A Map of The Zero

Overview

Reference guide for navigating The Zero.

Introduction

The Zero, a mysterious highway located deep underneath the state of Kentucky¹ which consists of a series of non-euclidean rings², can be fairly difficult to navigate from memory.

During Act III, as I grew weary of checking the journal for somewhat vague instructions on how to reach or get out of specific critical locations, but also for not wanting to miss any non-critical ones, I ended up going through all routes in both directions and jotting down the objects/icons and which ones offered entrance/exit to different routes. After that, whenever I found myself lost, I could reorient myself by finding any object and checking it on the list.

Observations

• All routes but one will change their topography and the objects that appear alongside it depending on whether you’re traveling clockwise or counter-clockwise.
• If you stop and click on the objects, some will respond with a text, some with a scene and some will send you to a different route.
• Objects that change your route will have the icon of a return/u-turn arrow. To change the route you can either click on the arrow or simply change movement direction (from clockwise to counter-clockwise or vice versa) after stopping in front of the object.

Example:

While travelling clockwise on Route 4641 you will come across 4 things: Tape Recorder, Hall of the Mountain King, Cat Carrier and Backpack

If you stop anywhere and start moving counter-clockwise, you’ll still be travelling on Route 4641 but you’ll see a total of 5 things: the Cathode Ray, Children (Trial), The Lantern, Hall of the Mountain King, and Rope.

If you stop and change directions again (to clockwise) anywhere but in front of the Cathode Ray, you’ll be still on 4641 and going on the path of the 4 things that were first listed.
And if you keep going counter-clockwise the items above will start repeating, as you’ll be running in circles.

However if you stop in front of the Cathode Ray and change direction (or click on it), you will no longer be on Route 4641, but on Route 65, which has its own set of objects, places and connections, depending on the direction you’re travelling. Because the Cathode Ray is an object-gate/ramp/thing that transports you from 65 to 4641 or from 4641 to 65.

These gates will be underlined below.

Route 65

> CLOCKWISE

• The Bureau of Reclaimed Spaces
• The Crystal → to Route 8192
• The Pipe Organ
• The Staircase
• The Projector
• The Bell
• The Tree
• The Sprocket
• The Anchor → to Route 160
• The Bicycle
• The Feather → to Route 31
• The Wheelbarrow
• The Antlers
• The Scarecrow → to Route 88

< COUNTER-CLOCKWISE

• The Bureau of Reclaimed Spaces
• The Jaws
• The Bat Wings
• The Cactus
• The Lightning Bolt
• The Sandwich → to Route 84
• The Icosahedron
• The Cathode Ray → to Route 4641
• The Bottle → to Route 259
• The TV → to Route 70
• The Cenote
• The Pipe Organ
• The Crystal → to Route 8192

Route 31

from The Feather:
> CLOCKWISE

• Sinkhole
• The Nest
• The Feather → to Route 65

< COUNTER-CLOCKWISE

• Tunnel
• The Birdhouse
• The Talon

Route 70

from The TV
> CLOCKWISE

• Van (Phil and Jane achievement)
• The Blades
• The Rocking Chair
• The Antenna

< COUNTER-CLOCKWISE

• The TV → to Route 65
• The Barn
• Children (Dancing)
• The H-Frame
• Van

Route 84

From The Sandwich
> CLOCKWISE

• The Ashtray
• The Record
• The Trowel

< COUNTER-CLOCKWISE

• Children (Mud & Rocks)
• The Microphone
• The Goggles
• The Sandwich → to Route 65

Route 88

from The Scarecrow
> CLOCKWISE

• The Animal Bones
• Office Building (available after reading Joseph’s e-mail in Act III)
• The Casket
• The Scarecrow → to Route 65

< COUNTER-CLOCKWISE

• The Rowboat
• The Bat Feeder
• The Pendulum

Route 160

From The Anchor
> CLOCKWISE

• The Propeller
• Rust Archives (available after reading Joseph’s e-mail in Act III)
• The Compass
• The Anchor → to Route 65

< COUNTER-CLOCKWISE

• The Beacon
• Boat
• The Buoy
• The Whirlpool

Route 259

From The Bottle
> CLOCKWISE

• The Still

< COUNTER-CLOCKWISE

• The Barrel Run
• Ladder
• The Bottle → to Route 65

Route 4641

From The Cathode Ray
> CLOCKWISE

• The Tape Recorder
• Hall Of The Mountain King
• The Cat Carrier
• The Backpack

< COUNTER-CLOCKWISE

• Children (Trial)
• The Lantern
• Hall of the Mountain King
• The Rope
• The Cathode Ray → to Route 65

Route 8192

From The Crystal
< ANY DIRECTION >

• Random Access Self Storage
• The Crystal → to route 65

Visual Maps

Later on I found out visual maps existed on their wiki. Though personally I found my list to be the quicker way to situate myself (ctrl+f’ing to an object’s name to know where i was rather than visually hunting the object’s name on two maps), these maps are great visualization of what’s going on and include a hidden route (in purple, available on Act V) I’ve only now became aware of, thanks to the cartographer.

Sources

¹ [link]
² [link]

If you find a mistake or something missing, feel free to point out below.