Quarantine Zone

Quarantine Zone takes place 20 years after the prologue. Joel and Tess must track down smuggler Robert in the military-controlled Boston quarantine zone, then escape soldiers after learning Robert sold their guns to the Fireflies. The chapter ends when Marlene hires Joel and Tess to smuggle Ellie to the Capitol building.

What Happens at the Checkpoint?

Tess enters Joel’s apartment and both exit to the checkpoint. Joel can talk to a man near red supply crates (optional dialogue 1). At the checkpoint, soldiers prepare to open the gate when Fireflies attack. The attack triggers a lockdown.

1. Follow Tess into the nearby building.
2. Use the health kit Tess gives to Joel.
3. Talk to locals who mention Marlene is searching for Robert.
4. Push the cabinet in the room to reveal a secret exit.
5. Climb over the pipe to reach Joel’s stash.

Help Tess climb the wooden boards at the wall to exit the quarantine zone.

How to Navigate Behind the Wall?

Behind the wall are abandoned buildings filled with spore clouds and infected. Wear the gas mask in spore areas to avoid infection. Stealth kills conserve ammunition against the two infected in the apartment.

1. Pick up the ladder near the car on the street.
2. Place the ladder against the brick wall.
3. Climb to the second floor.
4. Turn on the flashlight in the dark room.
5. Collect Firefly pendant (collectible 1) near the bed and lamp on the left wall.
6. Descend to the first floor with visible spore fog.
7. Equip the gas mask before entering spores.
8. Examine the dead body, then discuss with Tess (optional dialogue 3).
9. Crouch and crawl through the wall breach.
10. Pull the board blocking the door, squeeze past the cabinet.
11. Shoot the person with the broken gas mask.
12. Crawl through the boarded doorway.

In the apartment with two infected, enter Listen Mode at the door to see enemy silhouettes through walls. Stealth kill the first infected from behind. Check the table on the second floor (left side) for artifact 3. Sneak past the second infected to the window exit.

Outside, inspect the tree with Firefly pendant (collectible 2) hanging on it. Shoot the pendant down and collect it. Enter the adjacent building.

What to Do in the Warehouse?

The warehouse has a hole in the floor blocking progress. Retrieve the plank from the lower level and give it to Tess to create a bridge across the gap.

1. Drop into the hole in the warehouse floor.
2. Grab the wooden plank.
3. Hand the plank to Tess.
4. Climb back up after Tess places the plank as a bridge.
5. Cross the plank to the exit.
6. Collect ammunition from the table in the dark building ahead.
7. Pay the boy behind the door to scout for soldiers (Tess pays automatically).

How to Clear the Market District?

The market district contains hostile smugglers who block access to the docks. Three bandits guard the first area, followed by multiple enemies in buildings and alleys. Stealth eliminates threats without wasting ammunition.

Talk to vendors at the market (optional). Behind the bus, check the bulletin board for artifact 4 (Marlene’s wanted poster for Firefly connections). Pick up artifact 5 (note) from papers scattered near the board.

1. Take cover behind crates when Tess shoots the first bandit.
2. Move left and shoot the remaining 2 bandits, or stealth kill both from behind.
3. Boost Tess over the fence.
4. Stealth kill enemies behind the chain-link fence.
5. Sneak to the left enemy inside the building.
6. Eliminate the enemy near the truck in the alley, take the key from the body.
7. Use the key to unlock the door inside the building.

After the building, listen to the conversation ahead and wait for enemies to separate. Stealth kill the enemy in the doorway first, then the enemy in the garage on the right. Two more enemies patrol the second floor of the garage—use the external staircase for a safer approach. Collect the shiv on the table near the window (one-time-use stealth kill item). Turn the chain mechanism on the ground floor to open the gate.

How to Reach Robert at the Docks?

Robert is at the docks with 5 guards. Eliminate all guards silently before confronting Robert. The area contains multiple melee weapons and a shiv.

Scavenge bricks, clubs, and a shiv around the docks perimeter. Collect artifact 6 (note about Robert) near two blue barrels at the right fence. Enter the covered area, find artifact 7 (dock note) behind blue barrels on the left. Enter the office on the right side and chase Robert.

Interrogate Robert to learn he sold Joel’s guns to the Fireflies. Tess shoots Robert. Wounded Marlene appears and offers to return the guns if Joel and Tess smuggle cargo for her instead of Robert.

How to Escape the Soldiers?

After the deal with Marlene, soldiers raid the docks. Joel and Tess must escape across rooftops and under a bridge to reach Marlene’s hideout.

1. Run from the docks with Marlene.
2. Climb to the rooftop.
3. Enter the attic building after witnessing an explosion.
4. Collect crafting parts from the attic table (used for weapon modifications).
5. Slide the door open.
6. Hide behind crates under the bridge.
7. Move forward and climb the left staircase.
8. Take the nearest soldier as a hostage at the top of the stairs.
9. Shoot the second soldier while holding the hostage.
10. Eliminate 2 more soldiers outside.
11. Descend from the opposite side of the structure.
12. Enter Marlene’s hideout.

Who Is Ellie?

Inside Marlene’s hideout, Joel meets Ellie, a 14-year-old girl who is the “cargo” to smuggle to the Capitol building. Marlene reveals she knew Joel’s brother Tommy. Tess agrees to take wounded Marlene to the Firefly camp to collect the guns. Joel must escort Ellie to the Capitol.

Talk to Marlene at the bridge near the locked gate (optional dialogue 4). Inspect the dead body to the right with Ellie to find Firefly pendant (collectible 3).