music, praising top-notch voice acting, beautiful soundtrack, and immersive audio elements. While some noted a lack of major enhancements, overall consensus is highly positive, with reviewers highlighting how the audio elevated the gameplay experience and added depth to the post-apocalyptic world exploration.

Voice Acting

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING

Acting Score

Positive (80-100)

87%

Mixed (50-79)

13%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.

The majority of critics praised the voice acting in Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds, highlighting its top-notch quality, realism, and ability to convey emotions effectively. Critics like CGMagazine, Game Over Online, and RPG Fan appreciated the realistic approach to the acting, which made players care about the characters and enhanced the storytelling experience. The upgraded facial animations and character interactions were commended by GamesRadar++ and Trusted Reviews for showcasing strong performances that added depth and complexity to the narrative. Additionally, the professional voice acting was noted by Impulsegamer to contribute to the epic experience, with characters displaying more emotion, as mentioned by ZTGD. On the downside, some critics, such as Telegraph, pointed out occasional instances where characters over-emoted, affecting the overall delivery of the voice acting. This criticism suggests that while the majority of the voice acting was praised for its quality and effectiveness, there were moments where the emotional portrayal may have been too exaggerated, potentially detracting from the immersion and believability of the performances. Overall, the consensus among the critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the voice acting in Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds. The well-developed cast of characters, their interactions, and the enhancement of character depth and storytelling through voice acting were widely appreciated. Critics like Gaming Age and Slant Magazine highlighted the attention to detail in the voice acting, with even minor characters contributing to the overall immersive experience. The combination of strong performances, realistic portrayals, and emotional depth in the voice acting contributed significantly to the overall success and enjoyment of the expansion, as noted by Stevivor and DarkStation.

TL;DR

voice acting

Critics unanimously praised the top-notch voice acting in Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds for its realism, emotional depth, and storytelling enhancement. While some critics noted occasional over-emoting, the majority lauded the well-developed characters, strong performances, and immersive experience created by the voice acting. Overall, the voice acting in the game was a major highlight, contributing significantly to its success and enjoyment among players and critics alike.

Technical Performance

Analysis Unavailable

Summary unavailable

TL;DR

technical performance

Description unavailable

Replay Value

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

38%

Mixed (50-79)

56%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds are generally positive. Critics like Attack of the Fanboy and Game Informer appreciate the new content and challenges offered by the DLC, stating that it provides a worthwhile reason to revisit the game. Additionally, Gaming Nexus and RPG Site highlight the substantial amount of new content, such as new areas, quests, skills, weapons, and outfits, which contribute to an engaging experience for players looking to extend their time in the game. The addition of new weapons, abilities, and side quests, as mentioned by Digital Chumps and Gameplanet, also adds value to the replayability of the DLC for fans of the base game. On the other hand, some critics express concerns about the lack of significant new ideas or incentives for replaying the DLC. Critics like Digitally Downloaded and EGM mention that The Frozen Wilds doesn't introduce enough new content to warrant replaying from the start or offer substantial changes to the core gameplay experience. Metro GameCentral criticizes the plot as a rehash of the main game, leading to a somewhat disappointing and repetitive gameplay experience after several hours. These opinions suggest that while the DLC provides additional content, it may not offer enough fresh elements to keep players fully engaged in multiple playthroughs. Overall, the consensus among the critics leans towards The Frozen Wilds being a valuable addition to Horizon Zero Dawn, providing a mix of familiar mechanics and new elements that enhance the overall experience for fans of the base game. Critics like 3DJuegos and Easy Allies recommend the DLC for players seeking to delve deeper into the world of Horizon Zero Dawn, with new weapons, skills, and armor to acquire. While there are concerns about the lack of groundbreaking additions and repetitive gameplay, the majority of critics appreciate the new challenges, content, and quality of life improvements offered by The Frozen Wilds, making it a worthwhile investment for those looking to prolong their adventure in the game.

TL;DR

replay value

Critics generally praise Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds for its new challenges and content, making it a worthy addition for fans looking to extend their gameplay. Some critics mention concerns about repetitive gameplay and lack of significant new ideas, but overall, the DLC offers a mix of familiar mechanics and fresh elements that enhance the overall experience for players.

