How long to beat Horizon Zero Dawn? Story and 100% times

Horizon Zero Dawn takes about 23 hours to beat if you stick to the story, according to players on IGDB. But the game really comes alive with its side quests: then you're looking at around 59 hours, and about 83.5 to complete everything. The gap is huge because Aloy's world is full of things to do that are genuinely worth your time.

Main story only: about 23 hours

Released in 2017 by Guerrilla Games, Horizon Zero Dawn puts you in the shoes of Aloy, a young hunter in a world where nature has taken over and giant machines roam. Rushing the main quests, you'll reach the ending in about twenty hours. The story, which explains what happened to the world, is one of the game's biggest strengths.

With side content: about 59 hours

This is how most people play. Side quests and errands are often well written, bandit camps and corrupted zones offer great fights, and Cauldrons are dungeons you shouldn't miss. You can also climb the giant long-necked machines to reveal the map. Time flies.

100% completion: about 83.5 hours

To finish everything, add the hunting grounds, every collectible, every quest and usually The Frozen Wilds expansion, which adds a new snowy region. It's long, but fighting machines stays fun right to the end. Save it for players who fell in love with the world and don't want to leave.

How many evenings to plan

At 2 hours a night, the story alone is about 11 to 12 evenings. With side content, count roughly 30 evenings, and around 42 evenings for 100%. If you play on weekends on top of a few weeknights, the story plus a healthy dose of side content fits into about a month and a half.

Tips to go faster (or miss nothing)

Keep your Focus on at all times to spot machine weak points: knocking off a component changes a whole fight. Craft bigger pouches early so you can carry more ammo. Don't skip the Cauldrons, they unlock the ability to override certain machines. For more huge worlds to explore, see our list of open-world games.

Verdict

Horizon Zero Dawn is flexible: about 23 hours if you just want the story, much more if the world pulls you in. Our advice: aim for the middle, with the side quests that interest you. That's where the game is at its best.

FAQ

How long is the Horizon Zero Dawn story?

According to players on IGDB, the main story of Horizon Zero Dawn lasts about 23 hours. That's how long it takes following the main quests without lingering. Add a few side quests and you'll easily go past 30 hours.

How long does it take to 100% Horizon Zero Dawn?

Plan on about 83.5 hours to finish Horizon Zero Dawn at 100%, according to players on IGDB. You need every quest, every hunting ground, the collectibles and usually The Frozen Wilds expansion. That's almost four times the story alone.

Should I finish Horizon Zero Dawn before Forbidden West?

Yes, it's strongly recommended. Horizon Forbidden West picks up Aloy's story right where the first game ends, and many characters come back. You can follow the sequel without it, but you'll miss a lot of the emotion and the big reveals.