Directive 8020 All Endings Tracker
Track all Directive 8020 endings with trigger notes, route confidence, spoiler controls, best ending status, and secret/true ending evidence checks.
Quick Answer: Directive 8020 Endings
Directive 8020 all endings are determined by a complex matrix of crew survival, identity verification (Bioscanner checks), Eisele's final narrative stance, and whether the Mimic threat is successfully neutralized or brought back to Earth. This tracker documents every observed outcome, variant, and community claim regarding the Directive 8020 endings.
How many endings does Directive 8020 have?
Supermassive Games officially confirms "multiple endings" and "hidden paths." Our tracker currently maps 3 core outcome branches (Humanitarian, Scientist, Total Infection) with over 10+ observed post-credit variants based on individual survivor states.
Is there a Best Ending?
Community consensus defines the "Best Ending" as the Save Everyone route (all 5 crew members survive) combined with a clean escape (zero Mimic infection).
Is there a Secret or True Ending?
Official "hidden paths" are confirmed. However, any specific Directive 8020 secret ending or true ending claims are currently tracked as Unconfirmed/Working Labels pending hard video evidence.
Do I need to replay the full game?
No. Utilizing the Turning Points system in Explorer Mode, you can rewind the story tree to pivot pivotal choices. Note: Turning Points are permanently disabled in Survivor Mode.
Spoiler Control & How to Use This Tracker
Because Directive 8020 heavily relies on psychological paranoia and The Thing-style impostor mechanics, testing the all endings routes requires navigating major narrative twists.
None / Light
The Quick Answer, Variable Matrix, and Turning Points strategies are safe for first-time players.
Major Spoiler
Character survival statuses (Brianna Young, Carter, Simms, Cooper, Mitchell) and the Bioscanner mechanic.
Full Spoiler
The Ending Tracker Table and Post-Credit branch details.
How Many Endings Are Confirmed?
Various gaming media and competitor sites cite conflicting ending counts
| Classification | Current Status | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Official Confirmed | Official | Supermassive officially references multiple distinct conclusions and hidden narrative paths. |
| Main Core Branches | 3+ Observed | High-level outcomes dictating the fate of the Cassiopeia and Tau Ceti f (e.g., Earth Safe vs. Earth Infected). |
| Survivor Variants | 10+ Observed | Permutations of the ending scenes based on exactly who is alive, who was killed by a Mimic, and who was left behind. |
| Post-Credit Scenes | Variable | Micro-changes during the final interview/credits loop reflecting specific dialogue choices. |
Ending Tracker Table (Full Spoilers)
This database is actively updated
| Ending / Variant Label | Label Status | Basic Requirement | Key Variables | Spoiler | Confidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Save Everyone (Best Ending) | Working Label | All 5 main crew members escape uninfected. | Survivor count = 5; Threat Status = Resolved. | Major | Medium | Video-informed |
| Total Infection (Worst Ending) | Game-Observed | Entire crew is wiped out, or a Mimic successfully hijacks the escape vessel back to Earth. | Survivor count = 0 OR Threat Status = Hitchhiker. | Full | High | Review-informed |
| Humanitarian Branch | Needs Verification | Eisele's final narrative stance prioritizes crew/humanity over the mission protocol. | Eisele trait = Sympathy/Rational. | Full | Medium | Video-informed |
| Scientist Branch | Needs Verification | Eisele prioritizes mission continuation and securing the alien biology. | Eisele trait = Analytical/Cold. | Full | Medium | Video-informed |
| The "Trust No One" Paranoia Route | Claim | Player actively executes or abandons healthy crew members out of suspicion. | Bioscanner = Ignored; Trust = Broken. | Major | Low | Theory / Guide |
| Secret / True Ending | Claim | Often cited by YouTube titles; requires finding a hidden post-credit sequence. | Unknown | Full | Unknown | Competitor / Video Claim |
Ending Variables Explained: Why Your Route Changes
Directive 8020 endings are not determined by a single A/B choice in Chapter 8
The reactivity system tracks the following cumulative variables:
1. The Bioscanner (Identity Verification)
The most critical variable. If you allow separated crew members to rejoin without forcing a Bioscanner check, you risk letting a Mimic into your safe zone. This silently flags your route for a disastrous ending.
2. Survivor Count (Exploration Deaths)
Unlike The Devil in Me, characters in Directive 8020 can die dynamically during real-time stealth if you fail to Parry with the stun baton. A dead character locks out their respective ending branches.
3. Eisele's Stance (Destinies)
The "Destiny" personality system tracks whether your dialogue choices lean toward Humanitarian (saving people) or Scientist (studying the threat). This dictates the final monologue.
4. Turning Points Decisions
Major narrative forks permanently alter the environment of the Cassiopeia, sealing off specific escape routes.
Best Ending, Humanitarian, and Scientist Status
If you are looking for the Directive 8020 best ending
If you are looking for the Directive 8020 best ending, focus on the Humanitarian / Save Everyone intersection.
