Difficulty selection screen when starting a new game
Difficulty is a game setting in Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West that allows the player to tailor their gameplay experience to their skill level and desire for challenge.
In New Game+ mode, the difficulty chosen by the player will be locked for the entire playthrough, as of PS4 Patch 1.50.
In Zero Dawn, completing the game on Ultra Hard difficulty in New Game+ mode will unlock all the Face paints, the Focus effects, and the New Game+-specific trophies.
In Forbidden West, players can customize their difficulty settings at any point in the game to have different difficulties for damage dealt and taken, among other settings. However, Ultra Hard difficulty is locked upon selection and cannot be changed at all without starting a new game or New Game+.
Horizon Call of the Mountain does not have a difficulty setting, but damage multipliers can be adjusted for and against the player.
Levels[]
From lowest to highest, the difficulty settings are:
| Story | The Story difficulty setting eases combat, allowing the player to focus on exploration and learn the mechanics and narrative of the game |
| Easy | An accessible difficulty level for those who simply want to explore the world and story |
| Normal | A difficulty level that balances the journey with a challenging combat experience |
| Hard | A more demanding combat experience throughout the journey |
| Very Hard | A tough combat experience for those who really want a challenge |
| Ultra Hard | The toughest combat experience, this mode increases enemy aggression and damage as well as rebalances Aloy's weapons and equipment. Merchant's wares are more expensive |
Detailed comparison in Horizon Zero Dawn[]
| Story | Easy | Normal | Hard | Very Hard | Ultra Hard | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Damage taken | 10% | 50% | 100% | 125% | 150% | 200% |
| Damage dealt | 400% | 150% | 100% | 90% | 80% | 70% |
| Tear damage | 400% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 50% |
| Elemental damage | 150% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 50% |
| Healing herb value | 100% | 100% | 100% | 80% | 60% | 60% |
| Aim assist | optional | off | ||||
The Ultra Hard difficulty also introduces the following changes:
- Enemy health bars are disabled.
- Multiple enemies can attack simultaneously.
- Enemy perception range (both visual and auditory) is greatly increased.
- Machines and humans are harder to knock down using the heavy spear attack.
- Vendor prices are up to five times higher.
- Vendors no longer offer free sample boxes.
- The Machine resources merchant no longer sells hearts. In addition, they only sell 4 types of lenses.
- The Thunderjaw's Disc Launchers are no longer especially vulnerable to Tearblast Arrows.
- Using Lure Call while enemies are actively searching for Aloy will immediately reveal her location to them, even if she is hiding in tall grass.
- Machines that were more inclined to flee will now prefer to fight. This applies to Striders, Broadheads, Chargers, Grazers, and Lancehorns.
- Humans will attack more frequently.
Detailed comparison in Horizon Forbidden West[]
| Story | Easy | Normal | Hard | Very Hard | Ultra Hard | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Damage taken | 10% | 50% | 100% | 125% | 150% | 200% |
| Enemy HP scaling | 33% | 80% | 100% | 133% | 182% | 294% |
| Enemy Tear and
Elemental Defense |
29% | 67% | 100% | 133% | 182% | 250% |
| Aim assist | optional | off | ||||
| Easy Loot | on | optional | off | |||
| Weapon Stamina drain on damage taken | none | up to 15% of total stamina, depending on damage amount | ||||
Ultra Hard introduces other changes (unless noted otherwise):
- Smoke bombs have reduced effectiveness against medium and large machines at Very/Ultra Hard.
- Enemy health bars are disabled.
- Enemies instantly become alerted upon taking non-lethal damage from stealth.
- Perception ranges (visual and auditory) are doubled for machines and humans.
| Gameplay | ||
|---|---|---|
| Damage - Difficulty - Dye - Face paint - Flashpoint - Health Meter - New Game+ - Outfit - Trophies | ||