I am happy to make any corrections if more accurate information is discovered. If you have any comments, you can either post here or e-mail me at: [email protected]
All of the screenshots in this post were taken by me.
1. INTRODUCTION
49 Keys is a novel-style puzzle game with a heavy Lovecraftian theme, some medieval occult elements, and a few religious aspects. There is no RNG, combat, or character building - the game is about exploring the environment, reading through the thematic descriptions, and solving various puzzles. While it is similar to Omen Exito: Plague, has the same publisher, and is often bundled together in Steam deals, the two games were made by completely different development teams.
There are 4 possible endings in 49 Keys. These four combinations are dependent on two factors:
After completing the labyrinth, do you return to the convent or do you proceed to the sepulcher?
After completing the labyrinth, are you afflicted with the arcane illness?
In order to unlock The Ultimate Ending achievement you have to achieve all four of the endings. This guide will provide spoilers for each of the endings to help ensure you experience each of the possible scenarios.
2. CONVENT ENDING WITH ILLNESS
If you return to the convent, the first 2 ending slides are always the same regardless of whether or not you are afflicted with the illness. However, you will then see 2 or 4 additional slides depending on whether or not you are ill.
This ending requires returning to the convent while afflicted with the arcane illness. That means you need to contract the arcane illness while in the castle and remain uncured.
3. CONVENT ENDING WITHOUT ILLNESS
This ending requires returning to the convent without being ill. Either you never contract the illness at all by skipping the castle encounter or you contract the illness but then get cured by summoning Ipos.
Note that this is the shortest path through the game, making it ideal for the Speed Runner achievement. You can completely skip the visions in the castle and Ipos in the labyrinth. This ending also has the fewest number of ending slides.
4. SEPULCHER ENDING WITH ILLNESS
If you proceed to the sepulcher, the first 6 ending slides are always the same regardless of whether or not you are afflicted with the illness. However, you will then see 6 or 7 additional slides depending on whether or not you are ill.
This bittersweet ending requires proceeding to the sepulcher while still afflicted with the arcane illness. That means you need to contract the arcane illness while in the castle and remain uncured.
This is the longest ending with the most slides.
5. SEPULCHER ENDING WITHOUT ILLNESS
Most people would consider this the "best" ending. It requires proceeding to the sepulcher without being ill. Either you never contract the illness at all by skipping the castle encounter or you contract the illness but then get cured by summoning Ipos.
