What's The Point in Dead Ends?

[HeOfManyGames]

I really dont understand the point of 'Dead Ends' (Which aren't even literal dead ends at all )

I searched 2 regions, the second one being packed with tonnes of great loot - loads of chemicals and plasma, tonnes of car customisation pieces etc. etc.

Fill up all spaces with loot, gather all anchors, bring up the map intending to open exit portal, only to see it just says 'dead end - abandon run'

Why though? there's a fully functioning and perfectly good gate I used to enter this region, why can I not just drive back the way I came? Oh because the gate is closed now for no apparent reason.

Like I get the map has to have borders, so of course eventually you wouldnt be able to go any further in any given direction, but why did anyone think it was a good game mechanic to punish exploration by baiting you in with loads of loot, allowing you to enter the region and then just turning round and going
'nah bad luck its a dead end, enjoy losing all the loot, time you spent and your car's health with absolutely no way of softening the blow'

Had an absolute blast in my first 6.5 hours , but having to rebuild my entire car from scratch, then going out on a recovery run only to be told all my time was wasted AND my freshly rebuilt car is now damaged again with no loot to show for it..... hate to say it about a game I've been praising so much, but does strike me as bad game design. :(

[LightManMage]

Originally posted by HeOfManyGames:

Why though? there's a fully functioning and perfectly good gate I used to enter this region, why can I not just drive back the way I came? Oh because the gate is closed now for no apparent reason.

Why I agree about being allowed to choose a Dead End as a destination choices makes no sense and I hope they patch it out (baring changing the settings to lose nothing on death and then idk looting a Dead End zone that has a lot of some resource you need) which seems like an odd choice.

The game and narrative both explain during the initial story/tutorial parts when explaining the whole gateway/anchor jump stuff that you can never go backwards along your route because of the instability storm that follows behind you. Later on it goes more into those gates turning red to stop people from driving into instability storms between more stabilized areas.

[HeOfManyGames]

Originally posted by LightManMage:

Originally posted by HeOfManyGames:

Why though? there's a fully functioning and perfectly good gate I used to enter this region, why can I not just drive back the way I came? Oh because the gate is closed now for no apparent reason.

Why I agree about being allowed to choose a Dead End as a destination choices makes no sense and I hope they patch it out (baring changing the settings to lose nothing on death and then idk looting a Dead End zone that has a lot of some resource you need) which seems like an odd choice.

The game and narrative both explain during the initial story/tutorial parts when explaining the whole gateway/anchor jump stuff that you can never go backwards along your route because of the instability storm that follows behind you. Later on it goes more into those gates turning red to stop people from driving into instability storms between more stabilized areas.

Ah fair point , I had temporarily forgotten the lore covered why backtracking is a no-go.

But yeh I agree, if it was me; I'd have included some harsher win condition for those zones instead of making them a total loss. For example, high energy requirement to open exit gateway, then you must voluntarily select and sacrifice a certain % of your loot....idk maybe something like that. You get punished but just not quite so harshly.

[CowboyKing06]

Do those places re-open? I also just did a great area last night but I booted it up and now it says road blocked along with around half my other points, am I just locked out of that for the rest of the game or will it eventually be available again kind of like how the instability storms plague the map?

[Denzel Joshington]

Just had exact same thing happen, especially since "Dead End - Don't go here" is too enticing to someone who plays for exploration. So, I hid out in the tiny epicenter of the zone as the yellow danger radius shrunk to a minimum. Then, a green unrecognized marker did show up at the end of the zone, that looked like a mission objective. I made a mad dash for it, using up healing packs to fight radiation, but I couldn't make it in time. Then the red kill radius followed and I was dunzo. Anyway, that green marker might be a way out or something. Now, my curiosity is killing me, but I don't want to go through that again.

[HeOfManyGames]

Originally posted by Denzel Joshington:

Just had exact same thing happen, especially since "Dead End - Don't go here" is too enticing to someone who plays for exploration. So, I hid out in the tiny epicenter of the zone as the yellow danger radius shrunk to a minimum. Then, a green unrecognized marker did show up at the end of the zone, that looked like a mission objective. I made a mad dash for it, using up healing packs to fight radiation, but I couldn't make it in time. Then the red kill radius followed and I was dunzo. Anyway, that green marker might be a way out or something. Now, my curiosity is killing me, but I don't want to go through that again.

Ooh thats interesting. Likewise though I'd be loathe to risk it - although one thought has occurred.... in the UK (in case you're not over here) green lighting is the universal default for emergency/fire exit. Maybe a saving grace?

