House of Ashes is a horror video game where your choices determine how many people live and die by the end of the story. You'll need to have quick reflexes and incredible decision-making skills to make it through House of Ashes without killing anyone - or you could just follow this simple guide. We've broken it down by scene, so you can see what decisions were made at what stage in the game and how they led to one another.
Keep in mind that this is only one way to reach the "good" ending. There are small variations on the good ending where everyone is still alive (for example, Salim can be alive and be captured by the Americans or be alive and leave to go find his son) and there are undoubtedly different ways to achieve the same result. However, if you're just looking to see it (or maybe to get the related achievement), following the decisions outlined in this guide should get you there.
Note: We are not confident about which decisions affect whether or not you get the "good" outcome, so all seemingly important decisions have been detailed here just to be safe.
Decisions Made In The Prologue
- Succeeded all button prompts
- Chose the "Reluctant" option when prompted to kill the young woman
- Chose the "Respectful" option when talking to Kurum
- Chose to "Fight" alongside Kurum
Outcomes
Balathu and Kurum fought the creature together and Balathu was the last to die.
"The Sword and the Shield" achievement is unlocked.
Decisions Made In The Briefing
Full Walkthrough Of The Briefing
- Chose the "Apologetic" option when talking to Jason about arriving early
- Chose the "Reluctant" option when talking to Nick about Eric
- Chose the "Apologetic" option when Eric and Rachel reunite
- Chose the "Compliant" option when asked about Air Support
- Chose the "Intimate" option when talking to Rachel after the Briefing
Outcomes
Air Support Bearing updates to indicate that Eric agreed to bring Air Support on the mission.
Until Death Bearing updates with the information that Rachel told Eric they would talk about their marriage.
Decisions Made In The Raid
- Chose the "Compliant" option when Salim is speaking to Dar
- Chose the "Cautious" option when deciding how to deal with the Iraqi shepherds upon arrival
- Chose the "Curious" option when speaking about the pagan effigies
- Chose not to complete the quick-time event to hit the Shepard while with Rachel
- Chose the "Stern" option when deciding whether to use W.P. on the enemy Iraqis
- Chose not to complete the quick-time event to shoot the fleeing Shepard
Outcomes
Semper Fi Bearing updates saying that Salim saw that Jason didn't kill the Shepard and that Salim chose not to shoot Jason.
Decisions Made In Underworld
Full Walkthrough Of Underworld
- Succeeded the first two quick-time events to silence Merwin but not the third one
Outcomes
Merwin survived.
Decisions Made In Pazuzu
- Chose to "Shut" the doors when Salim is faced with the creatures
- Chose the "Concerned" option when Eric wakes up after his fall
- Chose the "Reassuring" option when Eric and Rachel are about to descend further into the caves
- Chose the "Confused" option when discussing that there is no weapons silo here
Outcomes
Salim, Rachel, and Eric are all alive.
Rachel and Eric's relationship improves.
Decisions Made In The Temple
Full Walkthrough Of The Temple
- Chose the "Sympathetic" option when discussing Caelus' failure with Eric
- Chose the "Tender" option when discussing Eric's mistake
- Chose the "Reassuring" option when Eric tells Rachel that he's missed her
- Chose the "Respectful" option when Eric discusses how busy he's been with Caelus
- Chose to go "Through" the wreckage while Nick, Jason, and Eric are being chased by the Creature
- Chose the "Romantic" option when talking to Eric and fixing the tape recorder
- Chose the "Affectionate" option when discussing the future of their relationship
- Chose the "Solemn" option when deciding whether or not to leave Merwin behind
Outcomes
The Until Death Bearing updates to indicate that Eric figured out Rachel was seeing someone else.
Merwin died.
Decisions Made In Breaking Up
Full Walkthrough Of Breaking Up
- Did not complete quick-time events prompting Eric to cut the rope and let Rachel fall
Outcomes
The Until Death Bearing updates to indicate that Eric held on to Rachel for as long as he could.
