Road Map

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Overview:
- Estimated achievement difficulty: 2/10 [Achievement Difficulty Rating]
- Offline: 10 [1000gs.png]
- Online: 0
- Approximate amount of time to 1000gs.png: 6-8 hours [Estimated Time to 100%]
- Minimum number of playthroughs needed: 1
- Missable achievements: All achievements
- Does difficulty affect achievements: No
- Unobtainable/glitched achievements: No
 
For questions, comments or feedback, please visit the Achievements and Guide Discussion thread.

Introduction:
“It's September 1, 1986. You take on the role of forty-something Meredith Weiss, who returns from the big city to her quiet hometown. She exchanges her busy career at a software company to fill in for her dad, the local mail carrier. During her two-week stay in beautiful Providence Oaks, Oregon, she runs into a few familiar faces as well as plenty of new folk. As Meredith, you get to decide who to talk to, who to befriend and perhaps even start a romantic relationship with. Whatever happens, at the end of her stint she'll have to make up her mind: return to her demanding job in the big city, or stay in the town she grew up in?” - microsoft.com

Click HERE for a text walkthrough of the game, courtesy of holdtoreset.com.

Click HERE for a video walkthrough of the game, courtesy of The Welsh Hunter.

To read XBA’s official review by Dan Webb, click HERE.

Abbreviated Walkthrough:
Unfortunately, there is no way to skip any dialogue in the game. There are four fast travel points placed along the main road (once you’ve visited that area) which make driving to your destinations much easier.

The only opportunity you have to manually save your game is as you are making your deliveries each day and there is only one save slot. You cannot save during cutscenes or conversations, so it is highly recommended that you save your game, at the very least, at the beginning of each workday, so if you do happen to make an incorrect choice of dialogue, you only have to backtrack that one day. Making a save before each interaction is useful, but not really necessary.

Achievement-wise, they are all missable with all but three depending on your choice of certain dialogue options in your many interactions. Each of those achievements involves paying close attention when you’re speaking with someone, so if you make a mistake, you can technically play the entire game without unlocking any achievement. The required dialogue choices are detailed in each of the solutions below.

Listed below are the earliest dates you can unlock achievements. Provided is when the achievements begin, so make sure you pay close attention to the dialogue choices on those days.
 The three achievements that do not require dialogue options are Higher Ground (100G), Tower Watcher (100G) and Metal Detector (100G). The first two can be done as early as September 2 and the latter one on September 5 or after.

For the following four achievements, Cat Lover (100G), Movie Carrier (100G), Shutter Bug (100G) and Workaholic (100G), you need to make specific dialogue choices when speaking to certain people. These four are achievements for assisting others during your two week stay in Providence Oaks. Refer to each achievement for detailed instructions on how to unlock them.

The final three achievements are for three different endings of the game. So you don’t have to replay the game three times, make a manual save before you turn your truck in on September 13. That way, even though you have to sit through about 20-25 minutes of game to reach each ending, it’s better than playing the entire game over again. For Life in the Fast Lane (100G) and Hometowner (100G), the endings are determined by dialogue options chosen on the final day of the game, but for Free Spirit (100G), you need to make specific dialogue choices throughout the game, so follow that solution very closely.

Conclusion:
Lake is a relaxing game and the achievements aren’t too demanding or troublesome. Whether you choose to play blind or follow the guide to earn 1000gs.png, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
 
[XBA would like to thank bLaKgRaVy for this Roadmap]

Lake Achievement Guide

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There are 10 achievements with a total of 1000 points

  • Life in the Fast Lane

     

    100

    Go back to the big city

    *MISSABLE*

    Important Note: For this achievement, Hometowner (100G) and Free Spirit (100G), to avoid having to replay a good amount of the game, make sure you manually save the game before you end the workday on Saturday, September 13 (before you drive into the post office parking lot). What I did was parked across the street from the post office after finishing my deliveries for the day and made the save there. You are going to have to play from this save point a total of three times, each taking approximately 25 minutes (depending on choices you made earlier in the game) before you make specific dialogue choices that determine the ending.

