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How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (Metacritic) | – | 81 | 23 |
| All-time Steam reviews | – | – | 0 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 49 | 750 |
| Backloggd ratings | – | 85 | 750 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | – | – | 0 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 0 reviews sampled · 0 total reviews in window · weighted 0 up / 0 down · computed 7h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (72)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 84
“Burning Shores is just more of the original game, yet prettier, with more breathtaking views. While it’s an essential addition to the franchise, it will hardly attract any new fans.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Like Frozen Wilds did with Horizon Zero Dawn, Burning Shores takes what was already great about Forbidden West and gives you a sizeable new playground and a bunch of extra toys to play with. The archipelago is great fun to explore by land, sea, or air, with plenty of interesting things to see and do. Certain areas feel a little underutilised, but overall this is a great expansion that continues Aloy's story and sets up for things to come in Horizon 3.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Aloy's new journey after a year from the release is as enjoyable as the main one. While the newly added weapon provides more fresh, powerful gameplay, It is somewhat disappointing that the new area doesn't offer much difference from the mainland in visual wise.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“I wish there were more to say, but Horizon: Forbidden West, Burning Shores is a short piece of DLC. It's like a quick episode of a TV show rather than a full-length movie. There's still quite a bit of content here, but the intent of the DLC is largely to set up plot threads for Horizon 3 and give Aloy a chance for some romance. If you're hankering for more Horizon, it fills that niche well, but it doesn't feel as essential as The Frozen Wilds did to Horizon: Zero Dawn.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Fundamentally, Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores repeats a lot of the same beats as the main game, and doesn’t explore much new territory in terms of world-building or gameplay. However, the minor gameplay additions are certainly fun and welcome, and if you enjoyed the base game, this expansion is certainly still an enjoyable time, prolonged final boss fight aside. As an epilogue with some fun diversions, which also expands upon Aloy’s character arc from the base game and introduces a great new supporting character, Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores is definitely worth checking out for anyone wanting a good excuse to return to the game.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“The Burning Shores expansion is a satisfying culmination of Horizon Forbidden West's story and a good reason to return to its beautiful world. Nearly twelve hours of additional gameplay on islands built out of remnants of the former City of Angels is a lot of fun for anyone who enjoyed the main game.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Horizon: Burning Shores lays even more groundwork for the future of the franchise than Forbidden West, which had already signaled a clear direction for the next entry. It does this in a tight, engaging little package that reignited my love for the world and its characters without feeling burdened by it. While much of Burning Shores feels familiar, it's a sweet, condensed experience that captures what makes Horizon games great. After feeling more exhausted than excited at the end of Forbidden West, I'm glad for the reminder.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Burning Shores once again explores the theme of loneliness of a protagonist who must bear the fate of the entire world on her shoulders. However, the short gameplay of the DLC offers limited space for addressing the character's relationship issues. For fans of the series, Burning Shores offers a good excuse to return to the world filled with robotic monsters with a few new challenges. Nevertheless, the DLC fails to deliver a meaningful story and deeper character development that would make Burning Shores a must-play expansion for the players.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Burning Shores is exactly what you would expect, with even more of that solid Horizon gameplay wrapped around a story that initially seems quite frivolous but soon becomes very dark and uncomfortable. If you loved Horizon Forbidden West, you will love this too. ”
read full review ↗ - 80
“For those looking for more of Aloy’s story, this is the DLC for you. Not only is there tons of character development for Aloy, we also find out more about the Zeniths, as well as Nemesis, both important plot points for the potential next game in the series. For fans of the series, Burning Shores is an investment in the story of the game, as well as the world Aloy is fighting to save. ”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Burning Shores shows what the PlayStation 5 is capable of, tells a logical sequel story and adds improved gameplay elements. That was all it took: Horizon Forbidden West was already a fantastic game, so why not want more of (almost) the same?”
read full review ↗ - 80
“An exceptionally pretty slice of DLC that does nothing to address the faults of the main game but does manage to emphasise its many successes, especially the graphics.”
read full review ↗
PLAY Zine
Push Square
INVEN
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