Metaphor: ReFantazio has four distinct endings, each showing a different end to the protagonist's journey. Three of these endings are considered bad because they can only be unlocked by picking choices that deviate from the true path and are generally depressing. These bad endings involve moments of doubt or acceptance of alternative realities, ultimately cutting the story short and leaving the world's true nature ambiguous. However, knowing what to do, you can avoid or go right into those bad endings.

[Warning: The following article contains spoilers for Metaphor: ReFantazio.]

The fourth ending, the "true" ending, is done by following the narrative flow and making decisions that align with the protagonist's goals. Metaphor: ReFantazio has better endings than Persona 5, and the true ending is generally happier but can only be achieved by avoiding the bad endings. The true ending does change depending on how close you are to your companions, but the overall theme is the same every time. While the bad endings don't offer any gameplay rewards, they're still interesting to watch and can be done on the way to the true ending.

Can You See Every Ending?

You can experience all four endings of Metaphor: ReFantazio in the same playthrough, but only by using the save system to your advantage. The game uses branching paths, but the player can still see all the outcomes. To get them, you're going to need to follow specific dialogue choices that lead to different outcomes but eventually unlock the endings. While the first three endings, often considered "bad endings," are short and primarily text-based, they can be unlocked by those who actively make choices to reach them.

These choices are clearly marked; thankfully, they usually happen after an autosave point. So, you can just go back and redo it after watching each ending play out. Really, all you have to do is make the "bad" choice to watch the alternative conclusion and then reload your save to continue the main storyline. The fourth and true ending requires defeating the final boss, Louis. So, there is no need to worry about missing out on anything.

How To Get The Bad Ending

Metaphor: ReFantazio offers three bad endings, each branching off from a crucial decision point in the narrative. These endings present alternative realities where the protagonist succumbs to despair, embraces a twisted ideal, or ultimately abandons the fight for a fabricated existence. They are unlocked by making certain decisions that go against the game's overall narrative plot and objective. They're fairly simple to see coming, and you can avoid them or go through with them based on some simple choices.

Getting the bad endings just requires you to deny your true identity and heritage, succumb to Louis's manipulative ideology, and embrace a fabricated reality. Any choices where your character does these things will lead to a separate bad ending. It's clear where they're going, so you're not going to be caught off guard by them. We detail each ending and how to get them, but it's best to save before the decisions come so you can ensure you can get the good endings.

Prince

The earliest bad ending you can get in Metaphor: ReFantazio deals with the Prince. This ending happens when you reach 9/24 in the story and find the Prince's lifeless body within the Ancient Eldan Sanctum. A mysterious voice will reveal your true identity, stating you are the Prince's idealized form embodied in a magma-made body. However, you have the option to reject this truth. Despite your companions' distraught reactions, choosing to do so abruptly ends your journey. You essentially choose to deny your true self and the path before you, resulting in a premature conclusion to the story.

Louis

The Louis bad ending happens during the endgame of Metaphor: ReFantazio, specifically within the Skybound Avatar dungeon. This dungeon can be accessed from story points 9/26 to 10/25. Instead of facing a boss battle at the end of this lengthy dungeon, you'll encounter Louis, who will launch into a long, philosophical speech about his desire to change the world. He argues that the current status quo is unfair and that the world needs to be reformed, even if it means becoming something more cruel and hellish.

Louis invites you to him in creating this dystopia, where humans rule the world and all other creatures are subjugated. You have the choice to accept his offer by selecting the dialogue option "You're absolutely right." Doing so will result in a bad ending. Although your companions are initially shocked by your decision, they will eventually concede that this is a better option than continuing the cycle of injustice. The nation transforms into a world dominated by humans, with everything else lost forever. What becomes of the world afterward is irrelevant, and the game ends.

More

The bad ending occurs during the final confrontation with Louis in Metaphor: ReFantazio on the Tyrant's Star, which takes place on 10/26. After defeating his first phase and witnessing several cutscenes, the protagonist seemingly dies but is rescued by More, who teleports them back to Akademeia. The setting shifts dramatically, with the protagonists finding themselves in Shibuya, Tokyo. More then reveals a mind-bending truth: The United Kingdom of Euchronia, the Tournament, and the entire fantasy world were merely a doomed story, while the protagonist's real world is actually More's reality.

Choosing to accept More's explanation will trigger the bad ending, ending the story with the revelation that the fantasy world was just a fabrication. Unlike the others, this ending occurs after a lengthy boss fight and multiple cutscenes, so be aware that choosing this path will require redoing the boss fight if you want to continue the story to its true conclusion. At least this way, you can just go straight to the true end if you have to redo it.

How To Get The True Ending

Like the true ending in Persona 3 Reload, Metaphor: ReFantazio requires navigating the story without picking any of the choices that lead to the bad endings. Your goal is to defeat Louis, the primary antagonist, on 10/26 during the final battle. If you are straying from this, you are going to one of the bad endings. Otherwise, you can just beat Louis up and be on your way to the true ending, where your character is the hero.

Successfully beating Louis is the key to unlocking the true ending, regardless of your Archetypes in Metaphor: ReFantazio. After he's defeated, your protagonist's face will be etched onto the rock. This signifies your ascension to the throne and securing the of most of the kingdom. You did it; you're the most powerful person in the kingdom, and the game shows that you won the battle. If you happen to pick any of the bad endings, you won't come close to this point, so if you haven't gotten a bad ending, you're on the way to the true ending, as seen in GamersPrey's video above.

The story doesn't simply end with a coronation a few days later in Metaphor: ReFantazio. Instead, it fast-forwards a year into the future, revealing a detailed epilogue. Here, you'll see the positive transformations that have swept through Euchronia. Your reign has been good, and your people are happy. You'll also have the opportunity to reconnect with your trusted followers, those you've achieved maximum rank with, and delve deeper into their individual stories. So, the details of the true ending depend on how close you are to your companions.

Video Credit: GamersPrey/YouTube