The universe of R.E.P.O. is a gritty, high-stakes environment where players take on the role of specialized "Repossession Agents" tasked with reclaiming high-value assets from dangerous, often derelict, alien environments. It is a game that blends survival horror, tactical teamwork, and resource management into a tense loop of risk and reward. To succeed in R.E.P.O., you must move beyond simple "smash and grab" tactics; you need a deep understanding of atmospheric hazards, creature behavior, and the complex tools provided by the Agency. This guide provides the essential "how-to" knowledge required to survive your quota and climb the corporate ladder.

1. How to Prepare Your Loadout for a Deep-Space Extraction

Success in R.E.P.O. begins before you ever set foot on a hostile planet. Your initial "Budget" is limited, and how you spend it determines the survivability of your entire crew. You must prioritize essential utility over offensive weaponry in the early game. Every mission requires a balance of light, communication, and storage capacity. Learning how to spend your starting credits is the first hurdle every new agent must clear.

In the ship's terminal, prioritize purchasing at least two Pro-Flashlights and a set of Walkie-Talkies. Communication is vital because the environments in R.E.P.O. are dynamic; a room that was safe two minutes ago could become a death trap due to a hull breach or a roaming entity. Additionally, investing in a "Loot Sack" early on allows you to carry multiple small items while keeping one hand free for your flashlight or a defensive tool. Mastering this inventory balance is crucial for maximizing your "Repossession Value" per run.

2. How to Navigate the Procedural Hallways of Derelict Stations

Once you land, your primary goal is navigation without losing your sense of direction. The procedural generation in R.E.P.O. is designed to disorient you, with looping corridors and identical-looking maintenance hatches. The most effective "how-to" for navigation is the "Right-Hand Rule": always keep your right hand (or left) against the wall as you explore. This ensures that you can always find your way back to the main airlock simply by reversing the process.

Use your scanner frequently to map out the immediate area. Your scanner not only identifies high-value assets but also detects structural weaknesses and nearby lifeforms.

• Marking Your Path: Use the "Spray Chalk" tool (if purchased) to leave arrows on the floor pointing back to the ship.
• Identifying Landmarks: Look for unique environmental assets like a specific color of glowing lichen or a broken computer terminal to use as mental anchors.
• Verticality: Always check above you; many of the most dangerous entities in R.E.P.O. lurk on pipes and rafters, waiting for an agent to walk underneath.

3. How to Utilize the Multi-Tool for Resource Extraction

The Multi-Tool is the heart of the R.E.P.O. gameplay loop. It isn't just a wrench; it's a modular device capable of hacking, cutting, and repairing. To maximize your efficiency, you must learn the "hot-swap" timing for different tool heads. For example, when you encounter a locked electronic door, you must switch to the Hacking Module, complete the rhythmic mini-game to bypass the security, and then immediately switch back to your scanner to ensure no entities heard the alarm.

Extracting heavy machinery requires a "Steady Hand" mechanic. When cutting an asset from its moorings, you must keep your reticle within a shifting zone to avoid damaging the item.

Pro-Tips for Extraction:

1. Clear the Area First: Never attempt a heavy extraction until you have checked the surrounding vents. The noise of the saw attracts scavengers.
2. Energy Management: The Multi-Tool runs on a battery. Always keep an eye on the percentage and know where the nearest charging station is located within the facility.
3. Team Synergy: Have one player act as the "Cutter" while another acts as the "Guard," shining their light on potential entry points while the extraction is in progress.

4. How to Counter the "Lurker" and "Stalker" Entities

Survival in R.E.P.O. is largely about knowing how to react to the specific AI patterns of the entities inhabiting the ruins. The "Lurker" is a sound-sensitive predator that stays in the shadows. To counter it, you must move at a crouch and limit your use of the flashlight. If you hear a rhythmic tapping sound, stop moving immediately. The Lurker has poor vision but perfect hearing; if you remain still, it will eventually move to a different sector.

The "Stalker," conversely, is a visual predator that mimics the shape of a crew member. How to identify a Stalker is a vital skill for team survival. Look for subtle "glitches" in their movement or the fact that they don't respond to Walkie-Talkie check-ins. If you suspect a teammate is actually a Stalker, use your "P.E.P. (Particle Emission Pulse)" to reveal its true form. Once revealed, the Stalker will flee, but it will return later, meaning you must stay vigilant for the remainder of the mission.

5. How to Manage Your Oxygen and Atmospheric Pressure

R.E.P.O. features a realistic atmospheric system that can be more deadly than the monsters. Every suit has a limited O2 supply, which drains faster if you are sprinting or carrying heavy "Loot Crates." You must monitor your HUD constantly. If your O2 drops below 20%, your vision will begin to blur, and your stamina regeneration will halt. Learning how to "Atmospheric Pace" your movement is essential for deep-dives into the lower levels of a station.

Furthermore, hull breaches can cause sudden depressurization. If you hear a high-pitched whistling sound, a breach is nearby.

