The locals may not be very fond of Captain Sims, but players can sympathize with his cause. This guide explains what Captain Sims really is, and whether Captain Sims is trustworthy in Atomfall. Like other main characters, Captain Sims can provide you with an opportunity to escape the zone, but whether he is trustworthy depends on your interpretation of his motives and actions.
Where to find Captain Sims in Atomfall
To find Captain Sims, head to Windham Village via the northern entrance from Slatten Valley. When you first enter the village, Captain Sims will be at the bandstand in the central green area of the village, where he can be seen giving a speech to the villagers about their traditional (“aberrant”) pagan practices. You will not be able to talk to Captain Sims while he is at the bandstand or while he is moving around the village.
However, after a few minutes, or after you’ve entered and exited several buildings in the village, Captain Sims will move to the Village Hall. Look for him on the Village Hall stage, where he’ll greet you for the first time. From this point on, Captain Sims won’t move from this spot.
Should you trust Captain Sims in Atomfall?
Captain Sims is the leader of the local Protocol occupation force, a special squad of soldiers sent to the Quarantine Zone some time ago. As players can learn from various notes, they are still not here by choice – as it turns out, they are just as trapped in the Zone as everyone else. Previous attempts by Protocol soldiers to escape through the wall have even been shot, according to a note you can find in the Village Hall.
However, many villagers resent the soldiers and view the occupation of Windham Village as a fascist occupation led by a dictator who is a shell. Captain Sims has no qualms about imprisoning villagers who resist the Protocol, and given that only the soldiers have guns (except for the Outlaws), they can make up the rules as they see fit.
On the one hand, the Protocol poses as much of a threat to outside British forces as the rest of the citizens in the Quarantine Zone. They have already tried to escape, but were shot by soldiers outside the Zone. On the other hand, Captain Sims imposes his authority with an iron fist and a stiff demeanor, and the Protocol soldiers seem far from friendly. You can even hear some soldiers say that they want to kill the citizens if they receive any insolent remarks from the villagers.
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide whether you want to work with Captain Sims and whether you can overlook these militaristic flaws. Captain Sims will offer the player a way to escape at the very end of the game, but it’s up to you to work with this occupying force or side with the villagers (and the druids and others in the Zone) to fight back.
