Aloy's sexual orientation is a step toward an industry that's more progressive, inclusive, and realistic in what it portrays if that step needs to be taken across the hot, fiery coals of baseless controversy, so be it.įortunately, Metacritic is taking steps to minimize the effects of the review bombing.

As frustrating as these reactions are, especially for those who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community, it's important that developers continue to offer diverse representation in all facets of games.

In every way, Aloy's romance in the Burning Shores DLC is a cause for celebration, but sadly, the subsequent review bombing and flood of blatant homophobia show that there is still a long way to go. Related: Horizon: Burning Shores' Easter Egg References A Controversial PS4 Game

Thankfully, Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores does a good job of staying away from this offensive trope, as both Aloy and Seyka are portrayed as powerful, multidimensional women who share genuine chemistry throughout their adventures. As such, little thought or respect is offered to lesbian characters or relationships, as they are often written to indulge in male fantasies rather than to represent real love between women. The gaming industry, arguably more than any other, has largely catered to the male gaze. Lesbian relationships in particular are prone to frequent misrepresentation or harmful portrayals. In fact, some might argue that the latter is even more important, due to decades of LGBTQIA+ media being practically nonexistent. Of course, nobody is seeking to eliminate straight relationships or cisgender characters from the equation, but it's equally important to include characters with differing sexual orientations and gender identities to ensure that all players feel represented. Although things have been improving in recent years, the gaming industry (and media in general) still offer very little representation of the LGBTQIA+ community, and a majority of games still portray outdated heteronormativity.

Horizon forbidden west: burning shores