    After turning in the truck on Saturday, September 13, you have a short conversation with Frank. Dialogue choices do not matter here. That evening, you receive a phone call from your parents. Again, dialogue choices do not matter. If you agreed to have dinner with Robert on September 12, you will play through a five minute scene at the diner. Once again, dialogue choices do not matter.

    On Sunday, September 14, the day opens with you writing in your journal. If you did not agree to attend open mic night at Mo’s Diner on September 10, the day ends here. Otherwise, there will be a 15 minute scene at the diner. For this ending, dialogue choices do not matter.

    Monday, September 15 starts with you at the post office speaking to Frank. During the conversation, to get this ending, you need to make two specific dialogue choices. When Frank asks if you are accepting the mail carrier job, respond with “but no, I'm taking it off and will leave town”. Then, when he asks what you are going to do, respond with “Back to my home, my job, and my life in the big city”. Frank will offer to drive you to the airport, which you accept. The remaining dialogue options do not matter.

    Next will be a scene with Lori and the RV in the post office parking lot. You can choose anything you like here (I gave the RV to Lori). Finally, as you are driving to the airport, depending on your interactions with Robert throughout the game, he may or may not drive up and ask Frank to pull over. If he does, you can choose any dialogue options you like as they do not matter. The achievement will unlock as the camera pans up to the lake.

  • Hometowner

     

    100

    Stay in Providence Oaks

    *MISSABLE*

    Important Note: For this achievement, Life in the Fast Lane (100G) and Free Spirit (100G), to avoid having to replay a good amount of the game, make sure you manually save the game before you end the workday on Saturday, September 13 (before you drive into the post office parking lot). What I did was parked across the street from the post office after finishing my deliveries for the day and made the save there. You are going to have to play from this save point a total of three times, each taking approximately 25 minutes (depending on choices you made earlier in the game) before you make specific dialogue choices that determine the ending.

    After turning in the truck on Saturday, September 13, you have a short conversation with Frank. Dialogue choices do not matter here. That evening, you receive a phone call from your parents. Again, dialogue choices do not matter. If you agreed to have dinner with Robert on September 12, you will play through a five minute scene at the diner. Once again, dialogue choices do not matter.

    On Sunday, September 14, the day opens with you writing in your journal. If you did not agree to attend open mic night at Mo’s Diner on September 10, the day ends here. Otherwise, there will be a 15 minute scene at the diner. For this ending, dialogue choices do not matter.

    Monday, September 15 starts with you at the post office speaking to Frank. During the conversation, to get this ending, you need to make one specific dialogue choice. When Frank asks if you are accepting the mail carrier job, respond with “and yes, I want to wear it a bit longer”. The remaining dialogue options do not matter.

    For the final scene, you are driving around in the mail truck listening to the radio. Depending on your interactions with Robert throughout the game, he may or may not drive up and ask you to pull over. If he does, you can choose any dialogue options you like as they do not matter. The achievement will unlock as the camera pans up to the lake.

  • Free Spirit

     

    100

    Leave in the RV

    *MISSABLE*

    Important Note: For this achievement, Life in the Fast Lane (100G) and Hometowner (100G), to avoid having to replay a good amount of the game, make sure you manually save the game before you end the workday on Saturday, September 13 (before you drive into the post office parking lot). What I did was parked across the street from the post office after finishing my deliveries for the day and made the save there. You are going to have to play from this save point a total of three times, each taking approximately 25 minutes (depending on choices you made earlier in the game) before you make specific dialogue choices that determine the ending.

    For this ending, you first need to make specific dialogue choices throughout the game in order to receive the RV from Mickey and June.
     
