REVIEW – Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores is a post-apocalyptic action-RPG in which Aloy, the hunter and explorer, continues his quest to save a world in ruins. The DLC takes us to a new area where the ruins of Los Angeles form a dangerous archipelago. Here, we’ll encounter new enemies, mysteries, challenges and plenty of hot lava as we try to uncover a dark threat. The latest addition to the Horizon series offers an exciting and spectacular adventure through volcanoes and robots.

Horizon Forbidden West was released last year and was a critical and gaming success. The game presents a fascinating and diverse world dominated by nature and machines. The story is told by Aloy, a charismatic and courageous heroine who sets out to discover an ancient secret to prevent the end of the world. The gameplay is a thrilling mix of stealth, combat, exploration and progression in which Aloy uses her bow, spear, traps and other tools to defeat or tame the giant robotic beasts. Burning Shores takes place after the conclusion of the base game and takes us to a new location: Southern California, where the ruins of Los Angeles form a volcanic archipelago.

Burning Shores – Discovering a new world

Burning Shores adds a new area to the game, roughly four times the size of the San Francisco region in the base game. This new area is full of life and danger: meet new friends and enemies, discover new ruins and secrets, fight with new machines and weapons.

The story begins with Aloy receiving a mysterious message through her concentration that leads her to an important clue in Los Angeles. Here she must uncover and stop an evil force that threatens the entire planet. The plot of the DLC is exciting and twisty, full of surprising twists and turns and interesting characters. The dialogue is witty and humorous, and Aloy remains a sympathetic and strong heroine who is not afraid to face challenges. The story fits well with the base game and further expands the Horizon universe.

A new adventure and a sad farewell

Burning Shores takes place after the end of the base game and offers a new adventure for Aloy. Aloy receives a mysterious message from Sylens, who brings an important clue to her attention in Los Angeles. Here, Aloy meets a new ally, a young woman who is the leader of the archipelago’s resistance movement. Together they must uncover an evil force that wants to use an ancient weapon against the world. There are many new characters to meet, all of whom add to the story and atmosphere, including a funny and resourceful hacker, a mysterious and charismatic leader, and a vicious and ruthless adversary.

The DLC also includes Lance Reddick’s character Sylens, who acts as both mentor and rival to Aloy. Sylens plays an important role here as well, sharing a lot of information with Aloy about the ancient world and the threat. Unfortunately, this is the last appearance of Lance Reddick, who recently died of heart disease. In the DLC we can say a touching farewell to him and acknowledge his talent and contribution to the Horizon series.

Lavas, robot ants and robot frogs make Aloy’s life miserable

The Burning Shores DLC offers players not only a new location, but also a new challenge. The DLC area is full of volcanoes and lava flows that are not only spectacular but also dangerous. The lava burns and damages Aloy and the machines, so navigate the terrain with care. The ruins in the DLC are also full of traps and puzzles that need to be solved to move forward. The DLC also introduces several new machines that pose an even greater threat than in the base game.

These include Stingspawn, a flying robot ant that attacks Aloy with poison, and Bilegut, a giant robot frog that spits acid and leaps. These machines require new strategies and weapons to defeat them. Fortunately, Aloy also gets a new weapon in the DLC that is very useful and fun to use. I won’t tell you what it is, but I can tell you that it’s very powerful and spectacular.

The city of angels as you’ve never seen it before

Burning Shores changes not only the gameplay, but also the atmosphere. The DLC area is set amongst the ruins of Los Angeles, which create an interesting contrast with nature. Here you can see, for example, the Hollywood sign or the Santa Monica wheel in its destroyed state. There are many references to the old world and its culture, which can be humorous or sad.

The mood is a balance between gloom and cheerfulness: on the one hand, it shows the destruction of civilization and the suffering of humanity, and on the other, it shows both the joy of life and hope. The music and sounds also contribute to this mood: the music has rock and roll elements and Californian melodies, while the sound includes accents and slang. The graphics are also more impressive than ever: light and shadow effects, detail and animations are all incredibly beautiful and lifelike. You can often admire the sunset or the fireworks in the sky.

Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores – A DLC worth investing in

Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores is an excellent expansion pack that offers even more fun than the base game. The DLC adds a new area to the game that is exciting and spectacular. The story is twisty and interesting, full of surprising twists and turns and interesting characters. The gameplay remains varied, full of challenges, new machines and weapons. The atmosphere balances between gloom and fun, showcasing the ruins of the old world and the beauty of the new. The graphics and music are also stunning, which will enchant us even more. Burning Shores may not rock the world, but it will appeal to all Horizon fans.

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Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment

Developer:Sony Interactive Entertainment

Style: Action RPG

Release: April 18, 2023.