Quantum Break has a heavy focus on its story. Players are able to experience the fractures in time through multiple points of view thanks to gameplay, the live-action episodes within the game, emails, recordings, and more. There are also extra bits of story that can be unlocked through collectibles known as Quantum Ripples.
Quantum Ripples alter history slightly and manifest in numerous ways. Most can only be viewed in notes, but some even pop up during the live action segments of the game. You can find Quantum Ripples throughout the first four acts of Quantum Break.
Episode 1: Monarch Solutions
Act 1, Part 2 (Riverport University Experiment)
While moving through the Monarch campus, you will come across a whiteboard with an equation on it. If you examine it, your brother William will fix an error he notices. This will have a number of effects throughout the world and in the first episode of the live-action part of Quantum Break.
Ripples created by action:
- The HQ time machine is stabilized and primed.
- A power outage is caused which leads to a crime surge in Ordinary, Maine.
- A lab assistant goes home early to find his partner being unfaithful. After losing it and resorting to murder, he is now in jail.
- A man wins the lottery using the numbers found in the corrected equation (01122).
- (During Show) You can overhear some lab workers discussing the equation in the cafeteria right after Fiona gets her sandwiches.
Act 1, Junction 1 (PR)
As you walk towards Martin Hatch, if you look to your right you’ll see a golden ram sitting on some boxes. It’s the same one that you saw in William’s work station. Pick it up to trigger another ripple.
Ripples created by action:
- Two members of the Monarch Safe Guard unit kill each other fighting over the statue.
- The ram starts trending on social media thanks to Monarch employee selfies.
- The state of Utah starts legal proceedings against Monarch.
- Dairy product commodities spike.
- (During Show) You can see employees taking selfies with the statue.
Episode 2: Prisoner
Act 2, Part 1 (Industrial Area)
Early in Act 2, Part 1 you’ll find an invitation on a desk. The invitation is to Paul Serene’s gala. Taking it will trigger yet another ripple in the universe.
Ripples created by action:
- Haskins ends up being late to the gala. This leads to his wife divorcing him and him burning out at work and needing to take a leave of absence (poor guy).
- Someone ends up actually selling the invitation on eBay.
- Monarch butterflies are found dead across the nation.
- (During Show) Haskins shows up late and a short argument ensues.
Act 2, Part 2 (Ground Zero) Due to a prank
Towards the end of Ground Zero, you’ll find a large sign that depicts a T-Rex holding a football. It will be in the dark near some junk so keep your eyes pealed. Pick it up (no idea how Jack Joyce actually carries it) and you’ll unlock yet another ripple in time. If you thought there was no way it could be worked into the live-action portion of Quantum break, you thought wrong.
Ripples created by action:
- Riverport forms a new football team called the Riverport Rexes.
- Due to a prank (that Dr. Morphin beleives is actually time travel), the sign is found in a rowboat on Gull Island.
- The same sign goes missing at Ground Zero in 2016 (that may have been you).
- (During Show) As Fiona is walking with Charlie away from the party, they will see the sign sitting in the grass.
Episode 3: Deception
Act 3, Part 1 (Research Facility)
In the second area of the Research Facility level, you will find yourself in a room where you can watch Paul Serene’s speech. Next to the screen, on a table, is a computer you can use to live-stream the private speech to the internet.
Ripples created by action:
- Monarch PR Director Oswald has a stroke when he finds out as he’s recovering from surgery.
- The Dot Dot Dot cartoon show is rescheduled thanks to the news coverage of the gala.
- Monarch is now believed to be tied to a secret government agency: Bureau of Altered World Events.
- (During Show) People are watching and listening to the candid speech.
Act 3, Part 2 (Monarch Gala)
As you head towards the gala’s location, you will find yourself in an underground garage where you have to fight a large group of soldiers. After the first wave, you’ll be prompted to hit a switch in the security booth. Do that, then clear the second wave to complete the combat section. Before exiting the area head to the area of the garage that is directly across from the exit. You’ll find a tablet. Interact with it and an erotic thriller, titled “Adventures in Flesh,” will begin to play. Jack Joyce will set up the audio-book to play on Monarch’s primary frequency, triggering the ripple.
Ripples created by action:
- Dr. Morphin becomes aroused (this is seriously mentioned in the game).
- Dr. Ranger, on the other hand, does not.
- A Striker candidate is distracted. He then proceeds to fall off of a cliff and drown.
- The novel in question, “Adventures in Flessh” by L. Hakola, becomes a bestseller.
- (During Show) As you watch the show you’ll get to hear the book play through Monarch’s radios. They become a bit angry.
Episode 4: The Lifeboat Protocol
Act 4, Part 2 (Preparing the Time Machine)
While in the pool area, where the Time Machine is located, head to the area to your right after entering. You’ll find Amy working on that Monarch USB she snagged earlier in the game. Keep talking to her until she allows Jack to give her something to write in the forums. He’ll suggest that he was seen in a catering van and the ripple will be triggered.
Ripples created by action:
- Poor catering services. Employees for these companies are arrested due to suspicion concerning Jack Joyce.
- Even the mimes in Riverport are arrested. All of them.
- Just to be safe, Monarch also arrests a single clown working at a birthday party.
- (During Show) Fiona witnesses caterers being detained as their van is checked.
Act 4, Part 4 (Will’s Workshop 2010)
At the very beginning of this part of Quantum Break, you’ll find yourself moving across some roofs with Beth Wilder. There is a construction site down below that you can overlook. Keep your eyes peeled for a power terminal that can be used to turn off all of the lights at the site. Do so and a man named “Punch” will storm off due to poor working conditions.
- Paul “The Punch” Palmer, the guy who walked off the site, decides to go into politics.
- Paul’s rival candidate is killed two years later during a freak accident.
- Paul actually runs for mayor in 2016.
- (During Show) You can see a sign supporting Paul Palmer for mayor as Liam Burke sneaks towards Monarch.
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