[JDeezNutz]

Originally posted by Denzel Joshington:

Just had exact same thing happen, especially since "Dead End - Don't go here" is too enticing to someone who plays for exploration. So, I hid out in the tiny epicenter of the zone as the yellow danger radius shrunk to a minimum. Then, a green unrecognized marker did show up at the end of the zone, that looked like a mission objective. I made a mad dash for it, using up healing packs to fight radiation, but I couldn't make it in time. Then the red kill radius followed and I was dunzo. Anyway, that green marker might be a way out or something. Now, my curiosity is killing me, but I don't want to go through that again.

I've seen this a few times too and this is the first I've seen others talk about it! I thought It was a glitch caused by all the storm interference. When I've seen them they pop up sometimes while I'm driving to the gate before the storm has completely swallowed the zone. I've seen the green marker and I think it's the audio log lore piece marker. I've also seen a purple marker appear.......and have it move while the storm is closing, and the zone didn't have any radar obfuscation quirks either.

[HeOfManyGames]

Originally posted by JDeezNutz:

Originally posted by Denzel Joshington:

Just had exact same thing happen, especially since "Dead End - Don't go here" is too enticing to someone who plays for exploration. So, I hid out in the tiny epicenter of the zone as the yellow danger radius shrunk to a minimum. Then, a green unrecognized marker did show up at the end of the zone, that looked like a mission objective. I made a mad dash for it, using up healing packs to fight radiation, but I couldn't make it in time. Then the red kill radius followed and I was dunzo. Anyway, that green marker might be a way out or something. Now, my curiosity is killing me, but I don't want to go through that again.

I've seen this a few times too and this is the first I've seen others talk about it! I thought It was a glitch caused by all the storm interference. When I've seen them they pop up sometimes while I'm driving to the gate before the storm has completely swallowed the zone. I've seen the green marker and I think it's the audio log lore piece marker. I've also seen a purple marker appear.......and have it move while the storm is closing, and the zone didn't have any radar obfuscation quirks either.

I saw the purple marker too, though it didnt appear to move for me. My theory was that it may be a cache of premium loot, but to get it you've got to risk delaying your exit and potentially getting your car fried. I wimped out and didnt go for it, but I'd love to know if anyone else takes the plunge and figures it out.

[mentibee]

the purple marker is a cache of peculiar car parts, repair materials and rare resources. they appear only after most of the yellow storm has overtaken the map

[DarkNight5567]

purple is a cache of high tier gear blue is audio logs but I haven't seen green before I'm in a dead end zone so maybe I'll find it

[Wuzzterfuzz]

Originally posted by HeOfManyGames:

I really dont understand the point of 'Dead Ends' (Which aren't even literal dead ends at all )

I searched 2 regions, the second one being packed with tonnes of great loot - loads of chemicals and plasma, tonnes of car customisation pieces etc. etc.

Fill up all spaces with loot, gather all anchors, bring up the map intending to open exit portal, only to see it just says 'dead end - abandon run'

Why though? there's a fully functioning and perfectly good gate I used to enter this region, why can I not just drive back the way I came? Oh because the gate is closed now for no apparent reason.

Like I get the map has to have borders, so of course eventually you wouldnt be able to go any further in any given direction, but why did anyone think it was a good game mechanic to punish exploration by baiting you in with loads of loot, allowing you to enter the region and then just turning round and going
'nah bad luck its a dead end, enjoy losing all the loot, time you spent and your car's health with absolutely no way of softening the blow'

Had an absolute blast in my first 6.5 hours , but having to rebuild my entire car from scratch, then going out on a recovery run only to be told all my time was wasted AND my freshly rebuilt car is now damaged again with no loot to show for it..... hate to say it about a game I've been praising so much, but does strike me as bad game design. :(

The answer here is you are looting klim on a suicide mission. It IS a costly choice but you are rewarded by getting to keep more numerous and/or rarer forms of klim after death, the same junction will be available next run but now stable for you to go retrieve at least some part of your loot. I haven't yet returned to see what that actually ends up looking like.

But to expand on its use in gameplay, it is to force the player to choose to have setbacks in gear in exchange for klim or other resources that are either in an abnormal abundance or are usually rare. and by dying in that junction you can force it to become stable on the very next run allowing the other resources to be gathered.

Originally posted by Denzel Joshington:

Just had exact same thing happen, especially since "Dead End - Don't go here" is too enticing to someone who plays for exploration. So, I hid out in the tiny epicenter of the zone as the yellow danger radius shrunk to a minimum. Then, a green unrecognized marker did show up at the end of the zone, that looked like a mission objective. I made a mad dash for it, using up healing packs to fight radiation, but I couldn't make it in time. Then the red kill radius followed and I was dunzo. Anyway, that green marker might be a way out or something. Now, my curiosity is killing me, but I don't want to go through that again.

