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Review: Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores (PS5) – Aloy’s New Chapter Is Essential for Fans

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For us, Guerrilla Games’ Horizon series has been brilliant from the very start, but it’s getting better each time we return to it. Horizon Forbidden West is an excellent sequel that builds upon the first game in practically every way — a larger, more varied open world, a better ensemble cast, more interesting side quests, and improved traversal, to name a few. Burning Shores, the DLC expansion, is largely more of the same, but adds just enough on top to make it well worth the visit.

Following on directly from the events of the main game, Sylens tasks Aloy with tracking down an important loose end in the titular region. We won’t give any spoilers, but it’s safe to say this expansion acts as a neat bridge from Forbidden West into Horizon 3. Guerrilla has doubled down on its bonkers sci-fi story, and it’s delivered so earnestly that we can’t help but love the nonsense. If you do too, and enjoyed what the base game offered up, you’ll definitely enjoy that side of the narrative here.

But let’s not get too ahead of ourselves. Aloy crash lands in the Burning Shores and is immediately confronted by Seyka, a member of the Quen tribe that’s currently stranded and missing many of its people. This new character will join Aloy on her main quests, and she proves to be just as capable as our heroine, which is a rarity in these titles. She’s another welcome addition to Horizon’s wider cast, and one who challenges Aloy in new ways, helping to humanise a protagonist who was perhaps a little one-note in Forbidden West.

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The main set of quests is five strong, and all of them are pretty lengthy. You’re looking at about six to eight hours depending on your pace, and that’s without considering the other stuff to do in the expansion. The story takes you to some fantastic locations, lays a bit of groundwork for the inevitable sequel, and, as has been heavily hinted, a Horus does indeed wake up. We’ll just say that it’s a spectacular finale; the scale of this setpiece is off the charts, and is likely a major reason why this DLC is PS5 only.

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But the story only takes you to certain locations within the Burning Shores. The map is substantial — about a third of the size of the main game — and features a blend of dense forest, sandy beaches, open water, and flowing lava, with old world ruins to remind you this was once Los Angeles. It’s visually gorgeous, as you’d expect, although there is noticeable pop-in while you’re flying. While it’s great fun to explore the map, some parts of the Burning Shores offer little to do beyond some sight-seeing. Main quests are mostly concentrated in one portion of the map, while a couple of side quests spread things out, but one or two areas are mostly skipped over.

That said, there are new collectables to find, a Relic Ruin to solve, a Cauldron to infiltrate, and a handful of new machines. The Waterwing will become your new best friend — it’s a flying mount that can also dive beneath the water, making swimming much faster. There are two others to discover, both of which are great additions to the roster that’ll test you in different ways.

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There’s also a selection of new weapons and outfits to employ, but more impactful is a range of new skills. A dozen extra skills and six more Valor Surges give you yet more combat options. Many introduce new ideas, like firing weapons while gliding, applying elemental damage with your spear, and dropping large shields. Others amp up existing mechanics; for example, one skill allows you to grapple to a knocked down machine and, if you time a button press right, apply Resonator energy, which you can shoot for a big burst of damage. These new skills (and a new level cap) give players some fresh options, and make the chaotic combat even more varied.

Conclusion

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.

 

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Record low prices hit Apple's M3 MacBook Pro 14-inch, now on sale from $1,399 – AppleInsider

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B&H has dropped MacBook Pro prices further as March comes to a close. Pick up an M3 MacBook Pro with 16GB RAM for just $1,549 — or opt for the M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14-inch for $1,699. Both are record-breaking deals.

14-inch models

16-inch models

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There are numerous MacBook Pro deals on upgraded configurations, so if you’re looking for an M3 Max configuration or extra storage, it’s worth checking out our Mac Price Guide to shop the latest sales.

Even more month-end deals on Apple

Best Apple prices

Aggressive savings are in effect now on nearly every current Mac. You can also find discounted prices on streaming services, closeout models and software. Here are a few of the top deals going on now:

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Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) New iPad Pro and iPad Air to Hit Markets Soon – TipRanks.com – TipRanks

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Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) is likely to introduce its new iPad Pro and iPad Air as soon as May. The much-anticipated product launch will come just ahead of Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June.

End to a Long Wait

As the much-awaited moment draws near, Bloomberg reports that the tech giant’s suppliers have already ramped up production of the devices. For Apple’s devout customers, the introduction of the revamped iPads marks the end of a nearly 18-month drought of major new releases from the company. The iPads are expected to boast features such as new OLED displays for the Pro model and an option for a 12.9-inch screen for the Air model.

Revamped iPads Unleashed

The long wait for new iPad models has resulted in sluggish tablet sales for Apple in recent times. Consequently, the company will likely look to the revamped versions to boost demand. Additionally, Apple is introducing more processing power to the new versions. The Pro models will feature a new M3 chip. Similarly, the iPad Air is also receiving an upgrade with a new processor, moving from its last version’s M1 chip to the latest technology.

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What to Expect in June

Importantly, the product launches are scheduled just before Apple’s highly anticipated annual Worldwide Developers Conference. This event is slated for June 10. The iPhone maker is widely expected to unveil its AI strategy as well as software updates for its range of products at the event. 

Is Apple a Buy, Sell, or a Hold?

Apple’s share price has corrected by nearly 11% year-to-date. The Street has a cautiously optimistic stance on the stock with a Moderate Buy consensus rating. Furthermore, the average AAPL price target of $203.40 points to an 18.6% potential upside in the company’s share price.

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Take-Two Interactive to Acquire 'Borderlands' Developer Gearbox From Embracer Group for $460 Million – Yahoo Canada Sports

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Take-Two Interactive has acquired video game developer Gearbox, the maker of the “Borderlands” franchise, from Embracer Group for $460 million.

Per Take Two, the company “expects the transaction to deepen its successful relationship with Gearbox Entertainment and to provide increased financial benefits through a fully integrated operational structure.”

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As part of the deal, Take-Two will acquire Gearbox IP, including “Borderlands” and “Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands” franchises, games published by Take-Two’s 2K Games, as well as “Homeworld,” “Risk of Rain,” “Brothers in Arms” and “Duke Nukem.”

Currently, Gearbox has six “key interactive entertainment projects in various stages of development,” per Take-Two, which includes five sequels, two from “Borderlands” and “Homeworld” universes, and at least one “exciting new intellectual property,” all of which have been acquired in the sale.

Take-Two’s purchase of Gearbox is expected to close in June, pending regulatory approval. Upon completion, Gearbox will operate as a studio within 2K, continuing to be led by Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford and his management team.

Former Gearbox owner Embracer, a Swedish gaming conglomerate who snapped up the rights to “Lord of the Rings” two years ago, has undergone a severe restructuring program over the past year, which has seen the company shut down or dispose of dozens of games studios and titles and lay off hundreds of staff, resulting in aftershocks that have reverberated throughout the games industry.

The sale of Gearbox marks the latest insistence of Embracer unloading assets, following the company divesting Saber Interactive.

“Our acquisition of Gearbox is an exciting moment for Take-Two and will strengthen our industry-leading creative talent and portfolio of owned intellectual property, including the iconic Borderlands franchise,” Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick said. “This combination enhances the financial profile of our existing projects with Gearbox and unlocks the opportunity for us to drive increased long-term growth by leveraging the full resources of Take-Two across all of Gearbox’s exciting initiatives.”

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