No, the Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores DLC is not free. It is available for preorder on the PlayStation Store for $19.99.
A Deeper Look at Burning Shores DLC
As a gaming and entertainment enthusiast, I‘m thrilled to dive deeper into what players can expect from the highly anticipated Burning Shores expansion for Horizon Forbidden West. This DLC promises to deliver an exciting new chapter in Aloy‘s journey, set against the striking backdrop of a ruined Los Angeles.
While the $19.99 price tag means Burning Shores isn‘t free, based on details provided by Guerrilla Games and Sony Interactive Entertainment, it looks well worth the cost for fans hungry for more Horizon. Let‘s take a more in-depth look at what Burning Shores has to offer.
An Engaging New Story and Setting
Burning Shores introduces an entirely new storyline, whisking Aloy away from the jungles and rocky cliffs of the Forbidden West to the remnants of LA. This urban setting is a first for the Horizon franchise and presents a stark contrast to the wilderness areas we‘ve explored before.
As a fellow gamer, I love how Guerrilla isn‘t simply rehashing old environments but creating a totally unique vibe and atmosphere to complement the narrative. The studios describes Burning Shores as having a "gritty, urban feel" – a major departure from the lush, natural landscapes of the first two games.
We don‘t know much about the plot yet but the premise alone – exploring a long-abandoned city reclaimed by nature and ravaged by massive storms – is highly compelling. I‘m anticipating an emotionally impactful tale on par with the storytelling excellence delivered in Zero Dawn and Forbidden West.
Awesome New Machines
What would a Horizon game be without some incredibly designed, terrifyingly formidable mechanical beasts to battle? Burning Shores promises to introduce an array of new machines, including the Sunwing and an unnamed underwater creature.
As someone who loves testing my combat skills against the machines, I‘mthrilled by the prospect of facing new challenges and devising strategies to take down these unknown threats. The machines represent the best of Guerrilla‘s creativity and technical wizardry. I can‘t wait to see what nightmares they‘ve cooked up this time!
More Meaningful Side Content
A criticism of Forbidden West was that some of its side missions felt repetitive or lacking in narrative weight. But Guerrilla has stressed that Burning Shores will include more meaningful side quests that expand on the characters and world.
As a gamer, richer side content really enhances the experience for me. I love having story-driven distractions that make the world feel more alive rather than simply checking off a list of generic tasks. It‘s great to see the devs have taken fan feedback to heart and focused on improving the diversity and relevance of side activities.
Refined Gameplay and Accessibility Options
In addition to new content, Burning Shores incorporates gameplay tweaks and tuning to combat, traversal, and other mechanics. There are also new difficulty settings allowing players to finely customize the experience.
As someone who values how thoughtful gameplay design contributes to immersion and fun, I appreciate Guerrilla‘s attention to refinement and accessibility. It shows a commitment to creating an adventure all types of players can enjoy and tailor to their strengths.
The Return of an Iconic Setting
While the new LA locale is getting the spotlight, Burning Shores will also see Aloy return to the ruins of San Francisco. This iconic Bay Area location featured prominently in the first game and I‘m thrilled to be going back.
Revisiting a familiar setting that‘s evolved over time and changed under the influence of GAIA allows fans like myself to feel connected to the continuity of the world Guerrilla has crafted. It‘s incredibly gratifying as a player to see the long-term impacts of your actions and revisit a location transformed.
More Machines, Weapons, and Abilities
In addition to the new machines, Burning Shores promises to expand our arsenal with new weapons. I‘m hoping for more fun and creative tools of destruction to take down foes in stylish fashion.
New abilities for Aloy are also teased, which could open up different strategies for traversal, combat, and exploration. As a fan of Horizon‘s ever-expanding toolkit, I can‘t wait to tinker with new gear and skills.
Is Burning Shores Worth the $19.99 Price?
For a meaty expansion that promises around 10 hours of story content, plus new areas to explore, assorted side content, gear, and gameplay refinements, Burning Shores seems well worth the $19.99 cost.
Comparatively, the acclaimed Frozen Wilds DLC for Zero Dawn retailed for the same price while offering less content. Given the high production values and addition of an entire second map, Guerrilla easily could‘ve priced this higher.
As a fellow gamer, I‘d recommend waiting for reviews and initial impressions closer to release before deciding, but so far Burning Shores sounds like a must-buy DLC for Horizon fans. Considering the many positive changes being implemented, I‘m more than happy to pay $20 to continue Aloy‘s saga.
For newcomers to the series, it may be better to try Horizon Forbidden West first before committing to the DLC. But if you end up loving the game and want more, Burning Shores looks to deliver an outstanding expansion worthy of your hard-earned dollars.
In Closing
Burning Shores represents a bold new frontier for Guerrilla‘s masterful Horizon series. By transporting Aloy to the uncharted ruins of Los Angeles, this expansive DLC promises to deliver a fresh setting, narrative, and gameplay experiences.
While not free, the $19.99 asking price seems reasonable for the amount of content provided. As a fellow gamer, I can‘t wait to reunite with Aloy in a breathtaking new world and unravel the mysteries buried beneath the shifting sands of LA‘s crumbling skyline. Burning Shores is absolutely at the top of my most anticipated upcoming DLC!
