Metaphor: ReFantazio presents players with four unique endings that capture the protagonist’s journey in different ways. Among these, three endings are categorized as “bad” outcomes, as they can only be accessed by making choices that stray from the game’s intended path, often leading to unsettling conclusions. These negative endings feature themes of doubt and acceptance of alternate realities, ultimately truncating the narrative and leaving the essence of the world shrouded in mystery. Fortunately, players can avoid or intentionally pursue these undesirable outcomes by making informed choices.
The fourth ending, often referred to as the "true" ending, can be attained by adhering to the narrative structure and aligning choices with the protagonist’s aims. Many players find the positive resolutions in Metaphor: ReFantazio to be more fulfilling than those in Persona 5, with the true ending typically offering a more uplifting conclusion. However, the specifics of this ending can shift depending on the depth of the player’s relationships with their companions, maintaining a consistent overarching theme. While the negative endings lack gameplay rewards, they offer intriguing insights and experiences that can be explored while progressing toward the true conclusion.
You can unlock all four endings of Metaphor: ReFantazio in a single playthrough by cleverly utilizing the save system. Although the game incorporates branching paths, players have the opportunity to witness all possible outcomes. To achieve this, one must follow certain dialogue choices to navigate toward different conclusions that ultimately lead to obtaining the various endings. The initial three endings, often labeled as "bad endings," are brief and heavily dialogue-focused but can still be uncovered by choosing paths leading to them.
These choices are marked within the game, usually occurring after an autosave checkpoint. Thus, players can easily return to a previous save and opt for alternate decisions after experiencing the endings. In essence, players only need to select the "bad" choice during key moments and then reload their game to proceed with the main story. The true ending culminates in a confrontation with the final boss, Louis, meaning there is no risk of missing out on the ultimate conclusions.
Metaphor: ReFantazio offers three different bad endings, each branching from critical decision points in the storyline. These conclusions reveal various alternate paths in which the protagonist gives in to despair, accepts a distorted reality, or ultimately forsakes their quest for a constructed existence. Unlocking these endings involves making specific choices that run contrary to the game’s core narrative. Their expected paths make them relatively easy to identify, allowing players to either avoid or embrace them based on their decisions.
To secure the bad endings, players must reject their true identity and heritage, fall for Louis’s manipulative rhetoric, and embrace a false narrative. Any choices reflecting these themes will lead to one of the bad endings. The directions they take are evident, so players should prepare themselves to navigate accordingly. Detailed explanations of each ending and the necessary actions to obtain them are available, but saving progress before critical decisions is advisable to ensure access to all potential outcomes.
The first bad ending players may encounter in Metaphor: ReFantazio revolves around the Prince. This outcome occurs when players reach a pivotal point in the story and discover the lifeless body of the Prince in the Ancient Eldan Sanctum. Here, a mysterious voice reveals the protagonist’s identity as an idealized form of the Prince, created from magma. Players then have the choice to reject this revelation. Despite the dismay expressed by the companions, choosing this option leads to a sudden termination of the journey, marking a denial of one’s true self and an end to the adventure.
The Louis bad ending transpires during the late stages of Metaphor: ReFantazio, specifically within the Skybound Avatar dungeon, which players can access during certain storyline segments. Instead of facing a traditional boss battle at the end of this extended dungeon, players encounter Louis, who delivers a lengthy, philosophical monologue about his vision for a reformed world, one that may come at the expense of cruelty and oppression.
Louis persuades the protagonist to join him in establishing this grim new order, where humans dominate and other creatures are subjugated. Accepting his invitation by selecting the dialogue option, "You’re absolutely right," leads to a bad ending. While the companions are shocked by this choice, they eventually accept it as a preferable alternative to the ongoing cycle of injustice. The world transforms, falling under human rule and resulting in significant loss, ultimately concluding the narrative with no regard for future consequences.
Another bad ending materializes during the final encounter with Louis on 10/26. After overcoming Louis’s initial phase and enduring numerous cutscenes, the protagonist appears to perish but is saved by More, who teleports them back to Akademeia. The setting shifts dramatically to Shibuya, Tokyo, where More then discloses a staggering truth: everything within the United Kingdom of Euchronia and the Tournament was merely a fabricated narrative. The protagonist’s real world is, in fact, More’s reality.
Choosing to accept this explanation seals a bad ending, bringing the narrative to a conclusion that underscores the fantasy as mere fiction. Unlike the other endings, this one unfolds after an extensive boss battle and multiple cutscenes, so players should be aware that if they want to resume the story for its true ending, they will need to replay the boss encounter.
To unlock the true ending in Metaphor: ReFantazio, players must navigate the storyline without choosing any options leading to the bad endings. The goal is to defeat Louis, the main antagonist, on 10/26 at the final confrontation. Straying from this path will result in one of the negatives. However, if players remain focused on defeating Louis, they can progress toward the true ending, where the protagonist emerges as the hero.
Successfully beating Louis signifies a crucial victory, etching the protagonist’s face onto a mountain as a symbol of their ascendance to power and winning the hearts of the kingdom’s citizens. If players have encountered any bad endings prior to this point, they will not experience this major achievement. However, bypassing negatives means that players are on track for the true conclusion.
The epilogue extends beyond mere coronation ceremonies, fast-forwarding one year into the future to reveal the positive changes that have taken place in Euchronia. The protagonist’s reign is portrayed as prosperous, marked by the happiness of the people. Players will also reconnect with their loyal companions, exploring their individual narratives in greater depth. The details of the true ending hinge on the connections established with companions throughout the game.
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