Conquering the Apex: Unraveling the Hardest Trophy in Horizon Zero Dawn

The question on every aspiring Horizon Zero Dawn completionist’s mind: What is the hardest trophy to obtain? While the game boasts a remarkably accessible platinum trophy, one challenge stands above the rest, demanding skill, patience, and a deep understanding of the game’s mechanics. That trophy is “Ultra Hard Completed,” awarded for finishing the main story on the Ultra Hard difficulty setting.

While seemingly straightforward, the “Ultra Hard Completed” trophy presents a unique gauntlet. Unlike many games where difficulty trophies stack, meaning completing the game on the hardest difficulty automatically unlocks the trophies for easier modes, Horizon Zero Dawn requires a dedicated playthrough on Ultra Hard. This, combined with the nature of the difficulty itself, elevates it to the top spot as the most challenging trophy.

The Ultra Hard Gauntlet: Why It’s So Tough

The Ultra Hard difficulty isn’t just about enemies hitting harder and taking less damage. It’s a systemic change to the game’s core mechanics, forcing players to adapt their strategies and rely on cunning rather than brute force. Here’s a breakdown of what makes it so challenging:

• Reduced Damage: Aloy deals significantly less damage to machines, requiring precise targeting of weak points and strategic use of elemental weaknesses.
• Increased Enemy Health: Machines become significantly more resilient, prolonging encounters and making mistakes far more costly.
• Limited Resources: Crafting materials become scarce, forcing players to carefully manage their ammunition and traps.
• Aggressive AI: Machines are more alert, detect Aloy more easily, and exhibit more complex and unpredictable behaviors. They also relentlessly pursue her.
• No Auto-Save Cheese: While the game does auto-save, relying on them to get you out of a difficult situation can be unreliable.

These factors combine to create an experience where every encounter is a calculated risk. Randomly charging into a group of machines, a common tactic on easier difficulties, will almost certainly lead to a swift and unceremonious demise. You’re not just fighting machines; you’re battling resource scarcity, heightened awareness, and the constant threat of overwhelming force. Stealth becomes your best friend, and every arrow counts.

Strategies for Ultra Hard Domination

While Ultra Hard presents a formidable challenge, it’s by no means insurmountable. With the right strategies and a healthy dose of perseverance, any player can conquer this difficulty. Here are some essential tips:

• Master Stealth: Stealth is your greatest ally. Use tall grass and environmental cover to your advantage, and prioritize Silent Strikes whenever possible.
• Exploit Elemental Weaknesses: Learn the elemental weaknesses of each machine type and exploit them relentlessly. Freeze, shock, and fire arrows become essential tools.
• Focus on Weak Points: Precision is paramount. Targeting components like Blaze Canisters, Freeze Sacs, and Power Cells can quickly cripple or eliminate even the toughest machines.
• Trap Extravaganza: Traps are incredibly effective for crowd control and dealing significant damage. Lay down Tripwires and Blast Wires before engaging in combat to gain a significant advantage.
• Upgrade Your Gear: Prioritize upgrading your weapons and armor. Every point of damage and resistance matters on Ultra Hard.
• Use Modifications Wisely: Experiment with different modifications to optimize your gear for specific encounters. Damage, handling, and tear modifications can all be incredibly valuable.
• Resource Management: Scavenge diligently and craft strategically. Avoid unnecessary crafting and conserve your resources for critical situations.
• Practice Makes Perfect: Don’t be afraid to experiment and learn from your mistakes. The more you understand the behavior of each machine type, the better equipped you’ll be to defeat them.
• New Game+ Advantage: If you are struggling with a new game on Ultra Hard. Consider starting a New Game+ on Ultra Hard using your endgame gear and skills from a previous playthrough. This will give you a significant advantage, as you’ll already have access to powerful weapons and armor.
• Embrace the Grind: Be prepared to grind for resources and experience. Completing side quests and hunting challenges can provide valuable rewards and skill points.

The Psychological Toll

Beyond the mechanical challenges, the “Ultra Hard Completed” trophy also presents a significant psychological hurdle. The constant pressure of resource scarcity, the frustration of repeated deaths, and the sheer length of the campaign can wear down even the most dedicated players. It’s essential to maintain a positive attitude, celebrate small victories, and take breaks when needed. Remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint.

