In Horizon Forbidden West, side quests offer players deep insight into Old World lore while rewarding exploration across sprawling environments. The Drowned Hopes quest stands out as an engaging subterranean investigation that leads Aloy on a hunt for hidden prototype technology. Players who take on this mission will explore flooded ruins, battle defensive machines, and solve a ancient security mystery.
Starting the Expedition at Carja Camp
To begin the quest, players must head to the Carja Camp situated southeast of Stone's Echo. Speaking with the Carja scholars Rushavid and Gendas reveals their desire to uncover lost relics from a nearby archaeological dig site. Their research points toward a concealed Old World facility hidden deep beneath the regional waters.
After receiving the task, set your objective marker to the Jagged Deep Delve dig site located south of the camp. Upon arrival, clear out any patrolling machines, including Widemaws and Scrappers, to secure the area. Once the perimeter is safe, dive into the submerged ruins to locate the initial security console and extract the first Vault Key.
Locating the Remaining Vault Keys
The quest next directs players to two additional sites to retrieve the missing security keys required for vault access. Travel to Dread Bluff to navigate inside the ruined structures where dangerous Ravagers patrol. Defeat the hostile machines, drop down into the interior chamber, and access the second console to gain another key.
The final key is located at Devil's Slide within another set of submerged ruins. Swim through the flooded corridors and pry open the sealed doors using Aloy's spear to reach the console room. Keep in mind that completing these underwater sections easily requires progress in the main storyline to unlock the Diving Mask gear.
Unlocking the Drowned Gullet Vault
With all three Vault Keys secured, coordinates to the secret facility in Drowned Gullet become available on your map. Head to the central lake location and submerge to find an underwater passageway blocked by debris. Pry open the barrier and surface inside an enclosed, machine-guarded cavern.
Eliminate the Snapmaws guarding the facility entrance before advancing deeper into the Old World research lab. Insert the three Vault Keys into the console room to unlock the inner vault. Inside, collect the Mobile Cover System prototype datapoint and item to finalize the vault exploration.
Crafting the Quest Reward
Return to the Carja Camp and speak with Rushavid and Gendas to report your findings. Presenting the prototype allows you to complete the final objective of the mission. Use a nearby workbench to craft the Guardian Tripcaster, a unique weapon that deploys protective shielding wires.
While some players may find the blue-tier weapon reward modest for late-game builds, the quest delivers excellent narrative context and engaging puzzle mechanics. Completing Drowned Hopes provides a memorable adventure through the flooded remnants of the past.
