Horizon Zero Dawn

In the role of Aloy, players will explore a post-apocalyptic western United States overrun by hostile animal-like machines. Players must hunt machines and animals, engage in ranged and melee combat with human enemies, and may use stealth in some combat instances. Narrative features themes of isolation and abandonment, death of characters important to Aloy, and tribal warfare. Narrative and gameplay elements may be viewed as appropriating Native culture.

• Release date: 2-28-2017
• Developer: Guerrilla Games
• Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
• Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC

Triggers for this game

Animals & Wildlife

• Birds

  Players must hunt birds for crafting materials

  • Can't be avoided

• Misc. Animals & Critters

  There are several bat swarms that may cause a jump scare in caves

  • Can't be avoided

• Rodents

  Rats can be found throughout the world, particularly in caves

  • Can't be avoided

Crime

• Being Held Against Will

  NPCs are shown being held against their will

  • Can't be avoided

• Fights

  • Can't be avoided

Death & Loss

• Abandonment

  ShowHide potential spoilers or triggers

  Aloy is an outcast and has been abandoned by her people, Aloy is an orphan and longs to know who her mother was

  • Can't be avoided

• Death of Child

  ShowHide potential spoilers or triggers

  A prominent NPC's child dies early in the game

  • Can't be avoided

• Death of Friend

  ShowHide potential spoilers or triggers

  Several of Aloy's new tribal friends die early in the game

  • Can't be avoided

• Death of Parent

  ShowHide potential spoilers or triggers

  Rost, Aloy's adoptive father, dies early in the game

  • Can't be avoided

• Death of Wild Animal

  Players must hunt animals for crafting materials

  • Can't be avoided

Disturbing Sounds & Sound Design

• High-Pitched Prolonged Tone

  • Can't be avoided

• Sirens & Alarms

  • Can't be avoided

Drugs & Alcohol

• Drunkenness

  NPCs are shown drunk throughout the world

  • Can't be avoided

Hate & Discrimination

• Cultural Appropriation

  Many narrative components may be viewed as being Native cultural appropriation

  • Can't be avoided

• Fantasy Racism

  Fictional Tribes hold prejudices against each other

  • Can't be avoided

• Lynching

  Nooses are visible (with no hanging bodies) at bandit camps

  • Can't be avoided

Mental Health

• Grief

  ShowHide potential spoilers or triggers

  Aloy and NPCs grieve multiple losses throughout the game

  • Can't be avoided

• Hallucinations

  A side quest NPC experiences auditory hallucinations

  • Can't be avoided

• Psychosis

  A side quest NPC displays signs of auditory hallucinations, delusions, and confused thinking

  • Can't be avoided

• Suicidal Ideation

  An NPC talks about killing himself while struggling with mental illness

  • Can't be avoided

Non-Sexual Abuse & Violence

• Altercations

  • Can't be avoided

• Bullying

  Aloy is bullied by some NPCs due to being an outcast

  • Can't be avoided

• Hunting

  Players must hunt animals and animal-like machines throughout the game

  • Can't be avoided

Phobias

• Acrophobia

  Aloy has to climb Tallnecks to reveal sections of the map which may trigger acrophobia

  • Can't be avoided

• Claustrophobia

  Aloy must enter small enclosed spaces in some quests

  • Can't be avoided

• Hemophobia

  A moderate amount of blood is shown in cutscenes and during gameplay

  • Can't be avoided

• Merinthophobia

  Players will encounter NPC that are bound and held captive by enemies

  • Can't be avoided

• Misc. Phobias

  Chiroptophobia: Fear of bats, Musophobia: fear of mice or rats

  • Can't be avoided

• Necrophobia

  Players will see mummified dead bodies inside caves

  • Can't be avoided

• Traumatophobia

  War and fight scenes resulting in loss may trigger traumatophobia

  • Can't be avoided

Physical Health & Body Issues

• Body Modification

  Sylens and some tribe members have body modifications

  • Can't be avoided

• Pain & Physical Suffering

  • Can't be avoided

Traumatic Events

• Apocalypse

  Game is based on the aftermath of an apocalyptic event on Earth

  • Can't be avoided

• Mass Casualty Event

  ShowHide potential spoilers or triggers

  Many Nora are killed early in the game by an enemy attack

  • Can't be avoided

War & Military

• Fictional War

  • Can't be avoided

• War Scenes

  Fictional war scenes with machine and human enemies

  • Can't be avoided

Did we miss something? Submit your suggestion here!