Nick shows up just in time to keep Eric from falling into the chasm as well.
Decisions Made In After The Fall
Full Walkthrough Of After The Fall
- Completed the quick-time event and did not fall on the tripwire
- Chose the "Resistant" option when talking to Eric about going to look for Joey
- Completed all quick-time events as Salim flees from the creature
Outcomes
The Ultraviolet Bearing updates to say that Salim discovered the creatures' sensitivity to sunlight.
Nick and Jason go to look for Joey without Eric.
Decisions Made In Slayer
- Salim picked up Dar's wallet
- Chose to travel down the darker path first and found Joey's medical kit
- Chose the "Cautious" option when Nick and Jason think they see someone up ahead
Outcomes
The Blood Bearing updates to say that Joey's medical kit was found.
Nick is separated from Jason.
Decisions Made In The Truce
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- Chose the "Supportive" option when Nick is deciding whether to work with Salim
- Succeeded all quick-time events to sneak quietly around the creature
- Chose the "Reassuring" option when Jason finds Nick and Salim
Outcomes
Salim chooses to surrender and the Semper Fi Bearing updates to say that the Americans captured Salim.
Decisions Made In Bloodbath
- Chose the "Reassuring" option when Jason talks to Nick about having his back
- Chose the "Curious" option when Nick discusses how they've bombed lots of ancient relics
- Chose the "Worried" option when Nick talks about the woman at the checkpoint
- After examining Secret #5, chose the "Compliant" option when Nick suggests that Jason should hold on to the stake
- Chose the "Humble" option when Nick brings up the woman at the checkpoint again
- Chose the "Appreciative" option twice when Clarice explains how she escaped and when she helps Rachel bandage her wound
- Chose the "Amused" option when Clarice has a coughing fit after their first climb and Rachel checks in with her
- Chose the "Curious" option when distracting Clarice
- Chose the "Playful" option when relating to Clarice
- Chose the "Reassuring" option twice when Clarice begins to have a fit and asks Rachel to stay with her
- Chose the "Doubtful" option when Clarice asks Rachel about her chances
- Chose the "Intense" option when Clarice asks Rachel to kill her if she turns
- Chose to "Help" Clarice get across the chasm
Outcomes
The Ultraviolet Bearing is updated to say that Salim warned Eric about the creature's sunlight sensitivity and that Eric burned one of the creatures with his UV wand.
"Illuminating Evidence" achievement is unlocked.
The Semper Fi Bearing updates to indicate that Salim escaped the Americans.
When Joey attacks, Jason stabs him with the stake and Eric burns him with the UV light.
The Doctor Stokes Bearing updates to indicate that Rachel was honest with Clarice and that Clarice chose to cross the chasm with Rachel.
Decisions Made In The Signal
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Full Walkthrough Of The Signal
- Completed all quick-time events when fighting with Dar
Outcomes
The Until Death Bearing updates to indicate that Eric figured out Rachel was seeing Nick.
Salim refuses to fight the Americans with Dar.
Decisions Made In The Assault
Full Walkthrough Of The Assault
- Succeeded all quick-time events
- Chose the "Loving" option when Eric tells Rachel he held on as long as he could
- Chose the "Sympathetic" option after Eric and Nick get into a fistfight
- Chose the "Worried" option when Jason realizes Clarice is turning
- Chose to "Say Nothing" when Jason insists he needs to kill Clarice
- Chose to "Retreat" when Rachel contemplates shooting the machine gun
- Correctly warned Rachel and Eric about how to travel down the mined hallway (if you mined the centre, tell them to stick to the walls, and vice versa)
- Chose the "Resistant" option when deciding whether to accept the Iraqi's help
Outcomes
The Until Death Bearing updates to indicate that Rachel returned to the Americans.
The Doctor Stokes Bearing updates to say that Jason shot Clarice.
