Persona 4
Persona 4

Endings Guide

Achieve every ending in Persona 4. This guide details critical choices and requirements for obtaining the Golden Ending and avoiding bad ends.

·Multi-source verified (108/108)

Endings Guide

Persona 4 offers several endings, ranging from premature bad ends to the coveted Golden Ending. This guide will walk you through the critical choices and requirements to achieve each one. Be mindful of your save points, especially during key narrative moments, as some decisions can lock you into a specific path.

Bad Endings

These endings typically occur when you fail to identify the true culprit or make choices that lead to the Investigation Team giving up. They can happen at several points in the story.

Early Bad End: November 6th

This is the earliest point you can achieve a bad ending. On November 6th, during the crucial conversation with the Investigation Team, you must fail to correctly identify the culprit.

  • Location: Dojima Residence, Living Room.
  • Trigger: After Nanako is hospitalized and the team discusses who might be responsible.
  • Actionable Steps:
    1. When prompted, choose any incorrect option for the culprit.
    2. Continue to make incorrect choices or give up during the subsequent questioning.
    3. Eventually, the game will present you with a choice to "Give up" or "Keep trying." Choose "Give up."
  • Outcome: The Investigation Team disbands, and you return home, leaving the mystery unsolved.

Accomplice Ending: December 3rd

This ending involves protecting the true culprit and allowing them to escape justice. This path is irreversible once committed.

  • Location: Hospital.
  • Trigger: After confronting the true culprit at the hospital on December 3rd.
  • Actionable Steps:
    1. During the conversation with the true culprit, you will be presented with several dialogue options. Choose options that express sympathy or agreement with their actions.
    2. Specifically, when asked about their motives, choose options that validate their perspective.
    3. You will eventually be given the option to "Protect him" or "Turn him in." Choose "Protect him."
    4. Following this, you will need to dispose of evidence. Choose to "Throw the evidence into the river" or a similar option.
    5. The game will then fast-forward to the end of your stay in Inaba, with the true culprit remaining free.
  • Outcome: The true culprit is never brought to justice, and the protagonist leaves Inaba with a heavy secret.

Neutral Ending: March 20th (Standard Ending)

This ending occurs if you solve the main mystery but fail to uncover the ultimate truth behind the events in Inaba. It's the most common ending for players who don't pursue the optional final dungeon.

  • Location: Inaba, various locations.
  • Trigger: Successfully identify and defeat the true culprit, but do not pursue the final investigation on March 20th.
  • Actionable Steps:
    1. On March 20th, after packing your bags and saying goodbye to your friends at the Dojima Residence, you will be prompted to either "Go home" or "Spend more time in Inaba." Choose "Go home."
  • Outcome: The protagonist leaves Inaba, having solved the murder mystery, but an underlying threat remains unaddressed.

True Ending (Golden Ending)

This is the definitive good ending, requiring you to uncover the full truth behind the events in Inaba and confront the ultimate antagonist. This path extends the game's playtime significantly on March 20th.

  • Location: Inaba, various locations, including the Velvet Room and the TV World.
  • Trigger: Successfully identify and defeat the true culprit, and then pursue the final investigation on March 20th.
  • Actionable Steps:
    1. December 3rd: Identify the True Culprit. During the hospital confrontation, you must correctly identify the true culprit. This involves choosing specific dialogue options that accuse them directly and present evidence. If you make a mistake, reload a previous save.
    2. March 20th: The Final Day.
      • After packing your bags and saying goodbye to your friends at the Dojima Residence, you will be prompted to either "Go home" or "Spend more time in Inaba." Choose "Spend more time in Inaba."
      • Head to Junes. Speak with your friends. They will discuss the lingering doubts.
      • Go to the Riverbank and speak with the individual standing there. Exhaust all dialogue options.
      • Return to the Central Shopping District and speak with the individual in front of the gas station. This is a critical interaction.
      • During the conversation, you will be asked about the gas station attendant. Choose the option that expresses suspicion or states, "I don't think so."
      • You will then be given a choice to "Confront the attendant." Choose this option.
      • This will lead to a series of events culminating in the final dungeon.
    3. The Final Dungeon: Yomotsu Hirasaka.
      • Prepare your party with strong Personas, healing items like Soma and Medical Ointment, and revival items such as Balm of Life. The enemies here are powerful.
      • Ascend through the dungeon, defeating Shadows and navigating its challenges.
      • Confront the final boss. This battle can be quite difficult, so ensure your party is well-equipped and at a high level (ideally 85+). Focus on exploiting weaknesses and using powerful Personas like Izanagi-no-Okami (if on New Game+).
  • Outcome: The ultimate truth is revealed, the final threat is neutralized, and the protagonist leaves Inaba having forged unbreakable bonds and brought true peace to the town.