When does the game end?

[Nikratio]

Hello,

I've played for about 40 cycles now and feel I'm in a pretty comfortable position with no trouble getting money and keeping myself in shape. Story-wise, it also seems like the protagonist is in a good position to happily stay on the Eye ever-after. However, the game just does not seem to end.

When initially each cycle feels like a challenge with important decisions to be made, now it feels increasingly like a boring click-through exercise - the optimal choices are clear, the outcome rarely uncertain. So basically, it feels like I've beaten the game but the game is not realising it.

Am I encountering a bug? Or do I need to complete all the "Drives"? There are a few (like constructing the giant ship) that I deliberately did not pursue, and it would feel odd having to do so to beat the game...

[Cappuccinski]

What you are experiencing is player agency!

Technically, so long as there are story elements to pursue, the game is not "over". There are several final choices the game offers which end the story, and that's when the game ends.

However, you can end the game whenever you want, by turning off the game. You can create your own ending, where the Sleeper is happy and all their needs are met - Essen-Arp can harm them no more, and life is good. This is a non-satisfying narrative conclusion, but it is as valid an ending as any other.

[Neomare]

Originally posted by Nikratio:

Hello,

I've played for about 40 cycles now and feel I'm in a pretty comfortable position with no trouble getting money and keeping myself in shape. Story-wise, it also seems like the protagonist is in a good position to happily stay on the Eye ever-after. However, the game just does not seem to end.

When initially each cycle feels like a challenge with important decisions to be made, now it feels increasingly like a boring click-through exercise - the optimal choices are clear, the outcome rarely uncertain. So basically, it feels like I've beaten the game but the game is not realising it.

Am I encountering a bug? Or do I need to complete all the "Drives"? There are a few (like constructing the giant ship) that I deliberately did not pursue, and it would feel odd having to do so to beat the game...

Thare are missions that let you leave the eye and make the credits roll but you can stay on the eye and continue doing the drives and exploring the story. You sill get the credits though.

But yea in essence once you get to the point where you break even with your expenses and have a reliable way to continue to fix your body you have beaten the challenge.

There are some time sensitive missions here and there but in my experience if you focus on them you should be able to do them easily as long as you do not get extremly unlucky.

I am on cycle 105 right now I did all the base game drives I am super rich in everything and I just started doing the end game content, which is a series of time intensive missions but nothing to crazy. It does require some care and optimisation but nothing super challenging.

I will probably finish it because I do enjoy the chill atmosphere and the story :). Harvesting the fruits of my labour hehe.

who knows though.. maybe some of the end game episodes actually challenge me again :D.

[golfan88]

I personally just had the credits roll on my first ending... the game let me continue after the credits ended but that may have simply been because of the choice I picked. I will leave a few achievements open for a second playthrough. I did machinist with this first run but I am curious about the operator.

From what I have seen in the Steam boards and online there are a lot of different endings.

[Celebrimnar]

I guess you mean when does the credit roll? I got the roll of credits after completing the mission about the seed.