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Horizon Forbidden West takes place on the west coast of the United States. As such, players will explore well known areas like the ruins of San Francisco. One of the most fascinating areas in the game is the ruins of Las Vegas, now known as the Hidden Ember. While there are some buildings to explore in the desert, most of what is left of Las Vegas is underground.
Even after completing the main story mission in this area, there is still plenty for players to do in this area. Morlund even has a side quest available as well called 'Lofty Ambitions'. In this side quest, Horizon Forbidden West players will track down a mechanical burner that Morlund needs for a new invention.
Go to the Ruins
In order to start this side quest, talk to Morlund. Keep in mind, however, that this side quest is only available after completing the main story mission 'The Sea of Sands'. He tells Aloy about a mechanical burner attached to a dragon statue deep in the ruins below the surface. However, there are machines down there that are making it impossible to retrieve the burner.
Search for the Dragon Statue
Follow the waypoint and go toward the elevator shaft. There will be no water, so make sure to carefully climb down to the bottom. Go down the ruined escalators and follow the waypoint to reach a spot with a dragon statue hanging in the air. This is not the statue that has the burner, so rappel down to go deeper into the ruins.
In the next area, there are machines roaming around. This space is fairly large, so it is possible to stealth past the machines if desired. Follow the waypoint to reach the dragon statue that has the burner in it.
How to Get the Burner
The statue is well out of reach, so players will need to find a way to get up there. To begin with, look for a vent along the wall. It can be opened with the Pullcaster.
On the other side of the vent is a movable crate. In order to get the crate out of the room, ignite the Firegleam on the wall to create a hole big enough to push it through. Push the crate in place to reach the second floor of this room.
Once on the second floor, look for a beam that can be pulled down with the Pullcaster. Unfortunately, the beam can't be reached yet. Turn around and look up to see another crate on the third floor. This one can be brought down with the handy Pullcaster as well.
Push the crate and then climb up onto the beam. From there, jump across the series of four beams ahead. From there, navigate up to the third floor and look on the ceiling for another vent that can be pulled open with the Pullcaster. Jump up to reach the fourth floor.
From there, it is possible to reach the dragon statue and the burner. Step along the statue to reach the mouth. With the burner obtained, jump back down to the first floor.
Return to Morlund
Be ready for a fight, as machines will ambush players the moment they return to the first floor. They aren't particularly tough, so players should have no trouble with dispatching them. Follow the waypoint to return to the surface where Morlund is eagerly waiting for the burner.
Go on a Test Flight
With the burner installed, Morlund is eager to test out what is essentially a hot air balloon. Since Aloy went to the trouble of getting the part that was needed, Morlund insists that she should be part of the first test flight. All that needs to be done during this part is to just enjoy the view.
Of course, this doesn't last and the hot air balloon crashes soon after. Follow the waypoint and kill the machines around the crash site. After the machines have been destroyed, approach the wreckage and free Morlund. Follow Morlund until the path forward is blocked. Go over to the tree on the right and push it down to make an improvised bridge.
Defeat the Stormbird
On the ground nearby is the burner. Unfortunately, it is guarded by a Stormbird flying around in the air. Defeat the Stormbird and then talk to Morlund. The burner is miraculously not broken. After the cutscene, the side quest ends.
Horizon Forbidden West is available now for PS4 and PS5.
