Atomfall is a fascinating game, primarily due to its branching endings and decision-driven gameplay. My journey through Atomfall has involved its fair share of questionable choices, alongside the constant puzzle of figuring out the best course of action at any given moment.
One intriguing plotline revolves around Dr. Garrow, a scientist pivotal to the zone’s technology. Initially, you might hear about her from the Captain stationed at Wyndham Village. He’s got her detained in Skethermoor Prison, and freeing her is a critical step towards one of the game’s endings.
Here’s the kicker: in Atomfall, every choice comes with consequences. Freeing Dr. Garrow influences not only which conclusion you’re heading towards but also how challenging your immediate gameplay will become. With that in mind, here’s my advice on the best approach.
If you opt to release Dr. Garrow right away, be prepared for the fallout. Pulling that lever doesn’t just free her; it releases all the prisoners, which might lead to some tricky situations for you.
Without getting into too many spoilers, let’s just say knowing Dr. Garrow is imprisoned means you’ve unlocked the lead to ultimately free her. This path offers a reward—a Signal Redirector—essential throughout the game. My first suggestion is to curry favor with the Captain.
Help him with a task, like solving the murder mystery at the Church, and he’ll grant you a pass to traverse the prison safely, provided you agree to question Dr. Garrow. Without this pass, you’ll have to dodge or deal with numerous Protocol Soldiers, which brings us to the consequences of freeing her.
Act on Dr. Garrow’s request to let her escape right after acquiring the Signal Redirector and that safety pass becomes moot—you’re instantly labeled as trespassing, and the Protocol Soldiers won’t hesitate to fire.
Garrow’s location, deep within the prison, suggests a long and perilous journey out if you haven’t unlocked nearby doors. Informing the Captain of her release ends his storyline with a negative twist—he and his men will turn on you. On the flip side, if you manage to escape unharmed, you can always deny your involvement.
For an easier route, stick with the Captain’s missions. Dying during my impulsive attempt to release Garrow taught me a valuable lesson. On my second attempt, with the Signal Redirector in hand, I returned to the Captain in Wyndham, who was none the wiser about any escape.
Continue the mission chain until you’re briefed on the Interchange and Oberon. This unlocks enough trust with the Protocol to significantly ease your navigation through Skethermoor. Walk right in, release Garrow without triggering alarms, and leave as casually as you entered.
After freeing her, the Captain will merely inform you of her “escape” and suggest she be dealt with, without casting suspicion on you.
Once Garrow is free, she makes a beeline for the Interchange door near her cell. If you’ve unlocked it from the other side, she’ll wait for you; if not, she goes on her own, leaving it locked behind her. Either way, you’ll find her later at the Central Processor.
To get through the door between Skethermoor Prison and the Interchange, you’ll need to have powered up the lower area within the Interchange and followed the procedural leads to access the crane controls. This is where the effort of gaining the Captain’s trust pays off, as it offers the easiest path to Garrow without getting bogged down with too many Protocol confrontations.
Alternatively, you could bypass the Captain’s missions by working directly within the Interchange, but be prepared for heavier obstacles in terms of Protocol Soldiers. Building rapport with the Captain just makes life a whole lot easier in Atomfall.
