Characters & Roles

Characters & Roles in Prey (2017)

Prey (2017) is a single-player immersive sim with a single playable character, Morgan Yu, but the game’s deep skill system lets you define your own role through Neuromod investments. This guide covers every major character—both allies and enemies—and the distinct playstyles (roles) you can adopt.

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1. Playable Character: Morgan Yu

Background: Morgan Yu is the protagonist, a scientist aboard the space station Talos I. They are the test subject for Neuromod technology, which allows instant skill acquisition. Depending on player choices, Morgan can be male or female (player-selected). Morgan’s memories have been tampered with by their brother, Alex Yu, as part of a secret project.

Strengths:

• Highly adaptable: Can learn any combination of Human and Typhon abilities.


• Default access to all weapons and tools (once found).


• Can use the Psychoscope to scan and mimic Typhon.


Weaknesses:

• No inherent combat bonuses without Neuromods.


• Squishy against Typhon without proper gear or powers.


• Limited inventory space early on.


Playstyle: Neutral – Morgan’s approach is entirely determined by your skill choices and equipment. You can be a stealthy hacker, a heavy-guns engineer, or a psychic Typhon master.

Unlock Condition: Immediately available as the main character.

Recommended Equipment & Builds: See “Roles” section below. Core equipment includes the GLOO Cannon, Recycler Grenades, and a fully upgraded Psychoscope.

Team Synergy: Morgan is a lone wolf; allies (NPCs) provide quests, lore, and occasional support (e.g., January’s hacking assistance or Mikhaila’s medical supplies). The Typhon abilities can synergize with human tools – e.g., using Kinetic Blast to scatter enemies before shooting.

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2. Supporting Characters (Allies & Antagonists)





2.1 Alex Yu



• Role: Morgan’s brother and the Director of Talos I. He is a morally ambiguous figure who often withholds information.


• Background: Alex created the Neuromod program and conducted experiments with Typhon. He uses Morgan as a test subject.


• Strengths: Brilliant scientist, manipulative, has access to all station resources.


• Weaknesses: Arrogant, untrustworthy, physically vulnerable.


• Interaction: Alex communicates via transcribe and appears in flashbacks. The player must decide whether to trust him or defy him. He can become an ally or an obstacle.




2.2 January



• Role: A recorded AI copy of Morgan’s memories, created to help Morgan survive and expose Alex’s secrets.


• Background: Created by the real Morgan before the outbreak. January is stored in a suitcase-sized device.


• Strengths: Provides objective guidance, can unlock doors, reveals hidden lore.


• Weaknesses: Limited physical presence; can be destroyed by Typhon.


• Playstyle: January is a passive guide. Listen to her suggestions for a more story-driven path.


• Unlock: Found early in Morgan’s office in the Talos I Lobby.




2.3 December



• Role: Another AI fragment of Morgan, advocating for immediate destruction of Talos I.


• Background: December believes the only way to stop the Typhon is to nuke the station.


• Strengths/Weaknesses: Opposing January; creates a moral dilemma. No direct gameplay benefit.


• Interaction: Appears on the Arboretum roof. Choosing December’s path leads to a different ending.




2.4 Mikhaila Ilyushin



• Role: A medical officer who is immune to Typhon pheromones.


• Background: Mikhaila was born on Talos I. She suffers from a disease that makes her immune but also causes pain.


• Strengths: Can provide medical supplies, crucial for crafting Neuromods (she gives you the recipe for Typhon Lures).


• Weaknesses: Vulnerable to Typhon if not protected (though rarely in combat).


• Interaction: She is a quest giver. Rescue her in the Crew Quarters to gain her trust.




2.5 Dr. Igwe (Gabriel Igwe)



• Role: A psychologist and Neuromod specialist.


• Background: Igwe is researching Typhon psychology and can help you understand the Typhon hive mind.


• Strengths: Can upgrade your Psychoscope, gives you the Typhon Detection chipset.


• Weaknesses: Needs to be rescued multiple times.


• Interaction: Find him locked in a container near the Power Plant. He’s essential for the ‘Social Integration’ quest.




2.6 Will Mitchell



• Role: Security officer, skeptical of Morgan.


• Background: A guard who blames Morgan for the outbreak.


• Strengths/Weaknesses: Can be a hostile NPC depending on choices.


• Interaction: Can be avoided, killed, or convinced to help. He appears in the Neuromod Division.




2.7 Aaron Ingram



• Role: Engineer, one of the few survivors.


• Background: Aaron knows the station’s systems well and helps maintain critical equipment.


• Strengths: Provides access to the GUTS (Gravity Utility Tunnel System) and gives you the Repair skill chipset.


• Weaknesses: Non-combatant; dies easily if left hostile.


• Interaction: Find him in the Maintenance area of the Life Support section.




2.8 Dayo Igwe (Dr. Igwe’s brother) – Not a major character, but notable.



General Note: NPCs cannot be directly controlled. Their “synergy” comes from the quests they give and the upgrades they provide. Saving them all (Leverage III required) is needed for the “Make a Better World” achievement.

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3. Typhon – The Antagonists



These are the alien enemies aboard Talos I. Each has distinct behaviors, strengths, and weaknesses.



3.1 Mimic



• Description: Small, spider-like Typhon that can disguise as common objects.


• Strengths: Surprise attacks, high speed, can ambush from mimicry.


• Weaknesses: Low health, vulnerable to GLOO (freezing), fire, and melee.


