How Much Better Does Horizon: Zero Dawn Look on PS4 Pro
By Derek Nichols 18 February 2017
In a new video, Arekkz Games compares PS4 and PS4 Pro footage of the upcoming PlayStation exclusive Horizon: Zero Dawn to get a sense of how much better the game looks.
Since Sony released the the PlayStation 4 Pro late last year, many games have been able to essentially upgrade themselves through a term called forward compatibility. Thanks to patches that added support for 4k and HDR, many released games like Fallout 4 and Infamous Second Son look better than they already were. With its release now a week away, Horizon: Zero Dawn represents the first major title to actually have been in development for the PS4 Pro and based on new footage, it looks absolutely stunning.
Thanks to a new video put together by Arekk z Gaming, gamers can now see how much more improved Horizon: Zero Dawn appears on the PS4 compared to its PS4 Pro counterpart. Having been developed specifically with the PS4 Pro in mind, players are able to experience the game in as close to native 4K resolution as possible. Utilizing a 2160p checkerboard style rendering technique, Horizon: Zero Dawn delivers a resolution that is very nearly 4K native, even if the console itself isn’t quite capable of doing that.
While difficult to see in 1080p videos, the checkerboard resolution adds more detail to the game world, specifically in the designs of Aloy’s outfits and stiching, along with the game world itself such as the leaves and trees swaying in the breeze. According to Guerrilla Games technical director Michiel van der Leeuw, PS4 Pro players will be able to see these details at a greater distance away as well, likely confirming an increased draw distance as well.
What’s even better is that the game will have benefits for those players that own the PS4 Pro but don’t actually own a 4K tv. The updated PlayStation console uses a high-quality anti-aliasing technique called supersampling which essentially enables images to be rendered at a high resolution before shrinking it back down to 1080p. While the game will still look great regardless, supersampling helps to 1080p version on the PS4 Pro look a little better than the 1080p PS4 version.
While all this talk of graphics doesn’t mean much if the game itself isn’t good, thankfully, Horizon: Zero Dawn appears to be one of the best PlayStation exclusive titles available. Glowing reviews from critics reveal a layered and memorable open world RPG complete with a vibrant world and inventive story. Taking inspiration from various series like Dark Souls, Uncharted, Far Cry, and Guerrilla Games’ own Killzone franchise, Horizon Zero Dawn looks like a must own title for both Ps4 and PS4 Pro players alike.
For those that don’t yet own a PS4 Pro, does any of this change your mind about buying one? Let us know what you’re thinking in the comments below.
Horizon: Zero Dawn launches exclusively on the PlayStation 4 on February 28, 2017.
