The perfect next chapter in Aloy’s story, Burning Shores embodies what DLC should be. Featuring epic battles, new foes, and a whole lot of heart, it expands the world of Horizon in every way.
Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores is a full blown expansion. It feels somewhat short for what the series usually is, but it has quality content. We have new areas, weapons, enemies and of course ways to kill them. After checking its graphics, it is understood why PS4 was not part of the equation.
Burning Shores introduces an amazing new region that takes advantage of
the flying mount and lets the Decima engine shine to the fullest.
Although the DLC doesn’t expand Horizon’s lore, it’s an elegant bridge
between Forbidden West and the upcoming next game in the series. It’s a
shame, though, that such a large map offers so little side activities.
Ultimately, Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores feels like a good tease. It flirts with the concept of some biggest things yet in this story, but doesn’t quite commit to most of them in full. It’s always great getting to spend more time with Aloy, and while I wish a couple of things were explored further, it’s still a fun ride that hints at some of what is to come.
While Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores is more Horizon mechanically, narratively it's the strongest story told in the series with excellent new characters and vital plot developments that set the stage for Horizon 3.
The most significant addition is Quen marine Seyka, with whom Aloy forms a bond that goes beyond friendship. Yet the two fight more often than they flirt, and the need to either level or stock up between story missions means they don't spend enough time together for the would-be emotional climax to fully land. [Issue#385, p.120]
With all the hype around this DLC I finally pulled the trigger on purchasing it. The hype was not real. If you enjoyed Forbidden West, which I did, this will still be a fun play. It just really feels like it should be part of the main game rather than a DLC. Though you can sink many hours into HFW the actual story is relatively short. This DLC would have helped lengthen and add more substance that it needed. If money is no issue go for it. Otherwise I'd wait for a discount.
Burning Shores is simply more of the same Horizon experience, with all the good and bad parts still stuck together. A solid story but uninteresting characters, decent exploration but clumsy platforming, great bow combat but horrible use of melee, and Aloy's slow recovery animation in combat is still an annoying pet peeve of mine. There are a few new additions such as a couple new enemy machine types and a new weapon. The conclusion might be elevated above that of the main game thanks to 2 very fun last bosses, but I still can't shake the feeling of wasted potential, especially since some parts of the map just feel empty and pointless. Still, if you plan on 100% every quest and side activity, you'll get your $20 worth. And if you're a **** loser, simply don't romance Seyka?
SummaryTravel beyond the Forbidden West as Aloy’s story continues. Encounter new machines and a compelling new story. South of the Tenakth Clan Lands, millennia of volcanic eruptions and violent seismic activity have carved the ruins of Los Angeles into a treacherous archipelago. Experience the next chapter of Horizon Forbidden West as Aloy pu...