The Quarry has 15 paths, they are the main choices that have lasting consequences. Simply put, only the decisions that register in the Pause Menu under “Paths” have any real impact on the story. Anything else (over 90% of all dialogue choices) only change the next line of dialogue and nothing else. When you trigger one of these paths it will show “Path Chosen” on the screen. As you make more decisions relating to a path you will get “Path Updated” prompts. New ones will have an exclamation mark in the Paths menu, that’s how you can keep track of your important choices.
It can be good to know where each Path begins. While the vast majority will be triggered automatically regardless of whether you choose Option “A” or Option “B”, some are actually missable if you ignore optional items. Several trophies and achievements are also tied to Paths or at least can be tracked through them. They don’t count as Collectibles. Unlocking all paths isn’t needed for any individual trophy or achievement. Below they are listed in chronological order as they are triggered.
Path #2: Above the Law
Prologue – When Laura and Max are back in the car a police officer will show up at your car window. During the dialogue you will automatically trigger this. It’s best to always pick the RIGHT SIDE to be honest/compliant with him. Be compliant to go to Harbinger Hotel (Laura will trick the cop to get him to reveal the location of The Quarry and they’ll head there automatically).
Path #1: Laura & Max
Prologue – While you explore the bunker where you find the Bloodied Collar, Max will get hit in the head and starts bleeding. The path triggers regardless of your choice. The better options is to choose the LEFT option HELP MAX.
Path #15: Keepsakes
Chapter 1 – As soon as you can walk around as Jacob at the start of Chapter 1, turn left and find a bracelet on the floor (it’s Emma’s). Picking it up unlocks Path #15.
Path #3: A Fool’s Errand
Chapter 1 – While playing as Jacob, after grabbing the bags you’ll go outside to the car and can uncouple the fuel line (left choice) or steal an engine part (right choice). Either will trigger this path.
Path #4: Down the Rabbit Holed
Chapter 1 – When Abigail and Emma are talking about getting their bags from the locked cabin you can choose to leave your bags (left) or break in (right). Choose to break in. Also pick up the teddy on the left side of the cabin in front of the first bunk bed and “KEEP” it. This updates the path and can come in handy later.
Path #5: Playing with Fire
Chapter 2 – While playing as Emma you will go through a storage area and reach a locked door, after opening it Jacob will pick up some beer and you can explore the room. Pick up the shotgun on the right side which also has a safe code on it. Return to the start of the storage area and Emma will automatically open the safe. Inside are some fireworks. Choosing to take them or leave them behind will trigger this path.
Path #6: Watch Your Step
Chapter 2 – When playing as Dylan for the first time you will have to look around Chris’ office. Check the trap door on the floor, next to Chris’ desk. Then choose the RIGHT option CLIMB DOWN.
Path #7: Pieces of Silver
Chapter 3 – After Nick gets attacked, Abigal must choose to RUN TO CAMP or HELP NICK. Choose to HELP NICK.
Path #8: Finders Keepers
Chapter 3 – After Abi returns to the campfire, as Ryan pick the choice “ASSERTIVE”, then you’ll run into the woods and can decide whether to take shorcuts or stay on the path. Choose to TAKE SHORTCUT two times in a row and successfully finish the QTEs without messing up. Then you’ll be quick enough to see how Nick gets dragged away by a hunter.
Path #9: Distraction
Chapter 3 – Playing as Jacob, after the hunter helps you out of the trap, do not throw dirt at him (just wait and do nothing). He will “blood you” which will come in handy later.
Path #10: Helping Hand
Chapter 5 – When Dylan and Ryan are in the Radio Hut pick the following: INTERESTED > CONCERNED > APOLOGETIC > While aiming gun at ceiling: don’t shoot, let time run out > AGGRESSIVE > ANXIOUS > CALM > (Dylan’s Hand gets bitten) > DESPERATE (quick-time decision) > CHAINSAW (Ryan cuts off Dylan’s hand). It’s worth noting that this scene only plays out in this particular way if you broke into the locked cabin in Chapter 1 (see Path #4). If you chose not the break into the cabin, then Dylan doesn’t get attacked by the monster in the radio hut and his hand doesn’t get injured.
Path #11: The White Whale
Chapter 7 – Playing as Laura, when you can free roam around the police station, go upstairs and enter the third office. Inspect the locker on the right side to find a syringe. Head back to your prison cell, interact with the loose stone left of your bed to hide the syringe in there. Then go to sleep. Later Travis (cop) will come back, he gives you a poem to read, do not take his gun, be compliant instead. Then the next morning, Laura will fake being in pain and Travis enters her cell to check on her, successfully complete the QTE to inject him with the syringe, then you can leave the cell without shooting Travis. Alternatively, you could also ignore taking the syringe and shoot Travis with his gun, but in that scenario he will kill Laura in Chapter 9 so don’t do that if you want everyone to survive.
Path #12: Teambuilding
Chapter 8 – When playing as Kaitlyn and talking to Dylan at the car outside, pick the RIGHT dialogue “ENCOURAGING” to make him go with you to the Scrapyard.
Path #13: Love’s Labours Lost
Chapter 8 – In the red light tunnel where you find Jacob in a cage, choose to leave Jacob locked up in the cage (do not free him).
Path #14: A Pound of Flesh
Chapter 9 – As Laura shoot the old woman, then Ryan gets stabbed. In the next scene as Ryan, choose to NOT pull the knife from his upper body. While you’d also trigger this path when pulling the knife, it’s better to keep the knife as it can be useful later.
More Guides and Tips:
- The Quarry – Trophy Guide & Roadmap
- The Quarry – Walkthrough (Best Ending – Everyone Survives)
- The Quarry – Worst Ending Guide (How to Kill Everyone)
- The Quarry – Collectible Guide (Clues, Evidence, Tarot Cards)
- The Quarry – How to Unlock Chapter Select
- The Quarry – Game Length: How Long is a Playthrough
Isn’t the 15 path where you pick up the bracelet as Jacob from chapter 1 at the front drive way where Emma was waving the school bus away?