Code Vein Ending Explained: Unraveling the Mysteries of Vein
The ending of Code Vein varies depending on the player’s actions throughout the game, specifically regarding the restoration of the Vestiges of Successors. There are three primary endings: Heir to the Breath, To Eternity, and Dweller in the Dark. The “best” ending, Heir to the Breath, is achieved by restoring all Successor Vestiges before defeating the Successor in their respective boss fight. To Eternity occurs when some, but not all, Vestiges are restored. Finally, Dweller in the Dark, considered the “bad” ending, transpires when no Vestiges are restored at all. Each ending has significantly different implications for the future of Vein and its Revenants.
Understanding the Ending Branches
The ending you receive in Code Vein is directly tied to how you interact with the Successors – powerful Revenants who guard the Blood Beads and the source of the Bloodsprings. These Successors have been driven to madness and must be defeated to progress. Before each Successor fight, you’ll find a series of Vestiges, memories that piece together their story and the burdens they carry.
By interacting with these Vestiges and restoring them with the help of Io, you unlock crucial pieces of the Successor’s past. This, in turn, influences the outcome of the fight and ultimately, the ending you achieve. Failing to restore any Vestiges results in the Dweller in the Dark ending. Restoring some Vestiges leads to To Eternity, while restoring all before defeating the Successor grants you the Heir to the Breath ending, often considered the canon and most fulfilling conclusion.
The Endings in Detail
Heir to the Breath: The Best Outcome
This ending requires meticulous exploration and a commitment to understanding the Successors. To achieve Heir to the Breath, you must find and restore all of each Successor’s Vestiges before engaging them in battle. This involves returning to Io between finding each Vestige fragment to have her restore them.
In this ending, the protagonist absorbs the Relic of each Successor, inheriting their power and their burden. They then transform into a new type of being, capable of entering the Gaol of the Blood. Inside, they confront the physical manifestation of Queen, Eos, and choose to merge with her. This act purifies the Bloodsprings and allows normal blood beads to grow again, essentially solving the blood famine crisis and potentially allowing Revenants to one day live peacefully as humans. The ending shows the remaining companions, including Io, venturing out into the world to spread hope and rebuild society. It’s a bittersweet conclusion, acknowledging the protagonist’s sacrifice while offering a brighter future for Vein.
To Eternity: A Bleak Compromise
The To Eternity ending occurs if you restore some, but not all, of the Successors’ Vestiges. This ending portrays a more stagnant future for Vein. The protagonist absorbs the Relics of the Successors, but instead of merging with the Queen, they choose to become a new Successor themselves, taking on the responsibility of maintaining the Bloodsprings in their current, corrupted state.
This means the blood beads remain scarce and Revenants continue to struggle for survival. The protagonist becomes a statue, eternally maintaining the balance but unable to interact with the world. The ending scene shows the protagonist’s companions still visiting them, maintaining vigil, but the overall tone is one of resignation and limited hope. They’ve traded temporary relief for long-term stagnation.
Dweller in the Dark: The Worst Fate
The Dweller in the Dark ending is considered the “bad” ending. It is triggered if you defeat all the Successors without restoring any of their Vestiges. In this outcome, the protagonist fails to comprehend the suffering and motivations of the Successors, leading to a catastrophic consequence.
Instead of absorbing the Relics, they destroy them. This causes the Bloodsprings to dry up completely, plunging Vein into complete darkness and despair. Revenants are left with no source of blood beads and are doomed to degenerate into Losts, mindless monsters driven by insatiable hunger. The ending cutscene depicts a desolate Vein, devoid of hope and overrun by Losts. It’s a grim reminder of the importance of empathy and understanding.
Consequences of Each Ending
The ending you achieve dramatically affects the world of Code Vein and the future of its inhabitants.
- Heir to the Breath: Restores the Bloodsprings, allowing for the potential return of humanity and a brighter future for Revenants. It’s a bittersweet sacrifice for a greater good.
- To Eternity: Perpetuates the cycle of suffering and stagnation. The Bloodsprings remain corrupted, and Revenants continue to struggle for survival. It represents a failure to address the underlying problems.
- Dweller in the Dark: Dooms Vein to destruction and despair. The Bloodsprings dry up, leading to the complete collapse of Revenant society and the irreversible degeneration of Revenants into Losts.
