Lass

This episode is more puzzle-ish than the others, so the fun is in figuring it out. However, had I known some things, it would have saved me a lot of time and frustration. The map you see at the start shows initial key locations. Other markers will appear when you discover things on the map, often bits of paper. Be diligent in examining bits of paper. By the end you will have covered the entire PV map. However, if you just went Survival mode and covered the map first, some of the things wouldn't be visible yet, so work the main storyline. Some in the forums say you'll find everything you need if you follow the main storyline. That's mostly true, but you'll probably end up at the end with gaps. I finally went to the forums for one thing, a "Tall Tale". I learned you can't get that quest until you finish the main storyline, which ends by talking to the priest, as directed. You'll know you're there when he's standing on the stage behind a lectern looking morose. You may have to stand behind him to get him to talk to you. There is a revolver almost from the very first hour. I missed it, and played through the entire Episode 3 before I saw its location in a YouTube video. It's in a logical location. Don't go too far before you've found it because it's terribly useful. Give me props for completing this sucker without it. lol Bring tea. Finally, read quests carefully. Once or twice I thought I understood, then went back and realized I'd made a false assumption. At the end, in the mine, there's an area that has lots of flares. Find it and you won't lack for light. Oh, and I saved (you can, of course, in story mode) often, but the game is also autosaving. You can restart at the autosaves. I didn't use my named game save unless I'd completed something that progressed me. That was very helpful at the very end, when I took too long, used up flares and felt I should restart the entire final effort. That final "Aftermath" piece seriously discouraged me at first. I felt I was failing and went to bed sad. But I roused myself, came back and finished the thing and left with a feeling of elation. It's a great story chapter.

I personally just loved this episode. I binged on it, dreamed about it when I ran into problems (why can't I talk to Father Thompson? How the heck does this mine tunnel thing work?) I know all the region maps well, am experienced, and felt I was using all the knowledge and skills I'd earned to play this episode through. Some are picking apart details here, but overall I think this is a splendid update and job well done. Thanks, Hinterland.

This is on the issue of the priest not talking to you at the end. I completed absolutely everything except the last Tall Tale. You need to talk to him before you can get that last Tale mission. I spent hours retracing my steps, checking my journal, going back to him, he still wouldn't talk to me. I'd stand in front of him, go up on the stage and stand next to him.... Then somewhere in the forums someone said "Stand behind him." THAT WORKED! Oh man what a relief, but kinda sneaky.

No one seems to have mentioned this. If you're coming from the farmhouse or anywhere in the central PV valley, and you go to the river separating farmhouse from Skeeter, you'll find a new ruined house right along the river. Behind it is an easy path directly up to the plane. You also begin to see suitcases littering the path, and the path passes the excellent cave which I've used in Survival mode. The cave can serve as a base while you're looting all the suitcases to get more clothing and food than you ever dreamed of. I suppose you could do the episode without looting everything, but that's habit for me, from Survival. From Thomson's settlement to Joplin's cache #1 (the TWM rope location), head straight up--let's call it north--either using the path or the river, and find the new house near the last bridge. It's useful for hunting and as a step base for hauling back stuff from the cache. Then haul your loot to derelict houses (firepit there) and back to town. It's really useful to have a printout of the PV map from Wiki, for plotting routes.