Among completionists, speedrun achievements often provoke diverse opinions. However, I personally find them exhilarating and rewarding. These trophies challenge players not just to master gameplay but to showcase their skills by completing the game efficiently, akin to executing a perfectly synchronized performance.
One such thrilling experience was earning the platinum trophy for Atomfall. Despite the game’s expansive and intricate world, I confidently completed the five-hour speedrun required for this achievement. It’s achievable, and I’m excited to share a structured guide to help others feel like seasoned speedrunners.
Essential Information Before You Begin
Before you hit play, consider the following tips and prerequisites to streamline your run:
- Opt for ‘Sightseer’ difficulty. This setting minimizes enemy aggression, allowing you to maneuver through hazardous areas more easily.
- Familiarize yourself with the game’s layout, as the absence of fast travel can hinder progress.
- Aim for the ‘Not Expecting Any Calls’ achievement during your run; avoid answering any phone calls, except the one that concludes the game.
Let’s dive into the full walkthrough for the speedrun. While this route might present more challenges than simpler paths, it’s designed for a brisk sub-hour completion. If you’re ready, let’s get started!
Step One: Proceed to Wyndham Village
Speed is essential right from the start! Quickly skip through the introductory dialogue. If you’re not given the keycard by the NPC, don’t hesitate to knock them out to take it.
Next, navigate through the security door and exit the bunker, ignoring the Outlaw in the lush surroundings. Head down the hill until you encounter Nat Buckshaw. Once again, feel free to take them out to acquire a basic melee weapon early in your run—essential for your journey ahead.
For those seeking an extra edge, there’s a shotgun available in the building across from Nat, though it’s optional. After that, make your way directly to Wyndham Village.
Step Two: Align with Captain Sims
Upon entering the village, you have two main objectives: collect two Atomic Batteries and win over Captain Sims’ trust. Both tasks can be completed swiftly.
First, proceed to St Katherine’s Church. Inside, eliminate the Vicar and Pam to loot the Vicar’s Key. This enables you to unlock the upstairs chest containing the first Atomic Battery.
Next, exit the church and head to the Wyndham Village Garage, located at coordinates (35.6E, 79.2N), to retrieve a note and keys to Philip’s room in the Bakery.
Using the keys, go to the bakery, ascend the stairs, and defeat the infected Philip. Be prepared for Iris’ attack afterward as well. Once Captain Sims is informed, he will grant access to Skethermoor contingent upon a conversation with Dr. Garrow.
Don’t rush to Skethermoor just yet! Instead, head back to Slatten Dale and visit the Trader Camp at (26.4E, 79.1N) to barter with Molly for an Atomic Battery. If you need additional high-value items for trade, consider searching June’s Lockbox or the Brewery Cellar in Wyndham Village.
Step Three: Exploring Skethermoor Prison
Your next destination is Skethermoor Prison, where you will need to acquire a Signal Redirector to power Central Processing.
Thanks to your alliance with Captain Sims, entering should be straightforward. Look for a keycard near the entrance for quick access.
Venture through the prison cells toward the solitary confinement wing where Dr. Garrow is being held. Instead of approaching her directly, turn left into a room, crawl through a small space, and you will find a Signal Redirector on the shelves.
After obtaining this item, feel free to loot the area for essential supplies like weapons and consumables before making your way out.
Step Four: Visit Skethermoor Sites
While the prison is a key milestone, there’s still more to accomplish in Skethermoor. First, approach the Interchange entrance on the prison grounds, marking your first ‘Trespass’ area—make sure to save your game here.
Stealth is crucial as you approach the door, use your Signal Redirector to unlock it, and enter cautiously. Avoid alerting protocol soldiers; if caught, dash through to the large security door where they won’t follow.
Once inside, head toward Central Processing and insert an Atomic Battery to power this section. Also, loot the Hi-Power 9mm from a body, which will serve as your primary weapon alongside your melee armament.
Afterwards, proceed to Sector Bravo to insert an additional Atomic Battery and then retrace your steps out of Skethermoor using the route you came in.
