The Hidden Path: Unraveling the Consequences of Emily’s Decision to Hide in Until Dawn
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In Supermassive Games’ thrilling horror title, Until Dawn, player choices have far-reaching consequences. A seemingly minor decision, such as whether to hide or confront a stranger while playing as Emily, can drastically alter the course of the game. Choosing to hide, specifically, sets off a chain of events that are crucial for both item acquisition and Emily’s survival. This article will explore the specifics of what happens when Emily decides to hide, as well as answering other related questions surrounding the game mechanics, and the fates of different characters.
What Happens if Emily Hides?
When Emily encounters the stranger, choosing to hide has immediate and significant consequences. Here’s a breakdown of what occurs:
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Distraction and the Fall: If Emily chooses to hide, something will distract the stranger, offering her a brief reprieve. However, this distraction leads to Emily falling down a slope. This is not a random event but a scripted part of the game mechanics directly linked to the decision.
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Unlocking the Path to the Collectible: This specific hiding and falling down the slope is the only way to access and find the collectible, 1952 #17. This is a vital piece of information for completionists or players who are keen on unraveling the lore and hidden secrets of Until Dawn.
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The Alternative Route: If the player chooses to have Emily turn back towards the stranger instead of hiding, she will be pushed down a different route. This alternative path does not lead to the 1952 #17 collectible and presents a different set of challenges.
Understanding the Impact of This Choice
The decision to hide has ramifications beyond simply finding a collectible. It sets Emily on a path that will test her resourcefulness and resilience. The fall, while seemingly a setback, is intentionally designed by the game’s developers to create a specific route that is both challenging and rewarding.
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The Conveyor Belt Challenge: Following the fall down the slope, Emily will find herself on a conveyor belt. She needs to navigate this precarious path carefully to avoid falling into the ore grinder below. This part of the game tests player timing and reflexes through a series of Quick Time Events (QTEs).
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The Flare Gun’s Importance: During the conveyor belt sequence, the presence or absence of the flare gun is crucial for Emily’s fate. If Emily has the flare gun and manages to jump or hop off the conveyor belt, she will have a chance to use it against the Wendigo, thus avoiding a potentially fatal bite. The flare gun becomes a crucial item during this chapter and its use affects Emily’s chance of survival later on.
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The Bite: A Near Certainty Without the Flare Gun: If she does not possess the flare gun or makes too many mistakes during the escape attempt and doesn’t grab the flare gun, she will be bitten. This bite has long-term implications in the story arc.
Frequently Asked Questions about Emily’s Choices and Fate
To provide a more complete picture of Emily’s situation and the implications of the players’ choices in Until Dawn, here are some frequently asked questions with detailed answers.
1. Can Emily prevent being bitten by the Wendigo?
Yes, but it hinges on whether she has the flare gun. If Emily does not have the flare gun, or does not grab the flare gun, she will automatically get bitten at the top of the conveyor belt. With the flare gun in hand, successful gameplay provides a chance to fend off the Wendigo and avoid being bitten.
2. What happens if Emily is bitten by the Wendigo?
If Emily is bitten, Sam will defend her and encourage the others not to immediately shoot her, assuring them she will be fine if Mike spares her and Ashley reveals the truth from the Stranger’s journal later in the game. If Mike kills Emily, she will be heartbroken and upset about her death.
3. What is the significance of Emily keeping the flare gun?
Keeping the flare gun opens up tactical options for Emily. She will have a choice to stow it away for later use or use it right away. If she stows it, she can use it in Chapter 8. If she fires it during the conveyor belt scene, the gun is lost and gone.
4. What happens if Emily fails Quick Time Events (QTEs)?
Failing QTEs during her encounter with the flamethrower guy or while escaping on the conveyor belt can lead to serious consequences for Emily, including being bitten or losing out on opportunities to use the flare gun.
5. Is there any way for Emily to survive if she doesn’t have the flare gun?
If you don’t give her the flare gun, she will always get bitten. There is no way to avoid this. This is a pivotal turning point for her character and how the others react to her condition.
6. Should Matt always try to save Emily, and what happens if he does?
If Matt tries to save Emily twice, she falls anyway, and Matt is tossed to a landing. Matt survives if he jumps to safety. If Matt tries to save Emily, he will be killed by the Wendigo unless he has the flare gun, which he can then use to defend himself.
7. What happens if Mike shoots Emily?
If Mike shoots Emily, this results in her permanent death. This usually happens when she was previously bitten by the Wendigo, and the others panic at the possibility of her turning into a creature.
8. Can you always save Emily until the end of the game?
Yes, if she isn’t killed by Mike and successfully navigates all the required encounters and QTEs. She can die in the lodge fire at the end if Sam fails a QTE and fails to save Mike or if she is the last surviving character.
9. What is a very bad ending in Until Dawn?
A very bad ending occurs when all of the main characters are dead. This means Chris, Ashley, Emily, Matt, Jessica, and Josh should all be dead by the time Sam reaches the lodge. Sam and Mike are the only ones left by the end to achieve this ending.
10. Does Emily’s willingness to accept help make a difference in her fate?
If Emily accepts help and follows through with going through the window and entering the cable car station, she will praise Matt (unless he’s not present when she exits the station), as they try to work together.
11. What happens when Chris hits Josh?
If Chris hits Josh, he will be knocked unconscious. This action will make Mike upset, and he will refuse to give Chris the gun during The Stranger’s arrival later in the game.
12. Does Emily get infected from a Wendigo bite?
While the others will initially fear Emily turning into a Wendigo, and this fear could even lead to Mike shooting her, they will discover later through the Stranger’s journal that the bites are harmless.
13. What is Emily’s ethnicity?
Emily is portrayed as a young Asian-American woman. She has black hair, brown eyes, an olive complexion and a birthmark above her right eyebrow.
14. What is the optimal direction Mike should take?
Mike should take a left. Going straight traps him in a cell, which wastes time, while going left allows him to continue more quickly.
15. What is the origin of the Wendigos in Until Dawn?
The Wendigos are humans who resorted to cannibalism on Blackwood Mountain and are now possessed by a spirit. Hannah, one of the main characters, becomes a Wendigo in this game due to these circumstances.
Conclusion: The Weight of Choices
The decision for Emily to hide in Until Dawn illustrates how a single choice can branch out into a network of consequences. From acquiring a crucial collectible to surviving a harrowing encounter with a Wendigo, this seemingly minor action sets the stage for pivotal moments in her story. The presence or absence of the flare gun, combined with player decisions, determines whether she’ll face a harrowing bite and the subsequent drama with her friends, or become a stronger survivor, capable of defending herself against the monstrous creatures of Blackwood Mountain. It’s this intricate interplay of cause and effect that makes Until Dawn a compelling horror experience, highlighting the weight of every choice the player makes.