History Main / GoldenPath

* In ''KingsQuestVI'', after resolving the Beast subplot, Alexander can either head straight for the Castle of the Crown, or get there by a longer path which involves retrieving Cassima's parents from the Realm of the Dead. The long path is required for the best possible ending, of course.

[[NeedsABetterDescription Simply put]], the path that will offer the most or the best of the game (ideally, both). Sometimes the Golden Path also leads to the GoldenEnding in MultipleEndings games. Golden Paths can also be very rewarding in single-ending games. Developers can try to avert this by [[TheDevTeamThinksOfEverything creating unique content to each possible player choice]].

*** Bioware recommended taking this in Mass Effect 3 to get the best ending, which means taking plenty of time to do sidequests, explore the galaxy, talk to people, and in general TakeYourTime. That said, the ending as it currently stands remains controversial.

*** Bioware has recommended taking this in Mass Effect 3 to get the best ending, which means taking plenty of time to do sidequests, explore the galaxy, talk to people, and in general TakeYourTime.

* The ''Game/MegaMan'' games are prime examples of this; More so in the early games in which it was not possible to replay a robot master's stage, and there were items and power-ups that were only accessible using a certain weapon or ability the player may not have possessed yet.

* Like many {{RPG}}s, the ''MassEffect'' series features many sidequests, but what makes this one special is the ability to [[OldSaveBonus import your character from the previous game to the next]], along with all the data on the decisions and quests completed, which allows the player to experience follow-up quests that would not be there if you hadn't imported the character.
** In ''MassEffect2'', the way to earn the best ending is to upgrade your ship's armor, shields and weapons, recruit all the possible squadmates and complete each and every one of their loyalty missions ''before'' boarding the derelict Reaper, then immediately after [[spoiler:doing the last loyalty mission for the squadmate found there and]] go through the Omega-4 relay immediately after [[spoiler:your crew is abducted]]. During the final mission, you'll have to pick the best squadmate for each task and leave the ''toughest'' characters behind for the FinalBoss, in order to keep everyone alive. Doing so will net you the "No One Left Behind" achievement and the longest ending in the game.

* ''FrozenEssence'' has multiple paths, but the only one that solves the mysteries of Mina's lost memories and dreams and explains a lot of things that show up in other paths is the Water Path, which is unlocked only if the player doesn't fulfill the requirements for any other path. Interestingly, the game's proclaimed "True End" is actually on another path (the Life Path) but explicitly states that Mina never regains her memories, hence still leaving the player in the dark about much of the game's backstory.

* ValkyrieProfileLenneth is a rather obnoxious example. The game boasts 3 endings! Except.. One of the endings is nothing more than a fancy gameover, the normal ending bypasses alot of the intresting stuff, and is about 2 lines long with "Congratluations go to sleep, btw this game has more stuff" and the good ending whcih is both the GoldenPath and GuideDangit. Averted in Silmeria, which has only one path, and Convenant of the Plume, in which all 3 paths are satsfying (Well the A Path ending was kind of rushed....) and need to be played for the full experince.

* ''FrozenEssence'' has multiple paths, but the only one that solves the mysteries of Mina's lost memories and dreams and explains a lot of things that show up in other paths is the Water Path. Interestingly, the game's proclaimed "True End" is actually on another path (the Life Path) but explicitly states that Mina never regains her memories, hence still leaving the player in the dark about much of the game's backstory.

* The ''Grow'' series from Eyezmaze.
* It's usually a good idea to go to the mage tower first in DragonAge because not only will you be able to pick up the designated party healer right away, but you will also be taking full advantage of the numerous, permanent stat bonuses that you can get there. In addition, it will also allow you to TakeAThirdOption when facing TheSadisticChoice later on in the game.

Compare GuideDangIt if following this path isn't intuitive or requires the player to do everything in a specific way, compare HundredPercentCompletion to which this path is almost always a necessity.

* ValkeryieProfileLenneth is a rather obnoxious example. The game boasts 3 endings! Except.. One of the endings is nothing more than a fancy gameover, the normal ending bypasses alot of the intresting stuff, and is about 2 lines long with "Congratluations go to sleep, btw this game has more stuff" and the good ending whcih is both the GoldenPath and GuideDangit. Averted in Silmeria, which has only one path, and Convenant of the Plume, in which all 3 paths are satsfying (Well the A Path ending was kind of rushed....) and need to be played for the full experince.