    • September 6 - At the beginning of the workday, Frank tells you he has an envelope with an incomplete address on it. When given the option, make sure you choose “Yeah, I think I know where that is”. Deliver the envelope to the campground (located at around the 4 o’clock position of the lake) and have a conversation with Mickey and June. Dialogue choices do not matter in this meeting.
    • September 8 - One of your deliveries this day is a letter to Mickey and June. During the conversation, June will read the letter and will excuse herself to go to talk to Mickey. Apparently someone named Damian is going to pick them up and take them to Canada. Continue with the conversation and eventually June will invite you to hang out with them the night before they leave. When she does, choose “Oh cool, yeah why not!” and the conversation will end.
    • September 10 - On this evening, you are sitting around the campfire with Mickey and June. During the conversation, be safe and choose dialogue where you seem to agree with Mickey (since he can have a short fuse). You can partake in smoking and booze if you want then June will talk about going to Canada. Eventually she will say about the RV “You should totally have it!”. When the dialogue options appear, choose “Really guys? That's awesome”. Finally, the scene will fade as Mickey sings.
    • September 11 - At some point during the day, make your way to the garage for a delivery and to speak with Lori. For the first dialogue option, make sure you choose “I don't know... could it stay here for while?”. Whatever you do, do not offer Lori the RV. Then, Lori wants to name the RV so choose any name you want.
    Now you’re ready for the ending.

    After turning in the truck on Saturday, September 13, you have a short conversation with Frank. Dialogue choices do not matter here. That evening, you receive a phone call from your parents. Again, dialogue choices do not matter. If you agreed to have dinner with Robert on September 12, you will play through a five minute scene at the diner. Once again, dialogue choices do not matter.

    On Sunday, September 14, the day opens with you writing in your journal. If you did not agree to attend open mic night at Mo’s Diner on September 10, the day ends here. Otherwise, there will be a 15 minute scene at the diner. For this ending, if you romanced Angie earlier in the game and she shows up at the diner, during the conversation, Lori will interrupt and tell you that the RV is fixed. Angie will ask about it, so reply with “And I did. Then Lori gave it a check-up”.  For the next option, make sure you choose “And now I’m the proud owner of ”. Then for the next option, choose “Yeah, I’m pretty happy with it!”. Whatever you do, do not offer Angie the RV. For the rest of the conversation and night, you can choose any dialogue options you want.

    Monday, September 15 starts with you at the post office speaking to Frank. During the conversation, to get this ending, you need to make two specific dialogue choices. When Frank asks if you are accepting the mail carrier job, respond with “but no, I'm taking it off and will leave town”. Then, when he asks what you are going to do, respond with “I'm going on a road trip”. At that moment, you will hear a honk, so you both go outside and say goodbye to him. The remaining dialogue options with Frank do not matter.

    Next will be a scene with Lori and the RV in the post office parking lot. You can choose anything you like here to say your goodbyes. Finally, if you romanced Angie earlier in the game, she will show up. Angie will invite herself along for the trip, so when the dialogue options appear, you can choose anything you like. Whether you ask Angie to go with you or not, you will drive off. If Angie is with you, the scene will play out with you two talking. If you are alone, depending on your interactions with Robert throughout the game, he may or may not drive up and ask you to pull over. If he does, during the conversation, whatever you do, do not get in his car. When the conversation is over, the achievement will unlock as the camera pans up to the lake.

  • Cat Lover

     

    100

    Help Mildred by taking Mortimer to Burt

    *MISSABLE*

    This achievement is in two parts and begins on September 3.

    Mildred is located at 200 Lake Rd, at around the 11 o’clock position of the lake. As you walk up to her mailbox to deliver a letter, she walks up to you and says there’s an emergency with her cat, Mortimer. As you are talking, she asks you to take her cat to Mr. Mackey at the bait shop. After she asks, make sure you choose the dialogue option “Sure, I'll get right on it! Here, little kitty. Come on!”. If you do not select this option, you cannot earn the achievement.

    Note: If you enter the driver’s side of your truck holding the cat crate, you are required to drive to Mr. Mackey’s immediately. However, if you put the cat crate in the back of the truck, you can continue delivering mail. Your choice.

