- Quest Preservation: Patch 1.023 (officially 1.23) eliminates critical progression blockers in the “Burning Shores” expansion, specifically fixing the Bilegut’s geometry clipping and Seyka’s follower AI during the “To the Burning Shores” and “His Final Act” missions.
- Technical Refinement: The update addresses the notorious “Aerial Capture: West” bug involving the Stormbird encounter, ensuring players can now complete the “Delver’s Trove” errand and achieve 100% completion status.
- Legacy Parity: In the 2026 gaming landscape, these fixes serve as the foundation for the Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition on PC and PS5, establishing the stability required for modern handheld optimizations on devices like the Steam Deck OLED.
Aloy’s journey through the ruins of Los Angeles remains one of the most visually arresting experiences in modern gaming, yet the initial launch of the Burning Shores expansion was not without its technical tremors. As we look back from 2026, the Horizon Forbidden West Update 1.023 (known internally at Guerrilla as Patch 1.23) stands as a pivotal moment for the franchise. It wasn’t just a routine maintenance update; it was the definitive sweep that polished the technical foundations of the game’s first—and only—major story expansion, ensuring that the colossal Horus encounter functioned with the cinematic fluidity players expected.
For those navigating the Forbidden West in the current era, especially through the Complete Edition on PC, understanding these legacy updates is vital for troubleshooting archival saves. Much like the stability improvements seen in the Blue Prince Update 2.004, Guerrilla’s focus here was on eliminating “soft-locks” that prevented players from seeing Aloy’s story through to its conclusion.
Critical Mission Fixes: The Burning Shores Cleanup
The primary focus of this update was the “To the Burning Shores” questline. Players frequently encountered a “Bilegut” that would vanish into the terrain or fail to spawn entirely, effectively ending the DLC experience before it truly began. Guerrilla implemented a robust fix for the machine’s jumping attack physics, ensuring it stays within the playable world boundaries.
Main Quest Optimization
- To the Burning Shores: Fixed a high-frequency crash occurring during the opening cinematic after reloading a save.
- His Final Act: Resolved the “Horus Clipping” bug where Aloy would fall through the interior geometry of the Titan during the climactic escape sequence.
- For His Amusement: Corrected an issue where Seyka would become unresponsive during the “Investigate the Armory” objective, a bug that mirrored the AI logic errors addressed in the Marathon Update 1.025.
World Activities and Collectibles
For completionists, Update 1.023 was the “100% Patch.” Prior to this, the “Aerial Capture: West” activity was prone to breaking if the player died during the Stormbird encounter. This update ensures the Stormbird correctly triggers the electrical discharge needed to unlock the island’s doors, allowing for the collection of the “Mighty Pint” Delver’s Trinket.
| Activity Type | Issue Resolved | Reward Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Aerial Captures | Start path failing to spawn at North transmitter. | Unlocks “Apex” trophy requirements. |
| Pangea Figurines | Green Raptor despawn in parking garage. | Allows completion of Dino Digits Quiz. |
| Cauldron THETA | Exploit allowing players to skip drone puzzles. | Maintains intended gameplay challenge. |
Machine and Combat Balancing
Combat in Horizon Forbidden West relies on precise elemental reactions. Update 1.023 fixed a frustrating bug where applying “Draw Speed” coils to Hunter Bows actually decreased the draw speed—an inversion of the intended mechanic. Additionally, the Fireclaw’s “infinite knockdown” loop was patched, returning the machine to its intended difficulty level as one of the game’s apex predators.
According to the official Guerrilla Games technical log, this patch also introduced significant VRAM management improvements, which served as a precursor to the game’s eventual optimization for high-end PC hardware and handheld PC gaming in 2026.
Stability and UI Enhancements
- Asset Streaming: Reduced “pop-in” of foliage when flying on a Waterwing between the Burning Shores and the mainland.
- Map Accuracy: Fixed several roads on the world map that did not align with the actual terrain geometry.
- Audio Polish: Resolved an issue where 3D audio would cut out during high-action sequences involving multiple Stingspawn.
“By addressing the fundamental logic of how Seyka interacts with the environment, Update 1.023 transformed Burning Shores from a beautiful but buggy expansion into the definitive epilogue Aloy deserved.”
As we move further into the 2026 release cycle, the work done in this May 2023 patch remains the standard for how post-launch support can salvage and enhance a title’s legacy. Whether you are revisiting the game for the first time on a 2026-spec PC or continuing your journey on PS5, these fixes ensure the Tenakth lands remain as dangerous and immersive as ever.
