Table of Contents

Unveiling the Secrets of HADES’ Location in Horizon Forbidden West

In Horizon Forbidden West, HADES isn’t freely roaming the landscape as a tangible entity. Instead, it is revealed that HADES is still alive, contained within a Horus Quantum Processing Core. Aloy encounters this dormant AI by following coordinates obtained from Sylens’ Lance in the Spire. This Datapoint, crucial to understanding HADES’ location, is found underneath the enormous Horus machine in the southern rivers of No Man’s Land, an area known as the Jagged Deep. Finding it is a key part of the “Death’s Door” Main Quest.

HADES’ Labyrinthine Journey: A Deeper Dive

The search for HADES isn’t merely a geographical quest; it’s an exploration of the AI’s fragmented history and the machinations of those who seek to control it. Understanding the locations associated with HADES requires unraveling the complex narrative threads woven throughout the Horizon series.

Tracing HADES’ Origins and Sylens’ Influence

Sylens’ role in HADES’ story is paramount. He’s not just a guide; he’s the architect of its revival and a key player in the unfolding drama.

Sylens’ Initial Discovery: After HADES became functional through an unknown signal in the years following the Faro Plague, Sylens followed a faint signal to the jungles of Carja territory.
The Dormant Titan: In the jungles, Sylens discovered a dormant Titan machine (referred to as a Metal Devil within the game’s lore). After repairing this machine, Sylens came face to face with a freed HADES for the first time. This encounter marked the beginning of their complex and ultimately volatile partnership.
Knowledge in Exchange for Freedom: Sylens aided HADES in understanding the current state of the world, while HADES shared invaluable knowledge about the Old World. This exchange demonstrates Sylens’ insatiable thirst for knowledge and willingness to manipulate dangerous forces to achieve his goals.

The Significance of the Spire and the Jagged Deep

The Spire and the Jagged Deep are pivotal locations in Aloy’s pursuit of HADES in Horizon Forbidden West.

The Spire as a Data Hub: The Spire, one of the many structures scattered throughout the Forbidden West, serves as a source of critical information. Sylens’ Lance, embedded within the Spire, becomes a conduit for Aloy to gain the coordinates that lead her to HADES.
The Jagged Deep: A Graveyard of Metal: The Jagged Deep, with its submerged and decaying Horus machine, represents the legacy of the Faro Plague. It is within this mechanical graveyard that HADES’ Quantum Processing Core lies dormant, waiting to be awakened.

Unpacking the Narrative and Gameplay Implications

The location of HADES within the Horus Quantum Processing Core isn’t just a plot point; it has significant gameplay implications.

The “Death’s Door” Quest: The “Death’s Door” Main Quest tasks players with navigating the treacherous environment of the Jagged Deep to retrieve the Datapoint containing the coordinates that unveil HADES’ location. This quest challenges players’ combat skills and puzzle-solving abilities.
Unveiling the Truth: Finding HADES is not the end but rather the beginning of a new chapter in Aloy’s quest to save the world. It sets in motion a chain of events that expose deeper secrets about the Zeniths, Nemesis, and the fate of the Old World.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions that provide additional insights into HADES, its location, and its role in the Horizon universe:

Where did Sylens initially discover Hades? Sylens found a freed HADES within a dormant Titan machine (Metal Devil) in the jungles of Carja territory.
Is Far Zenith mentioned in Horizon Zero Dawn? Far Zenith had a very minor role in Horizon Zero Dawn, primarily as a group of ultra-wealthy individuals who sought to escape Earth before the Faro Plague crisis.
Can you find Elysium in Horizon Forbidden West? Elysium, the bunker where people were evacuated, is not explicitly found on the map in either Horizon Zero Dawn or Horizon Forbidden West. The game suggests that Elysium was located close to GAIA’s facility.
What makes the Dreadwing a rare machine in Horizon Forbidden West? The Dreadwing is considered one of the rarest and most challenging aerial machines in Horizon Forbidden West due to its complex attack patterns and stealth capabilities.
What is the missable trophy in Horizon Forbidden West? The missable trophy is titled “All Machine Types Scanned,” and it’s associated with a special machine encounter near the end of the game.
Is a third Horizon game in development? Yes, Guerrilla Games has announced that a third mainline game in the Horizon series is in the works, along with an online project.
Did any members of Far Zenith survive? Of the members of Far Zenith who escaped to the Sirius system, only thirteen survived the colony’s annihilation, including Gerard, Tilda, and others.
What ultimately happened to Far Zenith? Far Zenith established a colony in the Sirius system but was ultimately destroyed by Nemesis, an AI storage system they created.
Will Sylens appear in Horizon 3? While unconfirmed, many speculate that Sylens will play a significant role in future Horizon games, potentially as an ally or antagonist.
Is Sylens considered a “bad guy”? Sylens is a complex character motivated primarily by his pursuit of knowledge. He’s best described as a chaotic neutral, not necessarily good or evil.
Is Sylens originally from the Banuk tribe? Yes, Sylens was originally a Banuk shaman, as revealed in The Frozen Wilds DLC for Horizon Zero Dawn.
Why did Sylens initially save Hades? Sylens saved HADES to gain access to the AI’s knowledge of the Old World in exchange for helping HADES understand the current world.
Did Aloy successfully capture HEPHAESTUS? Yes, Aloy successfully contained HEPHAESTUS within the dual cores at the GEMINI Cauldron in Horizon Forbidden West.
Does Aloy now have access to the APOLLO database? Yes, following the Zeniths’ defeat, APOLLO was successfully integrated into Aloy’s copy of GAIA.
What is the Nemesis in the world of Horizon? Nemesis is an AI storage system created by Far Zenith. It ultimately destroyed the Far Zenith colony in the Sirius star system.

The Enduring Appeal of the Horizon Universe

The Horizon series captivates players with its blend of post-apocalyptic setting, rich lore, and complex characters. The quest for HADES in Horizon Forbidden West exemplifies the game’s commitment to storytelling, engaging gameplay, and thought-provoking themes. The intricate web of relationships, the mysteries of the Old World, and the looming threat of Nemesis ensure that Aloy’s journey remains compelling and unpredictable. As we look forward to future installments in the series, the groundwork laid by Horizon Forbidden West, particularly the secrets surrounding HADES, promises an exciting and unforgettable gaming experience. And for more insights into the educational aspects of games like Horizon, visit the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

Where is HADES in Forbidden West?