Return of the Obra Dinn: How to Restore a Save from Automatic Backups

Find the Windows save directory and match the profile

On Windows, open C:/Users/[username]/AppData/LocalLow/3909/ObraDinn/, substituting the Windows account name for [username]. The three main save files are ObraDinnSave-P1.txt, ObraDinnSave-P2.txt and ObraDinnSave-P3.txt, one per profile. Match the file to the profile whose progress needs recovery. The backup files live in the Backup subdirectory of this location, rather than in the game’s Steam installation folder. Each profile has its own main file. The backup directory is beneath the normal save location. [1] [2]

Steps

1. Open the Windows user-data directory and identify the relevant P1, P2 or P3 main save file. [1]

Copy the current save and every backup somewhere safe

Before replacing anything, make a safe copy of the main save file for the affected profile. Then open Backup and copy all its files somewhere safe too. The developer warns that the game may overwrite these backup files if another problem occurs; retaining the originals gives you other candidates to try. These preservation steps are part of the published restoration procedure, not an instruction to discard the current data before checking the available backups. [2]

Steps

1. Keep safe copies of the affected main save and all files in Backup before replacing the active save. [2]

Sort by date and choose the appropriate checkpoint

Recent is copied after a successful write of the normal save. EditFate is copied immediately after a fate in the book is edited. CorrectFates includes a date and time and is created after three fates are correctly set. Sort Backup by date and choose the latest candidate for the affected profile. The filename category explains what event created the copy; the date helps choose the point in progress you want to attempt restoring. The restoration procedure begins with the latest dated candidate. [2]

Copy, rename and move the candidate into the active location

Make another copy of the chosen backup inside Backup and rename that new copy ObraDinnSave-P1.txt, replacing P1 with the matching P2 or P3 profile identifier when necessary. Move the newly copied file one directory up into the normal save location, overwriting that profile’s main file. Run the game and select the matching profile to load the restored data. If this fails, repeat with a different original backup; the developer presents recovery as an attempt, not a guarantee. Use the profile identifier corresponding to the save being restored. [2]