The Long Dark: Blackrock Blues Walkthrough

The Long Dark: Episode 4 – Chapter 1: Blackrock Blues Walkthrough & Guide.

The Long Dark: Blackrock Blues Walkthrough

After that very exciting cutscene, we now have to escape the convicts. Well, it does make sense when you think about it; not much survival gameplay to be had when you’re tied up by criminals.

Escaping is easier than you think. Mathis and his fellows will never find you no matter how long you stand in one place. And all your stats are frozen, so there’s no risk of dying from hypothermia while you’re hiding. The path is also extremely straight so no getting lost.

After you watch a cutscene where Mathis’s goons chat, the path will eventually open up from the narrow ravine you start in. It’s still a straight shot, so keep going until you see a run-down cabin on the left. There will be a saw stuck in the tree trunk out front that Will wants to use to cut the rope on his hands.

Now that your hands are free, it’s time to play the game we all know and love. Your stats are still frozen so you have to time to putz around and gather rosehips. When you’re ready to progress, continue on the path and climb up the vine-covered cliffs.

And it’s Mathis…. well that was a short escape sequence. Ah well, on to the chapter proper!

Great, we’re in jail. Not the best place, but at least our cellmate is friendly. Pop-up onto the toilet to have a nice chat with the former Warden of Blackrock Prison. He’ll fill you in on the backstory for the convicts, especially Mathis. Once you finish the conversation, there will be a lot of dialogue and then Will will talk his way out of the prison to get medical supplies. Good thing, since there isn’t much gameplay to sitting in a cell.

You’ll want to immediately search all the cars out front for supplies; Mathis took all our good gear from Episodes 1 and 2 so you only have the clothes on your back. The cars will set you up with basic clothing to prevent frostbite and a little food.

The prison entrance gates are locked so turn left to exit though a small chain fence. On the left is the infirmary that Will has so graciously volunteered to get medicine from.

Unfortunately…. it’s locked. So head right into the maintenance area to pick up some more goodies, including a prybar. You’ll also find a workbench, which you might want to use to make a torch. All the necessary materials are in the surrounding area and it will be on the only weapon against the many wolves stalking the prison. When you’re ready, exit the prison area entirely. Be careful, there’s a wolf eating a deer carcass right outside.

Now we could try and book it into the wilderness, but without any of our gear, it’s not a good idea. Not to mention the three wolves stalking the area. So instead turn left and hug the walls of the prison. Eventually you’ll come to another fence gate that will open and let you back into the complex (close the gate after you enter to keep the wolves out). Enter the building right in front of you and loot it for all it’s worth.

From the looks of it, this is probably the guards quarters. And the all important empty cans area in the kitchenette area. Once you’re done getting all the good stuff (and maybe patching up your clothes), head upstairs. You’ll come out on the roof and since this is a big-time prison, there are catwalks connecting all the buildings. You’ll just need to follow the walkways until you get to the roof of the infirmary. There isn’t a roof-top access door, but someone has graciously left the window open for Will to climb through.

Once in, you’ll want to search the area for more good stuff. To proceed with the story, turn right to find the nurse’s office and the medical storage area. Once you enter, the phone in the office will start ringing so go pick it up.

Ah, how familiar. Some mysterious woman calling from the internal telephone lines. While I don’t think it’s Molly from the voice, the two do have a somewhat similar sound to them. Anyways, the conversation will play out, leaving Will confused, and then it’s back to the objective. Pick up the note in the medicine cabinet and you’ll learn that the Blackrock staff had the brilliant idea to take their last remaining medical supplies and drive out into the wilderness with them. Genius guys…

From here, you’ll need to head back to the front entrance of the prison. Thankfully, you can leave via the normal door that was locked from the outside, so no having to dodge the wolves. The key to the prison entrance door was attached to to the note you got earlier. If you didn’t take the time earlier, go back to the magic fire outside the prison doors to do any prepwork before leaving the prison complex via the door below.

This leads to a little guard station. Make sure to check the weapons cabinet for a flare gun and some noisemakers. These are like little firecrackers that you light and then throw before the fuse runs out. While I don’t think you’ll be able to injure any wolves with them, the noise will scare all the animals in the vicinity. You’ll also get a blueprint for them so you can make more at a workbench. There are also a few notes that you can pick up to unlock more sidequests.

Anyways, back to the main quest. When we picked up the note in the infirmary, that also unlocked the map so take a look if you’re confused about where to go. But there’s only one road so you frankly shouldn’t get that lost. Just follow the road, making sure to search the first truck you come across for a hunting rifle, until you reach a fork. Go left and you’ll eventually come across a couple of cars and a climbing area sign on your right. Exit at the sign and you’ll immediately see a large bloodstain near a backpack.

From here, it’s basic follow the blood trail. There are three wolves that are roaming the area here, so it’s a good place to practice with the noisemaker. Eventually, the blood will lead you to an area with a climbing rope and cave further ahead.

Go for the cave. In front of it, you’ll find a dead prison guard (possible being snacked on by a wolf) and medical kit next to him. Search it for the precious antibiotics.

Now you just need to head back to Blackrock. If it’s getting late and/or you’re tired, feel free to take a rest inside the cave. There’s a moss bed that you can use to sleep if you haven’t found a bedroll.

As you approach the prison, a pop-up will inform you to hide your gear to prevent the convicts from confiscating it. You have to put most items in some kind of container, but there isn’t any risk of being caught in the act so feel free to hide it any any convenient one. And things like guts and hides can be left on the ground to dry. But be sure to drop ALL your gear, not just items you’d expect them to take away. I tested with all my clothing on, and they took my hat, gloves, and outer jackets.

Once you’ve stripped, approach the doors and end the chapter.