Gloomwood All Hidden Bosses, Secrets & Secret Endings — Complete Guide

Hidden Bosses — Optional Encounters

Gloomwood has two hidden bosses that are completely optional. Defeating them rewards unique items and access to the secret ending.

1. The Rat King (Sewers)

Location: The Sewers beneath the Slums. Accessible via a manhole cover in the alley behind the butcher shop.
How to Unlock: You need the Sewer Key, found in the Slums office building on the second floor. The key is in a locked drawer — use a Lockpick.
Strategy: The Rat King is a massive creature composed of dozens of rats. It has two phases. Phase 1: it charges at you and swipes with claws. Dodge sideways. Phase 2 (below 50% HP): it splits into smaller rat swarms that attack from all directions. Use the Shotgun to clear swarms quickly. The Rat King is weak to fire — throw lantern oil at it before engaging.
Reward: Rat King's Tooth (key item), Sewer Treasure (500 gold, 10 Revolver Rounds).

2. The Forgotten Saint (Cathedral Crypt)

Location: The Crypt beneath the Cathedral. Accessible via a hidden door behind the main altar.
How to Unlock: The hidden door is triggered by pulling a candelabra on the left side of the altar. The candelabra is slightly darker than the others.
Strategy: The Forgotten Saint is a spectral boss that phases through walls. It attacks with holy magic beams and summoning spectral minions. The Saint is immune to physical damage while phasing. Wait for it to become solid (it glows brightly), then unload with the Rifle. Holy Water deals massive damage — use it when the Saint becomes solid.
Reward: Saint's Blessing (key item), Holy Water (x3), Cathedral safe combination (opens a safe with 1000 gold).

For strategies against the main story bosses, see our Gloomwood Strategy Guide.

Secret Rooms — Hidden Areas

The Hidden Armory (Prison)

In the prison's guard quarters, there is a bookshelf that can be moved. Push it to reveal a hidden armory containing 12 Revolver Rounds, 4 Shotgun Shells, and a Bandage. This is the best early-game ammo cache.

The Smuggler's Tunnel (Docks)

Behind a stack of crates in the Docks warehouse, there is a crawl space. Follow it to reach a hidden dock with a boat containing 200 gold and a Lockpick. The tunnel also provides a shortcut back to the Prison area.

The Apothecary's Lab (Slums)

In the Slums, there is a locked door with a skull symbol. The key is held by a unique enemy called "The Apothecary" who patrols the eastern street. Defeat him and take the key. Inside the lab, you will find 3 Holy Water vials and a recipe for crafting more.

The Bell Tower (Cathedral)

In the Cathedral, there is a spiral staircase leading to the Bell Tower. At the top, you will find a Rifle with 4 rounds and a note hinting at the secret ending. The Bell Tower also provides a sniper vantage point for clearing the Cathedral courtyard.

The Secret Ending — How to Unlock the True Ending

Gloomwood has two endings. The secret true ending requires defeating both hidden bosses and collecting their key items.

Requirements

1. Defeat the Rat King (Sewers) and obtain the Rat King's Tooth.
2. Defeat the Forgotten Saint (Cathedral Crypt) and obtain the Saint's Blessing.
3. Find the hidden altar in the Escape Route (final area). It is behind a breakable wall in the eastern corridor.
4. Offer both key items at the altar.
5. Defeat the General with the altar activated.

The True Ending Cutscene

After defeating the General with the altar activated, a bright light envelops the room. Instead of the standard ending (the player character escaping through the city gates), the true ending shows the character walking through a portal that opens in the light. The portal leads to a peaceful countryside — a world free of plague and monsters. The final shot shows the character looking back at the city of smoke as it fades into the distance. A narrator says: "Some prisons are made of stone. Others are made of memory. You have escaped both."

Missable Content — What You Can Lose Forever

• The Rat King: The Sewers become inaccessible after you defeat the Plague Doctor. Defeat the Rat King before progressing to the Cathedral.
• The Forgotten Saint: The Cathedral Crypt is only accessible before defeating the High Priest. The hidden door closes after the boss fight.
• The Apothecary's Lab: The Apothecary despawns after you leave the Slums. Defeat him before moving to the Cathedral.
• The Bell Tower Rifle: The Rifle in the Bell Tower is missable if you do not climb the tower before the Cathedral's final encounter.
• The Hidden Altar: The altar in the Escape Route is only accessible before the General boss fight. Activate it first.

For a complete item checklist, see our Gloomwood Loot Guide.

Easter Eggs & References

• Thief Reference: The typewriter save system and the focus on stealth are direct homages to the Thief series. A note in the Prison reads "Keep quiet. Keep dark." — a famous Thief mantra.
• Bloodborne Reference: The Plague Doctor's design and the Cathedral area are heavily inspired by Bloodborne's Yharnam and the Healing Church.
• Resident Evil Reference: The safe room typewriters and the limited inventory system are classic Resident Evil mechanics.
• The Developer's Office: In the Cathedral, there is a locked room with a sign that reads "Developers Only." The key is hidden in a flower pot nearby. Inside, you will find a thank-you note and a unique hat cosmetic.
• Dark Souls Reference: The Forgotten Saint's phasing mechanic and the "try attacking" message near a suspicious wall reference Dark Souls' illusory walls.

Frequently Asked Questions