Prey Walkthrough — Start to Endgame

Prey (2017) is an immersive sim set aboard Talos I, a space station orbiting the Moon that's been overrun by shape-shifting alien organisms called Typhon. As Morgan Yu, you choose between human abilities and alien Typhon powers via Neuromods, fundamentally changing how you approach every encounter and puzzle. The entire station is an interconnected open world you can explore in any order, with multiple solutions to every obstacle. The GLOO Cannon alone enables dozens of creative approaches by creating platforms, blocking hazards, and immobilizing enemies.

This walkthrough takes you from your first session to endgame content. Each phase has specific goals, priorities, and milestones. Follow this path to avoid common traps that stall most players.

Quick Progression Summary

Phase 1: Getting Started — Talos I Lobby

The central hub connecting most station areas. Contains the first Fabricator and Recycler you'll access. Multiple locked areas reward return visits with better hacking skills. The volunteer quarters above contain Neuromods and lore.

Level/Difficulty: Early Game (First Visit) Key Rewards: First Fabricator access, Neuromods, multiple keycards, story terminals

What to Do in Talos I Lobby

1. Learn Neuromod skill trees. Neuromods split into Human (Scientist, Engineer, Security) and Typhon (Energy, Morph, Telepathy) trees. Spend your first session getting comfortable with this.
2. Pick Typhon Psionics Build as your starting role. It's the most forgiving option.
3. Scan every new Typhon type to 100% with the Psychoscope before killing it — you only unlock their Neuromod abilities through complete scans.
4. Acquire your first weapons upgrade — Q-Beam or whatever's available.
5. Clear all main content before moving on.

Phase 1 Checklist

• Understand Neuromod skill trees fundamentals
• Typhon Psionics Build selected and functional
• Talos I Lobby main content cleared
• Ready for Psychotronics

Phase 2: Early Game — Psychotronics

The Typhon research lab where experiments on captured aliens took place. The Psychoscope is found here, unlocking Typhon Neuromod access. Contains containment cells with live Typhon specimens and the first Telepath encounter.

Level/Difficulty: Early-Mid Game Key Rewards: Psychoscope, Typhon power access, Q-Beam, containment lore

What to Do in Psychotronics

1. Work on GLOO Cannon physics. The GLOO Cannon fires expanding foam that sticks to any surface. This system becomes critical from here on.
2. Farm for Q-Beam if you haven't already. It's the key upgrade for this phase.
3. The GLOO Cannon creates permanent platforms. GLOO the outside of Talos I during spacewalks to reach any airlock, bypassing entire sections of the station.
4. Complete all objectives before pushing to Arboretum.
5. Consider whether Human Only Build might suit your playstyle better than Typhon Psionics Build.

Phase 2 Checklist

• GLOO Cannon physics integrated into gameplay
• Q-Beam acquired
• Psychotronics fully cleared
• Ready for Arboretum

Phase 3: Mid Game — Arboretum

A massive biodome with trees, a greenhouse, and open spaces. Contains Alex Yu's office with critical story items. One of the largest areas with multiple floors and hidden paths. The Nightmare Typhon frequently spawns here.

Level/Difficulty: Mid Game Key Rewards: Alex Yu's office items, large Neuromod cache, crew quarters access

What to Do in Arboretum

1. Master Typhon mimicry. Mimic Typhon disguise themselves as everyday objects — cups, chairs, boxes. This unlocks a new layer of gameplay.
2. Start working toward GLOO Cannon. It's the best weapon and becomes accessible around now.
3. Recycler Charges create a mini black hole that consumes EVERYTHING nearby — items, enemies, and you. Throw them, don't place them at your feet.
4. This area is the main skill check. If you can clear it, you're ready for late game.
5. Start investing in recycler economy for the tactical depth you'll need going forward.

Phase 3 Checklist

• Typhon mimicry mastered
• GLOO Cannon acquired or in progress
• Arboretum fully cleared
• Ready for Deep Storage

Phase 4: Late Game — Deep Storage

Data archive facility with a voice-locked door requiring a specific passphrase. Contains critical information about the Typhon outbreak's origin. Heavy Operator enemies patrol the halls. Multiple audio logs reveal major story twists.

Level/Difficulty: Mid-Late Game Key Rewards: Story revelations, Danielle Sho's quest, significant Neuromod stash

What to Do in Deep Storage

1. Finalize your build. You should be running Human Only Build or Typhon Psionics Build with optimized gear.
2. GLOO Cannon should be your primary. If you don't have it yet, prioritize getting it.
3. Leverage 3 lets you throw heavy objects dealing 100+ damage. Oxygen tanks thrown at Phantoms are more ammo-efficient than most weapons.
4. station exploration optimization starts here. Small improvements compound into massive advantages.
5. Farm this area for the resources needed to push into GUTS.

Phase 4 Checklist

• Build fully optimized
• GLOO Cannon upgraded to max
• Deep Storage fully cleared
• Ready for GUTS

Phase 5: Endgame — GUTS

The zero-gravity maintenance tunnels connecting distant parts of the station. Navigation is disorienting without orientation cues. Contains Cystoid nests that explode on proximity. A shortcut between major areas once you learn the layout.

Level/Difficulty: Mid Game Key Rewards: Station shortcuts, hidden supply caches, zero-G combat experience

What to Do in GUTS

1. GUTS tests everything. Come prepared with your best build and gear.
2. Turrets become hostile at Typhon Neuromod thresholds: 1-3 Typhon mods is safe, 4+ triggers hostility. Plan your build around this cutoff.
3. The endgame loop: run GUTS, optimize gear, push harder content.
4. Experiment with Combat Hybrid for a fresh take once you've mastered the standard builds.
5. This is where station exploration mastery separates good players from great ones.

Phase 5 Checklist

• Endgame content on farm
• Best-in-slot gear acquired
• GUTS fully cleared
• Ready for challenge content

Common Progression Mistakes

• Ignoring the GLOO Cannon because it doesn't deal damage directly — it's arguably the most powerful tool in the game for both combat and exploration.
• Installing Typhon Neuromods without understanding the turret hostility threshold at 4+ Typhon mods, suddenly turning every turret against you.
• Recycling unique items or keycards — some items are needed for quests or access and can't be re-obtained. Only recycle clearly marked junk.
• Fighting the Nightmare Typhon early instead of running — it's a massive bullet sponge that wastes resources. Hide for 3 minutes and it despawns.
• Not exploring thoroughly and missing Neuromods hidden in offices, corpses, and safes — there are over 100 Neuromods in the environment.

Key Tips for Smooth Progression

1. Scan every new Typhon type to 100% with the Psychoscope before killing it — you only unlock their Neuromod abilities through complete scans.
2. The GLOO Cannon creates permanent platforms. GLOO the outside of Talos I during spacewalks to reach any airlock, bypassing entire sections of the station.
3. Recycler Charges create a mini black hole that consumes EVERYTHING nearby — items, enemies, and you. Throw them, don't place them at your feet.
4. Leverage 3 lets you throw heavy objects dealing 100+ damage. Oxygen tanks thrown at Phantoms are more ammo-efficient than most weapons.
5. Turrets become hostile at Typhon Neuromod thresholds: 1-3 Typhon mods is safe, 4+ triggers hostility. Plan your build around this cutoff.

For detailed build optimization, see Prey builds. For quick wins, check tips & tricks.