Decisions Made In The Horror
Full Walkthrough Of The Horror
- Succeeded all quick-time events
- Chose to use the "Crucifix" against Balathu
- When Salim must choose whether to shoot the creature attacking him or the creature attacking Rachel, chose to shoot the creature attacking him
- Chose the "Save" option when Eric sees Nick is in trouble (this may be automatically selected for you depending on the dialogue/personality choices you've made for Eric to this point)
Outcomes
The Ancient One Bearing updates with the information that Balathu came back from the dead to attack the team.
The Blood Bearing updates to say that Nick took an injury.
The Infected Bearing updates, saying that Rachel was infected by one of the creatures.
Decisions Made In Enemy Of My Enemy
Full Walkthrough Of Enemy Of My Enemy
- Succeeded all quick-time events
- Chose to "Confront" Jason when Salim notices him
- Chose the "Reassuring" option when Salim talks to Jason for the first time
- Chose the "Enthusiastic" option when talking about fighting together
- Chose the "Respectful" option when Jason talks about his hat
- Chose the "Reflective" option when Salim looks at Dar's wallet
Outcomes
Salim and Jason survive their encounter with a creature and their relationship improves.
Decisions Made In The Well
- N/A
Outcomes
You view the flashback of how Eric and Rachel started dating.
Decisions Made In The Ancient One
Full Walkthrough Of The Ancient One
- Succeeded all quick-time events while hiding from Balathu
- Chose the "Loving" option when Rachel begins to talk about her past with Eric
- Chose the "Sympathetic" option when Nick argues with Rachel about her decision
Outcomes
The Until Death Bearing updates to indicate that Rachel decided to give her relationship with Eric another chance.
Decisions Made In Brothers
- Succeeded all quick-time events
- Chose the "Reluctant" option when Salim asks Jason if he has any regrets
Outcomes
Salim and Jason's relationship improves and they vow to work together.
Decisions Made In The City
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- Succeeded all quick-time events
- Jason chose to touch the mummified ancient creature and Salim saved him (via quick-time event)
Outcomes
Nick rescues Jason and Salim from the creatures and the team of 5 escapes together.
Decisions Made In Strange Aeons
Full Walkthrough Of Strange Aeons
- Succeeded all quick-time events except the one indicated below
- Did not complete the quick-time event where Rachel attempts to stab an explosive while she is turning
- Chose the "Desperate" option twice when Jason threatens to shoot Rachel
- Chose the "Desperate" option when Salim offers to put Rachel in a cocoon
Outcomes
The Blood Bearing updates to indicate that Nick bound his wounds with Joey's medical kit.
The Infected Bearing updates, indicating that Rachel had a vision of the past, and then that Eric was able to burn the creature out of her.
"The Thing" achievement is unlocked.
"Vision of the Past" achievement is unlocked.
Decisions Made In The Vault
- Succeeded all quick-time events
- Chose to go "Right" when deciding where Nick should proceed in the Vault (this decision is made for you if, while looking through the binoculars as Salim, you saw the cocoons hatching ahead of Nick to the left)
- Chose to "Advance" and go for the motherlode when Nick is in the Vault
Outcomes
The Ultraviolet Bearing updates to say that Eric lent Nick his UV Wand.
The Ancient One Bearing updates, indicating that Baltathu cornered Nick while he was in the Vault.
Decisions Made In Semper Fi
- Succeeded all quick-time events
- Chose the "Forceful" option when Jason considers going back to help Salim
Outcomes
The Semper Fi Bearing updates to say that Jason went back to rescue Salim.
"Semper Fi" achievement is unlocked.
Decisions Made In Daylight
- Succeeded all quick-time events
Outcomes
Clarice did not appear as the team was escaping.
The Air Support Bearing updates to say that help was nearby when the survivors escaped the ruins.
Salim is captured as a prisoner of war.
All 5 playable characters survive.
"Golden Path" achievement is unlocked.
"Ain't Got Time To Bleed" achievement is unlocked.