Atomfall is a game that really stands out, largely because of its branching storylines and decision-based gameplay. Throughout my journey in Atomfall, I’ve found myself making some dubious choices and spending a significant amount of time figuring out the right path to take and the right moment to act.
One intriguing storyline involves Dr. Garrow, a scientist who plays a key role in the tech found within the zone. Dr. Garrow first comes onto the scene through the Captain in Wyndham Village, where it’s revealed she’s been imprisoned in Skethermoor Prison. A critical path to one of the game’s endings lies in your decision to set her free.
However, like most choices in Atomfall, freeing her is not without its complications. It doesn’t just influence the ending you’re striving toward; it also impacts your immediate challenges in the game.
So, let’s dive into what you might do and why it might be worth it.
### What happens if you free Dr. Garrow right away?
I won’t delve too deeply into spoilers or recount every detail up to this point, but if you’ve reached the part where you learn Dr. Garrow is in Skethermoor Prison, then you’ve already triggered the storyline that sees her yearning for freedom.
There’s a good incentive to follow this thread because it’s one of the easier ways to acquire the all-important Signal Redirector, essential throughout your adventure. My advice? Try to get on the Captain’s good side.
Help him out—maybe solve the Church murder mystery—and in return, he’ll give you a pass for safe travel through the prison, provided you agree to interrogate Dr. Garrow. Without this pass, you’ll have to sneak past or confront the Protocol Soldiers when you decide to free her.
Now, if you directly free Garrow, snag the Signal Redirector, and go along with her escape plan, your shiny new pass becomes irrelevant. You’ve essentially turned yourself into a trespasser, and the Protocol Soldiers will shoot on sight.
Considering Garrow’s cell is tucked at the back of the prison and any nearby exits are likely locked, making your getaway could be tough.
It gets worse—if you confess to the Captain afterward about letting her out, it’ll close the storyline with him, and he and his men may decide to come after you. Of course, you could set her free and tell a fib to the Captain, providing you can get past your sticky getaway.
### How to free Dr. Garrow the easy way
An easier and safer route to liberate Dr. Garrow involves diligently following the Captain’s mission chain.
After surviving an impulsive attempt to free Garrow, I reloaded my game, retrieved my Signal Redirector, and had another chat with the Captain while Garrow was still serving time. So far, so good.
It’s crucial to continue on the Captain’s path until you’re briefed on the Interchange and Oberon. By achieving this, you’ll earn enough trust to avoid hostile encounters with the Protocol.
Not only does this trust let you casually stroll through the Skethermoor Interchange entrance, but it also allows you to free Dr. Garrow without causing a stir.
Upon triggering her release, Protocol Soldiers will react, yet they’re surprisingly chill about it, letting you walk out without issue.
Return to the Captain, and he’ll clue you in that Garrow’s on the loose with a directive to eliminate her. Curiously, he won’t even suspect you played a role in her escape.
### What unfolds after Dr. Garrow is free
Once liberated, Dr. Garrow is driven to pursue her own storyline, heading to a door near her holding area.
If you’ve preemptively unlocked this passage, she’ll pause inside the prison, waiting for a chat. If not, she’ll proceed through, trapping you on the opposite side.
Eventually, she makes her way to the Interchange. How you find her depends on which access points you’ve managed to unlock. Her destination? The Central Processor.
To unlock the door connecting Skethermoor Prison and the Interchange, you’ve got to power up the lower area and gain access through the crane controls.
Getting these controls working moves a storage container, granting access to the Detention Quarter and getting you right by Garrow’s cell.
This method offers an alternate path to Dr. Garrow, bypassing the need for Captain Sims’ favor. It’s more challenging but a viable option if you prefer to go it alone. But, with so many Protocol Soldiers on patrol, teaming up with the Captain makes things a whole lot easier.
