Horizon Zero Dawn’s visually stunning post-apocalyptic world has a ton of incredible small details that may not be obvious on the first playthrough. But fans who decide to replay Aloy’s epic journey are more likely to notice these tiny aspects of the game.
From unique markings on machines to Aloy’s gorgeous hair, the small details in Zero Dawn are a testament to just how much work went into the massively successful open-world RPG. There are a lot of these tiny things that make the game feel more cohesive and realistic, helping provide a truly immersive experience for players.
The Machines’ Legs Are Weak Points
Zero Dawn’s terrifying machines play a crucial role in making it one of the best post-apocalyptic video games, thanks to their unique designs and fascinating origin stories. And there’s no way to avoid fighting these machines, as they’re the most common enemies in the game.
While using Aloy’s Bow, Tripcaster, or Rattler are all effective ways to deal with the enemies, something players may not notice is a weak spot that applies to almost all types of machines. Aiming for the knees will cause them to buckle and fall, often staying down for a few seconds, which gives Aloy ample time to override them or finish them off. Of course, it’ll take some practice to become a skilled sharpshooter and hit them in their most vulnerable areas every time.
Aloy Tries To Stay Dry
While the prequel’s water physics and integration into the game don’t look like they’re as fleshed out as Horizon Forbidden West’s vast underwater environments, it’s still possible to interact with the element in some ways.
Players can swim across rivers in Zero Dawn and may miss Aloy’s small movement as she gets out of the water. The Nora huntress seems slightly annoyed by how wet her clothes are, so she wiggles around and pats herself dry. If players move too quickly away from the water source without giving her the chance to do this, she’ll make a comment about how she’ll dry her clothes off later.
The Intricacy Of The Weapons
Aloy’s powerful weapons are crucial for difficult boss fights in the main storyline or even for Zero Dawn’s best side quests. As players become preoccupied with upgrading the weapons and mindlessly collecting materials, it’s easy to miss just how intricately designed these tools are.
Taking a closer look at the Shadow Sharpshoot Bow, for instance, reveals that it has beautifully carved parts that seem like they may be made out of bones. The fiery Shadow Hunter Bow has a fun design detail as well with its two strategically placed red feathers that add a pop of color.
The Realistic Leaves
Horizon Zero Dawn’s post-apocalyptic environment is not like most bleak video game worlds because it is actually full of locations that have been engulfed by lush greenery. Nature has reclaimed the earth after 1,000 years, thanks to GAIA’s efforts at terraforming the planet.
The advanced AI did a great job at making the plants as realistic as possible. The creases and textures of the leaves are well-defined and the way they move with the wind is satisfying to watch. Players who take some time to walk slowly underneath a canopy may see how the light shines through the leaves, highlighting their varying shapes and colors.
The Whistle Echoes
Overriding and then mounting machines is one of the more thrilling activities to do in the game. When Aloy loses track of his trusty Strider or Broadhead, however, the only way to call them back is with a deafening whistle.
If players are whistling in an enclosed area, a mountainous region, or a valley, Aloy’s voice will bounce around and return as a soft echo. This aspect of the sound design is impressive because of how subtle it is and its inclusion shows how the developers were paying attention to even the tiniest auditory details in the game.
Aloy’s Gorgeous Hair
Prioritizing something as inconsequential as Aloy’s hair only shows how much work went into every aspect of the game’s design. Fans may not notice how dynamic the protagonist’s striking auburn hair is during their first playthrough.
The way her hair bounces when she jumps or runs, its movement in the wind, and even the occasional strands of stray hair that annoyingly get in her face are all incredibly realistic. The motions are so perfectly attuned to her movements, making the immersive experience even more enjoyable.
The Machines’ Imperfections
Small details are an important part of the story-driven game’s overarching narrative, as they can reveal a lot about the characters and locations in Zero Dawn. This is true for the terrifying machines in the game as well, which most fans probably (and understandably) do their best to avoid.
It’s not the smartest move to get too up close and personal with Sawtooths and Ravagers, but players who do this at least once may discover some interesting details etched into their hardware. Most machines will have scratches, small dents, and sometimes even rust around their metallic parts. These imperfections are reminders of how long the machines have been running around and fighting with humans, collecting battle scars along the way.
How Smooth Aloy’s Slide Is
Sliding is an effective way to traverse a variety of surfaces in Horizon Zero Dawn. It’s especially helpful when players are trying to escape a large group of machines or just trying to get to the bottom of a slope a little bit faster.
Fans may unintentionally overlook this cool mechanic, which is actually a really useful and well-designed one. Aloy’s slides can go on for a few seconds, covering several meters. If the Nora huntress is going downhill, it’s an even smoother slide across the snow or grass – it’s a more satisfying alternative to the loud mechanical sounds machine mounts make when moving around.
Aloy’s Reactions To The Elements
It’s no secret that most of Zero Dawn’s best quotes come from Aloy, as players spend the most time with the protagonist. With so many profound lines, fans may miss some of the smaller comments from her when she reacts to the elements.
Aloy isn’t afraid to talk about how she feels when the weather shifts, even if no one’s around to hear it. For instance, when a strong gust of wind passes by, she holds her arms up to block the wind before saying “snow-chill itches.” Aloy also reacts to the rain, lifting up her hands to catch the droplets, and, with disappointment in her voice, she says “everything’s sharp and looming in the rain.”
Aloy’s Shaky Limbs
It’s easy to forget that Aloy is still human. She may be 1,000 years from the Old World, but her body’s limitations are no different from the average person's. There are minor indications of these limitations that players can spot when using a bow or climbing up a mountain.
If Aloy spends a few extra seconds pulling the bow’s string, her right arm will visibly shake from the extra effort needed to hold the weapon in that way. Her arms become similarly tired when climbing, specifically when she’s clinging on to one particular rock for too long. She’ll eventually release one arm to shake it around, presumably to prevent numbness or cramps. These refreshing small details add to Aloy’s realistic character design.