Shift At Midnight Endings: How to Unlock the True Ending and All Others

Discover how to unlock all three Shift At Midnight endings, including the True Ending, Grave Decision, and Empty Home. Learn how to save your pet.

Surviving the terrifying night shifts in Bun Muen's horror title can be a grueling challenge, but reaching the final night is only half the battle. If you want to see how the story wraps up, you will need to understand the mechanics behind the different Shift At Midnight endings. The choices you make, particularly concerning your finances and your interactions with Sheriff Clyde Dawson, will dictate the ultimate fate of both your character's pet and the sheriff himself.

In this comprehensive guide, we will break down all three Shift At Midnight endings and show you exactly what decisions you need to make to secure the best possible outcome. Whether you want to achieve the coveted True Ending or explore the darker paths, this walkthrough has you covered.

The Core Decision: The End of the 12th Shift

To understand how to navigate the endings in Shift at Midnight, you must look at the transition between the 12th and 13th shifts. While the game features 13 nights in total, the narrative trajectory is determined almost entirely by a single choice made at the conclusion of your 12th shift. When looking at the various Shift At Midnight endings, the crucial turning point revolves around your pet's health.

At this point, you are faced with a dilemma: how to pay for your beloved pet's life-saving surgery. You are given the option to contact Sheriff Clyde Dawson to ask him to cover the medical bills. Your decision to call or not call Clyde, combined with the amount of money you have personally earned, determines which of the three endings you will trigger.

Here is a quick reference table outlining the basic requirements and outcomes for each ending:

Ending NamePet's FateSheriff Clyde's FateKey Requirement
True EndingSurvivesSurvivesEarn $250+; Do NOT call Clyde
Grave DecisionSurvivesDiesEarn < $250; Call Clyde at end of Shift 12
Empty HomeDiesSurvivesEarn < $250; Do NOT call Clyde

Ending 1: How to Get the True Ending

Unlocking the best of the Shift At Midnight endings requires the most preparation. In this scenario, you manage to save your pet's life without putting Sheriff Clyde Dawson in harm's way. However, this is also the most challenging ending to achieve because it requires strict financial preparation throughout your playthrough.

To unlock the True Ending, you must accumulate at least $250 of your own money before the end of the 12th shift. When the game prompts you to call Sheriff Clyde to help cover the cost of the surgery, you must decline. Because you have the required $250 in personal funds, the game will allow you to pay for the treatment yourself.

Once the final shift begins, your shop will come under attack by several individuals. Shortly after, the Dentist will make his appearance. You must shoot the Dentist when given the opportunity, which transports you to a creepy, surreal area. Run along the path until you reach a dead end. At this point, a cutscene will trigger showing Sheriff Clyde arriving to eliminate the Dentist. Because you did not call him to pay for the surgery earlier, Clyde remains unharmed, and both he and your pet survive the night.

StepAction Required for True EndingStatus / Outcome
1Accumulate $250 or more before the end of Shift 12Financial goal met
2Decline the option to call Sheriff Clyde DawsonClyde remains safe
3Pay for the pet's surgery using your own fundsPet is saved
4Shoot the Dentist during the final shiftTriggers the creepy area run
5Navigate to the dead end in the surreal zoneClyde kills Dentist; both survive

Ending 2: How to Get the Grave Decision Ending

If you are unable to save up the necessary $250 by the end of the 12th shift, you will have to make a compromise if you want your pet to live. If you want to experience all Shift At Midnight endings, the Grave Decision path shows what happens when you prioritize your pet's life over the safety of the local law enforcement.

When you make the call, Clyde agreeably covers the cost of the surgery, ensuring your dog survives the medical procedure. However, this decision has fatal consequences for the sheriff. After he leaves your shop, the Dentist attacks and kills Clyde.

During the final shift, the Dentist will break into your shop. Shoot him to transition to the creepy maze-like area. Run forward until you hit the dead end. The spirit or final action of Sheriff Clyde will appear to take down the Dentist, ending the shift shortly after. While your pet is saved, Clyde pays the ultimate price, making this a bittersweet conclusion.

