How Long Does Horizon Zero Dawn Take To Beat?

Anyone know the average completion time for Horizon Zero Dawn, including side quests, or just rushing main missions? Trying to plan my playthrough.
2025-11-24 02:14:21
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11 Answers

Best Answer
PaxNash
PaxNash
Library Roamer Cashier
For the main story alone, Horizon Zero Dawn usually takes around 20-25 hours. If you get into side quests and exploration, you can easily push that past 50 hours. That kind of big, rich world is why I gravitate toward stories that build their own rules from the ground up. It reminds me of the web novel 'Dawn of the Hunters', where humanity's remnants live in the shadow of ancient machines and survival depends on understanding a lost world. The core mystery of what happened to the old civilization drives the plot forward in a really compelling way.
2026-08-04 12:05:28
130
Oliver
Oliver
Bookworm Receptionist
Curious how long 'Horizon Zero Dawn' eats up your time? I’ve paced a few playthroughs and the timeline really depends on how much you let yourself get lost in the world. If you barrel through just the main plot beats, you’re looking at roughly 20–25 hours. That’s the barebones path: key missions, a handful of pivotal boss fights, and the story’s core beats without lingering on side quests.

If you sip the game more slowly and pick up a healthy chunk of side quests, hunting grounds, and machine overrides, plan for something around 35–50 hours. That’s the sweet spot where you experience character moments, tribal lore, and the gorgeous landscapes without feeling compelled to clean every corner. Add the 'The Frozen Wilds' expansion and tack on another 6–10 hours for its story and encounters.

For the completionists who must master every machine, craft every outfit, and finish every shrine, my saves ballooned toward 60–100 hours depending on how meticulous I was. New Game+ and difficulty runs extend that even further. Personally, I loved dropping into the world for dozens of hours — the pacing and discovery kept me coming back.
2025-11-26 13:32:59
9
Eloise
Eloise
Plot Explainer Analyst
On my last playthrough I tried something different: a focused weekend binge on the main campaign, then a slow follow-up for everything else. The sprint through just the story took me about 22 hours, which felt tight but satisfying if you’re on a deadline or just crave narrative momentum. After that, I spent another 25–30 hours hunting down side quests, tombs, and collectables at a relaxed pace. That brought my total to roughly 45–55 hours, which felt balanced.

Speedrunners will shave that main story number way down by skipping optional content and optimizing travel, but for most players the experience is about rhythm — alternating story pushes with exploration and machine hunting. The PC port offers mods that can change pacing and combat, and New Game+ invites you to replay with upgraded gear. My favorite takeaway was that the time you put in flexes with your curiosity: spend it fast if you want thrills, or savor it if you want the world to sink in.
2025-11-27 07:28:24
42
Reese
Reese
Library Roamer Data Analyst
Quick practical take: if you only want the narrative, plan on around 20–25 hours. If you want a satisfying playthrough with many side quests, aim for 35–50 hours. Full completion, collecting everything and finishing all challenges, can push you to 60–100 hours depending on how obsessive you get.

The 'The Frozen Wilds' DLC is a compact expansion adding about six to ten hours for its story and encounters. Difficulty, playstyle, and whether you enjoy exploring or hunting machines will make the biggest difference. Personally, I split the game into evening sessions and loved watching little threads of story unfold between hunts.
2025-11-28 05:52:45
23
Ruby
Ruby
Insight Sharer Driver
If you enjoy lingering in side quests and exploration, 'Horizon Zero Dawn' becomes much more than a 20-hour story. On a playthrough where I paused to read every datapoint, hunt machines for specific loot, and upgrade Aloy’s skills thoughtfully, the game ran about 40–55 hours. Difficulty setting matters: playing on a harder difficulty slows you down because fights are longer and you need to prepare more.

The Frozen Wilds adds fresh story content and a few new machines, pushing your total up by maybe 6–10 hours. There’s also replay value: trying different playstyles, experimenting with traps versus stealth, and aiming for higher completion percentages will easily stretch playtime. I found that the game rewards curiosity, so my most enjoyable runs were the ones where I took my time and let the world breathe.
2025-11-29 11:01:42
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