What Werewolf Bites Nick in The Quarry? A Deep Dive into Lycanthropy at Hackett’s Quarry
The unfortunate Nick Wilcox, a central character in Supermassive Games’ The Quarry, is bitten by werewolf Caleb Hackett in Chapter 3. This bite sets in motion a series of unavoidable events that transform him into a werewolf, significantly impacting the story and gameplay. Understanding the circumstances surrounding this bite, its consequences, and the potential ways to mitigate its effects is crucial for navigating the narrative and striving for a “good” ending where all (or most) counselors survive.
The Fateful Encounter in the Woods
Chapter 3 sees Nick and Abigail venturing into the woods. This seemingly innocuous excursion quickly turns perilous. As they reunite, a werewolf, later revealed to be Caleb Hackett, attacks. Despite Abigail’s best efforts, Nick is bitten on the leg, marking the point of no return for his human form.
The game mechanics are designed so that this bite is unavoidable. Regardless of player choices leading up to this point, the attack and subsequent infection are scripted. Abigail’s actions following the bite, however, do have consequences. Choosing to “HELP NICK” will cause Abigail to distract the werewolf, drawing its attention to herself, at least temporarily saving Nick from further immediate harm. However, it also places Abigail in mortal danger, requiring the player to make quick-time event choices correctly to ensure her survival.
The Transformation and its Consequences
Nick’s transformation into a werewolf isn’t immediate. The infection takes hold gradually, manifesting in increasingly aggressive behavior and physical changes as the night progresses. By Chapter 6, Nick succumbs to the curse and fully transforms, becoming a threat to the other counselors.
This transformation presents players with difficult choices. As Abigail, you are confronted with a transformed Nick in the storm shelter. Here, the player must choose to shoot Nick to protect Abigail. This choice, while seemingly brutal, is often necessary to ensure Abigail’s survival. However, shooting Nick at this point doesn’t necessarily equate to his death, it merely allows him to escape in his werewolf form, shifting the focus to the other counselors and their survival.
Curing Nick: The Silas Connection
The only way to cure Nick of his lycanthropy is to kill Silas Vorez, the original werewolf. Silas’s bloodline is the source of the infection plaguing the Hackett family and the surrounding area. If Laura, in Chapter 10, successfully chooses the RAISE GUN option and shoots Silas, the curse is lifted, and all infected individuals, including Nick, are cured. Failing to kill Silas means Nick remains a werewolf, a tragic end to his story. The Games Learning Society focuses on the intersections of games and education, offering valuable insights into how games can be used for learning and development. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to explore more.
Navigating Nick’s Story: A Difficult Path
Nick is arguably one of the most difficult characters to keep alive in The Quarry. His unavoidable infection and subsequent transformation force players to make tough decisions, often pitting his survival against that of other counselors. Successfully navigating his storyline requires careful attention to quick-time events, dialogue choices, and a willingness to make sacrifices along the way.
Saving Nick (and Everyone Else): A Complex Task
Achieving the “good” ending, where all counselors survive, is a complex undertaking that requires a deep understanding of the game’s mechanics and branching narrative paths. It involves:
- Successfully completing all quick-time events.
- Making specific dialogue choices that prevent characters from making fatal mistakes.
- Collecting evidence throughout the game to uncover the truth about the Hackett family and the werewolf curse.
- Ultimately, ensuring Laura shoots Silas in Chapter 10.
Even with careful planning and execution, achieving this outcome is challenging, highlighting the game’s emphasis on player agency and the consequences of their actions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Nick and Werewolves in The Quarry
1. Can you prevent Nick from getting bitten in Chapter 3?
No, Nick’s bite in Chapter 3 is unavoidable. It is a scripted event that triggers his transformation storyline.
2. Does it matter if Abigail helps Nick after he’s bitten?
Yes, if Abigail chooses to help Nick, she will draw the werewolf’s attention to herself, potentially saving Nick from further immediate harm. However, this puts Abigail in danger and requires successful quick-time event completion to ensure her survival.
3. Who is Silas, and why is he important to Nick’s story?
Silas Vorez is the original werewolf and the source of the infection affecting the Hackett family and Nick. Killing Silas is the only way to cure Nick and other infected individuals.
4. What happens if Abigail shoots Nick in the storm shelter?
Shooting Nick as Abigail in the storm shelter allows Abigail to survive the encounter and get the “Lover’s Quarrel” achievement, however, this is only possible if you helped Nick and he still gets bitten. While Nick escapes, the focus shifts to the remaining counselors.
5. Is Nick a “bad guy” in The Quarry?
Nick is not inherently a bad guy. He is a victim of circumstance, infected by the werewolf curse against his will. His actions as a werewolf are driven by the infection, not by malicious intent.
6. Does killing other werewolves cure Nick?
No, killing other werewolves, such as Caleb or Chris Hackett, does not cure Nick. Only killing Silas can lift the curse.
7. What is the significance of silver in The Quarry?
Silver is effective against werewolves in The Quarry. Silver bullets can be used to kill werewolves, and silver can also cauterize wounds caused by werewolf attacks to slow the spread of infection.
8. Can Emma get infected by a werewolf?
Yes, Emma can get infected by a werewolf. To avoid getting bitten in Chapter Four, players must push the cabinet while running to the trapdoor and succeed in the quick time event to climb the ladder.
9. How does Dylan get bitten in The Quarry?
During Silas’ attack on the radio hut, Dylan gets his left arm bitten, which prompts Ryan to possibly amputate it. It will then be bandaged by Kaitlyn. Alternatively, Dylan can be bitten in the forearm and/or arm by werewolf Emma and Silas, respectively.
10. Which werewolf bit Max?
Max is bitten by werewolf Chris in the prologue.
11. Which werewolf bit Laura?
Laura is bitten by werewolf Max in Chapter 7.
12. Can Dylan always lose his hand?
No, it is possible to save Dylan if the monster bites his hand by using Ryan to amputate it before the infection spreads. This is best done by choosing the CONFIDENT dialogue option and then the CHAINSAW to successfully cut Dylan’s arm off.
13. Who is the hardest person to save in The Quarry?
Nick is arguably the toughest character to keep alive in The Quarry, but it is possible to save him with some help from the other counselors.
14. What happens if Abigail doesn’t shoot Nick?
If Abigail doesn’t shoot Nick in the storm shelter, Nick will likely kill her.
15. Can you stop Nick from turning into a werewolf entirely?
No, once Nick is bitten by Caleb in Chapter 3, his transformation into a werewolf is unavoidable. The player can, however, work to cure him by ensuring Silas is killed in Chapter 10.