Originally posted by JDeezNutz:

Originally posted by Denzel Joshington:

Just had exact same thing happen, especially since "Dead End - Don't go here" is too enticing to someone who plays for exploration. So, I hid out in the tiny epicenter of the zone as the yellow danger radius shrunk to a minimum. Then, a green unrecognized marker did show up at the end of the zone, that looked like a mission objective. I made a mad dash for it, using up healing packs to fight radiation, but I couldn't make it in time. Then the red kill radius followed and I was dunzo. Anyway, that green marker might be a way out or something. Now, my curiosity is killing me, but I don't want to go through that again.

I've seen this a few times too and this is the first I've seen others talk about it! I thought It was a glitch caused by all the storm interference. When I've seen them they pop up sometimes while I'm driving to the gate before the storm has completely swallowed the zone. I've seen the green marker and I think it's the audio log lore piece marker. I've also seen a purple marker appear.......and have it move while the storm is closing, and the zone didn't have any radar obfuscation quirks either.

After testing this myself there is no green marker, however, I think I have found the culprit of people saying something pops up. because something DOES in fact pop up. It is an extra, stable anchor. (the area i was in was an unstable klim junction and yet it ignored that and was stable klim instead) I don't know why or by what mechanism it spawns. But I came fully prepared to last a very long time in the storm but ended up not needing it since the anchor spawned almost on top of my car.

I did not actually test if getting your car close to the new anchor would stop the damage from the storm. so perhaps that is its purpose? A small island of stability to repair your car? maybe a glitch? Or perhaps the whole thing was a coincidence and it was just an anchor spawning naturally because I know they can spawn nearby you just like the pneumatic deposit boxes do.

hope this helps!

[Wuzzterfuzz]

Upon going back I found my corpse with all my loot and the car parts that had been removed as penalty for me dying were where I had died.

[Valhalla Awaits]

Originally posted by Denzel Joshington:

Just had exact same thing happen, especially since "Dead End - Don't go here" is too enticing to someone who plays for exploration. So, I hid out in the tiny epicenter of the zone as the yellow danger radius shrunk to a minimum. Then, a green unrecognized marker did show up at the end of the zone, that looked like a mission objective. I made a mad dash for it, using up healing packs to fight radiation, but I couldn't make it in time. Then the red kill radius followed and I was dunzo. Anyway, that green marker might be a way out or something. Now, my curiosity is killing me, but I don't want to go through that again.

I also encountered two of those "mysterious" things that popped up when trying to extract from the map. They were always impossible to reach due to being WAY too far away from the exit. One was a stationary green one like you saw, but then I had a much weirder purple one with the same icon as my car, and it was ALSO racing for the exit zone, though much much further away, sadly never got to see what it was, but since it was moving and had a car icon, I suspect it's another car? Perhaps the *Redacted due to possible spoilers* the story somewhat hints at in the earlyish game? Guess I'll find out eventually.

[HeOfManyGames]

After my last session, can confirm the purple marker specifically.

After opening the exit portal, it arrives when the yellow closure zone is about 85% covering the map. Around this time the yellow closure speed slows, the purple marker will then move in at high speed and stop (crash). Its a space shuttle pod of some sort, if you risk travelling to it, you'll find it half buried in a small shallow crater and glowing/shimmering slightly. If it appears un-interactable , walk round its tail end until you find a small hatch. You can open it without tools and its contents are labelled as the 'payload'
For me it contained various normal/uncommon loot in decent quantities, plus some rarer decals, a steering wheel , a repair blowtorch, medkits and about 4 packs of repair putty. Given the contents are clearly randomised, I'd guess it could contain some pretty damn good stuff

I only risked it as the exit was on flat ground, nearby to the marker and my wagon was still full health. I had time to hesitate, loot, drop some stuff on the floor by mistake, pick it back up, fumble some more, U-turn and still made it back before the red zone even hit me. I'd say its worth going for, but only if you're comfortable and know you have a clear run to the exit. If you're already limping home, its likely not worth the risk; but if like my run you'd just gone for a chill 1 junction loot run and still have full health , I'd say go for it. The repair putty alone saves me from using any chemicals for like the next 3-5 runs.

[Burning like KELT-9b]

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3170228714

the purple markers are payload drops. the max number of drops ive seen is 3 but could be more. the drop is not guaranteed on every approaching storm. the loot is kinda meh, the best it can drop is putties, blowtorches, and plasma chargers. the peculiar items may look nice, but cant be repaired so its next to useless. use the ion shield to literally ignore the yellow and red storm. i went hunting those several times and here's what i got. you literally can shrug off the yellow one especially if you upgrade your own rad resistance; making doors no longer a necessity to survive

[Darkron]

Which spots you can and cannot open a gate in changes every run. Also in order to see all of the junctions a location can lead to you need to visit it once. Just wait until a run where that dead end is able to have a gate, and then go to it. Once you return to the garage you will see that it now connects to other locations. There are some that really are the end of the road, but they are only dead ends some of the time. This encourages you to pick different routes and destinations every run. Hope that helps.