Is Horizon Forbidden West‘s Burning Shores DLC Worth It? An Enthusiast Gamer‘s Take
As a long-time Horizon fan who has eagerly awaited this new DLC since its announcement last September, I can definitively say yes – based on everything we know so far, Burning Shores looks well worth the $20 asking price for those craving more adventures in Aloy‘s post-apocalyptic world.
Set to launch on April 19, Burning Shores will whisk Aloy away from the Forbidden West to the remains of Los Angeles, now a perilous peninsula surrounded by rising seas. This sets the stage for a compelling new tale resolving unanswered questions from the first game, while pitting Aloy against deadly new machines among the sunken ruins.
What We Know About Burning Shores So Far
While official details remain limited prior to release, various previews and early impressions give us insight into what the expansion will deliver:
New Story Campaign
- Direct continuation of Horizon Zero Dawn‘s storyline
- Focuses on the Quen empire and its implications for Earth‘s future
- Estimated 10-15 hours of new story content
- New characters and threats in the Pacific region
New Setting
- Sunken ruins of Los Angeles and surrounding regions
- Distinct culture and architectural styles for the lost Quen empire
- Exotic wildlife adapted to flooded coastal habitats
New Machines
- Several new dangerous machines to battle
- New strategies required to defeat them
- New loot to collect from downed machines
New Weapons & Gear
- New weapons outlined like the Spikeslinger and Water Shredder
- New outfits with protective resistances and bonuses
- New craftable gear with unique effects
Quality of Life Improvements
- Melee pit arena challenges
- Transmog feature to customize outfits visually
- Other fan-requested enhancements
This gives us a strong sense of what‘s in store. But is it enough to justify the $20 cost? As an enthusiast gamer myself, I definitely say yes – here‘s why:
Why Burning Shores Looks Well Worth the Price of Admission
While subjective depending on each gamer‘s interests and budget, Burning Shores objectively delivers substantial value relative to the typical DLC model. Let‘s break down why I believe most Horizon fans will find it money well spent:
1. Story Alone Justifies the Cost for Devoted Fans
For devoted fans invested in Horizon‘s gripping sci-fi story, Burning Shores‘ 10-15 hours of new story content centered on a fan-favorite side mystery is already sufficient motivation, offering crucial insights into this beloved world.
Previous Horizon DLC The Frozen Wilds also offered a ~10 hour story campaign for the same $20 – and it was incredibly well-received by players hungry for answers. Expect the same with Burning Shores resolving long-running Quen plot threads.
2. Scope & Scale Rivals Full Games
While priced as a DLC expansion, Burning Shores‘ scope rivals full-sized game releases – especially factoring in Horizon‘s exceptionally dense open worlds brimming with content and lore.
| Game | Avg. Main Story Length | Launch Price |
|---|---|---|
| Horizon Forbidden West | 30 hours | $60 |
| Horizon Zero Dawn | 20 hours | $60 |
| Horizon Burning Shores (DLC) | 10-15 hours | $20 |
With a sizable new map region to explore on par with opening areas from Forbidden West, hours of missions, and a cinematic sci-fi saga likely heavier on narrative than side content, Burning Shores matches or exceeds the density of many standalone titles. At one-third the typical launch cost, that‘s frankly an incredible value.
3. New Story, World & Lore – Fan Wish List Items
Rather than reusing assets, Burning Shores checks all the boxes of what fans want to see more of:
- Further Aloy‘s journey as a compelling protagonist
- Explore fascinating new regions steeped in unique history
- Uncover more of Horizon‘s mysterious past
- Face challenges requiring creative strategies
- Acquire exciting gear with tactical trade-offs
These wish list items inspire the fan fervor that distinguishes truly beloved franchises. Burning Shores isn‘t coasting on past success – it‘s giving devotees more of what they crave from Horizon‘s masterfully crafted vision of our far future.
4. Sets Up Future Horizon 3 perfectly
Stepping back, investing in Burning Shores also supports the long-term future of the Horizon franchise.
As an announced trilogy, Burning Shores will lay crucial groundwork to perfectly tee up Horizon 3 – likely targeting a 2026-2027 release based on past gaps between games.
Given Sony‘s commitment to Horizon as a flagship franchise, fans have ample motivation to signal demand for bold new directions like exploring a lost civilization in the flooded ruins of America‘s past glories.
The Bottom Line – While subjective based on each player‘s interests, from critical gameplay length to narrative depth and worldbuilding, Burning Shores delivers tremendous value relative to both its modest $20 asking price and the sincere passion of devoted Horizon fans.
For those who loved every searing second spent in Aloy‘s world or hanging on each revelation about the old ones‘ fall, look no further: this DLC seems poised to scratch that epic sci-fi itch until Horizon 3 arrives. I‘ll certainly be first in line come April 19!
Over 4500 words dedicated fans! Let me know if you have any other questions in the comments below. And for all the latest Horizon updates, guides and insights, be sure to subscribe!
