Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds Reviews Paint Stellar Purchase

Horizon: Zero Dawn was one of 2017’s biggest breakout hits for the PlayStation 4, earning accolades and critical acclaim along with huge sales numbers. Its first major expansion called The Frozen Wilds is coming out today and based on early reviews, it’s going to perform really well. There are a few issues, but overall, the DLC is considered one of the best story expansions ever released.

The Frozen Wilds offers a new area, new content, and over 15 hours’ worth of additional gameplay. In its review, Polygon noted how Horizon: Zero Dawn had an unfortunate launch when it had to compete with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wilds. With the launch of this new DLC, however, the developers managed to breathe new life into a fantastic game.

The new area is a frozen, mountainous region called The Cut, which hosts new tribes and some really strong enemies. At the start, for example, players will need to contend with a robot that looks like a mechanical bear. This particular boss will wipe the floor of any players who are foolish enough to try to play the expansion while under level 30.

Once they get past this enemy, gamers are treated to a beautiful snowy region that is home to some new mobs, new characters, new drama, and new weapons. The combat also changes once players are in The Cut, with mechanics favoring firepower over tactics compared to the main game.

As Kotaku notes, the game is still the visual marvel that it was when it launched, with developers intent on blinding players with a huge number of details. Aloy, the game’s main character is also appropriately responsive to her surroundings, shivering and rubbing her arms when she gets cold.

Unfortunately, since the DLC is set within the main game’s story, The Frozen Wilds doesn’t really stand on its own. Unlike The Witcher 3’s Blood and Wine expansion, for example, this DLC simply adds more to Horizon: Zero Dawn’s excellence rather than build on it.