How Long to Beat Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores? A Deep Dive
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So, you’re diving into the volcanic landscapes of the Burning Shores DLC for Horizon Forbidden West and wondering how much time you’ll be spending there? Here’s the deal: if you’re laser-focused on the main objectives, expect a playthrough of around 7 hours. However, if you’re a completionist, eager to uncover every secret, conquer every challenge, and truly experience everything the Burning Shores has to offer, prepare for a journey that could easily stretch to 16 hours or more. The exact time will depend on your playstyle, difficulty setting, and how much time you dedicate to exploring.
What Impacts Your Burning Shores Playtime?
Several factors influence how long it takes to conquer the Burning Shores. Here’s a breakdown:
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Playstyle: Are you a story-driven player or a completionist? Those who prioritize the main quest line will naturally finish faster.
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Difficulty: Higher difficulty settings not only increase enemy health and damage but may also force you to spend more time strategizing and preparing for encounters.
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Exploration: The Burning Shores is a visually stunning and detail-rich environment. Spending time exploring its hidden corners, uncovering collectibles, and engaging in side quests will significantly add to your playtime.
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Skill Level: Experienced Horizon players, familiar with the combat mechanics and machine weaknesses, will likely progress faster than newcomers.
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Side Content: The Burning Shores DLC offers several side quests that help flesh out the story. These side quests are optional, but do add to the playtime.
The Allure of 100% Completion
For many players, the true satisfaction comes from achieving 100% completion. In the Burning Shores, this means:
- Completing all main quests.
- Finishing all side quests.
- Collecting all collectibles.
- Unlocking all trophies.
- Overriding all available machines.
- Fully exploring the map.
Embarking on this completionist journey is a great way to learn about the game as well as enjoy the content to the fullest.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Burning Shores Playtime
Here’s a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions to further clarify the Burning Shores experience:
1. What level should I be at Burning Shores?
It’s highly recommended to be at least level 50 before venturing into the Burning Shores. This gives you sufficient skill points and health to withstand the challenging encounters. However, more important than just level, consider having solid weapon and armor upgrades.
2. How many main missions are in Burning Shores?
The Burning Shores features five main quests. These missions form the core of the story and propel Aloy’s journey forward.
3. Are there any side quests in Burning Shores?
Yes, the Burning Shores includes three world-building side quests. These quests offer additional story content, XP, and unique rewards. They provide more insights into the Quen tribe and the history of the Burning Shores.
4. Do you fight a Horus in Burning Shores?
Yes! You face a fully functional Horus (Metal Devil) in a spectacular boss fight. This encounter is one of the highlights of the DLC and showcases the power of the PS5.
5. Is Burning Shores DLC any good?
Absolutely! Many consider the Burning Shores to be a fantastic addition to the Horizon Forbidden West universe. It offers a compelling new storyline, a visually stunning environment, and memorable characters.
6. What is the best weapon in Burning Shores?
While weapon choice depends on personal preference and playstyle, the Last Argument (Spike Thrower) is widely considered one of the best weapons in the Burning Shores. It offers high damage output and versatility.
7. Is Burning Shores difficult?
The Burning Shores can be challenging, especially on higher difficulty settings. The machines are tough, and the battles require strategic planning.
8. Is Burning Shores canon?
Yes, Burning Shores is considered canon and a vital part of the Horizon story. It provides important context for future events and deepens Aloy’s character development.
9. What is the level cap in Forbidden West?
The base game of Horizon Forbidden West has a level cap of 50. While you will get experience points in Burning Shores, you will not be able to level past 50.
10. Who is the final boss in Horizon Forbidden West Burning Shores?
The final boss is Walter Londra. You face him in an epic battle aboard the Horus machine.
11. Do you fight a metal devil in Burning Shores?
As stated before, yes, you engage in a thrilling fight against a fully operational Horus (Metal Devil). This is a key highlight of the DLC.
12. What to do after finishing Burning Shores?
After completing the main storyline, you can explore the Burning Shores further, complete side quests, and collect any remaining collectibles. You can also return to the base game and continue your adventures there.
13. How big is the map of Burning Shores?
The map size of the Burning Shores is approximately 5.56 km². While smaller than the Forbidden West map, it’s packed with detail and content.
14. How much content is in Burning Shores?
Besides the main and side quests, the Burning Shores contains numerous collectibles, challenges, and environmental puzzles. Completionists can easily spend an extra 5-10 hours exploring all the content.
15. How many new machines are in Burning Shores?
Aloy encounters four all-new Machines in the Burning Shores. These machines present unique challenges and require new strategies to defeat.
Leveling Tips for Burning Shores
Since Burning Shores’ enemies are quite powerful, it helps to level up as much as possible before taking on the challenge. Here’s a breakdown of tips on how to level up fast:
- Complete Side Quests: Side quests are a great way to level up and familiarize yourself with the open-world content.
- Complete Hunting Grounds: Test your hunting skills and take down machines in these challenges to level up fast.
- Do Salvage Contracts: Take on jobs for salvage and gain quick levels by delivering the requested machine parts.
Beyond the Game: The Educational Value of Horizon
Horizon Forbidden West, including the Burning Shores DLC, isn’t just about thrilling gameplay and stunning visuals. It also subtly incorporates elements of science, history, and environmental awareness. The game explores themes of artificial intelligence, climate change, and the importance of preserving knowledge.
As enthusiasts of the intersection between gaming and learning, we acknowledge the potential of games like Horizon to engage players in meaningful ways. Organizations like the Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) are dedicated to researching and promoting the use of games for educational purposes. You can find out more about this important work here: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the time it takes to beat the Burning Shores depends on your personal preferences and playstyle. Whether you choose to rush through the main story or meticulously explore every nook and cranny, the Burning Shores offers a captivating and rewarding experience for Horizon fans. Enjoy your adventure in this dangerous and beautiful new world!