Restoration Endings Guide: All Possible Outcomes

Overview of Endings in Restoration

Restoration, the cozy simulation game from Parasol Corp, offers a surprisingly heartfelt narrative woven into its soothing cartridge-cleaning gameplay. While the core loop focuses on tearing wrapping paper, peeling stickers, and removing grime from forgotten video game cartridges, your actions and choices determine which of the multiple endings you will see. There are a total of four distinct endings: two standard endings, one hidden ending, and one true ending. This guide will walk you through each, explaining the requirements and choices needed to unlock them. Unlike many games, there is no failure or time pressure, so you can take your time exploring every path. For a complete overview of the game's mechanics, check out our gameplay overview.

Standard Ending A: The Completionist

This is the most straightforward ending and is likely the first one most players will encounter. To achieve Standard Ending A, you simply need to fully restore every single cartridge that comes into your workshop. This means cleaning each cartridge to a 100% pristine state, removing all stickers, and repairing any visible damage. There are no special choices or hidden items required. Once the final cartridge is restored, the game will trigger this ending, which shows your character looking over their completed collection with a sense of quiet satisfaction. It is a warm and rewarding conclusion that emphasizes the joy of finishing what you started. If you are struggling with the more meticulous cleaning steps, our beginner tips can help you master the tools.

Standard Ending B: The Curator

Standard Ending B requires a different approach focused on preservation rather than complete restoration. Instead of fully cleaning every cartridge, you must choose to leave certain "historical marks" intact. This includes things like a previous owner's initials, a store price sticker from a bygone era, or even a unique stain that tells a story. You will need to carefully inspect each cartridge using the zoom feature and decide which imperfections to keep. This ending celebrates the history and memories attached to each cartridge, rather than erasing them. It triggers after you have processed all cartridges in the game, having chosen to preserve at least one significant imperfection per cartridge. For more details on cartridge inspection and care, refer to our crafting guide.

Hidden Ending: The Collector's Secret

The Hidden Ending is the most difficult to unlock and requires you to find a series of secret items hidden within the cartridges. These items are not visible during normal cleaning. You must use a special "deep scan" tool, which is unlocked after completing a specific side quest given by a mysterious NPC who visits your shop. Once you have the tool, you can find hidden compartments inside certain cartridges. Inside, you will find fragments of a lost cartridge prototype. Collect all five fragments, and the game will allow you to assemble the prototype. Restoring this prototype triggers the Hidden Ending, which reveals a secret message from the original developer of the lost cartridge. This ending adds a layer of mystery and depth to the game's lore. For more on finding secrets, see our secrets guide.

True Ending: The Restoration

The True Ending is the ultimate conclusion and requires you to complete the game with a perfect balance of all previous endings' conditions. You must fully restore all cartridges (as in Ending A), while also preserving at least one historical mark on each (as in Ending B), and finally, you must find and restore the hidden prototype (as in the Hidden Ending). This path requires meticulous attention to detail and a deep understanding of each cartridge's history. After meeting all these conditions, the final cartridge you restore will trigger a unique cutscene. In this ending, your character is visited by the spirits of the original cartridge owners, who thank you for both honoring their memories and giving the games a new life. It is the most emotionally resonant ending and is widely considered the "canon" conclusion to the story. For a deeper dive into the narrative, explore our lore explained page.

Tips for Unlocking All Endings

If you aim to see all endings in a single playthrough, you will need to use the save system strategically. Restoration allows you to have multiple save slots. We recommend creating a separate save file before you start the final cleaning phase of the last cartridge. This allows you to reload and make different choices. For the Standard Endings, the choice is binary: fully clean or leave a mark. For the Hidden Ending, ensure you have completed the side quest for the deep scan tool early in the game. The True Ending is the most demanding, so plan your playthrough carefully. Remember, the game is designed to be relaxing, so do not rush. Take your time to enjoy the process and the stories each cartridge tells. If you need more general assistance, our beginner guide is a great resource.