Like other games in its franchise, Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne has several endings, each one representing different possible outcomes for the Vortex World and the one to follow. From the collectivist Assembly of Nihilo to the chaotic demons of Lucifer himself, Nocturne brings its protagonist, the Demi-fiend, into contact and conflict with many unique factions. All are vying for the power of creation, but ultimately only the idea that wins his support can succeed.

Each ending has different requirements, which typically involve siding with its representatives and helping their vision become reality. To shed more light on each one and explain what their success would mean for the future, let's take a deeper look at each side in the cosmic conflict, what their ideals entail and how the Demi-fiend can seize victory on their behalf.

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Shijima Ending

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Shijima is the Reason of Hikawa and his Assembly of Nihilo. As such, the corresponding ending can be unlocked by supporting his philosophy over the competing ideas. Shijima is a peaceful, collectivist philosophy that sees humanity sacrifice all desires to live in harmony with the Earth. Through surrendering their emotions, people under Shijima will attain a form of enlightenment without war or strife.

While some fans have likened this to communism, this is a misunderstanding of both ideas. Hikawa has little to say regarding social class or economics; instead, his goal is to prevent human greed from destroying the world. As such, he aims to preserve the planet by replacing the worldly desires of its inhabitants with tranquillity. These ideas are more comparable to the concept of Nirvana, in which the evils of greed, anger and delusion are erased to achieve perfect serenity.

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Musubi Ending

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Musubi is the Reason of Isamu and the wandering spirits of Amala. Similarly to Shijima, attaining it requires the player to support his ideals over all others. In contrast to Hikawa's vision of universal serenity, Musubi is an aggressively isolationist philosophy that separates all humans into their own individual paradise worlds that are at once protected and isolated from outside interference.

Musubi is based on solipsism, the belief that one can only know for sure that one's own mind exists. This is best summarized by French philosopher René Descartes' famous quote, "I think, therefore I am." Isamu's Reason takes this to an extreme by creating billions of different environments within which only their own personal creators can truly be said to exist. While the rest of humanity would still live in this world, they would be so-isolated in their own private spaces as to make interaction between them impossible.

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Yotsuga Ending

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Chiaki's Reason of Yotsuga is the last of the three competing philosophies, and also requires that the player support her ideals over all others. Unlike the other two Reasons, Yotsuga is an elitist, individualistic principle that privileges the powerful above all else. It is a world ruled by the strong, where those who prove their worth are permitted to rule while the weak and powerless are culled or enslaved.

Many fans have compared Yotsuga's brutal, dog-eat-dog worldview to Social Darwinism. This belief attempts to apply Charles Darwin's ideas of natural selection to politics and economics. However, an even better comparison might be Ayn Rand's objectivism, which frames selfishness as a virtue and compassion for others as a weakness. Similarly, Yotsuga is an aggressive, egocentric idea that emphasizes the importance of personal power and liberty without considering the needs of the less-fortunate.

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Freedom Ending

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The Freedom Ending reverts the Conception, dispelling the Vortex World and returning the Earth to normal. Though it is associated with Yuko, it is not a Reason so much as a rejection of them. As such, this ending requires the Demi-fiend to refuse the Reasons and confirm they can endure suffering and torment when asked by Aradia. Finally, those seeking this ending should tell Mitra at the Diet Building that they are not a demon.

Freedom can be considered the traditional "Neutral" ending to Nocturne, as it rejects all supernatural influences in favor of humanity controlling its own fate. While this denies the Earth a chance for recreation, it also re-empowers its people by leaving the future in their hands. As such, it may be best compared to humanism, a secular belief that claims ethics and values are founded solely on human nature and experience.

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Demon Ending

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Nocturne's Demon Ending has similar requirements to the Freedom Ending. However, in addition to rejecting the Reasons, the player must also confirm that they are terrified by suffering and torment when asked by Aradia. Finally, they should inform Mitra that they are indeed a demon. This leads to the Vortex World collapsing without a Reason to guide it, effectively transforming the twisted Tokyo into a haven for demonkind.

Demons in Shin Megami Tensei follow a chaotic, survival of the fittest mentality. As such, the consequences of this ending aren't too different from the Yotsuga route. However, with humanity effectively destroyed, no more Reasons can be created. Because of this, Earth never develops beyond the Vortex World, making it the planet's new natural state. This nihilistic ending rejects the notion that humanity can create any worthy society, leaving the planet at the mercy of Chaos forever.

Related: Shin Megami Tensei V: Trailer, Plot, Release Date, and News to Know

True Demon Ending

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The True Demon Ending is the hardest to achieve, requiring the player to clear the optional Labyrinth of Amala dungeon and defeat Metatron before entering the Tower of Kagutsuchi. Once this is done, the player will be set on this path regardless of any other choices that they make. This ending sees the player character challenge Lucifer after destroying Kagutsuchi, earning the right to lead the forces of Chaos in a cataclysmic final battle against their great enemy.

Philosophically, the True Demon Ending isn't too different from the regular Demon Ending. The only difference is that, in this route, the player impresses Lucifer enough to be appointed commander of his forces. As the leader of Shin Megami Tensei's Chaos faction, Lucifer represents freedom, rebellion and the supremacy of demons. This ending sees the Demi-fiend not simply reject humanity, but renounce it entirely to become a fully-fledged demon devoted to Chaos.

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