Endings

Endings

All 8 endings in Phantom Blade Zero — ending conditions, branching paths, side quest impacts, and how to get the true ending

8
Endings
8
Branching Paths
Red Wraith
Key Choice

Introduction

Phantom Blade Zero features 8 distinct endings — more than Elden Ring — each determined by your side quest completion and key choices throughout the story. The branching narrative is one of the game's most distinctive features, with side quests directly shaping the main story's conclusion. From the fate of Red Wraith to the completion of specific character arcs, every decision you make ripples forward into the ending you receive. New Game Plus allows exploring alternative paths with upgraded gear.

Ending Categories & Conditions

CategoryKey ConditionRed WraithSide QuestsDifficulty Impact
True Ending100% side quest completionKilled or SparedAll completedAny difficulty
Good EndingsMost side quests doneVariableMajority completedStandard endings
Neutral EndingsPartial side quest completionVariableSome completedModerate story changes
Bad EndingMinimal side quest completionSkippedFew or noneDarkest outcome for Soul
Secret EndingSpecial hidden conditionRequired encounterSpecific hidden questReveals deeper lore

Ending Paths

True Ending

Rare

Complete narrative resolution — 100% completion required

ConditionRequires completing every side quest — the most demanding ending
RewardFullest resolution of Soul's story and the Phantom World conspiracy
DifficultyAchievable on any difficulty — challenge is exploration, not combat

Red Wraith Endings

Key Choice

The most impactful single choice in the game

Kill1v1 final fight with certain ending branches unlocked
Spare2v1 final fight with ally assistance, different ending branches
SkipLocks out multiple ending paths — simplifies but limits outcomes

Secret Ending

Hidden

Hidden condition reveals deeper Phantom World lore

TriggerSpecial hidden condition — not simply completion or dialogue choices
LoreReveals deeper truth about the Phantom World and higher powers
DiscoveryMost players find it on 2nd/3rd playthrough — requires specific exploration

Bad Ending

Common

Darkest outcome — minimal completion

CompletionMost side quests done — standard good outcome for Soul
QuestsMajority of side quests completed across the campaign
ResultPositive resolution with some loose narrative threads

Secret Ending

Dark

Hidden condition — reveals deeper lore

MinimalFew side quests completed — darkest outcome for Soul
SkipSkipping key encounters and quests leads to this path
WarningMost challenging ending to experience but least rewarding

Core Mechanics

The ending system is driven by side quest completion rather than binary dialogue choices. Each side quest you complete (or skip) contributes to an ending state that determines the final narrative outcome. The Red Wraith decision is the single most impactful choice — whether you kill, spare, or skip this optional boss directly changes the final fight composition and which ending branches are available. The game tracks completion across multiple dimensions, not just main story progress.

Advantages

Having 8 distinct endings creates massive replay value and rewards thorough exploration. Each ending provides meaningful narrative closure rather than minor variations. The side-quest-driven system means your choices throughout the game matter — not just a single binary choice at the end. New Game Plus lets you pursue alternative endings with the advantage of upgraded weapons and skip previously completed side quests.

Challenges

Without a guide, it's difficult to know which side quests affect which endings, potentially leading to unintended outcomes. Some ending conditions are mutually exclusive, meaning you cannot see all endings in a single playthrough. The game doesn't clearly communicate the consequences of skipping optional content like the Red Wraith encounter. Tracking completion for the true ending requires near-perfect side quest completion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see all endings in one playthrough?+
No. Some ending conditions are mutually exclusive — for example, you cannot both kill and spare Red Wraith in the same playthrough. Getting all 8 endings requires at least 2-3 playthroughs using New Game Plus. The true ending requires 100% side quest completion, which demands a highly thorough first playthrough or a dedicated NG+ run.
Which is the best ending?+
The true ending (achieved by completing all side quests) provides the most complete narrative resolution for Soul's story and the Phantom World. However, the secret ending reveals deeper lore that the true ending doesn't cover. Both are worth pursuing. The best experience is playing naturally first, then using NG+ to pursue the ending that matches your preferred narrative outcome.
Does difficulty affect endings?+
Difficulty does not directly affect which ending you receive. You can achieve any ending on any difficulty, including Hellwalker. However, playing on harder difficulties makes side quest completion more challenging, which indirectly affects which endings are achievable. The ending conditions are based on side quest completion and key choices, not difficulty level.

Quick Tips

💡

Complete every side quest you encounter — side quest completion is the primary driver of ending outcomes. Unlike games where a single dialogue choice determines the ending, Phantom Blade Zero tracks your overall completion. Missing even a few side quests can shift your ending category.

💡

Pay special attention to the Red Wraith encounter — this is the single most consequential choice in the game. Sparing affects the final fight composition (2v1), killing changes the final fight (1v1), and skipping locks you out of certain ending branches entirely.

💡

Use New Game Plus strategically for alternative endings. Carry over your upgraded weapons and skip completed side quests to efficiently pursue different ending branches. NG+ is the intended way to experience all 8 endings without replaying the entire game from scratch.

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