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Start a journey

Open Dystrail and wait for the game to finish preparing its files. The setup screen then lets you choose a trail and use the generated run code or enter another valid one.

Choose your trail

  • Classic: Broken systems. Dubious advice. A fighting chance. The original trail, with plenty of political absurdity.
  • The Deep End: The same road, a worse reality. Darker satire about attacks on trans rights, abortion restrictions, surveillance abuse, detention, and denied care. Choose this trail to opt in to those themes.

The same code and choices replay the same journey. CL is Classic; DP is The Deep End. Save a code if you want to replay its starting conditions in the same game version. A code alone does not preserve your progress. For an exact in-progress return, use a save or backup.

Choose and name your crew

Pick one of six characters: Journalist, Organizer, Whistleblower, Lobbyist, Staffer, or Satirist. Their starting resources and advantages differ; the character screen previews them. Then enter your name and crew name. You can keep the suggested names for your companions or replace them.

Outfit the van

Your starting funds pay for the selected cart. There are no free supplies underneath it. Add or remove food, water, parts and protection; you may leave empty. Purchases are charged when you depart. A spare is consumed only when fitted.

The van holds 20 supply units. Remove surplus packs before checkout; you will not be charged for goods you cannot carry. Check the cart total and remaining cash before departure; removing an item returns its cost to your budget.

What the equipment does

  • Food and water: Food and water add shared supply units. Water jugs also reduce heat exposure.
  • Spare parts: One matching spare is consumed when fitted. Without one, repairs may cost cash, time, or vehicle condition.
  • Protective gear: Warm coats protect against cold’s sanity cost and health damage from prolonged cold exposure. Ponchos protect against storm sanity loss. Masks protect against smoke’s sanity cost and reduce illness risk. Other weather costs can still apply.
  • Documents: A press pass can help at permit checks. A legal fund adds credibility.

The departure review lists the selected loadout and what you will have left. Return to outfitting if the balance or supplies are wrong. Choose Start the journey to pay and depart.

Next: On the road.