Horizon Zero Dawn Complete Edition: Worth It on PC?

What Is Horizon Zero Dawn Complete Edition?

Horizon Zero Dawn Complete Edition is the definitive PC version of Guerrilla Games' post-apocalyptic action RPG. Originally a PlayStation exclusive, it landed on Steam as a fully loaded package rather than a stripped-down port.

That means you're not just getting the base campaign. You're getting the full story, an entire expansion, and a pile of cosmetic and gameplay bonuses in a single purchase.

The Story: A World Reclaimed by Machines

You play as Aloy, an outcast raised apart from her tribe, hunting and surviving in a world where towering robotic creatures roam instead of wild animals. As she uncovers fragments of a forgotten past, she's pulled into a mystery that threatens to repeat a catastrophe humanity barely survived once before.

It's a slow-burn narrative that blends tribal politics, sci-fi lore, and real emotional stakes — not just "shoot the robot dinosaur" combat.

What's Included in the Complete Edition

This isn't a bare-bones release. The package bundles:

• The full base game, Horizon Zero Dawn
• The Frozen Wilds expansion (new region, skills, weapons, and Machines)
• Carja Storm Ranger Outfit and Carja Mighty Bow
• Carja Trader Pack
• Banuk Trailblazer Outfit and Banuk Culling Bow
• Banuk Traveller Pack
• Nora Keeper Pack
• A digital art book

For players who skipped the expansion on console, this is essentially the entire Horizon Zero Dawn experience in one box.

Gameplay: Combat, Crafting, and Exploration

Combat leans tactical rather than button-mashing. Machines have visible weak points and elemental weaknesses, so scanning enemies before engaging actually matters. You'll switch between bows, traps, slings, and stealth depending on what you're hunting — and rival tribes add a human threat on top of the robotic one.

Outside of combat, there's a deep crafting and skill-tree system, side quests with real narrative weight, and a genuinely huge open world to explore — dense forests, snowy mountains, and ruined cities included.

It's the kind of game where wandering off the main path for twenty minutes is almost guaranteed to turn into something worth doing.

PC System Requirements

Before buying, check whether your rig can actually handle it.

Minimum:

• OS: Windows 10 (64-bit)
• Processor: Intel Core i5-2500K @ 3.3GHz or AMD FX 6300 @ 3.5GHz
• Memory: 8 GB RAM
• Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 780 (3GB) or AMD Radeon R9 290 (4GB)
• DirectX: Version 12
• Storage: 100 GB available space

Recommended:

• OS: Windows 10 (64-bit)
• Processor: Intel Core i7-4770K @ 3.5GHz or Ryzen 5 1500X @ 3.5GHz
• Memory: 16 GB RAM
• Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 (6GB) or AMD Radeon RX 580 (8GB)
• DirectX: Version 12
• Storage: 100 GB available space

That storage number is worth flagging either way — 100 GB is a sizable install, so make sure you've got the room before you hit download.

Is Horizon Zero Dawn Complete Edition Worth Buying?

User reviews back this up pretty consistently: the game sits at a "Very Positive" rating from tens of thousands of players, with the large majority recommending it. That's not hype from a launch window either — it's a sustained track record years later.

If you're into open-world RPGs, third-person archery combat, or post-apocalyptic sci-fi with a strong lead character, this checks every box. And because the Complete Edition already includes The Frozen Wilds, you're not stuck buying DLC separately down the line.

The main thing to weigh is the system requirements and the time investment — this is a long game with a lot of side content, not a weekend distraction.

Final Verdict

Horizon Zero Dawn Complete Edition is one of the better value packages on Steam for fans of story-driven action RPGs. You get the base game, the best expansion, and a stack of bonus content for one price, with PC requirements modest enough that most mid-range setups can run it.

If your PC meets the specs above, this is an easy one to add to your library — check the current price on Steam and see if it's on sale before you buy.