• Counter: Use the Psychoscope to reveal them, then shoot or melee.




3.2 Phantom



• Description: Humanoid Typhon that uses telekinetic attacks.


• Variants: Normal, Etheric (cloaks), Thermal (explodes), Voltaic (shocks).


• Strengths: Strong ranged attacks, can create shockwaves.


• Weaknesses: Slow movement, predictable attack patterns, can be distracted by Lures.


• Counter: Use Nullwave grenades to disable powers, then shotguns or kinetic blast.




3.3 Weaver



• Description: Large, floating Typhon that creates smaller Weavers and Mimics.


• Strengths: Spawning enemies, can shoot explosive webs.


• Weaknesses: Immobile while spawning, weak to fire and explosive weapons.


• Counter: Focus fire with Q-Beam or explosives while dodging webs.




3.4 Technopath



• Description: Typhon that controls machinery and electronics.


• Strengths: Can hack turrets, raise dead machines, disable electronics.


• Weaknesses: Vulnerable to EMP grenades, Nullwave, and direct damage when its shields are down.


• Counter: Use EMP to stun, then attack with physical weapons.




3.5 Telepath



• Description: Typhon that controls human minds.


• Strengths: Can turn survivors into Phantoms or mind-controlled slaves. Telepathic blast.


• Weaknesses: Can be killed quickly with shotgun headshots; the controlled humans can be saved if you have Nullwave.


• Counter: Kill the Telepath first to free its thralls.




3.6 Nightmare



• Description: A giant, powerful Typhon that periodically hunts you after you install Typhon Neuromods.


• Strengths: Very high damage, can phase through walls, devastating attacks.


• Weaknesses: Can be temporarily banished with a powerful nullwave or by hiding in safe rooms.


• Counter: Avoid engagement until late game; use the Disruptor stun gun and heavy weapons.




3.7 Cystoid & Cystoid Nest



• Small, exploding creatures that swarm. Weak to gunfire.


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4. Roles (Playstyles via Neuromod Builds)



In Prey, you define your role by investing Neuromods into Human or Typhon skill trees. Here are three primary archetypes.



4.1 Engineer (Human Abilities: Engineering, Repair, Hacking)



• Focus: Use tools, turrets, and environment to survive.


• Key Skills: Repair (to fix turrets), Hacking (to open doors and control machines), Leverage (to move heavy objects), Materials Expert (to craft more), and Security (better armor).


• Equipment: Shotgun (for close range), GLOO Cannon (for traversal and freezing), Turrets (deployable assistants), Recycler Grenades (for loot).


• Strengths: Self-sufficient, can create resources, dominate with automated defenses.


• Weaknesses: No Typhon powers; vulnerable to Nightmare until you find nullwave.


• Synergy: Works well with January (hacking bonuses) and Mikhaila (crafting).




4.2 Stealth Specialist (Human Abilities: Stealth, Agility, Sneak Attacks)



• Focus: Avoid combat or kill from the shadows.


• Key Skills: Sneak (increase movement speed while crouching), Deadly Focus (slow time while aiming), Combat Focus (temporary slow time), and Piloting (to control stations).


• Equipment: Silenced Pistol, Disruptor Stun Gun (non-lethal), GLOO Cannon (to freeze enemies), Distract device (like the Typhon Lure).


• Strengths: Efficient ammo usage, can bypass many enemies, high survivability through avoidance.


• Weaknesses: Poor against groups without gadgets; requires patience.


• Synergy: Use January’s clues to avoid danger.




4.3 Typhon Master (Typhon Abilities: Mimic Matter, Kinetic Blast, Psychoshock, etc.)



• Focus: Leverage alien powers to dominate or manipulate.


• Key Skills: Mimic Matter (turn into objects to hide or reach areas), Kinetic Blast (telekinetic push), Psychoshock (damage and disable Typhon), Superthermal (fire AoE), Electrostatic Burst (stun group), Phantom Shift (decoy and teleport).


• Equipment: Psychoscope (essential), Q-Beam (for heavy Typhon), Recycler Grenades, and the Typhon Lure.


• Strengths: Extremely versatile, can handle any situation with powers, high damage potential.


• Weaknesses: Using Typhon powers increases your “Typhon Awareness”, making Nightmare spawn more often; Human faction (Alex) may distrust you.


• Synergy: Use Telepath’s mind-control or Mimic Matter to bypass security; combine with human weapons for emergencies.


Hybrid Builds: The most powerful builds mix human and Typhon skills. For example, take Combat Focus (human) and Psychoshock (Typhon) for a deadly combo. Or combine Repair for turrets with Mimic Matter to become a shapeshifting engineer.

Unlock Conditions for Typhon Powers: You must first obtain the Psychoscope (early in the game) and then install Typhon Neuromods. Each power has a prerequisite chipset or scanned Typhon.

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5. Team Synergy & Character Interactions



While Prey is single-player, the NPCs you rescue and aid affect the story and available resources.

• January vs. December: Choosing one over the other changes the final objective.


• Mikhaila & Dr. Igwe: Saving both yields the best ending (they survive and help humanity).


• Typhon Lures from Mikhaila are essential for distracting enemies.


• Will Mitchell can be persuaded to not report your illegal activities if you have high enough Hacking or Security skills.

Summary Table:

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This guide covers all major characters and the roles you can assume in Prey (2017). Adapt your playstyle to your preferred approach—whether it’s engineering, stealth, or psychic domination—and remember that every choice impacts your journey through Talos I.