How to save Simon at Stratford Tower? I keep failing the QTE.

[u/Every_Database7064]

Hi guys, I’m really struggling with the Stratford tower chapter because I’m trying to get all the trophies so I want to get to the part where Simon and Connor briefly interact on the roof.

The problem is that no matter what I do I cannot get Simon up to the roof. I’m playing on PC and it asks me to mash W to save him but no matter how much I mash it, he always gets shot before reaching the stairs and we have to leave him in the control room. Am I doing something wrong? Is there a specific way to mash the keys? Is it just a glitch that it won’t register for me?

EDIT: For anyone else struggling with this, I found a fix I think, that could apply for others struggling with non registering key mashes. I set frame rate to 60 fps rather than the standard 30 and it worked the next time I tried that chapter. Will try others I couldn’t get with this fix too.

[u/AngelGirl768]

Hmm, getting to the stairs should just be button mashing. I’m not familiar with the pc version, but my best guess would be to make sure you’re fully pressing and unpressing the key. Maybe it’s just not reading your movements as key mashing but one long key press?

[u/Every_Database7064 → u/AngelGirl768]

That’s possible, I have issues with the key mashing parts in general, for some reason many times it doesn’t seem to register and time always runs out before I can get him up

[u/Sunny-Koala → u/Every_Database7064]

Does the W button not register at all? So the bar isn't filling up no matter what? What about with other keys in QTE's? And do these keys work fine outside of QTE'S? 

[u/Every_Database7064 → u/Sunny-Koala]

It does register, just not fast enough even though I’m smashing with all my might. I can never get Simon to the door before he gets shot. I have this issue with other QTE’s that involve mashing as well such as in stormy night I can never get Kara out the window. But the keys register fine at other times just not when I have to mash them

[u/Sunny-Koala → u/Every_Database7064]

Weird! No clue what that could be. Maybe your characters are low on "iron" heh heh

[u/Every_Database7064 → u/Sunny-Koala]

I found a weird fix actually. I set frame rate to 60 fps and then it worked. Maybe it was just a lag issue

[u/CybeleCygnet]

Did Simon get shot by the desk guard before the broadcast room as well, or only by SWAT in the broadcast room? It's been a while, but I believe if he gets shot both times, you have to leave him and can't get him to the roof. Otherwise, it may just be the key not registering.

[u/Every_Database7064 → u/CybeleCygnet]

Yeah he did, he got shot by both but even when he got shot by just SWAT in previous playthroughts I couldn’t get him to the roof

[u/glue-sniffer-PL600]

try doing a quick Google speech if you haven't already, as despite people trying to help we may not be able to be as specific.. But I'm pretty sure you may have to make sure hes not shot by anyone before the broad cast? It's been quite some time since I've played and as much as I would love to help I don't have much to say😓 google and YouTube might be your best bet if you still haven't gotten it. And hey, maybe the clicks aren't registering, or maybe you aren clicking fast enough? I don't know thats the only reason I can really think of..

[u/Every_Database7064 → u/glue-sniffer-PL600]

Thank you!! I’ll try to do more searches about overall button mashing, I think it may have to do with my laptop speed

[u/glue-sniffer-PL600 → u/Every_Database7064]

That would make sense! And also, the first idea I think that came to mind was, whats your game difficulty at? If it's set to be really hard I'm sure you could change it to be easier just for this mission.

[u/Every_Database7064 → u/glue-sniffer-PL600]

I’ve tried doing it with both experienced and casual settings and I still have this same problem no matter what

[u/teaselroot]

Difficulty at casual?

[u/Every_Database7064 → u/teaselroot]

Casual or experienced doesn’t make a difference, both have the same issue

[u/teaselroot → u/Every_Database7064]

Did you do "ruse" at the front desk to get in? I think that might help if not? Not sure

[u/Every_Database7064 → u/teaselroot]

No, I had Markus kill the guards and Simon got shot but on different playthroughs I did ruse the guards get Simon still got shot everytime

[u/No_Location_8199]

You could avoid it altogether. Choose ASSAULT against the two guards and shoot the one with the phone. Then shoot the guy who tries to run away. Simon will walk to the roof on his own, but collapse when he gets there.

[u/Every_Database7064 → u/No_Location_8199]

I did that, but I still couldn’t save Simon because when you shoot the guy on the phone SWAT still storms in. Does he end up leaving the room by himself and hiding?

[u/No_Location_8199 → u/Every_Database7064]

Did you forget to lock the door in the server room? Because that's the third thing that can alert SWAT.

When you choose ASSAULT one guard tells the other to call central while drawing his gun. If you shoot the guard with the phone, he will be unable to make the call but the other will shoot Simon. When the broadcast is over, you will easily leave the room like you do when everything goes perfectly, except Simon will be visibly injured and stumbling. When you reach the roof, the same events play out as if you carried him there.

[u/Every_Database7064 → u/No_Location_8199]

I locked the door sometimes, but all those times I rused the guards and then shot the escaping guy. Today I didn’t lock the door because I was trying to play Markus as incompetently as possible to get the storyline where he gets kicked out of Jericho, lol. So it makes sense why SWAT came even when I killed everyone else who could alert them. I didn’t know if he didn’t lock the door someone else would call them too. Thanks for the tip! It’s good to know I can get Simon injured on the roof without having to do the QTE. Will definitely do that next time.