GameTimeline

Release & story order

Horizon timeline

Horizon from Zero Dawn (2017) through Zero Dawn Remastered and LEGO Horizon Adventures (2024)—US release dates, Aloy's story path through Forbidden West and Burning Shores, and FAQ for Frozen Wilds, Call of the Mountain, and where newcomers should start in 2026.

Updated August 2026

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Release order Story order

Release order

When Guerrilla shipped each Horizon chapter in the US—Zero Dawn (2017) through Zero Dawn Remastered and LEGO Horizon Adventures (2024), including Frozen Wilds, Forbidden West, Call of the Mountain, and Burning Shores.

  • Newcomers 2026 → Zero Dawn Remastered → Forbidden West Complete (includes Burning Shores)
  • Expansion nights → Frozen Wilds after / late in Zero Dawn; Burning Shores after Forbidden West
  • PSVR2 side story → Call of the Mountain anytime around Zero Dawn era
  • Skip LEGO on a lore-first pass—family retelling, not canon continuation
Story order tips

One Aloy path: Zero Dawn (+ Frozen Wilds) → optional Call of the Mountain → Forbidden West → Burning Shores. LEGO Adventures is a non-canon retelling—Release only. Remastered retells Zero Dawn for modern play.

  • Core path: Zero Dawn → Frozen Wilds → Forbidden West → Burning Shores
  • Do not start with Forbidden West if you want Zero Dawn's reveals intact
  • Call of the Mountain is optional VR set near Zero Dawn
  • On Story order, later entries may be hidden—reveal when ready or use Show all spoilers

Timeline

When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

  1. Horizon Zero Dawn

    Horizon Zero Dawn

    PS4PCAction RPGMainline

    Aloy vs machine beasts—Guerrilla's open-world debut.

    Overview
    Bow-and-trap combat against robotic wildlife; deep Old Ones lore.
    In-game setting
    Story opener. Prefer Zero Dawn Remastered (2024) for modern play—FAQ.
    Should you play it?
    Franchise foundation—start here before Forbidden West.
    Release date
    US PS4 February 28, 2017; Complete Edition / PC later. Remastered October 2024.
  2. Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds

    Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds

    PS4PCAction RPGExpansion

    Cut expansion—Banuk lands and HEPHAESTUS lore.

    Overview
    New machines, region, and story that enrich Zero Dawn's ending setup.
    In-game setting
    Play late in Zero Dawn or right after the base ending—included in Complete / Remastered bundles.
    Should you play it?
    Recommended before Forbidden West for lore.
    Release date
    US November 7, 2017.
  3. Horizon Forbidden West

    Horizon Forbidden West

    PS4PS5PCAction RPGMainline

    Six months later—Aloy seeks GAIA in the West.

    Overview
    Larger traversal toolkit, underwater sections, and sequel stakes.
    In-game setting
    Direct sequel—play after Zero Dawn (+ Frozen Wilds).
    Should you play it?
    Required second mainline chapter.
    Release date
    US PS4/PS5 February 18, 2022; PC via Complete Edition 2024.
  4. Horizon Call of the Mountain
    Optional

    Horizon Call of the Mountain

    PSVR2ActionVROptional

    PSVR2 climbing story—Ryas, set around Zero Dawn's era.

    Overview
    VR-focused traversal and combat; side perspective on the machine world.
    In-game setting
    Optional; does not replace Zero Dawn or Forbidden West.
    Should you play it?
    Skip without PSVR2; lore snack if you have the headset.
    Release date
    US PSVR2 launch window February 22, 2023.
  5. Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores

    Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores

    PS5PCAction RPGExpansion

    Post-game Los Angeles—Walter Londra and Seyka.

    Overview
    Expansion that continues after Forbidden West's Singularity ending.
    In-game setting
    Included in Forbidden West Complete Edition—required for full sequel arc.
    Should you play it?
    Play immediately after finishing Forbidden West.
    Release date
    US PS5 April 19, 2023; PC with Complete Edition.
  6. Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered

    Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered

    PS5PCAction RPGRemasterMainline

    Modern remaster of Zero Dawn—same campaign and Frozen Wilds.

    Overview
    Visual/audio upgrade of the 2017 game for current-gen and PC storefronts.
    In-game setting
    Replaces original Zero Dawn for most players—one Story slot.
    Should you play it?
    Default 2026 starting point.
    Release date
    US October 31, 2024 on PS5 and PC.
  7. LEGO Horizon Adventures
    Optional

    LEGO Horizon Adventures

    PS5PCSwitchActionSpin-offOptional

    Family LEGO retelling of Zero Dawn—non-canon comedy tone.

    Overview
    Co-op LEGO adventure; downplays apocalyptic lore for humor.
    In-game setting
    Release history only—not on Story order.
    Should you play it?
    Optional fun; skip on a serious Aloy lore path.
    Release date
    US November 14, 2024.

FAQ

Release vs story order, expansions, Remastered, VR, and LEGO spin-off.

Release order

Release order is when each Horizon game launched in the US (2017–2024)—including expansions, Remastered, VR, and LEGO. Story order follows Aloy: Zero Dawn → Frozen Wilds → optional Call of the Mountain → Forbidden West → Burning Shores. LEGO Horizon Adventures is a non-canon retelling and stays off Story order.

Recommended: Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered (play Frozen Wilds before finishing) → Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition (includes Burning Shores). You do not need the original 2017 disc if you own Remastered. Optional: Call of the Mountain (PSVR2), LEGO Adventures for co-op fun.

Story & expansions

The Frozen Wilds expands Zero Dawn (Banuk / Cut)—play late in Zero Dawn or right after the base campaign, and before Forbidden West when you can. Burning Shores unlocks after Forbidden West's main ending and continues the sequel story—treat it as required for the full West arc. Both are in the usual Complete / Remastered bundles.

Remasters & editions

Zero Dawn Remastered (October 31, 2024) is the modern way to play the first campaign on PS5/PC, including Frozen Wilds content. It replaces the 2017 version for most players. This page keeps the 2017 row for Release history; one Story slot covers that campaign.

Optional & related

LEGO Horizon Adventures is a family-friendly, non-canon retelling—fun co-op, not required for Aloy's lore path (Release only). Call of the Mountain is a PSVR2 side story set in the Zero Dawn era—optional if you have the headset; skip otherwise.

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.