How to Save Everyone in Directive 8020

A step-by-step guide to keeping all 5 playable characters alive and unlocking the true ending — “Eisele the Humanitarian.”

❌ Carter and Simms Cannot Be Saved — This Is By Design

Many players get confused trying to save Carter and Simms. Please understand: their deaths are scripted story events. No matter what choices you make, both characters will die in their pre-determined scenes. Do not waste time trying to change this. Focus on protecting the 5 playable characters: Young, Stafford, Eisele, Cernan, and Cooper.

Character Survival Tracker

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CarterScripted Death

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SimmsScripted Death

Predicted Route:Best Ending (Eisele the Humanitarian)

5 of 5 playable characters alive

Key Choices by Episode

Episode 1: Little Star(4 key choices)

After the hull breach, how do you respond?

✓ RecommendedTake time to properly seal the hull breach before proceeding.

Crew relationship improves. Slower progress but safer outcome.

✗ AvoidAbandon the breach zone and rush to safety.

Faster evacuation but crew loses trust in your judgment.

Stafford relationship penalty

Stafford confronts you about the situation. How do you respond?

✓ RecommendedShow respect for Stafford's authority and honor his position.

Stafford relationship improves significantly. Opens better options in Episode 4.

Stafford +

✗ AvoidBeg Stafford to see things your way.

No significant benefit. Stafford views you as weak under pressure.

Stafford -

After choosing Honor, how do you proceed with the plan?

✓ RecommendedCarefully consider Stafford's plan before acting.

Maintains crew trust and keeps all options open.

✗ AvoidExpress doubt about the plan.

Minor relationship penalty. Crew questions your confidence.

A weapon is found in the Crew Quarters. What do you do?

✓ RecommendedAllow the weapon to be carried for self-defense.

Opens combat options later. Required for certain endings.

✗ AvoidRefuse to authorize weapons on board.

Limits options in Episode 5. May close off some ending paths.

Episode 2: Best Laid Plans(3 key choices)

Stafford proposes a risky plan to reach the engine room.

✓ RecommendedBack Stafford's plan without question.

Stafford relationship improves. Plan succeeds but at a cost.

Stafford +

✗ AvoidQuestion Stafford's judgment and propose an alternative.

Stafford relationship penalty. Slower but potentially safer route.

Stafford -

Dr. Eisele wants to study a sample. Do you allow it?

✓ RecommendedLet Eisele study the alien sample.

Unlocks Eisele Scientist path. More information about the alien threat.

Eisele Scientist Destiny progress

✗ AvoidOrder the sample destroyed immediately.

Safety first but loses critical intel. Pushes Eisele toward Humanitarian path.

Eisele Humanitarian Destiny progress

You hear a distress call. Someone needs help.

✓ RecommendedGo toward the distress call.

Reveals more of the story. Unlocks a collectible.

✗ AvoidIgnore the call and continue to the objective.

Misses a collectible and story context. Slightly faster.

Episode 3: The Sample(3 key choices)

Cernan encounters something unusual in the cargo bay.

✓ RecommendedReport the finding to command before investigating.

Crew is alerted but the entity has time to hide.

Keeps Cernan safer

✗ AvoidCheck it out yourself before raising an alarm.

Dangerous but yields more information. Cernan may get injured.

The alien sample is reacting. How do you handle it?

✓ RecommendedIncrease containment and continue research.

More data gathered. Risk of containment breach increases.

✗ AvoidJettison the sample into space.

Lose the sample. Some endings become unavailable. Crew is safer.

Stafford and Eisele disagree on the next course of action.

✗ AvoidAgree with Stafford's tactical approach.

Stafford relationship improves. Eisele feels sidelined.

Stafford + / Eisele -

✓ RecommendedSupport Eisele's scientific approach.

Eisele relationship improves. Stafford questions your loyalty.

Eisele + / Stafford -

Full walkthrough for Episodes 4-8 coming soon. Check the Walkthrough page for detailed chapter-by-chapter guides.

Once everyone is alive, check out all the possible endings:

View All Endings →