(Image credit: Rebellion)
Making the decision whether to assist the Scientist in Atomfall is the initial choice awaiting players as they awaken in a shadowy bunker, devoid of memories of their past. Though the Scientist is in dire need of medical care, this moment sets the stage for Atomfall’s open-ended gameplay, offering diverse paths to explore depending on the character you wish to embody. To guide you through this pivotal choice, let’s delve into the outcomes of aiding, intimidating, or confronting the Scientist in different ways.
The first, and perhaps most instinctive path, is to aid the Scientist in Atomfall. Utilize the Bandage Recipe they’ve provided to craft a crucial healing item. The bunker is stocked with Alcohol and Cloth—essential components for crafting, accessible via the Crafting tab in the game’s menu. By opting to be Helpful and giving the Bandage to the Scientist, they will reciprocate with a Modified Keycard and the DO NOT FORGET Note, directing you towards the Interchange. Use the Modified Keycard on the Card Reader at the top of the stairs and make your exit.
For those inclined to a more assertive approach, you might choose to threaten the Scientist in Atomfall. However, using the Blunt option with forceful demands proves ineffective, with the Scientist challenging you to consider, “ask yourself… if that is the sort of person you are?” Alternatively, selecting the Bargaining option coaxes them to concede, acknowledging they’re “hardly in a position to negotiate,” before yielding the Modified Keycard and the DO NOT FORGET Note. Utilize this opportunity to collect crafting materials to retain for later use.
Lastly, there’s the direct and hostile choice: eliminating the Scientist in Atomfall. Engage them through the Takedown prompt or with single, decisive actions. Upon the Scientist’s demise, retrieve the Modified Keycard and the DO NOT FORGET Note from their remains, and gather residual crafting materials in the vicinity before escaping through the bunker portal.
Of all these choices, my personal recommendation leans towards not assisting and instead confronting the Scientist’s vulnerability due to their exposure during the Windscale disaster. Such exposure might render them a formidable adversary should their health continue to wane. Beyond this bunker lies a door, needing an Atomfall Signal Redirector, which you’ll only encounter further into your journey. Unforeseen developments could emerge upon revisiting this place, so caution is advised. For a more extensive strategic outlook, explore this guide on the top Atomfall Skills to prioritize unlocking and a comprehensive walkthrough on accessing the Forgotten Cellar in Atomfall.