In the game Shift at Midnight, players are tasked with surviving through 13 nights while managing a shop. While the gameplay involves handling daily shifts, the narrative culminates in a pivotal decision at the end of the 12th shift. This choice determines the fate of your pet and Sheriff Clyde Dawson. Understanding how these endings are triggered is essential for players looking to explore the different outcomes or reach the True Ending.
There are three distinct endings in the game. Two of these are considered "bad" or tragic in nature, as they result in the death of either your pet or the sheriff. Navigating these outcomes requires careful management of your shop funds and attention to detail during the shifts leading up to the finale.
Understanding the Three Endings
The game’s conclusion hinges on whether you have accumulated enough money for your pet’s surgery and whether you choose to call Sheriff Clyde for assistance. According to a guide on the game's endings, the three possible outcomes are:
- The True Ending: You successfully fund the surgery yourself. Both your pet and Sheriff Clyde survive.
- Grave Decision: You rely on the sheriff to cover the costs. Your pet survives, but the sheriff is killed by the Dentist.
- Empty Home: You fail to secure the funds and do not ask for help. Your pet does not survive the night.
Each path offers a different narrative conclusion, and players often aim for the True Ending to ensure the best possible outcome for all involved characters.
The Grave Decision Ending Explained
The "Grave Decision" ending is one of the potential bad endings in Shift at Midnight. To trigger this specific outcome, you must end your 12th shift with less than $250 in your personal funds. When the game presents the option to call Sheriff Clyde Dawson at the end of the 12th shift, you must choose to call him.
In this scenario, Clyde agrees to pay for the surgery. While this ensures your pet receives the necessary treatment, it leads to a tragic fate for the sheriff. After he leaves your shop, the Dentist attacks and kills him.
Following this, the Dentist will enter your shop. You are required to shoot him and proceed forward until you reach a dead end. At this point, a cutscene plays where Sheriff Clyde appears to take down the Dentist. Because he was already killed earlier, this moment is particularly somber. Your pet survives the ordeal, but the cost of that survival is the life of the sheriff.
Managing the Empty Home Ending
The "Empty Home" ending is the second bad ending, characterized by the loss of your pet. This occurs when you reach the end of the 12th shift without the required $250 for the surgery and choose not to call Sheriff Clyde for help.
When the Dentist eventually makes his way into the shop, you must shoot at him. Like other endings, this will lead you to a strange area where you must follow the path to a dead end. The sheriff will appear to rescue you and kill the Dentist, and he will survive this encounter. However, because you lacked the funds for the surgery and refused to accept the sheriff’s help, your pet does not survive.
To avoid this outcome, players must focus on maximizing their earnings throughout the 13 nights. Failing to hit that $250 threshold forces you into a situation where you must choose between a tragic end for the pet or a tragic end for the sheriff.
Tips for Reaching the True Ending
To avoid the bad endings, you must aim for the True Ending. This requires the most preparation. You must earn $250 before the end of the 12th shift and choose not to call Sheriff Clyde.
Earning money effectively is key to this goal. Avoid shooting human customers, as this will negatively impact your earnings. Maintaining a high shop rating is equally important, as high-rated shops encourage customers to purchase extra items. You can boost your rating by adding decor to your shop and dealing with rats as soon as they appear.
Additionally, consider collecting tokens before each shift. Using these tokens on the wheel can provide extra money, making it significantly easier to reach the $250 goal. By focusing on these mechanics, you can ensure you have the funds required to pay for the surgery yourself, thereby saving both your pet and the sheriff.
The Importance of Identifying Clyde
A crucial part of your survival—and the ability to reach the desired ending—involves correctly identifying Sheriff Clyde during his visits. Throughout the shifts, Clyde will visit your shop multiple times.
Be cautious, as some visitors may be doppelgangers. One indicator that a visitor might not be the real Clyde is if he acts as if he has never met you before, despite having visited the shop twice already. However, be aware that visit patterns can vary. Do not automatically assume a visitor is a doppelganger just because it is their third visit.
Carefully check every visitor before shooting. Accidentally killing the real Sheriff Clyde while he is human can cause significant problems with your game progression and potential endings. Always take a moment to assess the situation before pulling the trigger, as the consequences for mistaking the sheriff for a threat are severe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between the bad endings in Shift at Midnight? The main difference is the outcome for your pet and Sheriff Clyde. In the "Grave Decision" ending, the pet survives but the sheriff dies. In the "Empty Home" ending, the sheriff survives but the pet dies.
How much money do I need to earn to avoid the bad endings? You need to earn at least $250 by the end of the 12th shift to afford the surgery yourself, which allows you to achieve the True Ending without needing to call the sheriff.
Is it possible to accidentally kill the sheriff? Yes. You must be careful during his visits to the shop. If you mistake the real Sheriff Clyde for a doppelganger and shoot him, it can cause problems with your ability to reach the various endings.
What should I do if I am short on money for the surgery? If you are short on money, you can choose to call the sheriff, but this will lead to the "Grave Decision" ending where the sheriff is killed. To avoid this, focus on maintaining a high shop rating, dealing with rats, and using tokens on the wheel to increase your income before the 12th shift ends.