There aren’t many video games that I have the desire to play in addition to. For me, either the expansion is a mess of things that the developers forgot to add to the game, or it brings minor little things that don’t fundamentally affect the story or experience for me. However, there are exceptions that do not meet any of these criteria, and the Horizon Forbidden West expansion called Burning Shores is one of them.
The expansion offered me a completely new narrative, introduced me to new game mechanics, and introduced me to the most beautiful environment the entire series has to offer. And yet, after playing the game, something did not suit me. Burning Shores serves as a great epilogue to Part 2, but also the worst overall experience.
FASCINATING STORY WITH ARTIFICIAL DIALOGUES?
Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores is first supplement of the second volume, in which you and Ala will reveal another piece of a coherent narrative. For the plot, you just need to know that the whole situation around the strange Zeniths is not fully resolved and there is another article hiding in Los Angeles. One the story just works great and we could compare it to a story that works on its own, but at the same time manages to flesh out the final events of the Forbidden West. For rock fans, the story will not only expand the context of the popular sci-fi world and prepare them for the third installment, but also deepen the character of the newly introduced Quens and Zeniths.
It is quite understandable that we will also meet new characters, both positively and negatively. One of them is also Seika, a stubborn warrior from the Quen family who is more or less the archetype of all Aloy. And here we are faced with the first problem. In no way do I want to criticize what kind of relationship Aloy and Seika’s union could lead to. But I can’t help but feel that building a relationship between the two characters was clearly rushed. Don’t get me wrong, I personally really liked this character and I think he has his rightful place in the story. I’m more concerned about conversations that often seem artificial rather than natural. I understand characters and their speech can change. But I would like Seika to be given either more space and stretch the continuation for several hours, or vice versa less and the plot focuses more on what Los Angeles hides in its depths. This is the gold mine of the whole expansion.
NEW ENVIRONMENT, NEW ENEMIES
If there’s one thing the show does perfectly, it’s the reconstruction of famous cities and locations. Even under the greenery and water surface, you can find out what the city on the archipelago was like, and for this you don’t even need a majestic Hollywood sign. The developers have done a precise job and, in addition, Capitol Tower of Records, Santa Monica Pier or Griffith Observatory you will notice a sunken airport and the remains of roads. And this is despite tectonic activity, which makes this place a dangerous, but visually beautiful sight. This environment is perhaps the most beautiful the series has to offer, and it’s a pure pleasure to explore.
Fortunately, you have more than one opportunity to do this. Apart from the main missions, the expansion also hides side quests, new collectibles or sulfur glitter, which is a resource with which you can purchase or upgrade special armor and new Quen weapons. From hunting bows to slingshots, the expansion unlocks a plethora of legendary weapons that can only be purchased with brimstone or machine wrecks found in the Burning Shores region. You’ll especially appreciate the addition of the Zeneth weapons, which are just amazing and…very OP. But that’s only good because you’ll need it.
THIS ENVIRONMENT IS SIMPLY THE BEST IN THE SERIES AND ITS PLEASURE.
Following the example of the expansion of the first part called Frozen Wilds and Burning Shores, brand new enemies and sets the level one step higher. waterflyresembling a pterosaur, incredibly agile on land, in the air, and in water; gallbladder he can hurt you up close and with his acid spit from a distance and for example Stingspawn they are not that dangerous, but rather annoying and can make the fight quite unpleasant for you. Either way, you will enjoy fighting them, and although it will be hard work, you will have to come up with new solutions to defeat the machines.
WILL YOU EVALUATE THE NEW MECHANISMS, BUT WILL YOU USE THEM?
To do this, you will use a number of gameplay elements familiar to you from the original game. In many ways, you won’t lose what you know well. The extension allows you to use the same techniques against new enemies and in a new environment. However, you can also look forward to new practices that you will find hidden in skill trees, for example. Each tree has been enriched one courage and two skills in particularwhich – believe me – you will constantly use during the game.
For example, you can find a shield that can be placed anywhere in front of you. If you are far away from the machines, you can use your grappling hook to grab them, and if you are in the air, immediately jump away. Have you ever known the beauty of smoke bombs? So maybe you’ll give them a chance if they give you health right away. The skill tree has really blossomed in this regard and Skills give a much deeper meaning to items and abilities you know from the original game. And yes, they are much more fun to play with. You’ll appreciate them, whether you’re playing the expansion pack or completing quests from the original game. And now we come to the second stumbling block.
While you will use skills in abundance wherever you are, they are always there. things that only seem usable. For example boat. This is a beautiful and, given the nature of Quens, a logical detail that you will certainly appreciate and enjoy exploring the area, even if you are likely to use faster modes of transport. Just geysers, which are presented here as part of the environmental puzzles, but you will encounter them very rarely in the game. Last but not least, there is the Water Wing, a lizard bird that allows you to not only soar through the clouds, but also dive into deep waters. But in the end, you’ll find out that diving on the Waterfly’s back is one little mini-game, and that’s it. With it you can fly freely, just dive, but in the final you won’t even be motivated to take advantage of this great opportunity.
WHEN SETTING AFTER THE VERY END OF PART TWO, THE GAME DOES ITSELF HARM.
Taking place after the very end of the second part, the game does itself a disservice. All skills and new mechanics you will no longer be able to use heat when exploring the original game. Rather, he introduces them, leaves them alone, and expects you to return to them yourself. Of course, you can still complete side quests and quests after the game is complete, but in my opinion, this is not a very good excuse for why the expansion does not do more with them and why it cannot make better use of the mechanics.
GREAT EXPERIENCE WITH SMALL SEALS
While it may seem like the Burning Shores expansion has taken a lot of steps to the side, it hasn’t. This is more of a personal disappointment to me as I see a lot of potential in the new mechanics the expansion brings and it’s a shame. He represents Burning Shores in every other way. a sleepy ride that works like any other adventure in terms of experience in this majestic world. The new characters are good on their own, the enemies have enough motivation to go against you, and the locations are breathtaking. You’ll get it all in beautiful graphics that will forgive even a slight glitch or bouncing textures, and you’ll enjoy unique background melodies.
As such, Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores is in every way a must-have part of the entire narrative that should not be missed by anyone who is already looking forward to the third part. And believe me, after playing this add-on, you will want it even more.
Verdict
Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores is one of those add-ons that you want to play. The add-on tells you a great story that will serve as an epilogue to the second part. You will like the characters very quickly, but in the case of Seika, you will realize that the relationship she builds with Ala is very rushed, which leads to artificial dialogues. Seika needs more space in the story, or the developers should focus more on exploring Los Angeles. That’s because it offers quite a few nooks and crannies that the creators have been careful with, so it’s a joy to explore. Not only will you use the gameplay familiar from the second part, the expansion will also logically bring something extra: from cool new weapons to wonderful enemy vehicles and abilities that will deepen what you know from the original game. The name allows you to sail a boat, levitate with the power of a geyser, and dive on the back of a water wing. The only pity is that the whole addition occurs after the very end of the second part. The question is how much will you use these new mechanisms even outside of an extension that doesn’t work with them in great detail. In any case, Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores is becoming an indispensable part of the story, as well as a debt for everyone who is already closely following the third part.
Source :Indian TV
