Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores

Lore & Background

Burning Shores is set in a volcanic archipelago formed from the submerged and fractured ruins of Los Angeles, characterized by volcanic activity and a tropical climate. The narrative begins immediately after Forbidden West, with Aloy learning from Sylens that Walter Londra, a thirteenth Far Zenith member, has fled south. Aloy's flying machine is shot down, leading her to meet Seyka, a Quen marine stranded after a storm separated her fleet. Together, they investigate Londra's plans to build a rocket and flee Earth, discovering he has used brainwashing technology to manipulate Quen followers, including Seyka's sister Kina, into worshipping him.

Reader's Guide

The expansion received generally favorable reviews from critics, who praised its visual presentation, technical achievements, and the evolving dynamic between Aloy and Seyka. However, opinions were divided on the storyline of its primary antagonist and the execution of the final boss encounter against a reanimated Horus war machine. Burning Shores's optional same-sex kiss was the target of review bombing on Metacritic, while GLAAD considered the romance as authentic representation, earning the expansion a nomination at the 35th GLAAD Media Awards. The expansion was Forbidden West's only downloadable content and was later ported to Windows as part of the Complete Edition.

Did You Know?

• The expansion introduces a Waterwing, a flying machine mount capable of diving underwater.
• A concurrent patch added a thalassophobia mode that alters underwater environments and prevents drowning.
• The expansion's climax features a multi-stage boss fight against a fully active Horus 'Metal Devil' war machine.
• Burning Shores was nominated at the 35th GLAAD Media Awards for its authentic representation of a same-sex romance.