Persona 4 Golden is notorious for its important decisions that can lead to dire consequences. Romance one too many girls? Look out for what may come from it. Tell someone the wrong thing when they’re down on their luck? Their opinion of the player may drastically change. Even making the decision for how Persona players will spend their time in Inaba may weigh heavily on the relationships that quite literally form the foundations of Personas in the game.
There is one key point in the story that frames a particular decision as one of life and death. After the tragic circumstances that result from defeating what appears to be the key suspect in the case, the gang is debating the moral quandary of forcing Namatame to pay for his crimes. Yosuke pleads that throwing Namatame into the TV will not only serve justice for his wrongdoings but will also prevent the killer from striking again. Major spoilers for Persona 4 Golden lie ahead.
Should You Throw Namatame Into The TV?
Agreeing to throw Namatame into the TV is a decision that can only come from spite. Seeing the deranged man and blaming him for Nanako’s death will likely force the player into a tough decision with heavy moral implications. It becomes clear that throwing Namatame into the TV will result in his death, but it will not change what has already been done. So, is it the right move?
The answer should unequivocally be no. This is not to say that Namatame is not still to blame for the death of Nanako. It is obvious that he is the kidnapper who has been throwing people into TV’s. But his plea is sincere. Namatame thought he was helping people. This also does not account for the first two deaths that propelled the gang into their search for the killer, as Namatame’s alibi is still rock solid.
From a gameplay perspective, throwing Namatame into the TV will immediately set in motion the Bad Ending in Persona 4 Golden. Nanako will remain dead, the fog will lay heavily over Inaba for good, and the mystery will feel unresolved as time flashes forward to the beginning of Spring. The game’s final cutscene will play out unceremoniously, and the player will be shortchanged on time with their companions. In short, Persona 4 Golden’s Bad Ending feels bad in just about every way.
Refusing to throw Namatame into the TV will force everyone to come together to attempt to find the missing piece of this proverbial puzzle. The game gives a few chances for the player to change their mind on the decision one way or the other, but it is important to stay strong if uncovering the true culprit is a goal for the protagonist. There is a True Ending in Persona 4 Golden which should be thought of as the best possible conclusion to the story. To set off on the path towards that ending, select the following for the cutscene regarding the Namatame decision.
“Wait a second here…”
“We’re missing something.”
“Namatame’s true feelings.”
“Something’s bothering me.”
“We’re missing something…”
“Calm the hell down!”
These answers will begin the True Ending. Someone may go missing, someone may come back, and the mystery will expand in ways that are surprising and unexpected. There is far more still to do to unlock the entirety of the True Ending, such as maxing out every social link available in the game, but either way, the player is now on the path to set things right in Inaba for good.
Persona 4 Golden is available now on PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.