Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores Review

As it happened with the first title of the saga, Horizon Zero Dawn and its expansion The Frozen Wilds, Guerrilla Games took his time to release the expansion for the sequel under the name of Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores. However, while the base game has released for both PS4 and PS5, the DLC will only release on the current-gen console, which has fans who haven’t made the jump upset.

Once again, we’ll be fighting terrifying machines (some new), new ways to kill them, in new areas surrounded by volcanic activity, and unraveling new secrets of this fallen world. Burning Shores, represents a great journey full of action and new surprises, both playable and story.

a land on fire

Burning Shores is set just after the events of Forbidden West and has Aloy traveling to the ruins of what was Los Angeles on the trail of some clue that could put an end to the threat that follows in their footsteps. Upon arrival, Aloy meets Seyka, a member of the Quen tribe, who will accompany us for most of this adventure.

Part of the plot of the expansion is based on the relationship that both characters cultivate, and even so they manage so that one does not overshadow the role of the other. There will be room for moments of all kinds, especially one that was already intuited from the first game and that is causing controversy.

Another detail that stands out is undoubtedly the new area of ​​Los Angeles. This ancient and iconic city has undergone a drastic change, the result of events that have taken place over generations. LA has become an archipelago full of active volcanoes that gives its name to the expansion and is mixed with what was once the city between monuments and well-known buildings.

However, the game rushes towards the player too quickly and if we are careless, we will be watching the end credits. This rhythm inconvenience even affects the antagonist on duty who will barely have time to get along with the viewer. Even so, it is not without epic moments and for other characters to develop at the plot level.

The familiar gameplay is present again with some new additions. We will continue touring areas by different means, fulfilling main and secondary missions, discovering secrets, etc. The detail is in the location itself, which influences the activities that we will carry out, like a new cauldron, to give an example.

As for the fighting, Los Angeles is a fairly large area full of playable possibilities, introducing new enemies and new ways to kill them. As an example we have some explosive crystals that cause landslides and make enemies fall. Warfare managed to create large environments where fights don’t feel encrypted.

Among the new threats we have a rather annoying bee-like machine. Also the Bigelut, a kind of toad that shoots acid and a massive boss, the Horus, which will take our time to finish him off. In addition, to face these new threats, we will have new weapons to even the balance.

Also, the skill tree has undergone new changes that grant new additions in line with the setting.

New graphic frontiers

Visually, Burning Shores It looks impressive, especially with the new environments of the ruins of LA. It is already understood why they left PS4 behind, in addition to cutting ties with the Old-Gen. We can see effects such as landslides, deformation of the sand on the beaches after our steps, great explosions that look very realistic. However, the game suffers when dealing with large landscapes, as the draw distance sometimes fails to show shapes.

The small details are what make the difference in a game with a similar graphic section. As for the soundtrack, the same musical quality that we enjoy in Forbidden West is maintained. It continues to be dubbed into Latin USAwith the excellent performances of the actors that we were already able to enjoy.

Verdict

Guerrilla Games another score is scored with Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores, As an expansion, it not only extends the interesting story of Horizon further, but also takes the time to introduce new mechanics, weapons and enemies to the great formula. It may seem short compared to what was expected, but it does not leave anyone indifferent. As for its graphics, it sets the bar higher than what we could already see at the time, leaving the PS4 behind. Without a doubt, highly recommended if we are eager for more of the second game.

Note: This review was made thanks to the copy of Sony.