    Drive to the bait shop, which is located at around the 1 o’clock position of the lake (it will be marked with an orange exclamation point). Walk up the stairs to the building and Mr. Mackey is on the pier facing the lake. After a short conversation, you leave Mortimer with Mr. Mackey and go about your day.

    The following day, September 4, return to the bait shop at some point to retrieve Mortimer. Drive back to Mildred’s house (it will be marked with an orange exclamation point) to return Mortimer to her and the achievement will unlock.

  • Movie Carrier

     

    100

    Help Angie by delivering the moviebox

    *MISSABLE*

    This achievement is in five parts and begins on September 4.

    Angie is the owner of The Flick Shack at 351 Main St. One of your deliveries is a package to that address. When you drop off the package and return the VHS tape she lent you, you will begin a conversation with her. After four dialogue options (you can pick anything), Angie will say “You know, it’s good to see you”. Pick either dialogue option next and she will begin to whisper to you that she has a ‘sneaky little plan’. When she says she wants to meet at 5pm, choose either “What, like a date?” or “Is that the plan?”. Then when she says it’s a business proposal, choose “All right, I’m in”. She will then say she wants to meet at your house; do not suggest you meet at the diner.

    Later that afternoon, there is a scene with you and Angie at your house talking. You can choose any dialogue option you want and eventually Angie will tell you her plan about delivering the movie box to people. Select positive dialogue options to keep interest and when she asks you if you’re in, choose “All right, I’m in”.

    Note: If you choose any option other than what’s written above, you will not be able to earn this achievement.

    The next day, on September 5, during your route, make sure that you visit the garage (at around the 10 o’clock position of the lake) and deliver the movie box to Lori (it will be marked with an orange exclamation point). Choose any dialogue option you want as she will eventually pick The Love Bug as her movie. Then you can either choose to offer to watch the horror movie at your house or not. Your choice.

    On September 6, return to the garage to pick up the movie box (it will be marked with an orange exclamation point), then return to The Flick Shack (it will be marked with an orange exclamation point after you pick up the movie box) to swap the movies for Mr. Mackey. During the conversation with Angie, who seems to be uninterested, make sure you choose the dialogue option “I'm on it. Don't you worry your pretty little head about it”. Return to your route, then at some point during the day, drive to Mr. Mackey’s bait shop and drop off the movie box (it will be marked with an orange exclamation point). He won’t care which movie is chosen, so select either one.

    Return to the bait shop on September 8 (at the earliest since you aren’t working on September 7), to retrieve the movie box from Mr. Mackey (it will be marked with an orange exclamation point). Drive back to The Flick Shack (it will be marked with an orange exclamation point after you pick up the movie box) and deliver the movie box to Angie. During the conversation, she will apologize to you for being rude the last time you saw each other then invite you to see a movie. You can choose to or not (refer to Workaholic (100G)). Once the conversation is over, the achievement will unlock.

  • Workaholic

     

    100

    Help Steve out both times

    *MISSABLE*

    This achievement is in four parts and begins on September 3.

    At the end of the day, you will receive a phone call from Steve. He will ask you to review the Addit ’87 package he sent you, so choose the dialogue option “Nice one, Steve. When do you need the feedback?”. If you do not select this option, you cannot earn the achievement.

    The next morning, September 4, a cutscene will play with you receiving Steve’s package. At the end of the day, after the phone call with dad, you are given three options; ‘stay home and watch TV’, ‘stay home and read a book’ or ‘work on the Addit '87 material’. Make sure you select ‘work on the Addit ’87 material’. A short cutscene will play with you on your computer.

    At the end of the day on September 7, Steve will call you again excited about the prospect of Addit ’87 being bought by major retailers. Choose any dialogue option you want, then Steve will ask you to review the contract he’s sending you. Make sure you choose the dialogue option “Gotcha Steve, don't worry about it”.

    Note: The next phone call depends on if you went to the movies with Angie (as mentioned in Movie Carrier (100G)). If you went to the movies with Angie, then the next phone call from Steve comes on September 9, but, if you did not go to the movies, you will get Steve’s phone call at the end of the day on September 8.

