Atomfall is a game that really sets itself apart, especially with its decision-based gameplay and multiple endings. As I explored the game, I found myself often pondering which choices to make and the best moments to act.
A key storyline in Atomfall involves Dr. Garrow, a crucial figure tied to the technology found in the zone. You’ll likely hear about her first from the Captain in Wyndham Village, as he has her locked up in Skethermoor Prison. One potential outcome in the game hinges on her release.
However, just like many other decisions in Atomfall, freeing Dr. Garrow comes with its own set of repercussions. Not only can it determine which ending you might reach, but it also affects how challenging the immediate game environment becomes. Here’s my take on the situation and some recommendations.
### What occurs if you release Dr. Garrow immediately?
Upon entering Skethermoor Prison, you’ll encounter a critical decision point: freeing Dr. Garrow by pulling a lever. Doing so doesn’t just liberate her; it releases all prisoners, and that can spell trouble for you.
Without giving too much away, if you’ve tracked down Dr. Garrow to this point, you’ve sparked a storyline where she seeks freedom. This route is definitely worth pursuing—it’s a straightforward way to obtain a Signal Redirector, a tool essential throughout your journey. My advice? Get on good terms with the Captain.
By completing a task, like the church murder mystery, you earn a pass that lets you navigate the prison safely, provided you plan to interrogate Dr. Garrow. Without this pass, you’ll face a gauntlet of Protocol Soldiers, leading us to what happens after freeing her.
If you simply head to Dr. Garrow, grab the Signal Redirector, and open her cell, you nullify the pass. You’re automatically marked as a trespasser, making you an open target for the soldiers.
Given Dr. Garrow’s cell location deep within the prison and assuming any surrounding doors are locked, escape becomes tedious. To make matters tougher, confessing to the Captain thereafter ends his line of trust, turning him and his soldiers against you. Alternatively, you could free her and then bluff your way out of a confrontation, if you manage to survive.
### Easier ways to free Dr. Garrow
The simplest path to liberating Dr. Garrow without setting off alarms is by sticking to the Captain’s mission track.
After an early game mishap when I released Garrow against better judgment, I went back, Signal Redirector in hand, to chat with the Captain—turns out, as long as she remains imprisoned, things are relatively calm.
Following through with the Captain’s tasks, especially those involving the Interchange and Oberon, builds the trust you need with the Protocol. This opens the Skethermoor Interchange door and allows you not only to release Dr. Garrow without causing a stir but also sidestep hostilities.
Once trusted by Captain Sims, you can go about freeing prisoners without being branded an intruder, casually exiting the prison thereafter.
When you update the Captain about Garrow’s escape, he’s nonchalant, asking you to deal with her instead of wondering who organized the breakout.
### What to anticipate after freeing Dr. Garrow
Once liberated, Dr. Garrow embarks on a path towards her own ending arc, heading to the Interchange door near her cell.
If previously opened, she waits your arrival at this door. If not, she’ll proceed, leaving it locked behind her. Eventually, she’ll be within the Interchange, and your mission is to track her to the Central Processor.
To unlock the passage from Skethermoor Prison to the Interchange, enter the latter, power up the lower sections, and gain control of the crane. This allows you to shift a storage unit blocking Detention, letting you access and unlock the door by Garrow’s cell.
This route is viable if you prefer not to get on Captain’s good side, although it’s more challenging. Without interactions and favors done for the Captain, you’ll have more hurdles to jump as Protocol Soldiers flood the now-accessible Interchange area. In terms of a smoother experience, building some rapport with the Captain remains your best bet.
