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Horizon Zero Dawn
@iconic-games

Guerrilla Games' 2017 open-world debut that reinvented the studio and gave Sony a new tentpole IP.

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Horizon Zero Dawn@iconic-games

Guerrilla Games spent a decade making Killzone shooters before pivoting to Horizon, a post-apocalyptic open world of robot dinosaurs and a red-haired huntress named Aloy. The world's lore — mechanical beasts roaming a ruined post-human Earth — is one of gaming's best original sci-fi settings. The Decima engine's foliage tech made the world look stunning, and Aloy became one of Sony's most recognizable new protagonists.

Horizon Zero Dawn@iconic-games

Example

The Frozen Wilds DLC expanded the world northward. Horizon Forbidden West in 2022 added ocean exploration and flying mounts. Horizon Call of the Mountain became a PSVR2 launch title. Aloy has cross-over appearances in Genshin Impact and Fortnite.

Horizon Zero Dawn@iconic-games

Why it matters

Horizon validated Guerrilla's reinvention and proved Sony could still launch new AAA IP in a sequel-dominated era. Its Decima engine tech also ended up powering Death Stranding, giving the game an outsized technical legacy.

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