The Drowned Hopes side quest in Horizon Forbidden West offers Aloy a compelling dive into submerged Old World ruins in search of ancient technology. Unlocking this quest requires navigating flooded structures and solving environmental puzzles across multiple locations. Players who successfully complete all objectives gain access to valuable weapon rewards that significantly bolster Aloy's arsenal.
How to Begin the Drowned Hopes Quest
To start the quest, Aloy must speak with Carja scholars located at the Jagged Deep camp. These scholars explain their interest in lost Old World artifacts hidden beneath nearby waters. Securing the quest requires players to possess the Diving Mask gear, which allows unlimited underwater exploration without running out of oxygen.
Before attempting to search the underwater sites, ensure that Aloy is adequately leveled and prepared for potential machine encounters. Enemies both above and below the water surface can pose a threat during your journey. Having the appropriate ammunition and elemental weapons ready makes navigation much smoother.
Locating the Key Submerged Relics
The quest tasks players with retrieving three specific mobile keys hidden inside sunken Old World facilities. Each key is located in a distinct submerged area, requiring careful navigation through submerged tunnels and wreckage. Aloy must use her Focus to scan the underwater environment and highlight necessary interaction points.
While exploring these submerged ruins, players must look out for weak walls and debris blocking access routes. Using the Pullcaster allows Aloy to clear paths and access sealed chambers containing the key components. Keep an eye out for patrolling underwater machines like Burrowers and Snapmaws that guard these locations.
Solving the Facility Vault Puzzle
Once all three keys have been gathered, Aloy must head toward the main facility submerged beneath a large lake. Entering the facility requires navigating through underwater corridors until reaching the central security console. Inserting the three keys into the console unlocks the main vault room.
Inside the vault, players encounter an environmental obstacle that requires activating power systems and clearing obstructions. Carefully scanning the room with the Focus reveals the power conduits needed to restore full functionality. Completing this sequence opens the final reward chamber housing the prototype weapon.
Rewards and Quest Completion
Inside the unlocked vault lies the Guardian Tripcaster, a powerful rare weapon designed to enhance defensive combat strategies. Retrieving this weapon and reporting back to the scholars completes the Drowned Hopes questline. The experience points and skill points earned provide significant progress for upgrading Aloy's abilities.
Completing this side quest not only rewards players with specialized gear but also enriches the lore surrounding the Old World's mysterious past. Taking the time to explore every submerged corner ensures you do not miss hidden supply caches along the way. Overall, Drowned Hopes stands out as one of the most rewarding aquatic adventures in the game.
