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Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores is Aloy’s Next Adventure — What to Know

Next stop: Los Angeles.

by Jess Reyes
Updated: 
Originally Published: 
Aloy riding a Sunwing
Sony

Horizon Forbidden West isn’t done with its story yet. Sony and Guerilla Games announced late last year that it would be receiving its first DLC called Burning Shores in 2023. This graphically stunning side story features Aloy in the ruins of Los Angeles, now overridden with plants and machines. It follows the ending of the base game, so anyone who hasn’t finished it yet still has time to wrap up the 30- to 40-hour length adventure before embarking on this additional escapade. Here’s what we know so far about the Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores DLC.

When Is the Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores Release Date?

The Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores DLC will be released for the PlayStation 5 on April 19, 2023. Unfortunately, like the Final Fantasy VII Remake: Intergrade DLC, it will not be released for the PlayStation 4.

Horizon Forbidden West was released for both the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. However, in the official PlayStation and Guerrilla Games blog posts, the developers claim that they had to make the “difficult decision” to focus exclusively on the PlayStation 5 to reach the higher level of quality they were aiming for with Burning Shores.

Is There a Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores Trailer?

Yes, there is! The Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores trailer showcases the high-fidelity graphics that the PlayStation 5 can handle with cloudy skies and an aerial view of futuristic Los Angeles. In it, Aloy surveys the city from the back of a Sunwing as a mechanical monster tears through the iconic “Hollywood” sign and lava rolls down the surrounding hills.

What Is Included in Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores?

This mechanical monster might be a boss in Burning Shores.

Sony

Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores’ features additional story content without much else. So you’ll want to pick it up to continue Aloy’s adventure from the base game.

What Is the Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores story?

The Burning Shores DLC takes place in Los Angeles, which has become a volcanic archipelago. All the buildings have since been overrun by nature, as per the shrub-topped buildings from the trailer. According to the official blog post, LA is south of the Tenakth Clan Lands, the main setting of Horizon Forbidden West.

Aloy travels to the city to take down a “massive machine” threatening her land. There, she teams up with the Quen tribe to neutralize the threat and the villain behind it.

Is There Any New Gameplay in Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores?

An example of the seaside setting featured in Burning Shores.

Sony

The Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores DLC features gameplay similar to that in the base game. However, the Guerilla Games blog notes that parts of the city can only be explored “via the water and flying on the back of a Sunwing,” which implies exploration might work differently than it does in the main story — or at least expands on it. For example, Aloy can use the new Waterwing mount to soar through the skies and dive deep underwater.

Who Is Seyka in Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores?

Aloy teams up with Seyka in Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores.

Sony

Seyka is a new DLC character in Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores. She’s a marine and a member of the Quen tribe, a lesser-known tribe that players will interact with in the upcoming DLC. As per the PlayStation Blog, she will play a major role in the Burning Shores story.

“Confident, compassionate, and fierce, Seyka’s quite unlike anyone Aloy has ever encountered, and she plays an important role in the next chapter of Aloy’s journey,” reads the blog.

Is the Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores DLC Free?

Unfortunately, like many DLCs in this day and age, Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores is a paid DLC. You can pre-order it from the PlayStation Store for $20. Note that you need the base game to play it.

Is there a Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores Pre-Order Bonus?

Aloy wearing the Blacktide Dye outfit with the Blacktide Bow in tow.

Sony

Yes, those who pre-order the DLC before launch from the PlayStation Store will receive these in-game items:

  • Blacktide Dye Outfit
  • Blacktide Sharpshot Bow

These items are purely cosmetic and don’t give buyers an advantage over non-buyers.

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