Humanitarian vs. Scientist
These are the two primary philosophical paths observed in the late game. Neither is officially deemed "canon," but the Humanitarian route offers more emotional closure for Brianna Young and her crew.
Best Ending Consensus
Players define this as surviving the Tau Ceti f anomaly with all five protagonists alive. To achieve this, your rule of thumb must be: Trust, but Verify. Never open a blast door for an un-scanned NPC.
Secret, Hidden and True Ending Claim Audit
Fact-check based on official developer statements and code observations
| Claim | Source | Status | Editor Action / Truth |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Official True Ending" | Search autocomplete | ❌ Unconfirmed | The Dark Pictures Anthology historically avoids canonical "True Endings." Treat this as a player-made label. |
| "Hidden Paths Exist" | Supermassive Games | ✅ Official Confirmed | Confirmed via official feature trailers. Hidden paths require backtracking via Turning Points. |
| "Secret Ending Unlocked" | YouTube Video Titles | ⚠️ Proceed with Caution | Most "Secret Ending" videos are just specific Survivor Variants (e.g., only one person surviving). We track these as variants, not separate endings. |
Competitor Claim Audit: Why Guides Conflict
If you are confused by conflicting Reddit threads and AI-generated wiki pages
The "100-Hour Route" Myth
Some AI sites claim to have tested every branch for 100 hours on launch day. This is mathematically impossible. We rely only on video-timestamped evidence.
Shared Story Misinformation
Many older guides assume you can unlock specific endings via Shared Story co-op. Current launch materials do not confirm legacy Shared Story for Directive 8020, so ending routes should be tested through solo play or local Movie Night unless official patch notes say otherwise.
Trophy APIs vs. Reality
Trophy sites predict endings based on API scraping. We require PoP (Proof of Play) before confirming a trophy directly maps to a distinct cinematic ending.
Turning Points Cleanup Route (How to Save Time)
You do not need to replay the 8-10 hour campaign from scratch to see all endings
Follow this efficient cleanup method:
Start on Explorer Mode
Do not play Survivor Mode if you are an achievement hunter. Survivor completely disables the Turning Points timeline.
Establish a Clean Base Route
Aim for a "Save Everyone" run first. Keep everyone alive and uninfected until Chapter 7.
Use the Flowchart
Once the credits roll, open the Turning Points menu. Rewind to the final major [Pivotal Moment] (usually the Escape Pod/Airlock decision).
Isolate Variables
Change only one variable at a time (e.g., let one person fail a scan). Play out the last 45 minutes to log the new variant.
First Playthrough vs Completionist Advice
| Player Type | Recommended Action | Risk Warning |
|---|---|---|
| First-time Player | Avoid this page's Table. Play blind on Explorer. | Looking at the Ending Table will spoil the Mimic impostor reveals. |
| Completionist / Platinum | Build a Save Everyone baseline, then branch out using Turning Points. | Ensure you grab missable Heirlooms before branching late-game choices. |
| Hardcore / Returning | Play Survivor Mode. | You cannot rewind. If you miss a Parry, the death is permanent, locking you out of the Best Ending. |
| Lore Reader | Review the Post-Credit variations. | Pay attention to Eisele's background lore. |
Common Mistakes When Chasing All Endings
Playing Survivor Mode for your first run
You cannot use Turning Points to mop up endings if you select this difficulty. You will be forced to replay the entire game to see a different outcome.
Trusting without Bioscanners
A character who survives a fall off-screen and returns might be a Mimic. Letting them in without a scan ruins the "Save Everyone" ending instantly.
Changing too many variables during Rewind
If you go back to Chapter 4, change three choices, and jump to Chapter 8, you will lose track of which trigger caused the new ending.
Skipping the Credits
Post-credit scenes change dynamically based on the final Survivor Count. Do not skip them if you are documenting outcomes.
Evidence Log & Route Updates
Frequently Asked Questions
How many endings are in Directive 8020?
The game features multiple official endings. We are currently tracking 3 main narrative branches and over 10 character-specific post-credit variants. The exact number fluctuates based on how permutations are counted.
What is the best ending in Directive 8020?
The community considers the "Best Ending" to be the route where all 5 protagonists (Young, Carter, Simms, Cooper, Mitchell) survive the Tau Ceti f anomaly and successfully neutralize the alien threat.
Does Directive 8020 have a secret ending?
While "hidden paths" are officially supported via the Turning Points feature, a bespoke "Secret Ending" is currently tracked as an unverified claim. Most secret endings are actually late-game variants triggered by specific failure states.
Do I need to replay the whole game for all endings?
No, provided you play on Explorer Mode. The Turning Points system allows you to revert to pivotal moments and branch out without replaying the entire 8-10 hour campaign.
Does saving everyone unlock the true ending?
Saving everyone unlocks the most complete cinematic resolution, but the series traditionally does not label any single outcome as the "True" canon ending.