Following Ending Help! (Obvious spoilers)

[Buttfart Princesspants VIII]

Hi guys, just wondering about the ending to the following. I haven't finished it yet but I've seen spoilers for it and I'm curious.

If you get to the mother and either do the viral thing, or the war head thing, does the game completely end? I know when you kill Rais in the main game you can just continue sandboxing through it, but the ending to the following obviously makes it seem like you can't just get in your car and continue where you left off. I'd really hate for it to end but I'm super interested in the story and want to see the conclusion to it - so I want to know if I should take my time and put off going there for the mean time.

At the same time, does the following game matter to the main game? Will I be unable to go to the menu and press play for the main game if I completed the following and Crane essentailly dies? Will Harran be lost to me?

I've heard of a intricate, hidden ending that requires a bit more work, but I haven't see the cut-scenes for that ending, so I'm not exactly sure what happens to Crane. Would this option be the best for me if I want to continue playing after the story? Is it worth doing or is it not really a conclusion and another side mission?

Thanks, guys!

[Blaze]

After you finish the following you can continue to freeroam around in the countryside. Also you can easily go back to playing main game by selecting ‘Play’ then ‘Campaign’ in the main menu.

[Blade Master]

No, the ending has no impact on gameplay, you'll be able to load the game and continue in free roam, be it either Campaign of The Following. Go to Main Menu > Play > Campaign / The Following.

[Buttfart Princesspants VIII]

That's so odd. I'm really glad they decided to make that choice, but it does seem a bit silly considering you could possibly nuke yourself. It'd be a bit hard for Crane to go anywhere in that state! But thanks, guys. Good to know I can play it full steam ahead unhindered.