Back to the Dawn All Endings Guide (Good, Bad, and More)
Written by Michael Owen | Back to the Dawn
There are 7 confirmed endings in Back to the Dawn. Each one depends on what you do inside the prison, how you manage your stats, and which decisions you make during key story moments.
You can reach an ending early or after escaping, but only one ending is possible per run. Note that we’re still playing the game, so if we find out some more endings we’ll post them here.
All Back to the Dawn Endings
Good Ending
If you choose to play the recording after beating Angelo, the mayor is publicly exposed. This is the only ending where justice is served. You’ll get a full resolution and unlock the “The Justice” achievement. This is considered the best outcome.
Bad Ending
If you complete the main quest and reach the confrontation with Angelo, you’ll be given a choice. If you choose not to play the recording that exposes the mayor, he stays in power. You walk away from it all. This leads to the “The Emperor” achievement.
Escape as Convict
If you escape the prison before completing the main quest involving the mayor and collecting evidence, the story skips the trial. You steal Reed’s identity and try to flee to Aslovia. A border agent checks your papers and decides whether to let you through. This result is random, but either way, the game ends here. This unlocks the “The Hermit” achievement.
Taking the Bribe
If you accept Angelo’s bribe at the start of the game (in the restaurant scene), the story ends immediately. You never go to prison. This unlocks the “The World” achievement. Kinda funny, but you won’t see any prison gameplay in this route.
Death by Coma
If your Body stat gets too low and stays that way, your character collapses during sleep. You enter a coma and die off-screen. There is no final cutscene, just a game over and early ending. This can happen before the 21-day timer ends.
Death by Insanity
If your Mind stat drops too far, your character loses touch with reality. One night, you go to sleep and wake up transferred to a psychiatric rehab facility. The game ends here with no chance to escape or finish the story.
Time Runs Out
And finally, if you don’t escape prison before the 21-day limit, the mayor wins the election. You’re found guilty and sentenced to 3 years in prison. This is a passive failure ending. It unlocks the “The Death” achievement.
Final Blurb
Every Back to the Dawn ending reflects your choices, stats, and whether you commit to escaping or fighting the system. There’s no reset button once the end hits, so every run carries real weight. If you want closure, the good ending is the only path that “completes” the story.
If you just want to survive, the game has plenty of ways to end early.
FAQ
Can you get multiple endings in one run?
No. The game ends the moment a condition is met. Each playthrough only has one ending.
How early can an ending happen?
You can end the game immediately by taking the bribe, or during the first week if your stats drop too low.
Does escaping always lead to a good outcome?
No. If you escape before finishing the mayor storyline, you’ll be treated as a fugitive. This skips the main story and gives a different ending.
How do I avoid stat-based deaths?
Use items, meals, and activities to keep Body and Mind stats up. Rest when tired, and manage stress levels.
Is the good ending missable?
Yes. You must complete the main storyline and make the correct final choice. If you skip or rush it, you’ll get a different result.
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