Your choices determine whether you’ll get a false or bad ending in Persona 4 Golden. So, keep reading to learn what you must do to get the game’s true ending.
Persona 4 Golden is the definitive edition of Atlus’s Persona 4, which introduced additional story content, along with a brand new Social Link named Marie and two new dungeons. And as expected, Marie plays a vital role in Golden’s ending.
To get to the game’s true ending, you must first make sure to meet all the requirements for unlocking the original Persona 4’s true ending, which involves identifying the true killer and defeating them. Then, you have to make sure to max out Marie’s Social Link to access the whole new school semester offered in Persona 4 Golden.
However, getting the true ending is easier said than done. To ensure you don’t make any mistakes, we have prepared a detailed guide on unlocking the true ending in Persona 4 Golden.
True Ending Unlocking Conditions in P4G
Reaching the true ending in Persona 4 Golden can be tricky. It involves max ranking the Social Links of characters like Marie and Adachi and picking the right dialogue choices at crucial moments. Moreover, you must also complete certain dungeons before their deadlines to ensure you don’t accidentally get the worst ending in the game – which leads to two major character deaths. Below are all the requirements for unlocking the true ending in Persona 4 Golden.
Reach Max Rank on Marie and Adachi’s Social Links
Marie is the main new addition in Golden, and she plays an integral part in shaping the game’s story. As such, you must max rank her Social Link to experience the game’s true ending. If you complete her Social Link by mid-December, you will gain access to two new dungeons – Hollow Forest and Yomotsu Hirasaka.
On the other hand, completing Adachi’s Social Link has been a requirement since Persona 4, so you have to reach Rank 6 on Adachi’s Social Link by 12/3 so that the story can progress far enough to identify the real killer.
P4G Marie Availability
Marie can be found outside the Velvet Room door in Central Shopping District on Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Moreover, Marie will be available every day until December 23rd once you have access to the Magatsu Inaba dungeon. However, she is only available during the Daytime and will not appear on Rainy Days.
P4G Adachi Availability
Unlike other characters, Adachi has a very strict appearance schedule, and it is difficult to reach Rank 6 by 12/3 if you neglect him for too long. It is important to note that Adachi’s meetup spot changes between Junes’ elevator (Daytime) and Central Street Gas Station (Nighttime). Below are all the days Adachi is available in Persona 4 Golden:
- May – 5/13, 5/20, 5/23, 5/25, 5/27, 5/30
- June – 6/5, 6/10, 6/11, 6/15, 6/26, 6/28
- July – 7/2, 7/4, 7/5, 7/12, 7/14, 7/24, 7/25
- August – 8/23, 8/25
- September – 9/1, 9/19, 9/20, 9/21, 9/23, 9/24, 9/27, 9/30
- October – 10/6, 10/12, 10/21, 10/24, 10/26
- November – 11/1
Pick the Right Dialogues in December
After rescuing Nanako from Heaven and capturing Namatame, you learn that he has been admitted to the same hospital as Nanako. And during the story, Nanako seemingly dies. After this, the entire team blames Namatame for her death and decides to take revenge. At this moment, you have to decide how to confront Namatame. If you let Yosuke take charge, he will throw Namatame into the TV world to die. However, to get the true ending, you must think rationally and pick the following dialogue choices:
- “Wait a second here”
- “We’re missing something”
- “Namatame’s true feelings”
- “Something’s been bothering me”
- “We’re missing something”
- “Calm the hell down”
This will accelerate the story toward the true ending, and you will get the opportunity to identify the real killer. After discussing the events with your friends at Aiya’s Diner, your friends will ask you who you think might be the true killer.
During that moment, you will have to pick “Tohru Adachi” and proceed to “Tell your friends.” If you choose to stay quiet and protect Adachi, you will instead get the Accomplice ending. However, choosing to tell your friends will unlock the Magatsu Inaba dungeon, from where you can access Golden’s additional story content.
Rescue Marie by 2/13
Given you have completed Marie’s Social Link and got Adachi arrested for being the true Midnight Channel killer, you will now have access to Golden’s additional story content, which includes the Hollow Forest dungeon.
First, you must visit the Velvet Room on January 2nd and speak to Margaret. After wishing you a happy new year, she will inform you that Marie has disappeared. From then on, Margaret will call you every Wednesday before school to keep you updated on her search progress for Marie.
During this time, you must attend school, complete your S-Links with other characters, and steadily prepare for the Skiing trip with your friends. Once you go on the Skiing trip on February 10th, you will have to take shelter from the snowstorm in an abandoned lodge.
Once your friends find you, you will all be sucked into the Old TV inside the Lodge and find yourself in the Hollow Forest dungeon. This dungeon must be completed on February 13th, and you will not get additional time to rescue Marie. Be mindful that Hollow Forest is the hardest dungeon in the game. And failing to rescue Marie will lock you out of the game’s true ending.
Don’t Go Home on 3/20
Given you rescued Marie from the Hollow Forest dungeon on February 13th, time will progress after Valentine’s day event. Since March 20th is your last day in Inaba, you will have to meet with every Social Link you have established throughout the story and say your goodbyes.
Once you have said your goodbyes, the game will prompt you to go home for the day. When given the option to go back home, you must pick “NO.” Then, head to Junes Food Court (by interacting with the Elevator) and pick the following dialogue choices:
- “No”
- “I’m not finished yet”
- “Yes”
- “There’s something missing”
Now, you must head to the Riverbank of Samegawa Flood Plain and speak to Nanako and Dojima. There, Nanako will remind you about the “Weird Gas Station Attendant,” and Dojima will tell you that he never saw the attendant after that day.
After speaking to the Dojimas, visit the Velvet Room in the Central Shopping district and speak to Igor. He will then give you the Clarity Orb key item. After obtaining the orb, go to the Gas Station and speak to the Attendant.
This will prompt a conversation that leads to big story revelations and give you access to the game’s final dungeon – Yomotsu Hirasaka. All there’s left to do from here is to defeat Izanami-no-Okami and save the world.
Wish to learn more about Persona 4 Golden? Then check out our guides on All Trophies and Achievements, All Side Quests, All Part-Time Jobs, and All Classroom Answers in Persona 4 Golden.