* In ''{{Persona 3}}'' and ''{{Persona 4}}'', it is possible to max out all you social stats and social links in a single playthrough. This is ''nearly impossible'' in ''3'' (you have ''no'' leeway at all), and still not that easy in ''4''.

** In ''MassEffect2'', the way to earn the best ending is to upgrade your ship's armor, shields and weapons, recruit all the possible squadmates and complete each and every one of their loyalty missions ''before'' boarding the derelict Reaper, then immediately after do the last loyalty mission for the squadmate found there and go through the Omega-4 relay immediately after [[spoiler:your crew is abducted]]. During the final mission, you'll have to pick the best squadmate for each task and leave the ''toughest'' characters behind for the FinalBoss, in order to keep everyone alive. Doing so will net you the "No One Left Behind" achievement and the longest ending in the game.

* Going for the Wild Card ending in ''FalloutNewVegas'' takes more work and planning that just siding with one of the main three factions, but [[spoiler: making yourself the ruler of an independent Nevada is well worth it.]]
** Not really. It's flat out stated that most of Nevada becomes an anarchistic hellhole after you kill Mr.House and drive off the NCR. The real GoldenPath is [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E80uavRuhLQ siding with the NCR]].
*** That's only if you're lazy and don't work with every faction.

** In ''{{Mass Effect 2}}'' , the way to earn the best ending is to recruit all the possible squadmates (10 in the regular game, 12 if you include the DLC characters) and complete each and every one of their loyalty missions, which gives them an extra power and a higher survival rate during the Suicide Mission (although DLC squadmate loyalty is optional). That, and you'll have to pick the right squadmate for the right section in order to keep everyone alive. Doing so will net you the "No One Left Behind" achievement and the longest ending in the game.
*** However, ME2 is one of the few cases in which the Golden Path actually ''prevents'' the player from getting the GoldenEnding: [[spoiler:The Collector Base mission (and the act of bringing Legion onboard) ''triggers the endgame'']]. Most players won't realize this until it's too late to do anything.
**** Yes and no. After you [[spoiler:recruit Legion, you can do one more mission and still have time to get the {{Golden Ending}}. I would recommend using that to do Legion's loyalty quest...]]

* In ''{{Persona 3}}'' and ''{{Persona 4}}'', it is possible to max out all you social stats and social links in a single playthrough.

** However, the game is one of the few cases in which the Golden Path actually ''prevents'' the player from getting the GoldenEnding: [[spoiler:The Collector Base mission (and the act of bringing Legion onboard) ''triggers the endgame'']]. Most players won't realize this until it's too late to do anything.

** ''{{Mass Effect 2}}'' is one of the few cases in which the Golden Path actually ''prevents'' the player from getting the GoldenEnding: [[spoiler:Legion's recruitment mission ''triggers the endgame.'' By recruiting Legion as soon as it becomes available, you will indirectly cause the deaths of most of your crew members. By waiting until the first "safe" moment to do the mission, you miss out on nearly every single chance to bring Legion on ''other'' missions, removing a lot of its unique dialogue (including some insight about the geth).]]

* It's usually a good idea to go to the mage tower first in DragonAge because not only will you be able to pick up the designated party healer right away, but you will also be taking full advantage of the numerous, permanent stat bonuses that you can get there. In addition, it will also allow you to [[spoiler:TakeAThirdOption when facing TheSadisticChoice later on in the game]].

* Like many {{RPG}}s, the ''MassEffect'' series features many sidequests, but what makes this one special is the ability to import your character from the previous game to the next, along with all the data on the decisions and quests completed, this allows to experience follow-up quests that would not be there if one hadn't imported the character.
** ''{{Mass Effect 2}}'' is one of the cases in which the Golden Path does not necessarily lead to the GoldenEnding: [[spoiler: If you recruit Legion as soon as possible, and use it in your missions you will cause the deaths of your crew in the endgame.]]

** ''{{Mass Effect 2}}'' is one of the cases in which the Golden Path does not necessarily lead to the GoldenEnding: [[spoiler: If you recruit Legion as soon as possible, and use it in your missions you will cause the deaths of your crew in the endgame.]]