How to Make an Atomic Bomb in Your Garden Restart Guide

Why Restart Your Game?

Restarting in How to Make an Atomic Bomb in Your Garden can be a strategic move. Whether you've hit a dead end with the authorities, wasted resources on the wrong parts, or simply want to experience the chaotic journey from scratch with better knowledge, a fresh start can be liberating. The game's simulation elements mean that early mistakes, like attracting too much attention from neighbors or mismanaging your funds, can snowball into an unwinnable situation. This guide covers everything you need to know about wiping your save, starting a new file, and optimizing your early-game for a successful nuclear endeavor.

How to Reset Your Save File

The process for restarting depends on the platform and your specific needs. Here are the main methods for wiping your progress.

Option 1: In-Game New Game

Check the main menu for a "New Game" or "Restart" option. This is the safest method as it typically clears your current campaign data while keeping your game settings intact.

Option 2: Manual Save Deletion

If you want a complete, hard reset, you can manually delete your save files. On PC (Steam), saves are usually located in your user directory. Navigate to %appdata% or your Documents folder, find the folder for How to Make an Atomic Bomb in Your Garden, and delete the save data files. Always back up your saves first if you are unsure.

Option 3: Cloud Save Management

Steam Cloud may re-download your old saves if you don't disable it. Before deleting local files, go to your Steam Library, right-click the game, select Properties, go to the General tab, and uncheck "Enable Steam Cloud Save synchronization." After deleting the files, you can re-enable it for a clean slate.

1. Locate Save Folder

   Open File Explorer and paste %appdata%\karahan\HowToMakeAnAtomicBombInYourGarden\ or search for the game's save path online.

2. Backup Saves

   Copy the entire save folder to your desktop for safety.

3. Delete Save Files

   Delete all files inside the folder. Do not delete the folder itself unless you want to recreate it.

4. Launch Game

   Start the game. It should create a new save file automatically.

What You Lose and Keep When Restarting

Understanding what carries over and what is erased is crucial for planning your restart.

Optimizing Your Fresh Start

Once you have restarted, use your previous experience to your advantage. The early game is all about stealth and resource management.

Focus on Stealth First

Do not start buying expensive equipment immediately. Your first priority should be to upgrade your garage or shed to hide your activities. Invest in soundproofing materials and a better lock for your door. This reduces the chance of neighbors noticing your experiments.

Efficient Fundraising

Instead of taking high-risk loans from shady characters, focus on the more reliable, low-key income methods. Collect scrap metal from your own yard, sell old furniture online (in-game), and complete small, safe jobs for the local junkyard. Avoid any activity that raises your "Suspicion" meter early on.

Part Acquisition Strategy

Create a shopping list based on your previous run. Know which parts are easiest to find and which require a trip to the black market. Prioritize parts that are essential for the initial trigger mechanism, as this is often the bottleneck for early progress.

Common Mistakes to Avoid After Restarting

Even with experience, it's easy to fall into the same traps. Here are the most common pitfalls players encounter on a second playthrough.

• Rushing the Main Quest: The game's narrative pushes you to build the bomb quickly. Resist this urge. Spend extra time in the early game building up your resources and hiding your tracks.
• Ignoring the Neighbors: The neighbor NPCs are not just for flavor. They report suspicious activity. Befriend them with small gifts or complete their side quests to lower their suspicion.
• Overlooking the Garage: Your garage is your primary workshop. Neglecting to upgrade it will lead to frequent "accidents" that alert the authorities.

Troubleshooting Restart Issues

Sometimes, the game may not fully reset. If you encounter problems after restarting, try these solutions.

Save Not Deleting

If the game still loads your old progress, you likely missed a cloud save file. Ensure Steam Cloud is disabled before deleting files. You may also need to delete the remote folder within the game's save directory.

Game Crashes on New Game

This can happen if a corrupted settings file remains. Try verifying the integrity of your game files through Steam. Right-click the game in your library, select Properties, go to Local Files, and click "Verify integrity of game files."

Missing Content

If specific items or parts are not appearing in your new game, it might be a bug related to the game's early access state. Check the official forums or the game's update history for patches that address this.

For more detailed information on game mechanics, check our guides on resource management and stealth mechanics. If you need a broader overview, our beginner guide is a great starting point.