It’s hard to argue that Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores is anything short of visually astounding, but one moment in particular takes the cake, even though it’s easy to accidentally miss. Not even the gorgeously overgrown vistas of the Burning Shores archipelago, which are sprinkled with bubbling lava and glittering oceanic waters, can compete with this sight. It’s not only an impressive feat visually, but also technologically, and it shows serious promise for future Horizon installments.
As appealing as the Burning Shores DLC is to the eye, that same beauty also translates to story telling, world building, and character development. Throughout her time in the Burning Shores, Aloy not only fights for the Earth and its people, but also for herself and her own personal growth. Her journey continues throughout the length of the expansion as she learns to trust others and grow closer with them, more than she ever has before – making for a truly beautiful evolution that could hint at the nature of Horizon 3‘s story. Such developments in the story pair wonderfully with the game’s amazing landscapes, especially one specific moment.
The Burning Shores DLC Boasts Volumetric Clouds
Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores‘ most stunning moment takes place as Aloy rides Waterwing through a collection of astonishingly realistic clouds. Whereas most games wouldn’t go through the effort of rendering such geometrically intensive objects into the sky, Guerilla Games outdoes itself with volumetric clouds that look and act true to life. As demonstrated in a tweet by Shinobi602, the clouds and surrounding fog interact seamlessly, and as Aloy passes through in the glowing rays of the sun, the light shines through in a way that demonstrates their complex shape and movement. It’s a one-of-a-kind scene, but it’s one that’s easy to overlook, as it’s rooted in small details.
Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores’ Clouds Required Sacrifice
However, Guerilla Games’ accomplishment with volumetric clouds comes at a pretty hefty price. The reason why Burning Shores isn’t on PS4 is because of technical disparities, which are a given when comparing hardware – but it’s clear that the graphics in the expansion were indeed a large contributor to that decision. Undoubtedly, many PlayStation 4 users would have been willing to give up life-like clouds, which are only really showcased for a brief moment, in order to experience the continuation of Aloy’s story for themselves. However, it looks like the developer was committed to pushing the industry standard with Burning Shores‘ visuals, even if it meant sacrificing some of its player base.
Those who are able to enjoy the Burning Shores DLC on the PS5, then, should not hold back and take in all the expansion’s breathtaking views. There’s certainly no lack of them, but it’s worth taking a detour into the clouds – especially during sunset or sunrise, when the vibrant sky adorns them in various colors, shadows, and shafts of light. Aloy is adamant about staying on Earth, but lifting off briefly and venturing up into the sky will provide her (and the player) with some of the most mesmerizing views in all of Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores.
Source: Shinobi602/Twitter
