Horizon Zero Dawn Reviews: 12 Critical Reactions You Need To Know

4. ...But The Presentation Isn't Perfect

"It's worth noting that a lot of the lip-syncing in cutscenes is remarkably off. In a game with such fantastic visual design, one that pays such close attention to tiny details, this sticks out more than it would otherwise." - Giant Bomb

"You have to get over its one visual shortcoming: the character models. Aloy and her rotating cast of companions look nice enough in action, but during lengthy dialogue sequences, characters are static and unnerving in a way that skirts the uncanny valley." - Polygon

"Facial expressions can find themselves stuck in the uncanny valley, but Horizon is beautiful outside of that." - The Jimquisition

"Horizon suffers from occasionally corny dialogue that belies its smarts." - IGN

While almost all negative comments about the game's presentational hiccups were prefaced by praising how generally brilliant Horizon looks, sounds and feels, there are some less-refined elements that stop it from looking flawless.

Character models and bad lip sync were frequently called out, unaided by some occasionally flimsy dialogue and vocal performances that verge into unintentionally hilarious territory.

Basically, don't go in expecting a 100% seamless experience free of offputting idiosyncrasies, and you'll probably be fine. It is for the most part a gorgeous game, just not without a few bugbears.