What Happens When You Take the Helicopter in Sons of the Forest?
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Taking the helicopter in Sons of the Forest triggers the game’s “good” ending, or rather one of the two normal endings, leading to a specific set of events and unlocking the “Fought Demons” achievement. This choice is a pivotal moment in the game’s narrative, and it significantly alters your experience compared to the alternative of staying behind on the island. Let’s break down exactly what happens when you choose to board the helicopter.
When you finally reach the point in the story where the helicopter appears, you’ll have a crucial decision to make. Instead of grabbing your backpack and remaining on the island, you approach the helicopter. If Kelvin is alive, he will join you, Timmy, and Eric (the father-son duo from the first game, The Forest) as you board. The helicopter then takes off, signaling your departure from the island and the completion of this specific story arc. This ending is considered the “good” ending because it offers a sense of escape and resolution to the immediate conflict.
The Consequences of Choosing the Helicopter
The most significant consequence of boarding the helicopter is that you are no longer actively playing on the island. The helicopter sequence is a cutscene, and once it concludes, you are awarded the “Fought Demons” achievement. However, this isn’t a game-over screen. The ending also unlocks the ability to continue playing your save on the island. Upon completion of the cutscene, you’ll reload your save right before making the helicopter decision. This allows you to continue surviving, exploring, building, and battling the island’s dangers if you wish. You simply have the choice to keep playing even after technically “beating the game”.
It’s worth noting that the helicopter ending focuses on escaping the immediate threat and leaving the island. There is a narrative closure involved in getting your character off of the island. This is one of the two normal endings in the game. The other normal ending is achieved by not getting on the helicopter. However, this doesn’t mean you have completed the game if you choose to get on the helicopter, as you can load back into your save and continue playing.
What About the Secret Ending?
The helicopter ending is distinct from the secret ending. The secret ending in Sons of the Forest requires specific conditions to be met, including having Virginia as your permanent companion and ensuring both Virginia and Kelvin are alive when you enter the bunker and the Golden Cube. This will unlock a different achievement: “Keep Your Friends Close”. The Secret ending is not tied to the helicopter at all, but can be triggered while choosing to leave. If you were to board the helicopter with Kelvin and Virginia alive, that would be as close to the secret ending as you can get without triggering the cutscene where you enter the Golden Cube.
The helicopter escape and the secret ending are two completely different achievements and ending routes that both have separate conditions needed to meet. The helicopter is not tied to the secret ending route.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about the helicopter ending and related aspects of Sons of the Forest:
1. Can I continue playing after taking the helicopter?
Yes, taking the helicopter will give you the “Fought Demons” achievement and allow you to continue surviving on the island by reloading the save you used to trigger the helicopter ending, therefore putting you back before the ending sequence. It’s not a game-over; you can explore and build more if you like, it simply means you have seen that ending route.
2. Does Kelvin need to be alive to take the helicopter?
While Kelvin doesn’t necessarily need to be alive for you to trigger the helicopter ending, if he is, he will board the helicopter with you and the others. If you take the helicopter while Kelvin is not alive, he will not be seen on the helicopter.
3. What items can I get from the helicopter crash site?
The crashed helicopter, called the Littlebird Crashsite, is not where the helicopter ending takes place, instead this is an area you should visit before getting to the final area. At the crash site, you can find the Pistol Rail and the Silencer inside two open briefcases, which can be used to modify your pistol.
4. How many endings does Sons of the Forest have?
Sons of the Forest has three endings in total: the two normal endings (taking the helicopter or not), and one secret ending that requires specific steps and is independent of the other endings.
5. What is the bad ending in Sons of the Forest?
The “bad” ending is achieved by not boarding the helicopter. Instead, you will grab your backpack and remain on the island, continuing your survival. You will get the “Fight Demons” achievement for doing this.
6. What is the secret ending in Sons of the Forest?
The secret ending requires you to befriend Virginia and keep both Virginia and Kelvin alive until you enter the bunker with the Golden Arm Door and the Golden Cube. This results in a specific cutscene and the achievement “Keep Your Friends Close”.
7. Does the story change based on the ending I choose?
While the companions present at the end might differ based on your choices, the core story remains mostly the same, whether you choose to take the helicopter or not, and neither affect the secret ending route. It’s the details and sense of finality that change between the endings.
8. Do I play as Timmy in Sons of the Forest?
No, you do not play as Timmy. You will meet him in the bunkers, but your character is a different individual sent to the island for separate reasons.
9. How do I get the secret ending?
To achieve the secret ending, you must ensure both Kelvin and Virginia are alive when you enter the bunker with the Golden Arm Door. This often involves carefully managing their survival and your relationship with them.
10. Who shot down the initial helicopter in Sons of the Forest?
The initial helicopter that you were on at the start of the game was shot down by a Sahara merc who was looking for the location of the bunker and the artefact.
11. What is the purpose of the mask in Sons of the Forest?
The mask is a utility item that helps you blend in with cannibals and remain passive around them. This allows you to move in areas that would otherwise be dangerous. Don’t wear the mask around already aggressive cannibals.
12. Should I wear the golden armor?
The golden armor is essential for reaching the end of the game, but it doesn’t offer much in terms of actual protection. You’re better off using tech armor for combat.
13. What are the best weapons against cannibals?
The best weapons for defeating cannibals are the ranged weapons, such as the slingshot, the shotgun, and the pistol, especially if it is upgraded with the items you find in the helicopter crash site.
14. Can you lose the golden armor?
No, the golden armor is a permanent item and does not break or lose quality when used in combat.
15. Where can I find Timmy’s dad, Eric?
Eric can be found in one of the underground bunkers along with Timmy, fighting against a Sluggy. He is also looking for the Golden Cube.
In conclusion, choosing to take the helicopter in Sons of the Forest is a pivotal moment that leads to the “good” ending of the game, gives you the “Fought Demons” achievement and the ability to replay the game in that save by reloading your save file. It is a significant choice, allowing you to escape the island temporarily. However, the game is not over when you choose the helicopter and it simply triggers one of the normal endings to the game. The secret ending requires a separate course of action.