    On the evening of September 8 or 9, you get a third phone call from Steve. You will tell him that you haven’t had a chance to look at the contracts yet, so choose the dialogue option “I’ll look at them tonight!”. When the phone call ends, you are given three options; ‘stay home and watch TV’, ‘stay home and read a book’ or ‘review Steve’s contracts’. Make sure you select ‘review Steve’s contracts’. A short cutscene will play with you on your computer.

    If you selected the dialogue options written above, the achievement will unlock on the following morning, September 10.

  • Shutter Bug

     

    100

    Help Nancy by testing the photo camera

    *MISSABLE*

    This achievement is in three parts and begins on September 5.

    Nancy is the clerk in the General Store at 207 Main St. One of your deliveries on September 5 is a package to that address. When you drop off the package, speak with Nancy and she will complain that she will now have to start developing photos and mentions that she was sent a camera and film so she can test the process before officially offering it to customers. After a couple of choices, choose the dialogue option “That's pretty nice actually, I love photography!”. Continue with the conversation, and when the option appears, choose “I'd love to take pictures”, and she will offer the camera to you to take pictures for her. If you do not select this option, you cannot earn the achievement.

    Press button-y.png to pick up the camera and go about your day. There are 12 pictures you need to take, so as you are making your deliveries, while on foot, press button-y.png to take out the camera and press button-a.png to take a picture. You can’t return the camera to Nancy until the following day (at the earliest) and until you’ve taken all 12 pictures.

    As early as September 6, after you’ve taken all 12 pictures, return to the General Store and talk to Nancy. For the first dialogue option, choose “My photography quest has been completed!” and return the camera. Note that it’s important to return the camera as early as possible since it takes Nancy a day to develop the film. If you wait too long, your stay in Providence Oaks might end before you get a chance to see the photos.

    Return to the General Store on September 8 (at the earliest since you aren’t working on September 7), speak to Nancy and she will show you the photos you took (they’re all blank). When the dialogue option appears, choose “Thank you, I’m happy with how they turned out”. She will then inform you that they are running a photography competition to promote the new lab and asks if you want one of your photos submitted. Choose “Oh, that sounds like fun! I’d like to participate” and you will be able to select a photo. Once the conversation ends, the achievement will unlock.

  • Higher Ground

     

    100

    Reach the hill with the church

    (1)
    *MISSABLE*

    This can be unlocked as early as your first solo working day, September 2.

    The church is close to the post office. Open your map with rb.png and place a waypoint with button-x.png at the location in the image below. Get in your truck and drive the short distance. When you approach, Meredith will say, “Oh, I remember this place” and the achievement will unlock while you are still in your truck.

  • Tower Watcher

     

    100

    Climb the watchtower

    *MISSABLE*

    This can be unlocked as early as your first solo working day, September 2.

    The watchtower is to the southwest of the post office, at around the 8 o’clock position of the lake. Open your map with rb.png and place a waypoint with button-x.png at the location in the image below. Get in your truck and drive counter-clockwise (if starting from the post office) down the main road that runs parallel to the lake. You will cross over a bridge then come to a right turn. Turn right then take the left fork up to the watchtower.

    When you get out of your truck, walk up the steps to reach the top of the tower. Once you get to the top, the achievement will unlock.

  • Metal Detector

     

    100

    Talk to Andy the detectorist

    *MISSABLE*

    On September 5, one of your deliveries is a package to the Reynolds Farm. As you are driving up to the farm (located at around the 3 o’clock position of the lake), look to your left and right in the fields and you might see a man in a green jacket walking around. If you see him, drive up to him, get out of your truck and start a conversation with him. Once you finish the conversation (the dialogue choices do not matter), the achievement will unlock.

    Note: If he is not at the farm on this day, check back on other days. He may also be located in a few other spots, such as around the watchtower, the Oregon Trail motel, or at the campground.