HORIZON FORBIDDEN WEST COMPLETE EDITION: Unused Zenith DLC Weapon Locations Revealed
Image Credit: Guerrilla Games
Introduction
Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition has captivated players with its breathtaking open world, engaging story, and deep combat mechanics. Among its many features, the inclusion of the Burning Shores DLC expands the adventure with new weapons, enemies, and lore. However, dataminers and dedicated players have uncovered unused Zenith weapon assets hidden within the game files, suggesting that Guerrilla Games may have planned additional content.
In this article, we explore these unused Zenith weapons, their potential locations, and what they could have added to Aloy’s arsenal.
Unused Zenith Weapons in the Game Files
Through extensive data mining, players have discovered several weapon models and code references that were never fully implemented in the final release. These weapons appear to be high-tech Zenith firearms, possibly cut from the Burning Shores DLC or intended for future updates.
1. Zenith Plasma Rifle
Type: Rapid-Fire Energy Weapon
Potential Function: Fires concentrated plasma bolts that deal burn damage over time.
Hidden Location: Found in the game files under "Weapons/Zenith/PlasmaRifle."
2. Zenith Gravity Launcher
Type: Heavy Artillery
Potential Function: Creates localized gravity wells that pull enemies in before exploding.
Hidden Location: Referenced in unused dialogue files related to a Zenith bunker.
3. Zenith Nano-Blade
Type: Melee Weapon
Potential Function: A retractable energy blade with high critical hit potential.
Hidden Location: Found in early concept art but not fully modeled in-game.
4. Zenith Shockwave Emitter
Type: Area-of-Effect Stun Weapon
Potential Function: Releases an EMP-like pulse that disables machines temporarily.
Hidden Location: Partially coded but missing from the final loot pool.
Where These Weapons Might Have Been Found
Given the Zenith’s advanced technology, these weapons were likely intended to be rare rewards from high-level encounters or hidden caches. Possible locations include:
1. The Zenith Ruins in Burning Shores
The Burning Shores DLC introduced several Zenith structures, and datamined files suggest that some of these weapons were meant to be found in locked vaults or guarded by Specter Prime variants.
2. Unused Quen Settlement Caches
Early game files mention a Quen outpost that was later removed. This location might have contained a hidden Zenith armory.
3. Post-Game Boss Drops
Some unused boss fight triggers hint at a superweapon reward, possibly the Gravity Launcher, tied to an excised Zenith boss battle.
Why Were These Weapons Cut?
While Guerrilla Games has not officially commented, possible reasons include:
- Balance Issues: Some weapons may have been too overpowered, disrupting gameplay balance.
- Time Constraints: The Burning Shores DLC had a tight schedule, leading to some content being shelved.
- Future DLC Plans: These weapons could reappear in a sequel or another expansion.
How to Access Unused Weapons (Mods & Debug Commands)
While these weapons are not officially obtainable, PC players using mods or debug commands can sometimes enable them. However, this may cause instability or crashes.
Steps for Modders:
- Extract Game Files – Use tools like Horizon Mod Tool to access hidden assets.
- Enable Debug Menu – Some commands allow spawning unused items.
- Use Caution – Modding can corrupt saves or trigger anti-cheat measures.
Conclusion
Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition remains a masterpiece, but the discovery of unused Zenith weapons adds intrigue to its development. Whether these weapons were cut for balance or saved for future content, they showcase Guerrilla Games’ ambitious vision.
Could we see them in a future update or Horizon 3? Only time will tell.
Tags:
HorizonForbiddenWest #HFWCompleteEdition #ZenithWeapons #BurningShores #UnusedContent #GamingNews #GuerrillaGames #Aloy #PS5Exclusive #GameMods
Would you like to see these weapons in a future update? Let us know in the comments!
