This guide explains how to deactivate enemies using an in-game mechanic that is not considered a cheat or exploit, and also how to prevent their repairs. This will allow you to explore open world areas freely for a limited time.
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I created this guide because I believe the game does not provide adequate explanation of this mechanic.
How Enemy Deactivation Works
The process to deactivate all enemies in one of the areas of Atomic Heart is not particularly complex. However, the game never explains it properly, causing frustration as you may never have a moment of peace while exploring unless you know how to do it.
Essentially, you need to locate two interactable structures which we will refer to as “The Controller” and “The Antenna Relay.” These structures are present in each of the areas of the open world, and using them is the key to deactivating all mechanical enemies within the radius of that area (indicated by a white circle on the map). This deactivation lasts approximately 15 minutes, allowing you to explore freely.
However, the system will be repaired automatically over time and will begin working again without a specific countdown. But, you can deactivate it again if you wish.
Important note: You cannot perform this process in the first open-world area. This guide applies only after taking the train ride to the main open-world area of the game.
Find & Use The Controller
The first thing you need to do is to locate the Controller in an area. To do this, activate your Scan Mode (Default Key: Left ALT) while nearby an active camera. You will see red lines coming out of the camera and tracing back in a certain direction. That direction indicates where the Controller is located, which is always in the same direction. So, simply follow the red line and keep scanning all the time. Soon, you will see a green highlight with many red lines converging there – that is your Controller.
Here is an image of the Controller:
When you reach the Controller, interact with it using the F key. You will now see a top-down map of the area, showing all Cameras as yellow dots, destroyed ones as red dots, and unreachable ones as grey dots. Click on a yellow dot to take control of that camera, allowing you to see through it and use Scan Mode (L ALT) with it. If a camera is unreachable, it means that it’s controlled by another Controller and not the one you’re currently using.
Here is an image of the top-down interface:
Use Cameras to Find the Antenna Relay
Once you have control of the cameras, you need to find the Antenna Relay. This structure is a small cylindrical grey hut with several rotating antennas on top.
Here is a picture of the Antenna Relay. It always looks the same:
You’ll need to scroll through all the cameras until you’re able to see the Antenna Relay through one of them. Once you have it on your screen, center it until you see a Use prompt (Default: F):
Press Use (F) and the door will open:
When the door is open, you can leave the Controller and continue to Step 3.
Enter and Overload the Antenna Relay
You now need to physically enter the Antenna Relay. Remember where it’s located, and head there quickly while avoiding or stealthily taking out any enemies. Try not to engage in combat and eliminate any pursuers before entering the Relay. If your Alarm Level (displayed in the top right corner) is 1 or 2, wait until it goes away before proceeding.
Enter the Antenna Relay hut and interact with the panel inside. After a brief cutscene, an interface will appear:
Select “OVERLOAD”. After about 10-15 seconds, you will hear an explosion in the distance, and all robots, turrets, and security cameras will turn off and stay immobile on the spot, within the white circle area of the map.
What you just did was destroy the Turbine that powers the robots.
Before:
After:
The turbine will be repaired in about 15 minutes or so. You can check the repair state by looking at it: when you see that the turbine looks solid and not made of blue energy, with most of the blades looking fine, it means it’s close to being fixed.
During this grace period, all repairs and mechanical enemies will be suspended. You can explore with impunity, but watch out for organic enemies as they will be unaffected.
You can repeat the whole process an unlimited number of times.
