Atomfall offers a unique gaming experience with its branching storylines and decisions that truly matter. Much of my exploration of Atomfall has involved navigating tricky choices and deciding the right moments to act.
The character Dr. Garrow emerges as a central figure, involved in the core technology within the game’s zone. She first gets mentioned through a conversation with the Captain in Wyndham Village, who has her imprisoned in Skethermoor Prison. One of the game’s possible endings hinges on freeing her.
Freeing Dr. Garrow isn’t a straightforward decision. Each choice in Atomfall sets off a chain reaction, affecting not just the ultimate outcome but also the challenges you’ll face immediately afterward.
Here’s some advice on how to handle this particular situation and why it’s the best approach.
What Happens If You Free Dr. Garrow Right Away?
If you release Dr. Garrow immediately, you’re in for a wild ride. Pulling the lever in Skethermoor Prison unleashes her along with all other inmates, which can complicate things significantly.
Without divulging too much or spinning the entire narrative, knowing that Dr. Garrow is detained at Skethermoor gives you the first clue that you’ll eventually need to free her. This path is particularly lucrative as it provides a Signal Redirector—an essential tool throughout the game. To avoid future headaches, I suggest gaining the Captain’s favor.
By completing tasks like solving a murder at the Church for the Captain, you earn a pass for safe transit through the prison, as long as you agree to interview Dr. Garrow. This pass prevents you from tangling with Protocol Soldiers unnecessarily when you opt to set her free.
However, if you decide to release Garrow straight away after obtaining the Signal Redirector, any passes become irrelevant. You’ll quickly find yourself an intruder, with guards ordered to shoot on sight. Worse still, if you inform the Captain of her escape, his mission with you ends abruptly, and he becomes hostile. On the upside, lying to him about her escape can save you if you manage to slip away.
The Simplest Way to Liberate Dr. Garrow
For a less risky liberation, stick with the Captain’s mission chain. After my own premature attempt led to instant failure, I reloaded the game, junked the direct approach, and returned to Wyndham to chat with the Captain while comfortably still having Dr. Garrow in her cell.
Following the Captain’s instructions up to when he discusses the Interchange and Oberon establishes the necessary trust with the Protocol. This simplifies accessing the Skethermoor Interchange entrance, allowing you to walk in confidently, ready to free Dr. Garrow without hassle.
Once her release is set in motion, Protocol guards might react, but they won’t see you as a threat, sparing you any hostile engagements. You can nonchalantly exit the prison, no one the wiser. When you return to update the Captain, he’ll simply tell you she fled and assign her as a target without suspecting your involvement.
After Dr. Garrow’s Release
After you free her, Dr. Garrow follows her own story arc leading to one of the multiple endings. She makes her way to the Interchange door near her cell. If you’ve unlocked this door from the other side, you can chat with her right there. If not, she proceeds through, locking it behind her.
Her ultimate destination is the Central Processor. Your path to reconnect with her depends largely on which routes you’ve initially opened. To do this, head to the Central Processor inside the Interchange.
To unlock the door connecting Skethermoor Prison and the Interchange, ensure you’ve powered the lower area and manage to access the crane controls. By doing so, you move the storage container blocking the Detention Quarter’s access, enabling you to pass through and directly unlock Garrow’s cell door.
This route is ideal if you’re keen to avoid becoming too cozy with the Captain. However, the presence of many Protocol Soldiers in the Interchange suggests that gaining the Captain’s trust remains the simpler path.
