Game Tips

Comprehensive Game Tips for Prey (2017)

This guide covers every essential tip to survive Talos I, grouped by playstyle and game system. From your first step out of your apartment to the final decision, these strategies will enhance your experience.

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Beginner Tips (First 4 Hours)

1. Loot Everything – Even the Obvious
- Prey is a resource-hungry game. Break every crate, search every drawer, and scan every corpse. Materials like Mineral Material, Synthetic Material, and Organic Material are used for crafting everything from ammo to medkits. Even junk items (cups, spoons, pipes) can be Recycled for components. Use the Psychoscope to see lootable objects through walls (once you have it).

2. Melee is Your Best Friend (Early Game)
- The Wrench is silent, infinite-ammo, and surprisingly powerful against Mimics. Side-step while swinging to avoid their pounce. For Mimics, a single charged swing often kills them on Normal difficulty. For Phantoms, use the environment (explosive canisters, gas pipes) to soften them before finishing with the wrench.

3. Save Often – Manual Saves Are Critical
- Autosaves are infrequent. Quicksave (F5 on PC) before entering any new area, before a tough fight, or before a hacking attempt. Load manually if you make a costly mistake (e.g., accidentally aggroing a Nightmare). There is no penalty for saving; use it liberally.

4. The GLOO Cannon is Swiss Army Knife
- GLOO not only freezes enemies (giving you time to beat them down with the wrench) but also creates platforms, blocks vents, and can put out fires. Use it to create bridges over electrified water or reach high ledges. It’s also silent, useful for stealth.

5. Examine Body Positions – Mimics Pose as Objects
- Mimics can disguise as any small prop: coffee cups, boxes, even chairs. If a room looks ”too tidy” or a single item is out of place, suspect a Mimic. Use the Psychoscope to identify them (highlights in orange). The GLOO Cannon can reveal them if you splash nearby.

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Combat Tips (Intermediate to Advanced)

1. Remap your Quick Access Slots
- Keybind weapons/items to 1-4. Keep Wrench (1), GLOO (2), Pistol (3), and Shotgun (4). This allows instant swapping without opening the inventory. For controller, use radial menu but practice quickly selecting.

2. The ”Shotgun + GLOO” Combo
- GLOO a Phantom (takes 3-4 shots), then walk up and fire the shotgat point blank. The frozen enemy takes extra damage and shatters on death. This kills a standard Phantom in 2-3 shotgun blasts on Hard difficulty. Works on Technopaths too, but they move more.

3. Use the Environment
- Explosive canisters (red), oxygen pipes, electrical panels, and even security turrets (once hacked) can turn the tide. Lure enemies near a gas leak and shoot it. For large groups, set off a fire extinguisher to create a smoke screen.

4. Headshots Matter
- Human enemies (Typhon Phantoms, Technopaths) take bonus damage from headshots. Use the silenced Pistol (if you have the mod) to take out weak enemies from stealth. The Disruptor Stun Gun also has a headshot multiplier.

5. Dodge and Parry
- The Wrench can actually parry melee attacks? Yes, you can time a swing to intercept an incoming attack, staggering the enemy. This nullifies Phantom slams. Practice timing; it’s easier against Mimic jumps.

6. Nightmare Enemy – Avoid or Fight Smart
- The Nightmare appears when you have many Typhon Neuromods. It can kill you in one or two hits. Best to avoid: hide in small vents or locked rooms. If you must fight, use Psychoshock (Typhon power) to disable its abilities, then shotgun its tentacles. It has a weak spot on the back of its head.

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Exploration Tips

1. Always Scan the Surroundings
- The Psychoscope is your most important tool. Scan every Typhon creature to unlock damage bonuses and neuromods. Also scan debris, bodies, and items for clues. Some hidden areas can only be discovered by scanning a wall for a false panel.

2. Vents are Your Highways
- Many areas have alternative paths via air ducts. Use GLOO to reach high vents. These routes often bypass locked doors or security turrets. Listen for humming or fan noise indicating an openable vent grill.

3. Mark Map Points of Interest
- The game has a complex 3D map. Use the marker system to tag locations you want to revisit (e.g., a safe you can’t unlock yet, a locked door). This saves time backtracking.

4. Look Up (and Down)
- Many hidden areas are above or below main paths. Jump on crates, climb pipes, or use the GLOO Cannon to create stairs. The Executive Suites have a hidden maintenance hatch on the ceiling.

5. Zero-G Navigation
- In space walks, use the GLOO to create tether points. Boost packs consume oxygen; conserve it. Search debris for loot. Some Typhon can fly (like the Mimic variant) so be ready to shoot instantly.

6. Reading Computers and Emails
- Every computer and email provides lore but also hints for codes, keycard locations, and security weaknesses. The email about a ”garden door code” may give you a safe combination. Always check.

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Resource Management

1. Recycler Charges – Use Wisely
- Each recycler charge can be placed on a pile of junk, turning everything into raw materials. Don’t waste them on single items. Save them for when you have a large haul (e.g., after clearing an entire section). Combine with fabricators to craft ammo instantly.

