“Atomfall” is definitely a standout experience, largely due to its branching endings and decision-focused gameplay. Throughout my journeys in the game, I’ve not only wrestled with tough choices but also with the delicate timing of what actions to take and when to take them.
One intriguing character in this narrative is Dr. Garrow, a pivotal figure in the zone’s technological backdrop. The first you’ll likely hear of Dr. Garrow is from the Captain in Wyndham Village. He’s got her detained in Skethermoor Prison, and one of the pathways to an ending involves her freedom.
However, freeing Dr. Garrow, like all choices in Atomfall, comes with its set of repercussions. These decisions influence not only the ending you might pursue but also the immediate difficulty of the game.
Here’s my advice on how to approach this situation.
### What to Expect When You Free Dr. Garrow Immediately
As soon as you hit that release lever, you’re not just letting Dr. Garrow out, but also every other prisoner in Skethermoor. This move will have direct consequences for you.
Without giving too much away, if you’re aware Dr. Garrow is in Skethermoor, you’ve already set the wheels in motion for this quest. Following this lead is crucial, as it unlocks the Signal Redirector—a key asset throughout the game. My first bit of advice is to cozy up to the Captain.
By helping him with tasks like unraveling the murder mystery at the Church, you’ll earn a pass, allowing you safe access through the prison. Without it, you’ll be dodging or fighting Protocol Soldiers, which brings us to the consequences of freeing Dr. Garrow outright.
If you go straight to her, secure the Signal Redirector, and open her cell, the pass becomes irrelevant. You’ll instantly become a trespasser, with Protocol Soldiers eager to shoot first, ask questions later.
Her cell is located at the back of the prison, so unless you’ve unlocked the nearby interchange door (which I hadn’t at this stage), you’re in for a long escape.
And if you have the guts to report your actions to the Captain afterward, he’ll terminate your lead and turn hostile. But, there’s the sly option to set her free and lie about it.
### The Smooth Route to Freeing Dr. Garrow
For a hassle-free liberation, follow the Captain’s mission trajectory.
After one unfortunate demise upon hastily freeing Garrow, I reloaded, Signal Redirector in hand, and consulted the Captain back at Wyndham. Garrow was safely detained.
The key is navigating the mission chain until you learn about the Interchange and Oberon. Doing so earns you the Protocol’s trust.
This makes opening the Skethermoor Interchange Entrance straightforward, allowing you to free Dr. Garrow without attracting aggression.
Once you do, the Protocol Soldiers will react to the release, but without the red trespassing alert, they’ll let you walk out unscathed.
Upon returning to the Captain, he’ll acknowledge Dr. Garrow’s escape, request her downfall, yet will not suspect you were involved.
### Aftermath of Dr. Garrow’s Freedom
Freeing Dr. Garrow unlocks another path leading to one of the game’s unique conclusions. She heads toward the Interchange door near her cell post-release.
If you’d previously unlocked it from the other side, she’ll wait for you there. If not, she’ll forge ahead, leaving you with a locked door.
Eventually, Dr. Garrow will head to the Central Processor. Depending on previously accessed areas, retracing her steps involves entering the Interchange.
To unlock the door from Skethermoor Prison to the Interchange, you need to energize the lower levels and follow the crane control lead.
Once you maneuver the crane, you’ll clear a path to the Detention Quarter, unlocking the door adjacent to Dr. Garrow’s cell.
Alternatively, if you’re wary of the Captain, this route allows access while avoiding the soldier-heavy Interchange, though befriending the Captain remains the most straightforward method.
Remember, each path in Atomfall is fraught with implications, making every choice worth pondering.
