Atomfall really stands out with its dynamic gameplay and the intrigue of multiple endings. As I navigated through the game, I often found myself wrestling with the consequences of my choices, trying to anticipate their impact on the storyline.
Among the significant threads in Atomfall, the narrative involving Dr. Garrow, a vital scientist entwined with the zone’s technology, takes center stage. Your initial encounter with her usually stems from a conversation with the Captain in Wyndham Village, who explains her imprisonment in Skethermoor Prison. Freeing her is crucial for one of the potential endings.
However, liberating Dr. Garrow isn’t a decision to be taken lightly. It not only shapes the ending you’re steering towards but also immediately ramps up the game’s difficulty, thanks to its far-reaching consequences.
So, let me break down the best strategy and why it’s essential to think before you act.
### What Happens If You Release Dr. Garrow Immediately?
In Skethermoor Prison, pulling the lever to release Dr. Garrow also frees all other prisoners, a move laden with significant repercussions. I won’t reveal too much of the story leading up to this point, but knowing she’s there means you’re already on the path towards rescuing her.
Following this lead is beneficial, primarily because it’s a straightforward way to obtain a Signal Redirector, a tool you’ll find indispensable throughout the game. My advice is to cozy up to the Captain a bit.
Once you’ve solved a task for the Captain—like cracking the murder mystery at the Church—he’ll grant you a pass permitting safe passage through the prison, provided you conduct an interrogation with Dr. Garrow. Lacking this pass means you’ll have to dodge or deal with numerous Protocol Soldiers, which complicates things when you free Dr. Garrow.
Upon freeing her without the pass, you transition into enemy territory, with Soldiers prepared to eliminate you on sight. Considering Dr. Garrow’s cell is deep within the prison, and assuming you haven’t unlocked the adjacent interchange door, escaping becomes a long, dangerous trek.
Confessing your actions to the Captain ceases his lead, making him and his troops hostile. Yet, there’s the option to free her and feign ignorance, assuming you make it out alive.
### How to Liberate Dr. Garrow Safely
The path of least resistance to freeing Dr. Garrow involves shadowing the Captain’s mission series. After a hasty demise from my initial liberation attempt, revisiting the Captain with the Signal Redirector in hand proved wiser. Dr. Garrow was still in custody, granting me some breathing room.
Dive deeper into his missions until he discusses the Interchange and Oberon. Achieving this trust level makes accessing the Skethermoor Interchange entrance a breeze and avoids any hostile encounters when freeing Dr. Garrow.
Once released, the Protocol Soldiers might react with caution but won’t attack, sparing you from the trespasser label and allowing you to simply stroll out as if nothing happened. Informing the Captain post-escape reveals Dr. Garrow’s liberation, prompting him to order her termination but not suspecting your involvement.
### After Freeing Dr. Garrow
Dr. Garrow sets off toward her next objective: the Interchange door near her cell. If this door is unlocked, she’ll linger there for your rendezvous; if not, she proceeds, rendering it a locked mystery for you.
Ultimately, she gravitates toward the Central Processor, with your method of reaching her hinging on previously opened doors. To continue the narrative, head here for further Dr. Garrow encounters.
Unlocking the path between Skethermoor Prison and the Interchange involves understanding the inner workings—power the lower chamber and tackle the lead to access crane controls. This setup allows you to remove obstacles, creating an open passage back to Dr. Garrow’s starting point.
Opting to bypass the Captain’s camaraderie is viable but requires navigating more convoluted processes. Still, given the density of Protocol Soldiers in the Interchange upon its initial opening, fraternizing with the Captain simplifies your journey and heightens your odds of success.
