The following contains spoilers forDragon’s Dogma 2.

Dragon’s Dogma 2’s main story is notably convoluted, due to the amount of lore scattered between the many NPCs that inhabit its world and the notes that players can find while out exploring its every nook and cranny. If players aren’t thorough in their endeavors, they can find themselves entirely lost and without a clue as to what is going on in the overarching narrative. To make matters even more complicated, everything eventually culminates into one of three endings forDragon’s Dogma 2, depending on the player’s choices. However, while it’s fairly easy to discern how to obtain each ending, the conclusion of its bizarre narrative can feel underwhelming to those who haven’t invested in its context. This bodes especially true forDragon’s Dogma 2’s true ending, which is essentially the way the story is meant to end.

In the ways that matter most,Dragon’s Dogma 2’s story is just like its predecessor’s, despite seeing it play out in a much different way.Players once again control the Arisen, a warrior who has appeared for the very purpose of subduing the Dragon, who also appeared to bring destruction to the world. The Arisen’s story begins with their heart being plucked from their chest and consumed by the Dragon, thereby intertwining the fate of the two. The Arisen must then destroy the Dragon or be claimed by it, after which the cycle of rebirth and destruction continues, and another Dragon or Arisen is created, depending on the outcome of the previous rivalry. This is the heart ofDragon’s Dogma 2’s story, but in its true ending, players can bring an end to the cycle once and for all.

Dragon’s Dogma 2 Tag Page Cover Art

Dragon’s Dogma 2’s True Ending Explained

To achieve thetrue ending ofDragon’s Dogma 2, players must ultimately prevent the death of the Dragon at the hands of the Arisen and the Arisen at the hands of the Dragon. After all, the cycle requires the two to engage in mortal combat until one of them is defeated, so one who wishes to break the cycle must do something other than what is required. This is accomplished via the Empowered Godsbane Blade, which, when used by the Arisen on their own heart, will defy fate and break the cycle once and for all.

How to Obtain Dragon’s Dogma 2’s True Ending

Players receive the Empowered Godsbane Blade during the quest “A New Godsway,” but are still eventually given the option of whether to challenge the dragon and maintain the cycle in the “Legacy” quest.Dragon’s Dogma 2’s bad ending happens when players refuse to face the Dragon, whereas the good ending is triggered upon defeating the Dragon, and then assuming the throne as the new Sovran. However, to obtain the true ending, players must first choose to face the Dragon. Once the Dragon takes flight with the Arisen onboard, players climb down to the Dragon’s heart and use the Empowered Godsbane Blade on themselves.

What Happens During Dragon’s Dogma 2’s True Ending

WhenDragon’s Dogma 2’s true ending is triggered, the Arisen and the Dragon plunge into the ocean and are swallowed by the Brine. Shortly thereafter, the Pathfinder appears and scolds the Arisen for straying from the path. The Pathfinder then offers the Arisen one final chance to return to the cycle, but when the Arisen refuses, they bear witness to the lifeless, desolate Unmoored World that comes as a result of being detached from the cycle. As it turns out, the cycle ultimately allows humanity and the world to prosper, despite being threatened by the Dragon’s appearance. The Arisen then has no choice but to summon the Dragon and restart the cycle once more. This effectively endsDragon’s Dogma 2and potentially sets up a third game in the series. Otherwise, players can take advantage ofDragon’s Dogma 2’s New Game Plusto complete additional content.