Horizon Zero Dawn is an acclaimed action RPG that offers a captivating story, expansive open world, and challenging combat. If you’re wondering how much time you’ll need to complete it, this list covers the typical playthrough durations for different types of players—from casual explorers to dedicated completionists. Whether you’re planning your gaming schedule or just curious about the game’s length, this guide provides detailed insights to help you set expectations and choose your approach.
Story Playthrough: Approximately 20-25 Hours
For players primarily interested in experiencing the main storyline, Horizon Zero Dawn takes around 20 to 25 hours to complete. This includes following Aloy’s journey from the beginning through to the final boss, focusing on the core quests without delving deeply into side activities. This duration is ideal for those who want a complete narrative experience without extensive exploration, making it perfect for a weekend or a short gaming session.
Main + Some Side Quests: Around 30-35 Hours
If you prefer to explore beyond the main story but aren’t aiming for 100% completion, expect about 30 to 35 hours. This timeframe includes completing key side quests, hunting for collectibles, and engaging with optional activities like errands or minor challenges. It offers a richer experience of the game’s world and lore while still maintaining a manageable time investment for most players.
Full Completionist Run: 50+ Hours
For those who aim to fully complete Horizon Zero Dawn, including all side quests, collectibles, and mastering all skills, the game can take upwards of 50 hours or more. This includes hunting every machine, collecting all data points, and completing every challenge. This extensive playthrough is best suited for dedicated fans who want to immerse themselves completely in the game’s universe and achievements.
Speedrunning: 10-15 Hours
Skilled players who focus on speedrunning or skip optional content can finish Horizon Zero Dawn in approximately 10 to 15 hours. Speedruns often involve optimized routes, skipping side activities, and using glitches or exploits to reduce playtime. If you’re interested in beating your personal best or competing in leaderboards, this approach offers a quick yet challenging way to experience the core content.
New Game Plus: 25-30 Hours
Starting a New Game Plus run can take roughly 25 to 30 hours, depending on your familiarity with the game and whether you aim to complete all side activities. This mode lets you retain your gear and skills, making subsequent playthroughs faster but still offering enough content to enjoy a fresh experience, especially if you seek to tackle tougher enemies or collect remaining items.
Replay for Exploration and Collectibles: 40+ Hours
For players who want to revisit every corner of the map, gather all collectibles, and try different combat strategies, expect over 40 hours. This includes exploring hidden locations, completing all side quests, and mastering every machine encounter. It’s ideal for completionists who love to savor every aspect of the game and uncover every secret it holds.
Playing on Different Difficulties: Slight Variations
Difficulty settings in Horizon Zero Dawn can slightly influence your playtime. On easier modes, you may complete the game faster due to less frequent retries, while higher difficulties might add 2-5 hours due to increased challenge and slower combat. Choosing your difficulty impacts not just challenge but also the overall duration of your experience.
How to Choose
When deciding how long it will take to finish Horizon Zero Dawn, consider your gaming style and goals. If you’re a casual player interested in the story, plan for around 20-25 hours. For explorers and completionists, allocate 40-50+ hours. Speedrunners or players focusing solely on the main plot can aim for 10-15 hours. Your preferred experience—story, exploration, challenge—should guide your expectations and time commitment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Horizon Zero Dawn a long game?
Yes, depending on your playstyle, it can range from 10 hours to over 50 hours for full completion.
Can I finish Horizon Zero Dawn in one weekend?
Yes, if you focus on the main story and skip side content, a dedicated gamer can finish it over a weekend.
Does difficulty affect the game length?
Yes, higher difficulties can extend playtime slightly due to increased challenge, while easier modes may shorten it.
How much time should I expect for 100% completion?
Expect 50 hours or more, as collecting all items, completing every quest, and exploring thoroughly takes significant time.
Is New Game Plus faster?
Generally, yes—keeping gear and skills speeds up subsequent playthroughs, but full completion can still take 25-30 hours.
Can I speedrun Horizon Zero Dawn?
Absolutely, experienced players can finish in 10-15 hours by skipping optional content and optimizing routes.
Final Thoughts
Horizon Zero Dawn offers a flexible experience that can be tailored to your available time and gaming goals. Whether you’re looking for a quick story adventure or a deep dive into every corner of the game, knowing the approximate durations helps you plan accordingly. The game’s engaging narrative, stunning visuals, and challenging combat make it worth investing the time, regardless of your playstyle. Ultimately, how long it takes depends on how thoroughly you want to explore Aloy’s world and how much of her journey you wish to experience firsthand.
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