Burning Shores might be short, but its story has serious implications for Horizon 3

Horizon Forbidden West Burning Shores is a real epilogue in DLC kind. Whereas Horizon Zero Daybreak’s DLC, Frozen Wilds, took us on a journey set someplace in the course of that sport’s occasion, unrelated to the core narrative, Burning Shores picks up with Aloy instantly after the closing moments of Forbidden West. Nevertheless, it straddles a harmful line between being the last word deal with for probably the most devoted of Aloy’s followers and a information hole for many who resolve to skip this paid-for DLC forward of Horizon 3. Burning Shores could also be getting flack for its size, however even in its brief run-time, it manages to have critical implications for Aloy’s story going ahead.

Warning – Main story spoilers forward for Horizon Forbidden West and Burning Shores

Burning Shores’ central focus is the reveal of a remaining Zenith who Aloy should monitor down within the new LA-based locale and take down. However, it is not the creepy Walter Londra that actually has a pervading influence on Horizon’s world. As a substitute, it is the character of Seyka that can little doubt be reprising her function in regardless of the subsequent Horizon sport can be. This Quen marine may be very like Aloy; an outcast of kinds as she does not actually match the roles her tribe prescribes, and thus frequently breaks the foundations to get the solutions she craves. It is a acquainted place for Aloy to narrate to, and so a friendship blossoms from that shared perspective. 

Now, you seemingly get a selection on the finish of the Burning Shores story whether or not to take that relationship additional – a second the vast majority of followers have been ready for, however for me, the choice was apparent. With so many charged seems, lingering touches, and emotionally heavy moments between them through the DLC, it will have felt mistaken to disclaim the pair their eventual kiss. In spite of everything, Horizon Forbidden West followers had already dubbed this new companion girlfriend materials (myself included), so this simply felt like a pure conclusion for his or her time collectively. 

Though it is probably not a conclusion, however extra of a starting for the blossoming relationship – at the very least I hope so. Even going straight for the kiss, there are a bunch of combined feelings tied up in how the pair communicate to one another. Seyka desires to be with Aloy, however additionally they lament that they don’t seem to be positive the subsequent time they will see one another once more. I am wistfully pondering that is purely as a result of Seyka must work with Alva to reunite the Quen and Aloy’s all the time received one thing to be engaged on forward of Nemesis’ impending arrival. 

I simply hope it is not an indication that Seyka will not be part of no matter Horizon 3 seems to be. I’ve all the time thought it admirable that till this level Aloy hasn’t been a love curiosity, together with her story as an alternative specializing in the thought of discovered household and self-discovery. There’s all the time been hints and nods to delicate flirtations and potential romances, however I’ve beloved that they’ve by no means been actually explored. So, though Seyka’s introduction seems like a pure evolution, I am just a little annoyed at Guerrilla for tucking her first kiss, and a queer one at that, within the DLC relatively than the primary story. To problem that, Horizon 3 must seize this new addition to Aloy’s internal circle and produce her in shut for Burning Shores’ second to proceed to have the gravitas it deserves. 

Burning Shores’ potential influence is not all about romance although, it is also about friendship. The DLC is bookended with phrases from Sylens, our baddie turned virtually ally by the tip of Horizon Forbidden West, performed and voiced by the late nice Lance Reddick. Now, in fact, the builders at Guerrilla would not have recognized about his passing throughout growth, however there is a unhappy poignancy to the emotional evolution Sylens admits to in Burning Shores’ closing mission (suitably titled Epilogue). He admits he wants Aloy and the crew to battle Nemesis, which feels large for his character arc up to now. How precisely Guerrilla resolves the lack of Reddick with what’s subsequent for Aloy and Sylens can be fascinating to see unfold, and simply makes me extra wanting to see what Horizon 3 will convey.