Overview
The alien threat spreads through the Cassiopeia. The crew must decide who to trust as paranoia takes hold. Key decisions here affect which ending paths remain available, and Cooper faces their first major life-or-death scenario.
Scene 1: The Search Begins
The episode opens with a briefing. Stafford orders a systematic search of the ship, but tensions are high after the events of Episode 3.
Tip: Pay close attention to dialogue options here. Character relationships from Episodes 1-3 carry forward and affect available choices.
Key Choice: Search Strategy
| Option | Consequence | Recommended | |--------|-------------|-------------| | Split into pairs | Faster coverage, but characters are isolated | ✗ No | | Stay together | Slower but safer — characters can support each other | ✓ Yes |
Scene 2: Cooper's Discovery
While searching the lower decks, Cooper finds something alarming in the cargo hold.
QTE Warning: A series of rapid button-tap QTEs follows. These are not scripted-fail — you must succeed to keep Cooper alive.
Key Choice: Report or Investigate
| Option | Consequence | Recommended | |--------|-------------|-------------| | Report to Stafford immediately | Stafford relationship +, Cooper stays safer | ✓ Yes | | Investigate the noise alone | Cooper faces danger, but finds a collectible | ✗ No (risky) |
Scene 3: Trust Tested
The alien entity begins manipulating the crew through ship systems. False alarms and fake distress calls create chaos.
Collectible: After the alarm sequence, check the medical bay for a hidden recording.
Key Choice: Who Do You Trust?
| Option | Consequence | Recommended | |--------|-------------|-------------| | Trust Stafford's judgment | Maintains command structure, Stafford relationship + | ✓ Yes | | Follow Cooper's instinct | Cooper relationship +, but Stafford feels undermined | ✗ No | | Trust only yourself | Isolates Young, harder Episode 5 choices | ✗ No |
Scene 4: Confrontation
The episode climax involves a direct confrontation with the alien threat. Cooper's survival is on the line.
Critical QTE: A timed aiming sequence — aim for the ventilation pipe (not the creature itself) to create a distraction.
Key Choice: Save or Sacrifice
| Option | Consequence | Recommended | |--------|-------------|-------------| | Create distraction, everyone escapes | All characters survive this scene | ✓ Yes | | Attack the creature directly | Cooper may die, but the threat is temporarily neutralized | ✗ No |
Episode 4 Checklist
- [ ] Chose "Stay together" during search planning
- [ ] Reported to Stafford (not investigated alone)
- [ ] Trusted Stafford's judgment
- [ ] Found the medical bay recording collectible
- [ ] Aimed for the ventilation pipe in the final QTE
- [ ] Chose "Create distraction" to save Cooper
Next: Episode 5
Continue to Episode 5: Mr. Williams →