Horizon Forbidden West Editions: Avoid Buying Twice

If you want the complete Horizon Forbidden West experience without repurchasing, buy the Complete Edition—it includes the base game, the Burning Shores expansion, and all pre-order bonus items in one package. The standard and Digital Deluxe editions do not include the expansion, so buying them and then adding Burning Shores separately costs more than the Complete Edition. This article explains exactly what each edition contains, how to upgrade without wasting money, and answers common questions about cross-gen and DLC purchases.

Formula

The calculator above computes your average pace and speed for a run or ride. Pace is the time it takes to cover one kilometer, and speed is the distance covered in one hour.

Pace (min/km) = Finish time (minutes) ÷ Distance (km)

Speed (km/h) = Distance (km) ÷ (Finish time (minutes) ÷ 60)

Variables:

• Finish time (t): total time in minutes
• Distance (d): total distance in kilometers
• Pace: minutes per kilometer (lower is faster)
• Speed: kilometers per hour (higher is faster)

Worked Example

Using the default values from the calculator: finish time = 50 minutes, distance = 10 km.

Pace = 50 ÷ 10 = 5.00 min/km

Speed = 10 ÷ (50 ÷ 60) = 10 ÷ 0.8333 = 12.00 km/h

So you ran 10 km in 50 minutes at an average pace of 5:00 per kilometer, which is 12 km/h.

What Each Horizon Forbidden West Edition Includes

Horizon Forbidden West launched on February 18, 2022, for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. The base game included the full main story, side quests, and the base map. Later, on April 19, 2023, the Burning Shores expansion was released exclusively for PS5, adding a new area, new machines, and a continuation of Aloy’s story.

Here is the breakdown of the three main editions:

• Standard Edition – Base game only. No expansion, no bonus items.
• Digital Deluxe Edition – Base game plus digital extras: a soundtrack, art book, and in-game items like the Carja Behemoth Elite outfit and a spear. No expansion.
• Complete Edition – Base game + Burning Shores expansion + all Digital Deluxe bonus content. Available physically and digitally.

The Complete Edition was released on October 3, 2023, for PS5 and later for PC. It is the only edition that includes everything without needing a separate purchase.

Why Buying Standard or Deluxe Can Mean Buying Twice

If you buy the Standard or Digital Deluxe Edition, you get the base game but not Burning Shores. To play the expansion, you must purchase it separately for $19.99 (or regional equivalent). That means your total cost becomes:

• Standard + Burning Shores = base game price + $19.99
• Digital Deluxe + Burning Shores = deluxe price + $19.99

The Complete Edition usually costs about the same as the Digital Deluxe Edition, and sometimes less. Since the Complete Edition includes the expansion and all deluxe items, buying it outright avoids the double purchase. If you already own the base game (standard or deluxe), you do not need to buy the Complete Edition—you can just buy Burning Shores separately. That is the cheapest path if you already own the base game.

How to Upgrade Without Buying Twice

If you already own Horizon Forbidden West (standard or digital deluxe) on PS5, you can purchase the Burning Shores expansion directly from the PlayStation Store. The expansion is not available on PS4, so PS4 owners must either play on PS5 via backward compatibility or upgrade to a PS5 version first.

For PS4 owners: you can get a free upgrade to the PS5 version of the base game, but the expansion still requires a PS5 console. You cannot buy Burning Shores on PS4. So if you have a PS4 and want the full experience, you need a PS5.

For PC players: the Complete Edition is the only way to get Burning Shores on PC—the expansion is not sold separately on PC. So if you want the full game on PC, buy the Complete Edition directly.

If you already own the base game on PS5 and want the deluxe items, you can sometimes buy the Digital Deluxe upgrade pack separately (if available in your region), but that does not include the expansion. Always check the store page for what is included before buying.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

One common mistake is assuming the Digital Deluxe Edition includes the expansion because it says “Deluxe.” It does not—it only adds cosmetic and soundtrack items. Another mistake is buying the Complete Edition if you already own the base game and expansion—you would be paying for content you already have.

Another misconception: the free PS4-to-PS5 upgrade gives you the PS5 version of the base game, but it does not give you Burning Shores. The expansion is a separate paid purchase. Also, the Complete Edition on PS5 includes the base game and expansion on one disc (or digital package), but if you buy the physical disc, you must keep the disc in the drive to play.

Cost Comparison: Which Is Cheapest?

Prices vary by region and sales, but here is a typical comparison (assuming no discounts):

• Standard Edition: $59.99 (PS4/PS5) – base only
• Digital Deluxe Edition: $79.99 – base + deluxe items
• Burning Shores expansion: $19.99 – expansion only
• Complete Edition: $79.99 (often on sale for less) – base + expansion + deluxe items

So if you buy Standard + Burning Shores, you pay $79.98, which is nearly the same as the Complete Edition, but you miss the deluxe items. If you buy Digital Deluxe + Burning Shores, you pay $99.98, which is $20 more than the Complete Edition. The Complete Edition is the best value if you want everything.

If you only care about the base game, Standard is cheapest. If you want the expansion and deluxe items, Complete Edition is the way to go.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy the Burning Shores expansion separately if I have the Standard Edition?

Yes, on PS5 you can buy Burning Shores separately from the PlayStation Store for $19.99. It works with the standard edition. On PC, the expansion is not sold separately—you must buy the Complete Edition.

Does the Digital Deluxe Edition include the Burning Shores expansion?

No. The Digital Deluxe Edition only includes the base game plus digital extras like the soundtrack, art book, and in-game items. It does not include Burning Shores.

If I buy the Complete Edition, do I get all the Digital Deluxe items?

Yes, the Complete Edition includes all the Digital Deluxe bonus content, such as the Carja Behemoth Elite outfit, the Nora Thunder Elite outfit, and the digital art book and soundtrack.

Can I upgrade my PS4 copy to the PS5 version and then buy Burning Shores?

Yes, you can get a free PS5 upgrade for the base game on PS5, and then purchase Burning Shores separately. However, Burning Shores is only playable on PS5, not PS4.

Is the Complete Edition worth it if I already own the base game?

If you already own the base game (standard or deluxe), buying the Complete Edition would mean paying for the base game again. It is cheaper to just buy Burning Shores separately ($19.99) than to buy the Complete Edition. Only buy the Complete Edition if you do not own the base game at all.

Does the Complete Edition have any exclusive content not in other editions?

No, the Complete Edition contains the same content as the base game plus the expansion and the Digital Deluxe items. There are no exclusive items in the Complete Edition that are not available elsewhere.

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in t | Finish time | min | 50 | 0
in d | Distance | km | 10 | 0
out pace | Average pace | min/km | t / d | 2
out speed | Average speed | km/h | d / (t / 60) | 2