What difficulty should I start Horizon Zero Dawn?

What difficulty should I start Horizon Zero Dawn?

When deciding which difficulty level to play Horizon Zero Dawn, players are often faced with an overwhelming choice. Should you start with the game on Easy, Normal, Hard, or Very Hard difficulty? The answer, quite simply, is to start on Normal difficulty. Here’s why.

What makes Normal difficulty the sweet spot?

Normal difficulty strikes a perfect balance between ease and challenge. The combat is engaging, the puzzles are fun, and the atmosphere is immersive. Starting with Normal difficulty allows you to get accustomed to the gameplay mechanics, the game’s world, and Aloy’s abilities without feeling overwhelmed or underwhelmed. You’ll have ample time to explore, take your time to make decisions, and learn from your mistakes without being too frustrated.

The Pros and Cons of each difficulty level

• Easy difficulty:
  • Pros: Perfect for players new to the action-RPG genre or those looking for a relaxing experience. Easy difficulty is forgiving and allows you to learn the ropes without getting overwhelmed.
  • Cons: Lack of challenge, combat is too easy, and exploration becomes monotonous due to the absence of resistance.
• Hard difficulty:
  • Pros: Provides a real challenge, combat is more satisfying, and exploration becomes more exciting due to the threat of danger.
  • Cons: May be frustrating for new players, lacks the balance of Normal difficulty, and may cause fatigue due to the high difficulty level.
• Very Hard difficulty:
  • Pros: A serious challenge for experienced players, combat is intense, and exploration becomes even more exhilarating.
  • Cons: May be overwhelming for new players, combat becomes too challenging, and errors can be costly due to the lack of health restoration.

What’s special about Normal difficulty in Horizon Zero Dawn?

• Enemy damage: Enemy damage increases as you ascend to higher difficulty levels, making Normal difficulty the optimal choice for balancing enemy attack and Aloy’s abilities.
• Healing: Normal difficulty offers an excellent balance between health recovery and combat intensity. The game’s health restoration mechanism is designed to help players recover from mistakes while maintaining a sense of danger.

What about replayability?

Horizon Zero Dawn is designed with replayability in mind. Even if you start with a higher difficulty level and fail, you can restart at a lower difficulty to recapture the experience and complete the game. Alternatively, you can play the game multiple times, starting each new playthrough at a different difficulty level, which will offer a unique and fresh experience.

A final thought

Choosing Normal difficulty for Horizon Zero Dawn is the best decision, as it provides the ideal balance between ease and challenge. With Normal difficulty, you’ll be able to enjoy the game’s storytelling, combat, and exploration without feeling overwhelmed or bored. Whether you’re new to the action-RPG genre or an experienced gamer, Normal difficulty is the perfect starting point for this incredible game.

Note: Table values are subjective and represent a general guideline.

As you start your Horizon Zero Dawn journey, remember: Normal difficulty is the golden mean, offering a perfectly balanced experience that will challenge you, engage you, and keep you hooked till the very end. So, buckle up and explore the world of Horizon Zero Dawn on Normal difficulty, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure!