Will Burning Shores Be the Only DLC for Horizon Forbidden West?
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The short answer is: Yes, Burning Shores appears to be the only planned DLC for Horizon Forbidden West. While the world of Horizon is vast and ripe for exploration, all indications from Guerilla Games point to Burning Shores being the definitive, and likely final, expansion of Aloy’s adventures in the Forbidden West. While future content can’t be ruled out, the current focus appears to be on the inevitable third installment in the Horizon saga, which Burning Shores neatly sets up.
Why Burning Shores Likely Concludes the Forbidden West Chapter
Several factors contribute to the likelihood of Burning Shores being the sole DLC.
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Narrative Closure: Burning Shores effectively wraps up the loose ends left dangling after the conclusion of Horizon Forbidden West’s main storyline. It addresses the lingering threat of Far Zenith remnants and introduces key elements that will undoubtedly play a significant role in the next core game. The DLC even provides a clear glimpse into the future direction of the narrative, solidifying its role as a bridge to the next chapter.
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Focus on the Next Mainline Game: Guerilla Games has a proven track record of delivering high-quality, visually stunning games. Developing a new mainline entry requires significant resources and time. The emphasis likely shifts to crafting the next installment in the series, building upon the foundation laid by Forbidden West and Burning Shores.
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Technical Considerations: The move to PS5 exclusivity for Burning Shores highlights the increasing demands of the Horizon franchise. Future expansions may struggle with compatibility on older generation hardware and the team may not want to release any new content exclusively to the PS5 for business reasons.
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Development Cycles: The creation of a AAA title, even a DLC, takes a long time. The team would have started working on the next installment already to allow for the long development cycles involved.
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Comic Possibilities: While it’s unlikely there will be more DLC, the narrative could very well be expanded upon in comics. This way the world can continue to live on without the need for a full DLC.
Burning Shores as a Blueprint for the Future
Burning Shores also demonstrates Guerilla’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of the Horizon universe. The DLC introduced:
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A Brand New Region: A stunning and dangerous area inspired by post-apocalyptic Los Angeles, rich in visual detail and unique challenges.
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New Characters: Including Seyka, a compelling character who adds depth to Aloy’s personal journey and potentially sets the stage for future relationships.
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Gameplay Innovations: While not dramatically altering core mechanics, Burning Shores features new machines, weapons, and traversal options.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Burning Shores and Future Horizon Content
1. Will there be another DLC after Burning Shores?
As mentioned above, it is highly unlikely that there will be another DLC after Burning Shores. The story wraps up the loose ends of Forbidden West quite nicely.
2. Does Burning Shores add anything to the main game?
Outside of unlocking a powerful new weapon, Burning Shores primarily enriches the narrative and introduces new experiences within its own separate region. The content is largely self-contained and doesn’t significantly alter the mechanics or gameplay of the base game. However, the narrative implications and character development are highly relevant to the overall Horizon arc.
3. Is Burning Shores DLC only for PS5?
Yes, Burning Shores is exclusively available on the PlayStation 5. This decision was driven by the graphical fidelity and performance requirements of the DLC, which push the capabilities of the PS5 hardware to deliver a truly immersive experience. The complexity of the environments and effects simply couldn’t be realized on the older PS4 platform.
4. Is Burning Shores stand alone?
No, Burning Shores is not a standalone game. It’s an expansion that requires the PS5 version of Horizon Forbidden West to be installed. To access the DLC, players must complete the main questline of Forbidden West up to and including the “Singularity” mission.
5. Is Burning Shores DLC worth it?
For fans of the Horizon series, Burning Shores is widely considered essential. It offers a compelling story, engaging gameplay, and a stunning new environment to explore. The DLC also expands upon Aloy’s character development and sets the stage for the inevitable next installment in the franchise.
6. Why is Burning Shores PS5 only?
The decision to make Burning Shores a PS5 exclusive was primarily due to technical limitations. The PS4 couldn’t handle the advanced graphical effects and larger datasets required to achieve the desired visual fidelity and performance.
7. Who is the bad guy in Forbidden West DLC?
The main antagonist in Burning Shores is Walter Londra, a member of the Far Zenith group. He’s a wealthy and technologically advanced individual with a god complex.
8. Is Burning Shores canon?
Yes, Burning Shores is considered canon within the Horizon universe. While it’s an optional side story, it enriches the lore and provides valuable context for future events.
9. Does Burning Shores look better than Forbidden West?
Many players and critics agree that Burning Shores is visually superior to the base game. The PS5 exclusivity allowed Guerilla Games to optimize the graphics and effects, resulting in a more detailed and immersive experience.
10. How long is Burning Shores story?
The main story of Burning Shores typically takes around 6 to 8 hours to complete. However, exploring all side quests, collectibles, and activities can extend the playtime to 15-20 hours or more.
11. What to do after finishing Burning Shores?
After completing the main story, players can engage in various side activities, such as exploring the open world, completing side quests, and collecting items. There are also flight path challenges that reward exploration and uncover lore.
12. How many endings does Burning Shores have?
While there isn’t a branching narrative with dramatically different endings, Burning Shores has a key choice that impacts Aloy’s relationship with Seyka. The choices are focused on Aloy’s relationship with Seyka.
13. Who can you romance in Forbidden West?
In Burning Shores, players have the option to pursue a romantic relationship with Seyka. This marks a significant step in Aloy’s character development and provides a new dimension to her story.
14. Why is Burning Shores not triggering?
If Burning Shores isn’t triggering, ensure that you’ve completed the “Singularity” main quest in Horizon Forbidden West. Also, make sure the DLC is properly installed and that your game is updated to the latest version.
15. What is the level cap for Burning Shores DLC?
The level cap increases from level 50 to level 60 once you buy and install the Burning Shores DLC for Horizon Forbidden West.
Conclusion: Setting the Stage for Horizon 3
Burning Shores is a well-crafted and engaging expansion that provides a satisfying conclusion to Aloy’s journey in the Forbidden West. While the possibility of future DLC can’t be completely ruled out, the current focus appears to be on developing the next mainline installment in the Horizon franchise. Burning Shores serves as a crucial bridge, setting the stage for Aloy’s next adventure and laying the groundwork for the threats and challenges she will face. The Horizon universe continues to evolve, promising even more thrilling experiences for players in the future. The team is already preparing for what comes next!
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