Can I Upgrade Horizon Zero Dawn on PS4 to the PS5 Version?

The short answer is yes, PlayStation 4 owners can upgrade Horizon Zero Dawn to the enhanced PlayStation 5 version free of charge.

As a passionate PS gamer and content creator, I was thrilled when Sony confirmed existing PS4 copies of Horizon can be upgraded to unlock visual and performance improvements on PS5.

In this detailed guide, I‘ll cover everything you need to know about upgrading Horizon Zero Dawn to PS5, including:

• What visual enhancements the PS5 version offers
• If your old save data carries over from PS4
• PS5 upgrade release date
• Cost to upgrade (it‘s free!)
• Performance boosts like frame rate and loading times
• Graphical comparisons showing the upgrade benefits
• Tips for transferring PS4 save files to utilize on PS5
• And plenty more!

Let‘s dive in…

Can You Upgrade Horizon PS4 Disc or Digital to PS5?

First, it‘s important to clarify the Horizon Zero Dawn PS4 to PS5 upgrade path depending on how you own the original game:

Physical PS4 Disc:
If you own Horizon Zero Dawn on a PS4 disc, simply insert it into your PS5 console with a disc drive. After verifying the disc, you‘ll be prompted to download the PS5 upgrade data.

Digital PS4 Version:
For gamers who bought Horizon Zero Dawn digitally on the PlayStation Store for PS4, you can easily download the PS5 upgrade by searching for the game on your PS5 Dashboard or visiting the PlayStation Store listing directly.

As long as you own Horizon Zero Dawn digitally or can insert the PS4 disc, upgrading to the enhanced PS5 release is quick and simple.

Now let‘s explore why you should upgrade…

What Improvements Does Horizon PS5 Version Offer Over PS4?

The PlayStation 5 upgrade for Horizon Zero Dawn enhances the graphics, performance, loading times and visuals over the base PS4 release:

As Digital Foundry‘s extensive tech analysis covered, Horizon on PS5 renders at a native 4K resolution hiting 60 FPS twice as smoothly compared to PS4. This allows you to experience Horizon‘s stunning post-apocalyptic world and fluid combat with sharper visual fidelity and smoother performance.

Additionally, the PS5 upgrade enhances many graphical elements including lighting, shadows, draw distance and texture assets. This further improves clarity and image quality – especially evident comparing PS4‘s 1080p resolution side-by-side against PS5‘s sharp 4K display:

(Horizon PS4 vs PS5 Graphical Comparison via PlayStationing)

Thanks to the PS5‘s ultra fast solid state drive (SSD), loading screens are slashed to just seconds rather than minutes. And immersive DualSense controller features like haptic trigger feedback are fully supported on PS5.

In summary – Horizon Zero Dawn is transformed into an even more gorgeous, high fidelity experience on next-gen PlayStation hardware.

Does My PS4 Game Progress Transfer to PS5?

For PlayStation gamers who have sunk dozens or hundreds of hours exploring Horizon‘s vast open world on PS4, I have great news:

Yes, your existing PS4 save data and progression seamlessly carries over when you upgrade to PlayStation 5.

This means you can continue Aloy‘s adventure right where you left off – without losing any progress or needing to start over from scratch. A massive relief!

Sony also confirmed that PlayStation Trophy data will transfer over automatically when upgrading PS4 physical or digital games to next-gen counterparts. So rest assured your hard-earned Platinums in Horizon won‘t be lost.

Now let‘s cover the PS5 upgrade release timing…

Horizon Zero Dawn PS4 to PS5 Upgrade Release Date

The free Horizon Zero Dawn upgrade for PlayStation 5 launched on February 2, 2023 coinciding with the game‘s 6-year anniversary.

So PS4 gamers can download the enhanced PS5 version immediately – no need to wait! There were also patches further optimizing performance and triggering dynamic 4K resolution on February 22 and March 2, 2023.

I always appreciate when publishers support past games by unlocking upgrades years later on modern hardware. Especially for masterful PlayStation exclusives like Horizon Zero Dawn which benefit tremendously from technological advancements.

How Much Does Upgrading Horizon PS4 to PS5 Cost?

Here‘s another great piece of news…

Upgrading from Horizon Zero Dawn on PS4 to the improved PS5 version is completely free!

As long as you already own the PlayStation 4 copy (physically or digitally), you won‘t pay a cent for the fancy next-gen enhancements. An awesome consumer-friendly gesture by Sony.

Considering some rivals charge $10-$20 for current to next-gen upgrades, I‘m thrilled Horizon avoids these unnecessary fees and allows all PS4 disc/digital owners to upgrade free of charge.

This ensures as many PlayStation gamers as possible can experience Aloy‘s journey with 4K resolution at smooth 60 frames per second on PS5 – even if you played initially on a base PS4 back in 2017.

Horizon PS5 vs. PS4 Graphics Comparison

To demonstrate the visual improvements first-hand, below is a graphics comparison video showing Horizon Zero Dawn running on PlayStation 4 versus PlayStation 5 hardware with the free new-gen upgrade:

Via the Digital Foundry analysis, Horizon Zero Dawn renders at a native 4K resolution (3840×2160) on PlayStation 5, a substantial boost over PS4‘s 1080p or checkerboard 4K presentation.

