Should you board the helicopter or return to the island in Sons of the Forest?

Crashing the Steam store upon release, Sons of the Forest made a significant impact as it returned to that visceral horror of surviving on an island full of cannibals and mutants. The gameplay keeps dragging you back for more, as the story remains mysterious. After experiencing a vision of the vast futuristic city, you will wake up on the beach with a helicopter waiting for you. You will be offered a choice of boarding the helicopter immediately or going for your backpack.

Should I go on the helicopter or retrieve my backpack in Sons of the Forest?

The choice of getting on the helicopter or retrieving your trusty backpack in Sons of the Forest lies on you. Depending on your choice, a different ending will play out, rewarding you with two possible achievements.

Board the Rescue helicopter at the end of Sons of the Forest

Choosing to immediately board the Rescue helicopter at the end of Sons of the Forest will earn you the Fought Demons achievement. You will see an ending animation where you board the chopper. You will be in the company of two men, one of whom looks to be Edward Puffton, indicating you have partially completed your team's original mission on the island. 

Going back for your backpack at the end of Sons of the Forest

If you choose to go back for your backpack at the end of Sons of the Forest, you will find yourself stranded on the island as the chopper flies away, leaving you on the island by your lonesome. Making this choice earns you the Fight Demons achievement. After the chopper leaves the island, you will be free to explore the island all you want.

Related: How to find the Golden armor in Sons of the Forest

If you missed any weapons or items, now would be a perfect time to get them. Making this choice leaves you with the liberty to roam the island. You can finally explore any caves you missed, try out all the building configurations you had no time or resources for, or explore how to fend off cannibals from your camp perfectly!

Which Sons of the Forest ending should I choose?

Because Sons of the Forest is still in the Early Access phase, developers will likely add more content to the game. Therefore, returning for your backpack and staying on the island is a safe bet because the game will continue. If you board the helicopter, the credits will roll, and the game will leave you back on the Main menu. To reach this choice again, you will have to go through the most challenging part of the game all over again.

Sons of the Forest third Secret ending

There is an unconfirmed rumor about a third secret ending to Sons of the Forest. For this ending to trigger, you will need to go through the Arm doors and the following cave together with Kelvin and Virginia. If you choose to board the helicopter, you will all be rescued, earning you Keep Your Friends Close achievement. We are working on confirming this ending, but since the original Forest also had a secret ending, this is likely true.

Looking for more help solving the mysteries of the island in Sons of the Forest? We have you covered with Are there enemies in Peaceful mode in Sons of the Forest? and All Keycard locations in Sons of the Forest and how to get them here on Pro Game Guides!