The Nursery begins the late-game story sequence. The route is still linear, but it hides required objects in short side paths and uses symbols instead of facility signs.
Entering the Nursery
Use the Nursery Key on the matching door and inspect the room fully. Interact with Julian and follow the missing-blanket/objective feedback. If the next passage will not progress, return to the connected side space and look for a highlighted object rather than searching the earlier facility.
Merkert and the hand symbols
The following dialogue/vision sequence introduces Merkert and a visual instruction: the hand will show the way. At junctions, slow down and use the hand/light symbols as route confirmation. These cues become more reliable than trying to remember the shape of the red tunnels.
Getting and using the lantern
The full game introduces a lantern during this route. Press F to toggle it. This is a later full-release mechanic; the earlier Demo portion did not provide the same tool. Keep the lantern active while reading symbols and checking recesses, but pay attention to scripted light changes during story scenes.
Heart Surgeon
Steam describes Heart Surgeon as “Give Julian his heart back.” Complete the full Julian/Nursery objective chain and return the heart when the route presents the interaction. The requirement is confirmed; this guide does not claim that one isolated pickup always triggers the achievement without the preceding objectives.
This guide covers the released launch route. It does not turn incomplete collectible reports, Demo-only details or unverified fixes into confirmed instructions.