This is a list of the most significant or striking real life locations used in the setting of Horizon Zero Dawn. For additional locations see Real World Location Info.
General Location[]
Horizon Zero Dawn is set in the Southwestern United States, specifically the states of Colorado, Utah, parts of northern Arizona and a very small part of Wyoming and Montana. Colorado is Nora territory, Utah is predominantly controlled by the Carja and Oseram, and Wyoming and Montanna have been claimed by the Banuk.
Named Locations[]
Unnamed Locations[]
Inconsistencies[]
While the world of Horizon Zero Dawn is inspired by the Western United States, it is not a 1:1 replica. Several artistic liberties are taken regarding the relative distance between real locations and their position relative to the prime directions, or by bringing two faraway locations extremely close together and leaving out vast swaths of territory in between. While some locations are directly based on their real-life counterparts, some only take visual inspirations, and other locations don't exist in the real world to begin with. For these reasons, it is impossible for the game map to be accurately laid over a real map of the Western United States. These are some discrepancies between the game map and a real world map:
- In real life, the United States Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel is northwest of downtown Colorado Springs, whereas in-game it's to the south southwest.
- In real life, the Empower Field at Mile High is in the northwest of Denver, whereas in-game it's in the northeast.
- In real life, the Red Rocks Amphitheater is to the southwest of Denver, whereas in-game it's to the west.
- Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks aren't located just north of Denver, but rather to the extreme north.
- The Grand Prismatic Spring and the Excelsior Geyser have swapped positions.
- The Smuggler-Union Hydroelectric Power Plant is not on Maroon Peak.
- The Delicate Arch, the Windows and the Double Arch are portrayed like they're next to each other. However, the distance between the Double Arch and the Windows in reality is at least twice the distance as in the game, and the Delicate Arch is to the far north of both of them.
- The Colorado River is noticeably shorter.
- In the game, the Canyonland's Needles District and Goblin Valley are portrayed like they're next to each other, with Goblin Valley to the east. However, in reality, Goblin Valley is to the far northwest of the Canyonlands.
- The Provo Utah Temple isn't directly next to Bryce Canyon.
- Lake Powell isn't located directly south of Bryce Canyon.
- In real life, Eagle Canyon is to the far north of Lake Powel, whereas in-game it's to the south.
- Squaretop Mountain has been rotated almost 180 degrees and is much farther north than its real-world counterpart.
References[]
- ↑ Lake Powell Vantage Point
- ↑ Colorado Springs Vantage Point
- ↑ Explorer Museum Vantage Point
- ↑ King's Peak Vantage Point
- ↑ Supply SNAFU
- ↑ History: FAS
- ↑ Reiker Building?
- ↑ Tower of London Relocation
- ↑ Eagle Canyon Vantage Point
- ↑ Sterling-Malkeet Amphitheater Vantage Point
- ↑ Denver Stadium Vantage Point
- ↑ Bryce Orbital Vantage Point
- ↑ Monument Valley Vantage Point
- ↑ Bridal Veil Falls Vantage Point
- ↑ Coordinates shown on Olin's focus
- ↑ Air Combat Academy
- ↑ https://www.artstation.com/artwork/WQgv2