Though it takes place in another dimension, Forspoken’s plot doesn’t have too much depth to it. The story stays straight and narrow, and the game rarely deviates from the main plot. Because of this, the game’s side missions, which are called detours, don’t hold too much weight beyond task completion.
With that being said, there are some hidden gems throughout the world. Despite the plotlines being relatively straightforward, you may find hidden stories throughout your travels. Whether it’s more information about Frey’s backstory or historic accounts of Athia, there’s still more to this game than what meets the eye. These are eight hidden plotlines in Forspoken.
8 Frey Goes Home Alternate Ending
Towards the end of Forspoken, you’ll be given the choice to go home or to stay and fight for Athia. Most of us likely chose the latter to save the realm, but if you chose to go home, you received a different ending.
Tanta Cinta will tell Frey she still loves her despite her decision. The next time you see Frey she’s clearly in New York City, surrounded by brownstones and yellow cabs. Frey walks along the sidewalk, passing by strangers, while she holds and pets Homer in her arms.
7 Frey’s Father
Tanta Cinta shares memories of her pregnancy with Frey. In these flashbacks, Cinta reveals that she’s been traveling across dimensions, which led her to New York City. Here, Cinta meets Frey’s father and becomes pregnant.
Once the Break worsens, Cinta decides to transport Frey to Earth to guarantee her daughter’s safety. Despite learning the story of her birth, Frey is never told who her true father is. She’s also never told of his whereabouts. Perhaps the pair had a falling out and Cinta didn’t prepare him for his daughter’s birth, because surely she’d avoid Frey being abandoned otherwise.
6 Mr. Giggan
Shortly after Frey leaves the courtroom, you find out how she’s gotten into trouble. She’s confronted in an alleyway by a mean group of henchmen. The group works under Mr. Giggan, a mysterious figure you never get to meet. You discover that the group recruited Frey to steal a car, which is what her hearing was based on.
You never find out exactly why Mr. Giggan needed the car, and why Frey was caught up in doing his dirty work. It’s also unclear why the group is still hellbent on forcing Frey to help them, so much so that they’ll set her apartment on fire. It’s possible that Frey is indebted to Mr. Giggan in some way, or at least to Lisa, but it's not clear why.
5 Millia And Wallace
Cipal has many residents, and two that you may run into are Millia, a guard, and Wallace, a musician. When you first meet the pair, Wallace will play you a song of your choosing. Upon hearing the music, Millia approaches Wallace, reminding him that someone has escaped from the dungeons. She also refers to his music as “racket” so it seems the pair has more of a rivalry than a friendship.
But if you talk to Millia while exploring the city, you’ll discover a romance brewing between them. Even Cuff calls them an unusual couple. If you’re paying attention, you’ll notice more of a connection between them.
4 Rheddig War And Susurrus
Once Cuff is revealed to be the demon, Susurrus, Frey will discover the true story of the Tantas. According to the Tantas, a war was fought between the people of Athia and the Rheddigs.
The Tantas and the people of Athia won, and in retaliation, the Rheddigs summon Susurrus, which inevitably leads to the Tantas’ respective downfalls. Though the war is well-known by the people of Athia, the cause of the war is mostly a mystery. If you’re actively exploring, you may find bits and pieces of the origin of the Rheddig and the war that provide some insight into the past.
3 Tanta Monuments
There are multiple monuments you can find while you travel through the four realms. Each Tanta used the monuments to embed pieces of their power into the stone. The Tantas made this decision based on the Break, as they realized their minds were suffering from the Corruption.
The goal of the monuments was to allow a worthy fighter to absorb their remaining abilities in hope that the warrior would choose to save Athia. These monuments are also sites for prayer. When Frey finds them, she’ll hear one of the Tantas share a prayer.
2 Tanta Familiars
While you’re exploring the world, you may take notice of various cat-like creatures. These cats are called Familiars, each of which has served the Tantas during their prime.
The familiars play different roles for different Tantas. These cats serve the realm and everyone in it. Some of them were teachers, while others were musicians.
Many of the familiars stay by the Tanta monuments, waiting to be befriended by Frey. And though some of them appear as ordinary cats, others resemble mythological creatures with wings and horns.
1 Previous Tantas
The Tantas are firmly established in Athia’s history, but the women you meet aren’t the first protectors of the four realms. The game confirms that another Tanta preceded Sila, Cinta, Olas, and Prav.
This matriarchal figure is referenced in historical accounts as the sole protector of Athia. It’s explained that this Tanta was the first to face Susurrus during the war with the Rhedda. When she passed, her abilities were distributed to the new Tantas, just like their abilities were transferred to Frey.