The Horizon series, made mainly by Guerrilla Games, is one of the more successful modern franchises in gaming. It mixes post-apocalyptic themes with futuristic science fiction, creating a strange but compelling world where robotic animals roam the Earth and tribal humans survive in their shadows. The worldbuilding and the character of Aloy really helped push the series into popularity. If you’re wondering how to play all Horizon games in order, this guide breaks it all down. We’ll also cover the Horizon games in chronological order so you can progress through the games as intended by the story.
Here’s how the Horizon games, in order of release, came out over time:
Yes, though not by a lot. The two mainline Horizon games in order of story timeline, follow Aloy’s story from the beginning. But the spin-offs don’t always fall into place neatly. The release order list represents the games by launch date. For example, Call of the Mountain was released after the second main game, but its events overlap with the original Zero Dawn, and the LEGO version is more of a separate, humorous reimagining of events. So, for the best understanding of the storyline, this is how you might want to experience them:
The remastered and complete editions aren’t required to understand the plot. They’re enhanced or bundled versions of existing content. LEGO Horizon is set apart as a comedic, non-canonical take on the events of the first game. Below, we have talked about each individual entry to give you a better idea of where each one falls into the chronological order of Horizon games.
Image Credits: Guerrilla Games
This was the game that began Horizon’s story. In Horizon Zero Dawn, players step into the shoes of Aloy, an orphaned outcast raised by a man named Rost in the Nora tribe. Set a thousand years after a mysterious collapse of modern civilisation, Aloy discovers ancient ruins, advanced technology, and secrets about what wiped out the world. She finds herself connected to a powerful AI system called GAIA, and the story gradually shifts from personal identity to the broader mystery of how to save what remains of Earth. The game is a combination of survival, exploration, and science fiction storytelling. It’s the first step in a much larger saga.
Image Credits: Guerrilla Games
This expansion is set during the events of the main game, somewhere before the final mission. Aloy journeys north into Banuk territory to investigate aggressive new machines and a dangerous AI fragment called Hephaestus. The DLC introduces a snowy new region called The Cut, filled with new characters, weapons, and challenges. Although it’s an add-on, it has meaningful lore connections and deepens the world. Playing this before finishing Zero Dawn‘s main story is often recommended, so the story elements blend in better. The machines here are also harder, so it helps if you’re interested in sharpening your Horizon skills.
Image Credits: Guerrilla Games
This one’s a spin-off made for PlayStation VR2. In Call of the Mountain, the player doesn’t control Aloy directly. Instead, the story follows Ryas, a former Shadow Carja rebel looking for redemption. The game is in first-person and is heavy on climbing, puzzle-solving, and immersive VR experiences. The events run parallel to Zero Dawn, so they don’t interfere with or add too much to Aloy’s story. While Aloy appears in the game, she’s more of a secondary figure. It’s not crucial to the overall plot, but it expands the universe a bit and gives a different perspective on the world’s events.
Read Also: All Tomb Raider Games in Order (Release & Timeline)
Image Credits: Guerrilla Games
This sequel continues Aloy’s story six months after the ending of Zero Dawn. A red blight is spreading across the land, threatening all life. In her journey westward, she meets new tribes and machines, and uncovers another major threat: the Far Zeniths, former humans who escaped Earth centuries ago and returned with futuristic powers. Aloy is also on a quest to restore GAIA’s AI functions, and she faces betrayal, alliances, and new enemies in a broader open world. The scope of the game is much bigger, and there’s a significant focus on underwater areas, crafting, and improved combat mechanics.
Image Credits: Guerrilla Games
This expansion picks up where Forbidden West ends. Aloy travels to what’s left of Los Angeles, now a chain of volcanic islands. There, she faces Walter Londra, one of the last surviving Far Zeniths, who poses a serious threat. The DLC explores more of Aloy’s emotional depth and introduces Seyka, a new character who helps her along the way. The stakes are high, and there are more hints about future dangers possibly coming from space. This story adds major developments, so skipping it would leave you without crucial context heading into whatever sequel comes next.
Image Credits: Guerrilla Games
This isn’t a new entry in the storyline. It’s a package that includes Forbidden West and the Burning Shores DLC together. Great for new players or PC users who missed out before, but no new story content is added. Just a bundled way to play the full experience.
Image Credits: Guerrilla Games
As the name suggests, this is a remastered edition of the original Zero Dawn, made for PlayStation 5 and PC. It brings better visuals, lighting, updated character models, and smoother performance. The remaster also includes The Frozen Wilds, but the narrative is the same. It’s ideal for players new to the series or anyone who wants a fresh playthrough with improved graphics. Long-time fans might not find new content, but it’s still the definitive way to replay Aloy’s origins.
Image Credits: Guerrilla Games
Unlike every other game on this list, LEGO Horizon Adventures is not a serious entry. It’s a reimagined, lighthearted retelling of Zero Dawn, complete with LEGO-style humour, simplified mechanics, and multiplayer co-op. Aloy and other characters are portrayed in a comedic tone, and while the basic story is recognisable, it’s heavily modified for fun. The game is non-canonical and doesn’t affect the main plot at all. However, it’s still part of the Horizon brand and may be appealing to younger audiences or fans who want a different type of experience.
If you are someone who doesn’t have time to burn through the entire series and you are here to determine which among all the entries is the best pick, it is unequivocally Horizon Zero Dawn. It sets up the entire world, introduces Aloy, and unravels the mysteries of the machine-dominated future and the past. Much of the impact of Forbidden West’s story relies on the foundational knowledge gained in Zero Dawn. Playing them out of order would significantly diminish the narrative impact. Plus, Zero Dawn is widely available on PlayStation and PC, and often at a more affordable price than Forbidden West.
Read Also: Monster Hunter Games in Order of Release and Story Timeline
LOL
CS2
Dota 2
Valorant
Fortnite
Call of Duty
Mobile Games
Gaming
EN Global 
JP 日本語
i remembered that game i miss it