How to Access All Testing Grounds in Atomic Heart

I don’t know about you, but when I am trying to stop the automated apocalypse, I like to stop and smell the flowers. And by that, I — of course — mean I like to stop what I’m doing and spend a couple of hours testing my physical and mental limits. There’s no rush, right? I can’t imagine the big bad of Atomic Heart is on a timetable or anything.

In the automated wonderland that is Atomic Heart, there are places known as testing grounds. In these testing grounds, you can rack up rewards in exchange for completing challenges. But, in the immortal words of Viggo Mortensen, one does not simply walk into these testing grounds. What? That’s not what he said in the m—? Oh well. Read on to learn how to access all testing grounds in Atomic Heart!

How to Access All Testing Grounds in Atomic Heart

It would seem that there are eight testing grounds total in Atomic Heart. But, if you expected them to be numbered logically … you’re in the wrong place, my friend.

How to Reach Polygon Testing Ground 1

In order to access the first testing grounds, navigate to the appropriate area on your map and interact with the nearby tower. This will allow you to hack the camera, which will, in turn, allow you to open the door to this first testing ground.

How to Reach Polygon Testing Ground 2

In much the same way that you unlocked the first testing ground, you’ll need to hack another camera to unlock the doors to the second one.

How to Reach Polygon Testing Ground 6

I’m beginning to feel like a broken record. Navigate to the area on your map designated as testing ground 6, hack the camera, and open the door.

How to Reach Polygon Testing Ground 8

It should first be mentioned that the building where the eighth testing ground is located is locked. It will automatically be made available once you’ve reached a certain part of the story. This process might seem somewhat familiar, but pay close attention because the differences are crucial.

To access testing ground 8, you need to climb to the top of the designated building. As in other iterations, there will be a device to hack cameras, so do so. You will need to hack three different cameras and deactivate a series of white, oval-shaped devices. This will unlock an elevator located within the building that, when activated, will transport you where you need to go.

Related: Atomic Heart: Who are the Robot Twins? Answered

How to Reach Polygon Testing Ground 9

This one is kinda a doozy. To access testing ground 9, you’ll need to enter the sewers near the testing facility. There’s an open manhole you can use as your entrance. Navigate through the sewers, eliminating any and all threats that cross your path. In due time, you’ll reach an open area with a locked door that you can open after a brief puzzle. Take note of the tubes lining the ceiling.

In this room, you’ll find a box filled with glowing orbs. Take a moment to look back at the door and you’ll notice the end of a tube from the aforementioned tube system. Grab an orb and input it into this tube. Your next goal is to guide four of these orbs through the tube system until they reach the four boilers. Thankfully, all four boilers are in the room you just left, so they aren’t very far.

After completing this segment, head back to the outside world and find the console needed to hack the cameras, and open the door to this testing ground. It’s located in the wooden building to the left of the statue, if you’re having trouble locating it.

How to Reach Polygon Testing Ground 10

In the vicinity of this testing ground, you’ll find a farmhouse that you can climb. Located on the second floor is a console that you can use to — once again — hack a camera. Use it to bring an elevator up from the nearby pigsty, and take it down to reach testing ground 10.

How to Reach Polygon Testing Ground 11

To reach this penultimate testing ground, there are a few steps. But, thankfully, not as many steps as in the ninth testing ground, so … I count this as a win. To start, bring the Hawk down for maintenance. Then, as soon as it’s down, you need to climb atop of it. I sure hope you aren’t afraid of heights! Use the zipline to reach the area surrounding testing ground 11.

Before you head in, however, you’ll need to procure a disc-based key from a locked cabin in the area. As soon as you’ve acquired said key, head for testing ground 11 and unlock the door leading to the elevator.

How to Reach Polygon Testing Ground 12

OK, home stretch. To reach this final testing ground, head for the designated area on your map. You’ll find the elevator leading to this testing ground inside a cavern along the nearby beach. It’s well hidden, but as long as you’re aware of the general area, you should have no problems finding this elevator.

We hope you’ve found this Atomic Heart guide helpful! If you’d like to join in on the conversation surrounding the newest releases, be sure to follow Gamer Journalist on Facebook! And, in the meantime, take a look at some of our other guides, including Atomic Heart: System Requirements for PC – Full Details and Atomic Heart: How to Enable Russian Dialogue!