Throughout gaming as a whole, side-quests have been a reoccurring and essential feature, allowing gamers to properly explore the game's map, spend more time within its world, learn more about its lore, and more. Horizon Forbidden West is no exception, featuring over 25 unique side quests that complement the game's main story, and help fans truly make the most of it.
Guerrilla Games' previous entry into the Horizon series, Zero Dawn, disappointed gamers with its boring, lengthy, and unrewarding side quests, so to see so many fans praising Forbidden West's side quests is very exciting and positive for players. Forbidden West's diverse range of side-quests sees Aloy doing everything from freeing an innocent prisoner to solving tribal disputes, and are celebrated for expanding Horizon's extensive lore, respecting the players, and valuing their time - creating some very interesting and enjoyable side quests.
The Roots That Bind (Level 15)
In 'The Roots That Bind', Aloy is called over by Nel near the top of Plainsong who lets her know that her peaceful Utaru village, Riverhymn, has been under attack by Tenakth raiders.
In the Forbidden West, the human Tenakth Tribe are blood-thirsty, aggressive, and share a warrior culture where fighting and violence are praised. They brawl among themselves, but unfortunately, Nel's village is in their way. The side-quest gifts players the unique opportunity to learn more in-depth information about the brutal Tenakth and their complex history with the Utaru, expanding Horizon's extensive lore, and becomes satisfying to complete knowing you have nobly defended the defenseless village against hot-blooded warriors.
The Way Home (Level 32)
After completing the mission 'The Wings Of The Ten' and overriding a Sunwing, one of Forbidden West's many new machines, players can meet Harriem and Kristina at Legacy's Landfall to help them obtain a working gyrocompass in order to sail their fleet home.
This quest involves the player flying on a Sunwing to multiple shipwreck locations and incorporates two of Forbidden West's fun new features - underwater exploration and flying. Giving players a fantastic chance to properly check out these new mechanics makes the side quest brilliant on its own, however, the added aspect of investigating wooden shipwrecks within a dystopian machine-ruled world is surreal, and serves as a great opportunity for fans to explore Horizon's forgotten past first-hand.
What Was Lost (Level 30)
After triggering the main story quest 'Faro's Tomb', if the player ventures to The Base and talks to Kotallo, they can choose the 'a personal request' dialogue option to start this side-quest.
Kotallo is one of Horizon's newest characters and has already become a fan favorite, and lost his arm early on in Forbidden West's story. Throughout the quest, players learn more about Kotallo's kind and honorable personality, and we see how much he respects Aloy. Furthermore, the quest links back to multiple previous points in the game's story, making the quest feel as though it respects the player's time, rather than sending them on a pointless mission that wastes their time, meaning this side quest is not only about spending more time with Kotallo, but it's essential for expanding Forbidden West's story.
Drowned Hopes (Level 22)
This lore-based side quest can be triggered at the Carja Camp close to Stone's Echo when Aloy talks to two Carja Academics, who wish to uncover ancient relics to learn more about their history.
This side-quest helps enhance Forbidden West's already great narrative, and players can complete it by heading to multiple locations to collect vault keys. Throughout the quest, fans uncover more details about the powerful and technologically-advanced Carja Tribe and their interesting history of civil-war across the ancient Forbidden West. Alongside the chance to discover more about the tribe's conflict-full past, players will be rewarded with a powerful weapon - the rare Guardian Tripcaster, a fantastic item that will help fans throughout their journey across the Forbidden West.
The Blood Choke (Level 27)
When speaking to Atekka in Thornmarsh, Aloy is informed that a red-mist, the Blood Choke, is polluting the surrounding rivers, and the player has to investigate the cause.
Throughout the quest, fans have the opportunity to battle Fire Clamberjaws, one of Forbidden West's hardest mechanical creatures to fight. This awesome quest holds multiple connections to the game's main storyline, as it is revealed that Regalla, one of the game's major antagonists and leader of the Tenakth rebels, has purposefully blocked the flow of fresh water. Fans will learn about the rebels' unacceptable treatment and abuse of the machines for their own twisted agenda, which is beneficial to understand so that the extent of Regalla's true evil ideologies can be further understood. On top of this deeply interesting quest, players will be rewarded with the fantastic Tenakth Reaver outfit.
Need To Know (Level 25)
After completing the 'Cradles Of Echoes' mission, Aloy can reconnect with Talanah at Camp Nowhere, who has been trying to find Amadis and finally has a lead.
Throughout the quest, gamers learn that Talanah actually came to the Forbidden West purely out of her care for Amadis - making this side quest essential for her character's development.. This side quest is linked to the main story as well as focusing on character development and is essential for any Horizon fan looking to learn more about the Forbidden West's inhabitants and history. If that alone isn't enough, players are rewarded with the incredible Lighting Hunter Bow, one of Aloy's best weapons.
Shadow From The Past (Level 7)
After completing the mission 'Embassy', Aloy can enter the Barren Light building through the main gate, and make her way upstairs where she will find a prisoner, Conover, locked behind bars.
Conover tells Aloy that he has been imprisoned for murdering a guard in self-defence, after listening in on a conversation about Eclipse. More interesting side characters are something Forbidden West holds over Zero Dawn, and this side quest serves as a refreshing reminder - whilst also incorporating the franchise's extensive lore, by announcing the return of one of Zero Dawn's enemy factions, the Eclipse.
Learning Machine Strike (Level N/A)
Although not technically a side quest, this Errand is too fun to miss. If the player makes their way to the Tavern at Chainscrape, they can talk to Salma who will invite Aloy to play Machine Strike.
Machine Strike is Horizon's version of the world-famous board game, Chess, and is famous amongst the Tenakth. It's great to see that Chess has survived Horizon's dystopian future, and happens to be a surprisingly fun mini-game for gamers to enjoy, to take a break from Forbidden West's intense narrative, and relax.
Thirst For The Hunt (Level 17)
Received in Arrowhead by a Tenakth named Drakka, 'The Thirst Of The Hunt' is the beginning of a lengthy 3-quest storyline that involves the Desert Clan and their survival.
This side quest is an interesting emotionally deep vision into what the Desert Clan must endure to survive. Fans will see Drakka kneel alongside his slain soldiers, a rather dark yet honorable depiction of what life is like in the Forbidden West. Players learn more about the Desert Clan and at the end of the trilogy are faced with an incredibly difficult Telltale Games style decision - who should be the Desert Clan's Commander? The trilogy of side quests, although hard-hitting, are essential for any Horizon fan looking to expand their knowledge of the Forbidden West.
The Second Verse (Level 25)
After completing the 'Cradle Of Echoes', Zo informs Aloy at The Base that she needs to heal the mechanical Land-Gods to bring back life to Plainsong's fields.
Throughout the quest, Aloy must place Reboot Codes on several Land-Gods. Zo believes in equality between machines and humans, so in this quest Aloy finally helps Zo complete her dream of healing the Land-Gods. This particular quest could even be a tease of a possible huge plot point for future Horizon games.