AspectGrave Decision Details
Financial StatusPlayer has less than $250
Sheriff CallYes, you call Clyde to pay for the surgery
Pet's OutcomeSurvives due to Clyde's financial help
Clyde's OutcomeKilled by the Dentist outside the shop
Final ConfrontationClyde's final act takes down the Dentist at the dead end

Ending 3: How to Get the Empty Home Ending

The third of the Shift At Midnight endings is the bleakest outcome in the game. This ending occurs when you fail to gather the $250 needed for the surgery and also refuse (or forget) to call Sheriff Clyde Dawson for assistance.

Without the necessary funds and without Clyde's financial backing, your pet cannot receive the treatment. During the final shift, you must still defend the shop. Shoot the Dentist when he enters, run through the strange area, and head to the dead end. Sheriff Clyde will arrive to save you from the Dentist, and because he was not targeted earlier, Clyde survives the night.

However, when you return home, you are met with an empty house. Because the surgery was never paid for, your dog passes away, leaving you entirely alone.

ParameterEmpty Home Ending Settings
Player FundsLess than $250
Call Clyde?No
Pet StatusDeceased
Clyde StatusAlive and well
AtmospherePlayer is left without their canine companion

Crucial Tips for Earning Money and Protecting Clyde

Reaching the True Ending requires a solid strategy for managing your shop's finances and recognizing threats. If you make too many mistakes during the early and middle shifts, you will find yourself locked out of the best ending. These tips are essential if you want to access the optimal Shift At Midnight endings without running out of cash.

Maximizing Your Shop Earnings

To secure the $250 needed for the surgery, you must run an efficient business. Here are the main strategies for maximizing your income:

  • Avoid Shooting Humans: Accidentally shooting human customers will severely penalize your earnings. Always verify your target before pulling the trigger.
  • Maintain a High Shop Rating: Keep your shop clean and appealing. Deal with rats as soon as they show up and add decorative items to keep customers happy. A higher rating makes customers more likely to purchase additional items.
  • Use the Token Wheel: Before starting each shift, make sure to collect tokens scattered around. Use these tokens on the wheel to win extra cash, which can significantly boost your progress toward the $250 goal.
StrategyHow It WorksFinancial Impact
Target VerificationCheck customers carefully before shootingPrevents severe cash penalties
Rat ControlEliminate pests immediatelyKeeps shop rating high
Shop DecorAdd decorative items to the storeIncreases customer spending
Token Wheel SpinsCollect tokens before shifts and spin the wheelProvides direct bonus cash

Identifying the Sheriff Clyde Doppelganger

Throughout your shifts, Sheriff Clyde will visit your shop. However, you must be extremely careful. Some of these visits may actually be a doppelganger. According to player experiences, a major red flag is if Clyde acts as though he has never met you before, even if he has already visited the shop multiple times.

Always inspect Clyde thoroughly during his visits. If you accidentally shoot the real, human Clyde during a regular shift, it can disrupt your ability to progress toward the desired endings. Do not automatically assume he is a doppelganger on later visits; verify his behavior carefully every single time.

Frequently Asked Questions about Shift At Midnight Endings

How many Shift At Midnight endings are there?

There are three distinct Shift At Midnight endings that players can unlock: the True Ending, the Grave Decision ending, and the Empty Home ending. Your final choice at the end of the 12th shift, combined with your total savings, determines which ending you receive.

What is the requirement for the True Ending in Shift at Midnight?

To get the True Ending, you must earn at least $250 by the end of the 12th shift and choose not to call Sheriff Clyde Dawson. This allows you to pay for your pet's surgery yourself, ensuring both your pet and Clyde survive the final night.

What happens if I call Sheriff Clyde but have enough money?

The pivotal decision is triggered by whether you choose to call Clyde or pay yourself. If you choose to call him, Clyde will pay for the surgery but will be killed by the Dentist after leaving your shop, locking you into the Grave Decision ending. To keep Clyde alive and save your pet, you must decline the call and pay with your own $250.

Can Clyde die during normal gameplay before the ending?

Yes. Sheriff Clyde visits your shop during your shifts, but some of these visits might be a doppelganger. If you misidentify him and shoot the real, human Clyde, it can cause problems with your endings. Check his behavior carefully to avoid accidentally shooting the real sheriff.

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