First, it was The Last of Us. But now Horizon Forbidden West is the latest Sony title to add downloadable content (DLC) showcasing a main character with same-sex attraction.
Developer Guerilla Games released the additional content on April 19th. The Burning Shores expansion takes the player on an adventure through the ruins of Los Angeles. The protagonist, a young woman named Aloy, must hunt down the final antagonist of the group known as the Far Zenith.
Upon arriving at the “burning coast,” Aloy will come across a woman named Seyka, whose people have been captured and enslaved by the Far Zenith. Together, the two go on a journey to stop the bad guys, rescue Seyka’s people, and also fall in love.
During the ending scene, Aloy says [to Seyka]: “But the thing is, the last few months I’ve realized that ‘home’ isn’t really a place at all. It’s more like the people I want to be with.”
Seyka replies: “I like that. And, well, more and more, I’ve been thinking, I want to be with you. And I was hoping you felt the same way.”
The player is given the option of responding. If they accept, Aloy will say: “So what if I do?”
And Seyka will respond: “I think I know how to handle it.”
Then they share a kiss.
Although the Burning Shores expansion and accepting Seyka’s feelings are optional, it’s worth noting that Seyka is Aloy’s first and only love interest in both Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West.
This is also the same story structure from The Last of Us DLC “Left Behind” in which Ellie falls in love with a girl named Riley.
The two are trapped in a mall and kiss, but unlike “Burning Shores,” Riley is infected and later dies off screen.
Before she turns, Riley says to Ellie: “Let’s just wait it out. You know, we can… be all poetic and just lose our minds together.” Implying those last few hours were some “fun” ones.
Given the number of female leads in Sony games that turn out to be attracted to the fairer sex, it’s a good bet to say it’ll happen a few more times before the cliché has run its course.