2. Fabricator Priorities
- Always craft Repair Kits (keep at least 3), Medkits, and Ammo (depending on weapon used). Avoid fabricating food; it’s abundant. Also, craft Psychoscope battery upgrades early.

3. How to Get More Neuromods
- Neuromods are rare. You can manufacture them from Typhon organs (Dream Catcher questline) or from fabrication (once you get the plan). Also, complete side missions that reward Neuromods. They are not infinite; plan your build.

4. Mimic Detection from Junk
- You can throw a physics object (like a chair) into a suspicious pile. If it bounces off, it’s real. If it passes through, it’s a Mimic. Saves ammo.

5. Suit Repair and Upkeep
- Your spacesuit has durability. Repair it with Suit Repair Kits at any workbench. Damaged suit reduces protection. Keep an eye on the suit integrity icon on your HUD.

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Builds (Neuromod Allocation)

General Strategy: Early game focus on survival (Medkit efficiency, health upgrades), then specialize. You can reset Neuromods with a special machine (Psychotronics) but it’s one-time per run. Choose wisely.

1. Human-Only Build (”Pure Survivor”)
- Allocate into Combat Focus, Stealth, Hacking, Repair, and Science. This avoids Typhon abilities that attract Nightmare. Very powerful for a first playthrough. Use silenced weapons and turrets. High resource efficiency.

2. Typhon-Hybrid Build (”Psychic Power”)
- Invest in at least one Typhon ability early (like Psychoshock or Electrostatic Burst) to overcome tough enemies. Combine with human skills to manage Nightmare (use Nullwave Transmitter or Psy Propulsion). Requires heavy Neuromod investment.

3. Engineer Build
- Max Repair (for turrets and fabricator speed), Hacking (to control robots), and Leverage III (to throw heavy objects). Fabricator can be upgraded to produce ammo faster. Best for players who like indirect combat.

4. Spray-and-Pray Build
- A beginner-friendly build: invest in Pistol damage, Shotgun damage, Combat Focus, and increased inventory. Use GLOO to immobilize, then shotgat. Requires minimal Neuromod planning.

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Economy (Scrap, Recycler, Fabricator)

1. Recycle Before Fabricating
- Always recycle junk first to get materials. Then fabricate only what you need. The fabricator converts materials at a 1:1 ratio (except for special items). Keep a mental note of material costs: 4 Mineral + 2 Synthetic = 1 Pistol Bullets (5).

2. Money vs. Materials
- Credits are technically infinite (loot from enemies), but materials are limited. Don’t sell recyclable materials; recycle them. You can sell weapons (like extra pistols) to vendors. Use credits to buy Neuromods when available.

3. Vendors – Buy/sell wisely
- Each vendor (like the one in the Arboretum) has a finite inventory. They restock after story progression. Check vendors often for rare Neuromods or weapon upgrades. Prices are not negotiable.

4. Crafting Ammo – Which Type?
- Pistol Ammo is cheap (4 Mineral + 1 Synthetic for 5). Shotgun shells cost more but are powerful. Grenades and Boltcaster darts are situational. Prioritize ammo for your primary weapon. Fabricating medkits uses Organic Material; don’t overcraft.

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Stealth and Non-Lethal Tactics

1. Silent Takedowns
- Sneak up behind a human (like Volunteers) and perform a takedown (button prompt). This is non-lethal but not stealth if seen. Use for guards or survivors you don’t want to kill. Works on Mimics? No, they are monsters.

2. Hiding from Nightmare
- The Nightmare patrols specific zones. Hide in a vent, behind furniture, or in a closet. If it detects you, run to a safe room (like a locked office). Wait for it to lose interest (about a minute).

3. Distract and Lure
- Use the Boltcaster to shoot glass, make noise, or hit a button from afar. This aggro enemies away from you. Useful for clearing a path through a room with multiple Phantoms.

4. Crouch for Sound Reduction
- Crouching reduces footsteps noise. Combine with the “Slowwalk” (hold run button while moving forward) to be almost silent. Use when near Typhon.

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Advanced Optimizations

1. Speedrun Tactics
- Learn ”GLOO jumps”: shoot GLOO at your feet and walk up the glob to climb walls. Can skip entire sections. Also, the ”Backwards Long Jump” glitch? Use if you want, but consider it a bug.

2. Overwhelming Enemy Density
- On higher difficulties, enemies respawn? Actually, some areas do (like Psychephonic). Manage aggro by closing doors behind you. Break line of sight to reset enemy positions.

3. End-Game Resource Hoarding
- Save large amounts of mineral and organic for the final hours. You’ll face many Telepaths and Technopaths. Craft a ton of explosives (Typhon Lure, Recycler Charges) to clear final areas quickly.

4. Multiple Playthroughs
- Each story choice (including the initial ”Who is Morgan?”) affects loot and task availability. For 100% trophies/achievements, you need New Game Plus. Use a build you didn’t try the first time.

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Platform-Specific Tips

PC: Rebinding keys helps; put GLOO on mouse side button. Enable ”Hold to Crouch” for better control. Adjust FOV (90-100 recommended).
Xbox/PlayStation: Use the radial menu with d-pad for quick inventory. Aim assist is generous; turn off for more challenge. Use vibration feedback (helps detect hidden Mimics).