Quick Answer
Do the ending route after you have rebreather, keycard, reliable supplies, and a clear return plan. Separate key item collection from the final story push so you do not enter the last route underprepared.
Ending readiness
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Rebreather | Required for important water sections and route safety |
| Keycard | Opens major story access |
| Food and meds | The final push is not where you want survival basics to fail |
| Light and armor | Caves and facility routes punish poor prep |
| Save plan | Lets you test final choices or recover from mistakes |
Low-spoiler route
- Finish survival and key cave routes first.
- Collect rebreather and keycard before committing to the ending.
- Prepare food, meds, light, armor, and repair tools.
- Enter the final route only when you are ready to keep moving.
- After the ending, decide whether to continue cleanup and artifact-related content.
Common mistakes
- Treating the ending as a casual cave trip.
- Forgetting the keycard or rebreather and wasting the route.
- Bringing weak light and no food to a long story push.
- Looking up the full ending before deciding whether you want spoilers.