Horizon Zero Dawn Mission List: An In-Depth Guide

Imagine stepping into a post-apocalyptic world where machines roam the land like beasts, and humanity has returned to a tribal state. Welcome to "Horizon Zero Dawn," an open-world action RPG developed by Guerrilla Games, where you play as Aloy, a skilled hunter embarking on a journey to uncover her origins, save humanity, and confront the robotic beasts that dominate the Earth. The missions in "Horizon Zero Dawn" form the backbone of this thrilling narrative, offering a mix of engaging story-driven quests, side missions, and challenging battles.

The game is divided into several key types of missions, which we'll break down in detail to give you a complete understanding of what to expect as you journey through the game. This guide will cover main story missions, side quests, errands, and hunting ground trials, providing insight into how each mission type contributes to the overall gameplay experience.

Main Story Missions
These missions drive the central narrative of "Horizon Zero Dawn" and are required to complete the game. They are intricately designed with rich storytelling, cutscenes, and pivotal moments that shape Aloy’s understanding of her world. The missions are spread across various regions, taking Aloy through forests, deserts, and snowy mountains, each filled with different kinds of robotic creatures.

The game begins with A Gift from the Past, where Aloy, as a young outcast, discovers a mysterious device called the Focus. This is followed by The Point of the Spear, a critical mission in which Aloy participates in a tribal ritual called the Proving, only to witness a massacre that sets the stage for her journey.

As the story progresses, the complexity of the missions increases. In The Womb of the Mountain, Aloy learns about her past, and in The Grave-Hoard, players uncover secrets about the ancient world. Each of these missions reveals more about the world’s backstory, drawing the player deeper into the narrative.

Side Quests
The side quests in "Horizon Zero Dawn" offer a break from the intense main storyline and provide opportunities to explore the game’s world and characters further. Side quests often introduce new NPCs (Non-Player Characters) and allow players to experience the various cultures and conflicts within the game world. For instance, in the quest Honor the Fallen, Aloy helps a tribe with their burial rites, while in Sunstone Rock, she aids in capturing dangerous fugitives.

Side quests also offer rewards in the form of weapons, outfits, and skill points, making them essential for players who want to fully upgrade Aloy’s abilities and equipment. Additionally, these quests often provide lore and background information that adds depth to the game’s universe.

Errands
These are smaller missions compared to the side quests, often involving simpler tasks like gathering resources or delivering items. Errands are typically shorter in length but still offer valuable rewards. For example, in the mission The Forgotten, Aloy helps a man find his missing daughter, while in Luck of the Hunt, she is tasked with collecting animal parts for a trader. Though errands are not as grand in scope as the main story missions or side quests, they help flesh out the world and offer quick, rewarding gameplay loops.

Hunting Ground Trials
These are optional challenges scattered across the world that test Aloy’s combat and stealth abilities. Each hunting ground offers different trials, such as defeating specific machines within a time limit or using certain tactics to achieve victory. The trials are graded with three ranks—Blazing Sun, Full Sun, and Half Sun—depending on how quickly and efficiently the player completes the challenge.

For example, in the Nora Hunting Grounds, players are tasked with shooting canisters off Striders, while in the Valleymeet Hunting Grounds, Aloy must defeat machines using specific traps. These trials are an excellent way to hone your combat skills, learn new strategies, and earn valuable rewards, including powerful weapons.

Cauldrons
Cauldrons are another form of optional content in "Horizon Zero Dawn." These mysterious, dungeon-like structures are filled with powerful machines guarding valuable technology. Each Cauldron that Aloy conquers allows her to override more types of machines, turning them into allies in combat. For example, Cauldron SIGMA is one of the earlier cauldrons and is essential for learning to override larger machines like the Sawtooth.

Cauldrons offer a mix of puzzle-solving and combat, as players must navigate through the labyrinthine corridors while avoiding deadly traps and fighting powerful enemies. The rewards from these missions are immense, making them a key part of progressing in the game.

Key Missions and Their Impact on the World
As you advance through the missions in "Horizon Zero Dawn," you’ll notice that the world changes based on your actions. Completing certain story missions will unlock new areas of the map, reveal more of the game’s intricate lore, and introduce new enemies and challenges. For example, completing The Heart of the Nora opens up the ability to explore the eastern part of the map, where some of the game’s most dangerous enemies reside.

Additionally, the choices you make during certain side quests and errands can have lasting effects on the game world. For instance, helping certain NPCs in early side quests might result in them aiding you in later battles, providing a sense of consequence and interconnectedness that adds depth to the overall experience.

Endgame Content and Post-Main Story Missions
Even after completing the main story missions, "Horizon Zero Dawn" offers plenty of content for players to explore. The game’s expansion, The Frozen Wilds, introduces a new region to the north, filled with even more challenging missions, enemies, and storylines. In this expansion, players can take on missions like Into the Frozen Wilds and Firebreak, which offer further insight into the game’s lore and new gameplay mechanics such as controlling the deadly new Daemonic Machines.

In addition to the expansion, players can continue completing side quests, hunting ground trials, and errands that they may have missed during the main story. For those seeking a challenge, taking on the game’s toughest enemies, such as the Thunderjaw or Stormbird, in the endgame offers hours of additional gameplay.

Conclusion
Whether you're tackling the main story missions or delving into the world of side quests and hunting ground trials, "Horizon Zero Dawn" offers a rich and engaging gameplay experience that keeps players coming back for more. Each mission, no matter how big or small, plays a role in shaping Aloy’s journey and uncovering the mysteries of the world she inhabits. With a combination of combat, exploration, and storytelling, this game provides an unforgettable adventure that resonates with players long after the credits roll.