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

    Horizon Zero Dawn introduces Aloy in a machine-hunted Earth—Guerrilla's open-world bow combat and ruined-tech mystery. Release tab year here is 2017.

    Overview
    Triboelectric wildlife hunts plus layered Horizon Zero Dawn lore tapes.
    In-game setting
    Saga start. Add The Frozen Wilds; Remastered (2024) is the modern edition—FAQ.
    Should you play it?
    Required before Forbidden West. Cousins: God of War, Spider-Man. Pair Horizon Zero Dawn with startHere guidance before optional side titles.
    Release date
    US February 28, 2017 (PS4); PC later; Remastered 2024. Platforms called out for this beat: PS4, PC.
  2. Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds

    Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds

    PS4PCAction RPGExpansion

    The Frozen Wilds expands the Cut with new machines, shamans, and Banuk story after the main Zero Dawn path. Release tab year here is 2017.

    Overview
    Mountainous DLC region with hotter combat toys and lore densification. Sequel debates still measure new games against what Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds established.
    In-game setting
    Play after main HZD; Story sits before Forbidden West.
    Should you play it?
    Highly recommended—not skippable for lore fans heading west. Pair Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds with startHere guidance before optional side titles.
    Release date
    US November 7, 2017 (requires HZD). Platforms called out for this beat: PS4, PC.
  3. Horizon Forbidden West

    Horizon Forbidden West

    PS4PS5PCAction RPGMainline

    Horizon Forbidden West follows Aloy into the West—underwater gear, new tribes, and larger machine ecosystems. Release tab year here is 2022.

    Overview
    Traversal tools (glider, climbing) and denser quest craft on PS5/PS4. Sequel debates still measure new games against what Horizon Forbidden West established.
    In-game setting
    Direct sequel after Frozen Wilds era. Continue into Burning Shores.
    Should you play it?
    Main mid-saga. Finish HZD+FW first. Pair Horizon Forbidden West with startHere guidance before optional side titles.
    Release date
    US February 18, 2022; Complete Edition bundles DLC. Platforms called out for this beat: PS4, PS5, PC.
  4. Horizon Call of the Mountain
    Optional

    Horizon Call of the Mountain

    PSVR2ActionVROptional

    Horizon Call of the Mountain is a PSVR2 climbing adventure with a new protagonist in the HZD era. Release tab year here is 2023.

    Overview
    VR traversal showcase—not a replacement for the main Aloy games. Sequel debates still measure new games against what Horizon Call of the Mountain established.
    In-game setting
    Side Story beat; optional without PSVR2. Continuity with Horizon Call of the Mountain is easiest if you play neighboring required titles first.
    Should you play it?
    Skip without VR; lore-light companion experience. Pair Horizon Call of the Mountain with startHere guidance before optional side titles.
    Release date
    US February 22, 2023 (PSVR2). Platforms called out for this beat: PSVR2.
  5. Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores

    Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores

    PS5PCAction RPGExpansion

    Burning Shores takes Aloy to ruined L.A.—PS5-only Forbidden West story DLC with aerial fights. Release tab year here is 2023.

    Overview
    Post-game region, new machines, and character epilogue beats. Sequel debates still measure new games against what Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores established.
    In-game setting
    Story after HFW main campaign. Current Aloy endpoint with base HFW.
    Should you play it?
    Required for full Forbidden West closure on PS5. Pair Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores with startHere guidance before optional side titles.
    Release date
    US April 19, 2023 (PS5; requires HFW). Platforms called out for this beat: PS5, PC.
  6. Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered

    Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered

    PS5PCAction RPGRemasterMainline

    Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered rebuilds the 2017 campaign for PS5/PC visuals—same story slot as original HZD. Release tab year here is 2024.

    Overview
    Modern presentation pass without changing the Aloy origin plot. Sequel debates still measure new games against what Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered established.
    In-game setting
    Prefer this over 2017 PS4 disc for new playthroughs—same Story as Zero Dawn.
    Should you play it?
    Default 2026 way to play HZD before Forbidden West. Pair Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered with startHere guidance before optional side titles.
    Release date
    US October 31, 2024. Platforms called out for this beat: PS5, PC.
  7. LEGO Horizon Adventures
    Optional

    LEGO Horizon Adventures

    PS5PCSwitchActionSpin-offOptional

    LEGO Horizon Adventures is a family-friendly retelling spin—co-op brick humor, not a lore-critical mainline. Release tab year here is 2024.

    Overview
    LEGO comedy combat in Horizon dressing. Sequel debates still measure new games against what LEGO Horizon Adventures established.
    In-game setting
    Release optional; not on serious Story order for Aloy canon.
    Should you play it?
    Kids/co-op detour—skip for main Aloy chronology. Pair LEGO Horizon Adventures with startHere guidance before optional side titles.
    Release date
    US November 14, 2024 (multiplatform). Platforms called out for this beat: PS5, PC, Switch.

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 entry 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.