• Find the Leak: Use your scanner to find the glowing orange particles indicating escaping air.
• Seal the Breach: Use the "Sealant Foam" to temporarily plug the hole.
• Emergency O2 Totes: Always know where you dropped your spare O2 canisters. It is often better to leave a high-value item behind to retrieve oxygen than to risk a "Suffocation Penalty" for the team.

6. How to Handle High-Value "Volatile" Assets

Not all loot is stable. In R.E.P.O., the highest-paying items are often "Volatile," meaning they react to movement, light, or sound. How you transport these items determines whether you make a profit or end up in the infirmary. For example, the "Isotope Core" grows unstable if moved too quickly. The player carrying it must walk slowly, and the rest of the team must protect them from obstacles and enemies.

Other assets, like the "Bioluminescent Spore," react to light. To transport these, the team must turn off all flashlights and navigate using "Night Vision Goggles" or by following the glowing trail of the spore itself. This creates a high-tension scenario where the team is essentially blind to anything that isn't the asset. Mastering the specific "Handling Requirements" of each Volatile item is the mark of an elite Repossession Agent.

7. How to Upgrade Your Agent through the "Corporate Ladder"

Between missions, you return to the Agency Hub. Here, you use your hard-earned credits to buy permanent upgrades for your agent. The most important "how-to" for progression is the "Stat Priority" system. Many players waste credits on cosmetic items, but you should focus on Suit Integrity and Battery Life first. A suit with higher integrity can survive a "Lurker" strike, giving you time to escape and heal.

H3: The Perk System

As you complete quotas, you unlock Perk Points.

• Deep Pockets: Increases your carry capacity for small scrap items.
• Silent Step: Reduces the noise generated by sprinting, vital for avoiding sound-based predators.
• Tech Specialist: Speeds up the Hacking mini-games, allowing for faster traversal through locked sectors. Choose perks that complement your role in the team (e.g., if you are the designated "Guard," focus on defensive and stamina perks).

8. How to Execute a Successful "Final Extraction"

The final five minutes of a R.E.P.O. run are the most dangerous. Once the ship's "Departure Timer" begins, entity activity increases significantly—a state known as "Overdrive." To execute a successful final extraction, you must have a "Drop-Off Point" strategy. Instead of carrying every item back to the ship one by one, stack your loot near the entrance of the facility throughout the mission.

When the timer hits the two-minute mark, everyone should grab the highest-value items from the stack and sprint for the ship. This "Loot Train" method ensures that you aren't caught deep inside the facility when the ship leaves. If a teammate falls during this phase, you must make a quick "Cost-Benefit Analysis": is the value of their recovered gear worth the risk of missing the flight? In R.E.P.O., the Agency only cares about the bottom line, and sometimes the best move is to leave the "Dead Weight" behind.

9. How to Maximize Profit through Scrap Scavenging

While the primary mission target pays the most, "Scrap Scavenging" is how you truly build wealth. Scrap consists of smaller items like "Circuit Boards," "Alien Relics," and "Used Fuel Cells" scattered throughout the environment. To maximize profit, you should never return to the ship with an empty hand. Even a low-value "Bent Pipe" adds to your total and can be the difference between meeting your quota and getting "Terminated."

Use your scanner's "Value Overlay" to prioritize which scrap to keep. Items with a high "Value-to-Weight Ratio" are your priority. For instance, a small "Data Chip" is worth more than a large "Metal Plate" because it doesn't slow you down or take up a primary carry slot.

1. Check Every Corner: Scrap is often hidden under grates or behind crates.
2. Breakable Crates: Use your Multi-Tool to smash wooden or plastic containers; they often contain hidden gems.
3. Recycling: Back at the ship, use the "Scrap Grinder" to consolidate small items into "Raw Material Cubes," which sell for a 10% bonus.

10. How to Use Stealth and Distraction to Your Advantage

In R.E.P.O., combat is usually a death sentence. The best "how-to" for survival is avoiding the fight entirely. You must master the art of the distraction. Items like the "Sound Decoy" or the "Flare" can be thrown to lead entities away from your objective. If a "Lurker" is blocking your path to a high-value item, toss a flare in the opposite direction and wait for the entity to investigate before making your move.

H3: Light Management

Managing your light is the most basic form of stealth.

• Flashlight Flickering: Some entities are attracted to constant light. Flickering your light on and off allows you to see your path without maintaining a continuous beam that "broadcasts" your location.
• Environmental Lighting: Use the station's own flickering lights or glowing flora to navigate whenever possible, saving your flashlight battery for when you truly need it.
• Shadow Stalking: Stay in the dark corners of rooms; most AI entities have a "Detection Cone" that is severely limited in low-light conditions.

Conclusion

Mastering R.E.P.O. requires a shift in mindset from a typical action hero to a calculated, corporate survivor. By prioritizing your initial loadout, mastering the "Right-Hand Rule" for navigation, and learning the specific "Handle with Care" requirements of Volatile assets, you can consistently beat the Agency's quotas. Remember that in this universe, information and silence are more valuable than any weapon. Stay aware of your oxygen levels, trust your scanner, and always have an exit strategy before the "Overdrive" phase begins. The derelict stations are filled with riches, but only the most disciplined agents will live long enough to spend them.