Reaching Specific Endings: A Checklist
To ensure you get the ending you desire, here’s a quick checklist:
- Heir to the Breath:
- Find all Vestiges related to each Successor before their boss fight.
- Return to Io between each Vestige fragment to have her restore it.
- Defeat the Successor after restoring all their Vestiges.
- To Eternity:
- Restore some, but not all, of the Successiges before defeating the Successor.
- Dweller in the Dark:
- Do not restore any Vestiges before defeating the Successors.
Final Thoughts
The multiple endings of Code Vein add depth and replayability to the game. They force players to consider the consequences of their actions and engage with the narrative on a deeper level. Whether you strive for the hopeful Heir to the Breath ending or accidentally stumble into the despair of Dweller in the Dark, the ending will leave a lasting impression. Understanding the nuances of each ending allows you to fully appreciate the intricate story and the choices that shape the fate of Vein.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a Vestige in Code Vein?
A Vestige is a fragmented memory of a Successor or other significant character in Code Vein. They provide insight into their past, motivations, and the events leading to their current state. They are crucial for understanding the lore and unlocking different endings.
2. How do I restore a Vestige?
To restore a Vestige, you must first collect all its fragments. Then, return to Io in the home base, and she will use her powers to piece the fragments together and restore the Vestige. This process unlocks new Blood Codes and reveals vital information.
3. Does the difficulty setting affect the ending?
No, the difficulty setting does not affect which ending you receive. The ending is solely determined by your actions regarding the restoration of Successor Vestiges.
4. Can I get all three endings in one playthrough?
No, you can only get one ending per playthrough. To see all three endings, you will need to play through the game multiple times, making different choices regarding Vestige restoration each time.
5. What is the “best” ending?
The “best” ending is subjective, but many consider the Heir to the Breath ending to be the most fulfilling, as it leads to the most optimistic future for Vein and its inhabitants.
6. What happens if I miss a Vestige fragment?
If you miss a Vestige fragment before defeating a Successor, you will not be able to achieve the Heir to the Breath ending for that particular playthrough, if you were aiming for it. You’ll either get the To Eternity or Dweller in the Dark ending, depending on how many other Vestiges you missed.
7. Are there any missable Vestiges?
Yes, some Vestiges are missable. It’s crucial to explore each area thoroughly and backtrack if necessary to ensure you find all the fragments before progressing too far.
8. How can I tell if I’ve found all the Vestiges for a Successor?
Before fighting a Successor, check your inventory and ensure you have all the Vestige fragments associated with them. Additionally, after restoring each fragment with Io, she will provide dialogue indicating if there are more fragments to find.
9. What are Blood Codes and how are they related to Vestiges?
Blood Codes are character classes in Code Vein that grant different abilities and stats. Restoring Vestiges often unlocks new Blood Codes, allowing you to customize your character build and experiment with different playstyles.
10. Does the order in which I defeat the Successors matter for the ending?
No, the order in which you defeat the Successors does not affect the ending. The only factor is whether or not you restore their Vestiges before fighting them.
11. Can I reload a save to get a different ending?
Yes, you can reload a save file from before the final boss fight (or before individual Successor fights) to alter your choices regarding Vestige restoration and achieve a different ending. However, doing so will overwrite any progress made after that save point.
12. What role does Io play in the endings?
Io plays a crucial role in restoring Vestiges and providing context for the Successors’ stories. She is instrumental in achieving the Heir to the Breath ending. Her own Vestiges are also important to restore to understand her character and motivations.
13. Is there a “true” ending to Code Vein?
While the Heir to the Breath ending is often considered the “best” or “canon” ending due to its more optimistic outcome, there is no officially designated “true” ending. All three endings are valid conclusions to the story.
14. What happens to the protagonist in each ending?
In Heir to the Breath, the protagonist merges with the Queen and purifies the Bloodsprings. In To Eternity, they become a new Successor, maintaining the existing order. In Dweller in the Dark, they fail to prevent the collapse of Revenant society.
15. Are there any post-credits scenes or epilogues associated with each ending?
Yes, each ending has a unique post-credits scene or epilogue that provides closure to the story and shows the consequences of your choices. The Heir to the Breath ending has the most hopeful and detailed epilogue.