While many gamers mainly tune into The Game Awards to see which of the best titles of the year receive the recognition they deserve, others prefer the various world premieres and announcements. They also get a peek into what the industry is gearing up to release. Though Horizon Forbidden West won no awards, Guerrilla Games revealed that the game will be receiving DLC called Burning Shores. From the brief trailer shown, there is evidence that the mysterious character Brin may make a return
In Horizon Zero Dawn, Brin has visions of the future which he shares with Aloy. His reappearance could reveal more about his visions and his machine blood-drinking ways. Gamers won't have to wait long to learn if they'll be seeing Brin, as Horizon Forbidden West will be receiving its DLC on April 19, 2023.
Brin the Banuk Shaman
Players are introduced to Brin during Horizon Zero Dawn. He lives in a small house in the northern regions of the Carja Sundom, and Aloy interacts with him in the mission "Acquired Taste." An eccentric fellow, Brin drinks the fluids of machines, which he claims give him visions of the future. Aloy gives him "machine blood," and in exchange, he drinks the fluid and shares his visions. Things take a dark turn after drinking Stormbird blood when he claims he has had a vision so horrible that he will not share it. It compels him to travel to the Forbidden West, and he advises her to do the same.
It appears that there is some truth to Brin's vision, as Aloy does indeed face great troubles which have her traveling to the Forbidden West in Horizon Zero Dawn's sequel. As players explore the map, they may come across an Oseram encampment where a piece of parchment lies. It reveals that the traveling Oseram had encountered a Banuk shaman that drinks machine oil. This very much sounds like a description of Brin. The parchment also reveals that the Banuk shaman had shouted about wanting to reach "the place of flame and brim."
Could Banuk Appear in Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores?
The PS5-only Horizon Forbidden West Burning Shores DLC will take Aloy to Los Angeles, though it is not yet clear what her mission is. Although familiar landmarks like the Hollywood sign are visible in the stunning trailers, players also learn that the landscape has changed significantly. As Aloy flies over Los Angeles on her Sunwing, she sees a volcanic archipelago below. It is a sight both stunning and daunting, and it suggests that players will have a new kind of environment to explore in the upcoming DLC.
This version of Los Angeles also matches the description of a place of flame and brim that Brin has allegedly traveled to. If this is the case, the character could be making a reappearance. This is a good thing, as Brin is one of the game's most intriguing mysteries, and there are several questions still surrounding him. How he manages to drink machine fluids without being poisoned and exactly how his visions work remain a mystery.
It's a great time to be a Horizon franchise fan. In addition to Burning Shores, players can also look forward to Horizon Call of the Mountain, which will be the first VR entry in the series.
Horizon Forbidden West is available on PS4 and PS5.