The “Ultra Hard Completed” trophy in Horizon Zero Dawn is not just a testament to skill, but also to patience, resilience, and strategic thinking. It forces players to engage with the game on a deeper level, mastering its mechanics and exploiting its nuances. While it may be the hardest trophy to obtain, the satisfaction of finally conquering Ultra Hard is an unparalleled achievement.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does difficulty affect loot drops in Horizon Zero Dawn?

No, the difficulty setting does not affect loot drops in Horizon Zero Dawn. The only exception is the “easy loot” setting, which automatically provides machine components without requiring you to detach them first. This setting only affects component acquisition, not the overall rarity or quantity of loot.

2. Is there a difficulty trophy in Horizon Zero Dawn?

Yes, there is a difficulty trophy specifically for completing the game on Ultra Hard difficulty. This trophy is called “Ultra Hard Completed” and is considered by many to be the most challenging trophy to obtain in the game.

3. What is the hardest creature to beat in Horizon Zero Dawn?

Many players consider the Thunderjaw to be the most challenging machine to defeat in Horizon Zero Dawn. Its size, armor, and devastating attacks make it a formidable opponent, especially on higher difficulty settings. Others might find the Deathbringer to be a more difficult foe.

4. Are there any missable trophies in Horizon Zero Dawn?

Fortunately, there are no missable trophies in Horizon Zero Dawn. After completing the final mission, the game resets to the point before you started it, allowing you to continue exploring the world and completing any remaining trophies.

5. Is the Horizon Zero Dawn platinum trophy easy to obtain?

Compared to many games, the Horizon Zero Dawn platinum trophy is considered relatively easy to achieve. Most trophies involve completing normal gameplay activities, and there are no particularly obscure or challenging requirements (with the exception of the “Ultra Hard Completed” trophy).

6. What is the strongest weapon in Horizon Zero Dawn?

The Improved Stormslinger, obtained during “The Frozen Wilds” expansion, is generally considered the strongest weapon in Horizon Zero Dawn in terms of raw damage output. It’s particularly effective against enemies weak to electricity.

7. What is the best skill to unlock early in Horizon Zero Dawn?

Silent Strike is widely considered one of the best skills to unlock early in Horizon Zero Dawn. It allows you to instantly and silently eliminate nearby enemies when hidden, making stealth approaches far more effective. It is invaluable in most bandit camp encounters.

8. Is Horizon Forbidden West harder than Zero Dawn?

Horizon Forbidden West is arguably more expansive and visually impressive than Zero Dawn, but many players believe that Zero Dawn has a stronger narrative and better character development. The difficulty is subjective and depends on individual playstyles and preferences.

9. Is Horizon Zero Dawn’s map bigger than Skyrim’s?

While Horizon Zero Dawn’s map feels large, Skyrim’s map is actually bigger in terms of square mileage. Horizon Zero Dawn’s map is scaled down relative to the real world.

10. What is the maximum level in Horizon Zero Dawn?

After the release of “The Frozen Wilds” expansion, the maximum level in Horizon Zero Dawn is 60. Each level grants increased health and a skill point to spend in the skill trees.

11. How long does it take to platinum Horizon Zero Dawn?

The time required to platinum Horizon Zero Dawn varies, but a reasonable estimate is between 40 and 50 hours for the base game. Completing “The Frozen Wilds” expansion can add an additional 20 hours or more, if you take your time.

12. What are some common mistakes new players make in Horizon Zero Dawn?

Common mistakes include: entering the Cut too early, ignoring the spear, relying solely on stealth, focusing solely on a machine’s weak points, only using bows, ignoring overrides that can’t be used as mounts, not using traps, and ignoring main quests.

13. What is Aloy’s best role in combat?

Aloy excels as a burst damage DPS character. Her abilities, particularly those that deal cryo damage, make her effective in freeze-based team compositions.

14. What is Aloy’s strongest armor?

The Oseram Artificer armor is considered the best legendary armor to take advantage of Aloy’s spear. It offers the highest melee stats when fully upgraded, along with skills that boost melee attacks and resonator buildup.

15. What difficulty should I start Horizon Zero Dawn on?

For a balanced experience, Normal difficulty is a good starting point. It provides a good balance between story immersion and challenging combat. You can adjust the difficulty at any time if you find it too easy or too difficult.

In conclusion, tackling the “Ultra Hard Completed” trophy requires a significant investment of time, effort, and strategic thinking. But with the right approach and unwavering determination, it’s a challenge that any Horizon Zero Dawn player can conquer. Good luck, and happy hunting! To learn more about the educational aspects of gaming, consider visiting the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.