Unveiling the Volcanic Isle: How Big is Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores?
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The question on every Horizon fan’s mind: Just how expansive is the Burning Shores DLC for Horizon Forbidden West? The short answer is that the map size is estimated to be around 5.56 km². However, that number doesn’t fully capture the density of content, verticality of the landscape, and the sheer joy of exploration packed into this volcanic archipelago. Let’s delve into a deeper look at the size and scope of the Burning Shores, comparing it to other areas in the Horizon universe, and answering some burning questions you might have.
Mapping the Landscape: More Than Just Square Kilometers
While the 5.56 km² figure provides a quantifiable metric, it’s crucial to understand that this DLC isn’t just about surface area. The Burning Shores is characterized by its unique environment: a post-apocalyptic Los Angeles transformed into a volcanic archipelago. This translates to several factors that make the experience feel larger than the numbers might suggest:
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Verticality: The islands are filled with towering volcanic peaks, crumbling skyscrapers, and submerged ruins, all interconnected by ziplines, glides, and the ever-reliable Sunwing. This vertical element adds a layer of complexity to traversal and exploration, making each island feel like a sprawling playground.
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Density of Content: The Burning Shores isn’t just empty space. It’s teeming with secrets, challenges, and side quests. From deciphering the history of the Quen marine expedition to battling new and formidable machines, there’s something to discover around every corner.
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Underwater Exploration: Large portions of the Burning Shores map are submerged, offering opportunities for underwater exploration using Aloy’s diving mask. These underwater areas add another layer of depth and intrigue to the world.
Burning Shores vs. Frozen Wilds: A Comparison
One of the most common comparisons is between the Burning Shores and the DLC for Horizon Zero Dawn, The Frozen Wilds. While opinions are subjective, the consensus leans toward The Frozen Wilds feeling larger in terms of overall content and impact on the main narrative. Although the exact map size of the Frozen Wilds is hard to quantify due to the base game connections, many players felt it was more than the Burning Shores, with a greater emphasis on new skills and weapons. However, that doesn’t diminish the value of the Burning Shores, which offers a unique and engaging experience in its own right, with stunning visuals and compelling characters.
What Makes Burning Shores Worth Exploring?
The Burning Shores provides a captivating epilogue to the Horizon Forbidden West storyline, offering:
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Stunning Visuals: The vibrant colors of the volcanic landscape contrast beautifully with the turquoise waters and lush vegetation, creating a visually stunning experience.
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New Machines: Prepare to face off against formidable new machines, like the massive Bilegut, which will test your skills and strategies.
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Compelling Story: The Burning Shores expands upon the lore of the Horizon universe, introducing new characters and uncovering secrets about the Zeniths.
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Aloy’s Character Development: The DLC allows for further exploration of Aloy’s character, her relationships, and her growth as a leader.
The Importance of Game Design Over Sheer Size
Ultimately, the size of the Burning Shores is just one piece of the puzzle. What truly matters is the quality of the content and the overall experience. The Burning Shores DLC succeeds in creating a memorable and engaging adventure, filled with stunning visuals, challenging combat, and a compelling story. The developers at Guerrilla Games have demonstrated that a smaller, more focused map can be just as rewarding as a sprawling open world. The immersive world design is something that can be studied and analyzed. More can be found at Games Learning Society using the link GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How big is the Burning Shores compared to the main map of Horizon Forbidden West?
The Burning Shores is significantly smaller than the main map of Horizon Forbidden West, which is estimated to be around 77.7 km². The Burning Shores offers a more focused and condensed experience.
2. How long does it take to complete the Burning Shores DLC?
The main story of the Burning Shores takes around 6-8 hours to complete. Achieving 100% completion, including all side quests and collectibles, can take around 16 hours.
3. What level should I be before starting the Burning Shores?
It is recommended to be at least level 50 before starting the Burning Shores, as the DLC features some of the toughest machines in the game.
4. Is the Burning Shores harder than Horizon Forbidden West?
Many players find the Burning Shores to be harder than the main game, especially on higher difficulty settings. The new machines and combat encounters are designed to challenge experienced players.
5. Does the Burning Shores add new skills to Aloy’s skill tree?
While the Burning Shores doesn’t add entirely new skill trees, it does allow you to further invest in existing skills and unlock new abilities. This is made easier with the level cap increase, and therefore more skills points.
6. Are there new weapons in the Burning Shores?
Yes, the Burning Shores introduces several new legendary weapons, including the Specter Gauntlet and the Last Argument Spike Thrower. These weapons offer unique playstyles and powerful advantages in combat.
7. How many new machines are in the Burning Shores?
There are four new machines in the Burning Shores: the Bilegut, the Waterwing, the Stingrays, and the upgraded Horus machine.
8. Do I need to complete Horizon Forbidden West to play the Burning Shores?
Yes, you must complete the main story of Horizon Forbidden West to access the Burning Shores DLC.
9. Is the Burning Shores story canon?
Yes, the Burning Shores is considered canon and expands upon the lore of the Horizon universe. It’s a vital part of the Horizon canon.
10. Will there be another DLC for Horizon Forbidden West after the Burning Shores?
As of now, there are no confirmed plans for a second DLC for Horizon Forbidden West. The Burning Shores is likely the final expansion for this installment in the series.
11. How big is the download size of the Burning Shores?
The download size of the Burning Shores is approximately 16GB.
12. What is the hardest battle in the Burning Shores?
Many players consider the final boss battle against Walter Londra in the Burning Shores to be one of the most challenging encounters in the entire game.
13. What is the best armor in the Burning Shores?
While personal preference varies, the Nora Legacy Armor is a great option in Burning Shores. It allows players to build on the strength of Aloy.
14. Can I fast travel in the Burning Shores?
Yes, you can fast travel between discovered campfires and settlements in the Burning Shores.
15. Is the Burning Shores worth buying?
Absolutely! The Burning Shores offers a highly satisfying conclusion to Horizon Forbidden West, with stunning visuals, challenging combat, and a compelling story. It’s a must-play for fans of the series.