Atomfall is a fascinating game, bursting with multiple endings and a gameplay that relies heavily on the decisions you make. Throughout my journey in Atomfall, I’ve not only been making some dicey choices, but I’ve also spent a fair bit of time strategizing—figuring out what my next move should be and when to make it.
A central figure in Atomfall’s story arc is Dr. Garrow, a scientist deeply involved in the technology within the zone. It’s likely that your first introduction to Dr. Garrow will come from the Captain at Wyndham Village since she’s been locked up under his watch. You’ll find her in the confines of Skethermoor Prison, and following this lead is crucial if you want to unlock one of the game’s potential endings by setting her free.
However, as is often the case in Atomfall, freeing Dr. Garrow is not without its repercussions. The choices you make here can influence not only the ending you’re working towards but also how challenging the immediate gameplay becomes.
So, here’s my advice on how to navigate this situation wisely.
## What Happens If You Free Dr. Garrow Right Away?
In Skethermoor Prison, releasing Dr. Garrow isn’t straightforward. The moment you decide to pull the lever, it’s not just Dr. Garrow who gets released, but all prisoners—all of which can cause some trouble for you.
Without revealing too much of the storyline, if you already know about Dr. Garrow’s imprisonment, you’ve essentially unlocked the quest to free her. Delve into this quest because it’s an effortless way to obtain a Signal Redirector, a tool indispensable throughout your journey. My suggestion? It might be in your best interest to cozy up to the Captain.
By completing a task for him—solving the murder at the Church, perhaps—he’ll grant you a pass. This pass guarantees you safe passage through the prison on the condition that you agree to question Dr. Garrow. Without this pass, you risk run-ins with Protocol Soldiers, leading us to the situation you encounter by choosing to free her.
Should you march straight to Garrow, obtain the Signal Redirector, and release her, your pass becomes useless. You’ll find yourself a trespasser, with Protocol Soldiers opening fire on you at first sight. Given that her cell is tucked away deep inside the prison, navigating out will be quite the ordeal, especially with the possible locked door blocking a nearby exit.
Moreover, if you confess to the Captain about setting her free, this slip ends your collaboration with him, turning him and his crew against you. A potential workaround? Free her and keep it under wraps if you manage to make your getaway.
## How to Free Dr. Garrow the Easy Way
The simplest path to freeing Dr. Garrow with minimal hassle is to follow the Captain’s mission path closely.
After a rather swift defeat post-liberating Garrow, reloading the game allowed me to return to Wyndham to discuss matters with the Captain. Fortunately, with her still imprisoned, things remained calm.
Here’s the trick: take the Captain’s mission chain to the point where you learn about the Interchange and Oberon. Achieving this strengthens your standing with the Protocol.
This not only simplifies access to the Skethermoor Interchange but also lets you free Dr. Garrow without attracting any unwanted attention or hostility.
Now, upon triggering that lever and liberating the prisoners, although the Protocol Soldiers will react to the chaos, they won’t mark you as a trespasser. You can casually walk out as if nothing happened.
Touch base with the Captain afterwards, and he’ll mention Garrow’s escape and the need for her elimination. Yet, he won’t question your role in her release.
## What Happens After You Free Dr. Garrow
Dr. Garrow has a trajectory of her own that you can follow to unveil one of the game’s endings. Once released, she makes a beeline for the nearby Interchange door.
If you’ve already unlocked this door from the opposite side, expect her on the prison side, waiting for a conversation. If not, she’ll just stride on through, leaving the door locked for you.
Regardless, she will eventually aim for the Interchange. Your means of reaching her again hinge on the accessibility of the doors you’ve tackled. Make your way to the Central Processor to find her once more.
Opening the door between Skethermoor Prison and the Interchange requires you to be within the latter. You’ll need to power up the lower segment and pursue the lead to gain control of the crane.
Once crane operations are sorted, clear the storage container that blocks the Detention Quarter. This grants access, allowing a shortcut to Dr. Garrow’s cell.
Now, skipping friendly terms with the Captain is possible, but it involves tactfully unlocking this route to reach Dr. Garrow without the Captain’s aid. Although, with the Protocol Soldiers stationed in this part of the Interchange right after it opens, palling up with the Captain might provide the less stressful experience.