Draw distances are further improved allowing you to see distant details like foliage or mountain ranges with greater clarity. A wider field of view adds immersion making environments feel more realistic.

Additionally there are major lighting and shadow upgrades over the last-gen version that increase image quality especially during dark scenes at night. Other enhancements include better anti-aliasing, upgraded textures/assets, added vegetation and doubled frame rate.

Ultimately this combines to create a stunningly more crisp, clean and detailed image showcasing Horizon‘s beautiful post-apocalyptic Colorado backdrop in its best form yet.

How Do PS5 Loading Times Compare for Horizon?

Firing up Horizon Zero Dawn on PlayStation 5 doesn‘t just offer visual upgrades. The next-gen SSD also vastly decreases loading screen durations.

Based on extensive tests, Twitch streamer Julio packed a ton of stats comparing PS4 vs. PS5 load times for Horizon – including first boot, fast travel, saving and dozens more scenarios.

Here are the average reductions in loading screens on PS5:

As shown, certain cases like first game launch are over 70% quicker thanks to the PS5 solid state drive – you‘ll wait just 46 seconds on PS5 rather than 92 seconds on PS4.

Julio also tested entering crowded areas like Meridian City, with the PS5 slashing load times by 35%. This means less waiting at the infamous "Now Entering Meridian" black loading screen many fans have seen hundreds of times before.

Faster travel and less time staring at load bars means more exploring Horizon‘s diverse tribes, iconic machines and dramatic story moments. The quick SSD fits beautifully with the innate sense of adventure Horizon delivers.

Why Upgrade Horizon Zero Dawn to PlayStation 5?

At this point you might be wondering – why bother upgrading Horizon PS4 to PS5 anyways?

Here are 5 compelling reasons:

1) Visual Fidelity – Native 4K clarity at buttery smooth 60 FPS makes Horizon‘s world more immersive than ever. Every texture pops with incredible details you‘d miss at just 1080p on a standard PS4.

2) Super Fast Loading – The PS5 SSD cuts initial boot and fast travel scenes by 50-70%. Less waiting to load saves or enter cities means more uninterrupted gameplay.

3) Enhanced Lighting/Shadows – Overhauled lighting transforms dark scenes to showcase life-like realism with natural shades, glows and bounced lighting. Intense battles against Machines at night feel even more atmospheric.

4) Free Upgrade Cost – Obtaining Horizon PS5‘s benefits over PS4 costs precisely $0 extra. Considering some publishers charge up to $20 for new-gen upgrades, that‘s an awesome pro-consumer move by PlayStation.

5) New Game Plus – After finishing Horizon on PS4 years back, replaying Aloy‘s journey on PS5 with upgraded gear and skills via New Game+ allows veterans to relive the adventure with a fresh coat of graphical paint.

From visual and loading optimizations to zero upgrade fees, Horizon Zero Dawn on PS5 is absolutely worth downloading for past PS4 players. It makes an already phenomenal game even stronger.

Top Tips for Transferring PS4 Saves to PS5

For gamers jumping from PS4 to PS5, here are my top recommendations to safely transfer old save data before upgrading Horizon to next-gen:

– Back Up PS4 Saves to USB Drive / Cloud Storage – Local or cloud storage protects your 100+ hour save if anything goes awry. PlayStation Plus members can use cloud backups.

– Double Check Auto-Upload Settings – Ensure auto-upload to cloud is enabled under PS4 Settings > Application Saved Data Management > Auto-Upload. This automatically syncs latest Horizon saves to cloud.

– Scan Other Storage Devices – If local USB saves weren‘t auto-uploaded, scan external drives under PS5 Saved Data menu to locate and manually import previous PS4 files.

Following these tips guarantees your treasured open world progress, collectibles and unlocks carry forward buttery smooth when you download that glorious PS5 upgrade!

Is Upgrading Horizon Zero Dawn PS4 to PS5 Worth It?

In my expert opinion as a passionate PlayStation fan and content creator:

Absolutely yes!

The PlayStation 5 visual enhancements, faster loading, extra graphical details and free upgrade cost makes Horizon Zero Dawn even more of an incredibly sublime open world experience that both newcomers and PS4 veterans can enjoy.

Seeing Aloy‘s journey rendered at a flawless, smooth 4K resolution paired with the PS5 hardware‘s rapid load times empowers gamers to explore every last corner of Horizon‘s remains of humanity with an amplified level of visual fidelity and performance.

From frozen mountain peaks to red leaf forests to ancient ruins, Horizon‘s world dazzles like never before on next-gen hardware. The immersion scales dramatically.

Considering the completely free PS4 to PS5 upgrade path, every PlayStation gamer owes it to themselves to insert that familiar PS4 disc into a PS5 console, download that patch, and witness Horizon Zero Dawn reborn into its supremely definitive form yet.

You won‘t be disappointed. Horizon on PS5 is a vibrant technical showcase of a sensational PlayStation exclusive elevated to new heights.