Your final stop in Skethermoor is Nora’s Barn at (41.9E, 75.8N), where you can trade for the last Atomic Battery required. Make sure your inventories are well-stocked before heading back to Wyndham Village.
Step Five: Locate the Other Interchange Doors
With three Atomic Batteries secured, your next focus shifts to navigating the Interchange, leading you towards Windscale.
Exit Wyndham Village towards Casterfell Woods and take an immediate left upon reaching the outskirts to find a door leading to the Interchange.
Enter this large vault and traverse Sector Alpha until you reach the room with the blue infection mist surrounding the battery slot. It’s advisable to save your progress here and replenish your health.
Be aware that the blue infection smog drains your health, and exploding plant pods can easily kill you if you’re not careful. To succeed here, move quickly, eliminate pods, insert the Battery, and retreat. Though challenging, with practice, it’s achievable.
Once done, return to Wyndham Village and proceed to the Interchange door located in Slatten Dale, which provides access to Sections C and D. Keep in mind you still lack one battery; this step may prove difficult.
Prepare yourself for a fight against one of the B. A.R. D.robots in Robotics. Aim to overheat it and extract the battery once it pauses for temperature regulation. This robot is less troublesome than the flamethrower variant.
Post-battle, continue to sectors Charlie and Delta, insert the Atomic Batteries into their dedicated spots, and head up toward Central Processing for the grand conclusion.
Step Six: Navigating Windscale
With all batteries in place, ascend to Central Processing and use the Signal Redirector on the floor panels to access and initialize the central mainframe, paving your way into Windscale.
Before proceeding, ensure you have crafting materials for bandages and possibly a First Aid Kit, allowing some leeway for error.
Enter Windscale and prepare to traverse the initial area leading into thick blue mist. It may seem daunting, but a safe path exists. Immediately run straight ahead and ascend the stairs into a safe zone.
Continue forward, promptly running toward the tunnel to your right while dodging Ferals. Upon exiting the tunnel, treat your health with bandages or a First Aid Kit.
Next, climb to the right, avoid any nearby Thralls, and make your way across the bridge through the hazardous area, as you’ll only receive minimal damage here.
This route will lead you directly to the Oberon Dig Site.
Step Seven: The Oberon Dig Site
Since core gameplay elements have yet to be integrated, your sole objective now is to blow up Oberon.
Ascend to the facility and take the first door on the right. Here, you’ll encounter a Thrall—defeat it swiftly and collect the storage room keycard.
Head down the hall and into the second room on the left where you’ll find loot and an Atomic Battery. Don’t forget to explore the left section of the facility, where a second Atomic Battery is located near some robots.
To trigger the self-destruct mechanism, you must interact with two panels controlling the explosives, one near the mutated plant and another at the far end of the slope. Keep an eye out for approaching flamethrower robots; caution is advised.
Once you interact with both explosive panels, return to the facility’s central area where you can insert two Atomic Batteries to energize the facility. A Thrall might be present, so be prepared with your melee weapon.
After powering the batteries, exit through the right side of the facility near where you entered and interact with two additional explosive panels at the end of the slope and tucked in a corner.
For the challenging corner panel, navigate through a tunnel at the slope’s top and deal with any Ferals you encounter, as they’re easier to manage than the robots.
Return along your path and make your way back to the facility’s central area. There, you will find a lever on the top right control panel that initiates the self-destruct sequence. Pull this lever and make a hasty exit!
Step Eight: Escape the Quarantine
Your aim now is to retrace your steps back through Windscale. The silver lining: with the explosion set, the blue infection is no longer a threat.
A number of Druids will populate the area, but in Sightseer mode, they will remain passive as long as you don’t approach too closely or engage.
Exit Windscale via the doors leading back to Slatten Dale. From here, your destination is the bunker where your adventure began. Mark it on your map and head over!
Once inside, navigate to the room where you started your journey, noting that the scientist you dealt with is now a Thrall. You can easily bypass them.
Look for the phone that begins to ring.Answer it and request to escape—just like that, your remarkable speedrun is complete. If you followed all instructions accurately, you should finish well under the five-hour limit and earn the Quick Exit trophy. Congratulations!
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