Black Boxes serve as one of the many collectible sets in Horizon Forbidden West. They're found in airplane wreckages right across the map and contain harrowing audio recordings that capture the moments right before each plane went crashing down. Some of the 12 recordings really are tough to listen to, though do an excellent job of fleshing out the series' already rich lore.
As with some of the other collectible sets in Horizon Forbidden West, players are able to trade Black Boxes in and earn rewards. Before they can do so, however, they'll first need to speak with an NPC named Untalla at the Memorial Grove settlement. It's also worth noting that some black boxes can only be reached once players have the Vine Cutter, which they'll be able to craft during the Seeds of the Past main story quest.
Black Box: No Man's Land
To find the No Man's Land Black Box, players should head to the area south of Stone's Echo and look for some airplane wreckage there. After prying open the door to get into the fuselage, they'll find the Black Box lying on the ground and will be able to pick it up by pressing the Triangle button.
Black Box: The Whitewatch Peaks
The Whitewatch Peaks Black Box is up in the mountains to the south of the Plainsong Vista Point. Players will be able to hone in on the signal using Aloy's Focus and will then need to move some debris using the Pullcaster in order to gain access to the box itself.
Black Box: Jagged Deep
The Jagged Deep Black Box is underwater not far from the Latopolis research facility that players visit during the Death's Door main story mission. Because of this, players will need to wait until they've unlocked the Diving Mask before they'll be able to reach it. Once they have the mask, they'll need to swim down and pry open the fuselage door using the R2 button, after which, they'll find the Black Box on the ground inside.
Black Box: The Promontory
The Promontory Black Box can be found to the east of Plainsong, though will take quite a bit more work to recover than some of those which preceded it. This is also one of several Black Boxes for which players will also need the Vine Cutter. Before that though, they'll first need to find the Energy Cell in the scrap pile that's to the east of the locked door and then place it into the nearby slot. This will enable them to open the door with Triangle, after which, they'll need to use the Vine Cutter to destroy a Metal Flower. With the vines now taken care of, they'll find the Black Box at the back of the fuselage.
Black Box: Bleeding Mark
The Bleeding Mark Black Box is to the northeast of Salt Bite, just east of the place where Aloy fights the enduring. To gain access to the recording, players will need to use the Pullcaster to grapple their way up and then pry open the doors to get inside. The Black Box will be on the ground and, like the rest, can be picked up by pushing the Triangle button.
Black Box: The Stillsands
The Stillsands Black Box is right by the Oseram camp where players meet the Stillsands Salvage Contractor, to the west of the Stillsands Relic Ruins. After destroying the metal flower with the Vine Cutter, players should make their way down into the plane and pry open the door using R2. They'll then need to move the crate just a fraction using the Pullcaster, which will allow them to access the Black Box.
Black Box: The Memorial Grove
The Memorial Grove Black Box can be found in the fuselage of a downed plane not far from the settlement's museum. If players are having trouble locating it, they can always use Aloy's Focus to hone in on the signal. Upon finding it, they'll need to grapple their way up with the Pullcaster and then pry open the door to reach the Black Box inside.
Black Box: Salt Bite
The Salt Bite Black Box is located to the west of the settlement inside another downed plane. To get inside, players will need to head around to the back of the broken fuselage and use the Pullcaster to open up a vent. Once inside, players will find the Black Box lying on the ground next to an Ancient Supply Safe.
Black Box: The Raintrace
Players will find the plane containing the Rain trace Black Box to the northeast of the Raintrace Salvage Contractor. Upon their arrival, players will need to destroy a Metal Flower, which will grant access to part of the plane. Heading inside, they'll find an Energy Cell, which they can then use to get inside the segment of the plane that's opposite the one that they're in. Once inside, players will find the Black Box on the ground near the far wall.
Black Box: Bonewhite Tear
The Bonewhite Tear Black Box is in the Sheerside Mountains to the west of The Bulwark, not far from a Shelter. In fact, players should make their way to this Shelter first, as it's there, near the Stash, that they'll find the Energy Cell needed to reach the recording. Taking this west just a little and placing it into the slot by the door will grant access to the shattered fuselage, where the Black Box lies in wait.
Black Box: Stand of the Sentinels
Compared to some of the other ones, the Stand of the Sentinels Black Box is actually quite easy to get to. Players should head north from the Long Coast Relic Ruins and look for the plane on the edge of a nearby cliff. They'll need to pull a crate out of the way to get inside, but, after that, they'll be free to pick up the Black Box and any other valuables in the area.
Black Box: Isle of Spires
The Isle of Spires Black Box is west of The Dig Site above Ted Faro's tomb, not far from a Charger Site. Players should approach from the east or above, which will allow them to find the Black Box on a rock near some water, just a stone's throw away from the wrecked plane.
What are Black Boxes Used For in Horizon Forbidden West?
In order to trade in their Black Boxes, players will first need to speak with a woman named Untalla in the Memorial Grove settlement. She'll offer a wide selection of Uncommon, Rare, and Legendary Resources that can be used for upgrades or sold for Metal Shards. There's only one of each item available, with each costing one Black Box.
If players trade in all 12 Black Boxes, they'll also receive the Wings of the Ten Legendary Blastling, which is one of the best weapons in Horizon Forbidden West. It offers big bonuses to Critical, Overdraw, and Close Range damage and can be equipped with up to five additional Coils for those looking to add a little more firepower to their arsenal.
Uncommon Resources |
|---|
Frostclaw Circulator |
Stalker Circulator |
Rare Resources |
Frostclaw Sac Webbing |
Large Machine Core |
Dreadwing Metal Fang |
Slitherfang Earthgrinder |
Tideripper Tail Fin |
Luminous Brainstem |
Legendary Resources |
Scorcher Scanning Ear |
Stormbird Storm Cannon |
Thunderjaw Tail |
Tremortusk Tusk |
Horizon Forbidden West is available now on PS4 and PS5.