Overall Verdict

CRITIK

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Critik Score

Positive (80-100)

91%

Mixed (50-79)

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

The opinions of multiple reviewers on Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds overwhelmingly lean towards the positive side, with the majority of critics praising the expansion for its worthwhile content and enhancement of the base game. Critics like Attack of the Fanboy and Game Informer commend The Frozen Wilds for providing a fulfilling experience that adds value to the overall Horizon Zero Dawn universe. The expansion is lauded for offering new challenges, captivating story elements, improved gameplay mechanics, and stunning visuals, as highlighted by Digital Chumps and Game Over Online. The addition of new content, such as weapons, enemies, and skills, is seen as a positive aspect by Wccftech, further enriching the player's experience in the post-apocalyptic world of Horizon. On the flip side, some critics express minor reservations about The Frozen Wilds. Critics like Digitally Downloaded and LaPS4 suggest that unless players are avid fans or deeply interested in the lore of the Banuk tribe, the expansion may not offer significant value. EGM points out that while the gameplay remains consistent with the main game, the integration of the expansion into the core experience may feel somewhat awkward, lacking a true continuation of the original storyline. Gameplanet also notes that despite enjoyable combat and visuals, there are some design flaws and repetitive story elements that make The Frozen Wilds fall slightly short of the high standard set by Horizon: Zero Dawn. Overall, the consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive, with the majority agreeing that Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds is a highly recommended expansion that complements the base game effectively. Critics appreciate the additional content, challenging gameplay, captivating storylines, and memorable characters that the expansion offers. The Frozen Wilds is seen as a valuable addition for fans of Horizon Zero Dawn, providing a satisfying extension of the original game's universe. Despite some minor criticisms regarding specific aspects of the expansion, such as lackluster story elements or design flaws, the overall sentiment is that The Frozen Wilds delivers a solid and enjoyable experience that enhances the Horizon Zero Dawn experience.

TL;DR

Critics widely praise Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds expansion for its worthwhile content, enhanced gameplay, captivating story, and stunning visuals. While some express minor reservations about its integration and repetitive elements, the consensus is overwhelmingly positive, with most recommending it as a valuable addition for fans of the base game.

CRITIK

Reviews

105 reviews found

100

Gaming Age

PlayStation 4

Nov 8, 2017

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds is a meaty story-driven, single player expansion that comes highly recommended. It fleshes out the universe and leaves players excited for the inevitable sequel.

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100

Trusted Reviews

PlayStation 4

Nov 8, 2017

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The Frozen Wilds is more of Horizon Zero Dawn, offering closure on certain story threads and telling a self-contained tale. It is one of the best DLC packages on offer this year.

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Game Over Online

PlayStation 4

Nov 13, 2017

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds is an outstanding expansion that not only tells its own story, but also enhances the main game. It controls wonderfully, looks gorgeous, and provides a great amount of content for its price.

COGconnected

PlayStation 4

Nov 9, 2017

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The Frozen Wilds sets Aloy in a clear new direction while maintaining the same excellent gameplay, making it a highly pleasing expansion.

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Wccftech

PlayStation 4

Nov 16, 2017

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The Frozen Wilds is a worthy expansion with a new focused story, a beautiful new area, new weapons, enemies, and skills.

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Impulsegamer

PlayStation 4

Nov 16, 2017

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

A must-have DLC that delivers a well-thought out experience

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Gaming Nexus

PlayStation 4

Nov 9, 2017

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The Frozen Wilds is a great expansion pack with a perfect amount of content and new story arc, making it one of the best expansions of the year.

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Digital Chumps

PlayStation 4

Nov 7, 2017

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The Frozen Wilds DLC is a great addition to Horizon Zero Dawn, offering a solid story, improved gameplay, and stunning visuals. A must-have for fans of the original game.

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IGN Spain

PlayStation 4

Nov 10, 2017

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

A well-crafted DLC that expands on the base game with new content, challenging gameplay, and a captivating story, making it a highly recommended addition for fans of Horizon Zero Dawn.

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CGMagazine

PlayStation 4

Nov 6, 2017

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds is a great expansion to an already stellar game.