Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores – Not a Standalone Adventure
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Absolutely not! Burning Shores is not a standalone game. It’s a substantial piece of DLC (Downloadable Content) for Horizon Forbidden West on the PlayStation 5 (PS5). Think of it as a thrilling continuation, a richer, deeper dive into Aloy’s world that requires the foundation of the original game to even exist. You simply can’t embark on this adventure without first conquering the main story of Horizon Forbidden West.
What You Need to Know Before Venturing to the Burning Shores
The Burning Shores isn’t just a simple level pack; it’s a narrative extension that builds upon the events and lore established in Forbidden West. Let’s break down exactly what that entails and cover the key details you need to know before setting sail to the volcanic archipelago of what was once Los Angeles.
Pre-requisites for Accessing Burning Shores
The most critical requirement is the completion of the main storyline of Horizon Forbidden West on the PS5. You must reach the “Singularity” quest and see it through. Without that, the game won’t recognize that you’re ready to begin this new chapter of Aloy’s journey. This is due to the fact that the narrative of Burning Shores is directly linked to the ending of Forbidden West. Think of it as a direct sequel within the larger Horizon narrative.
Burning Shores: A PS5 Exclusive
This cannot be stressed enough. While Horizon Forbidden West is available on both PS4 and PS5, Burning Shores is exclusively designed for the PS5. This exclusivity allows Guerrilla Games to fully leverage the power of the PS5’s hardware, delivering an enhanced visual experience and gameplay mechanics that wouldn’t be possible on the older console. The increased processing power allows for a denser, more detailed game world, and the SSD makes for faster loading times as you traverse the varied landscapes of the Burning Shores.
Content and Size
The Burning Shores DLC is packed with new content, including new characters, intriguing storylines, dangerous machines, and a sprawling new region to explore. In terms of size, the Burning Shores expansion weighs in at roughly 16.7GB, nearly double the size of the Frozen Wilds DLC from Horizon Zero Dawn. This significant size difference reflects the depth and breadth of the new content offered in Burning Shores.
Gameplay
Once you’ve met the completion criteria, the Burning Shores quest line will become available in your game. You can then embark on this new adventure, seamlessly continuing your journey with Aloy. Be prepared for challenging encounters, new weapons and armor to acquire, and mysteries to unravel. It is recommended that you are around level 38 to begin the main quests but be prepared to reach level 50 for the final quest (and ultimately level 60 with the increase the DLC provides.)
FAQs: Your Burning Shores Questions Answered
To further clarify the details surrounding the Burning Shores DLC, let’s address some frequently asked questions:
1. Do I need to start a new game to play Burning Shores?
No. As long as you’ve finished the main story in Horizon Forbidden West, you can simply continue your existing save file to access the Burning Shores content. This is a continuation of Aloy’s journey, not a separate story.
2. How do I start the Burning Shores expansion?
Make sure you’ve completed the main storyline (up to and including the “Singularity” quest) in Horizon Forbidden West on your PS5. Then, ensure you have downloaded and installed the Burning Shores DLC. A new quest will appear, guiding you to the start of the Burning Shores adventure.
3. How long is Burning Shores?
If you focus solely on the main quests, Burning Shores will take approximately 7 hours to complete. However, if you aim for 100% completion, exploring every nook and cranny, uncovering all secrets, and finishing all side quests, expect to spend around 16 hours in the Burning Shores.
4. Is Burning Shores bigger than Frozen Wilds?
Yes, significantly so. The Burning Shores is almost double the size of Horizon Zero Dawn’s The Frozen Wilds, both in terms of storage space and the amount of content offered.
5. What level should I be to start Burning Shores?
The first main quest in Burning Shores is recommended for level 38. Be aware that the final quest will be designed for level 50. With the DLC installed the level cap is then increased to 60.
6. How much does the Burning Shores DLC cost?
The Burning Shores DLC is priced at $19.99 USD and is available exclusively as a digital download for the PS5 version of Horizon Forbidden West.
7. Why is Burning Shores not triggering?
The most common reason is that you haven’t actually completed the main story of Horizon Forbidden West. Double-check that you’ve finished all quests up to and including “Singularity.” Also, make sure you have downloaded and installed the DLC properly and that you are using the PS5 version of the game.
8. How many endings does Horizon Forbidden West have?
While your choices as Aloy can influence certain character interactions and outcomes, the main narrative of Horizon Forbidden West has only one possible ending.
9. Does Burning Shores come before or after New Game Plus?
You can access New Game Plus after completing the main story of Horizon Forbidden West (the Singularity Main Quest). You do not need to complete the Burning Shores DLC to start New Game Plus.
10. How big is the map of Horizon Burning Shores?
Based on calculations, the map size of Burning Shores is approximately 5.56 km².
11. Will there be another DLC after Burning Shores?
While anything is possible, it’s currently unlikely that Horizon Forbidden West will receive a second DLC. The scope of Burning Shores is substantial, providing a satisfying extension to the main game’s narrative. However, this doesn’t rule out future installments in the Horizon franchise, which could explore other regions and storylines.
12. How many missions are there in Burning Shores?
The Burning Shores DLC features five Main Quests and three world-building Side Quests, in addition to numerous collectibles and points of interest to discover.
13. Why is the DLC not showing up in Horizon Burning Shores?
Sometimes, the download might not initiate automatically. Go to the game on the main PS5 menu, press the options button, and select “Manage Game Content.” From there, you should be able to manually download the DLC.
14. What is the Burning Shores DLC about?
Set immediately after the events of Horizon Forbidden West, Burning Shores follows Aloy as she travels to the volcanic ruins of Los Angeles. She pursues a lead from Sylens regarding an impending threat that could lead to Earth’s second extinction. This journey will lead her to discover new allies, confront new enemies, and uncover the mysteries hidden within the Burning Shores.
15. What is the code for Burning Shores?
In the Heaven and Earth quest, to unlock the door, enter the code 3285 into the security terminal!
Beyond Gameplay: The Educational Value
The Horizon series and its DLC, like Burning Shores, offer more than just entertainment. They subtly educate players about real-world issues such as environmentalism, artificial intelligence, and the consequences of unchecked technological advancement. Through immersive storytelling and engaging gameplay, these games can spark interest in these complex topics and encourage critical thinking. This aligns with the mission of organizations like the Games Learning Society, which explores the intersection of games and education. Learn more about the organization and its research at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. By understanding this intersection, we can leverage games’ power to foster learning and engagement in various disciplines.
Final Verdict
Burning Shores is not a standalone game. It’s a rich and rewarding addition to Horizon Forbidden West, exclusively for PS5. If you’re a fan of the Horizon universe and have completed the main story of Forbidden West, it’s a must-play. The expansion provides exciting new stories, characters, and environments that build upon the foundation of the core game. Prepare for an unforgettable adventure in the volcanic landscape of the Burning Shores!