Keeping the teddy bear in Momento leads to the 'Reconciliation' ending and the 'Full Circle' achievement, while throwing it away results in the 'Severance' ending and the 'Clean Slate' achievement. The choice you face regarding the momento teddy bear—whether to keep or throw it away—is the game's final narrative fork, occurring in the last chapter, 'The Drafting Table.' It's not a minor decision; it fundamentally defines how protagonist Alex processes his childhood trauma and his relationship with his estranged father, Barnaby.
This single interaction with the worn, one-eyed teddy bear dictates the final playable memory sequence and the closing cinematic. Your choice determines which part of Alex’s past he chooses to carry into his future, making it one of the most significant decisions in the entire game. There is no right or wrong answer, only two profoundly different conclusions to Alex's journey of memory and grief.
What Happens If You Keep the Teddy Bear?
Choosing to keep the bear is the path of integration. Instead of discarding the painful memories associated with his father, Alex decides to accept them as part of his story. This choice is framed as a moment of quiet maturity, acknowledging that the past, however flawed, cannot be erased without losing a part of oneself.
The "Reconciliation" Ending Path
When you select the [KEEP] option, Alex carefully places Barnaby the bear on the corner of the drafting table in the box of items he's taking to his new life. This act triggers the game's final memory sequence. You are transported back to the childhood bedroom, but the memory is different from previous ones. It’s not a direct replay of a traumatic event but a more surreal, introspective scene.
In this memory, Alex confronts a younger version of himself who is crying over the bear, a gift from his father. The older Alex doesn't erase the pain but instead sits with his younger self, acknowledging the father's failures but also remembering the rare moments of connection. The climax of the memory is recalling a quiet afternoon when his father, a struggling architect, taught him how to draw, using the bear as a model. The memory concludes with the acceptance that the love and the hurt can coexist.
The final cinematic shows Alex in his new, sunlit apartment. Barnaby sits on his modern drafting table, a relic of the past in a space dedicated to the future. Inspired, Alex picks up a pencil and begins to sketch, the camera focusing on his hand as he designs a new building, echoing the childhood memory. This is the 'Reconciliation' ending, signifying that Alex has found a way to build a future that honors, rather than erases, his past.
Gameplay Unlocks & The "Full Circle" Achievement
Mechanically, this path provides a more hopeful conclusion and a specific reward. Upon completion of the final cinematic, you will unlock:
- The "Full Circle" Achievement/Trophy: This is awarded for helping Alex integrate his past with his present.
- New Title Screen: The game's title screen, previously showing a desolate and empty room, will now feature Alex's new apartment with the teddy bear visible on the desk.
- Sketchbook Entry: A final entry appears in Alex's journal, showing a detailed architectural sketch inspired by his father's early work, with a note that reads, "For Dad. For me."
Momento in-game screenshot
What Happens If You Throw the Bear Away?
Opting to throw the bear away represents a clean break. This is the path of severance, where Alex decides the only way to move forward is to amputate the parts of his past that cause him pain. It’s a forceful, decisive action that reflects a desire to escape the shadow of his father entirely.
The "Severance" Ending Path
Selecting the [THROW AWAY] option results in a starkly different animation. Alex looks at the bear for a long moment, his expression hardening. He then unceremoniously drops it into a black trash bag filled with other discarded childhood relics. The final memory this triggers is not one of quiet reflection, but of raw trauma.
You are thrown into the memory of a vicious argument between Alex's parents. The teddy bear is at the center of it—a gift his mother resents. In the memory, his father, in a fit of rage, grabs the bear and throws it against the wall, terrifying a young Alex. The memory is chaotic, filled with shouting and the sound of breaking glass. It ends with the image of the bear lying discarded in the corner, one of its button eyes having popped off.
The final cinematic mirrors this emotional state. We see Alex in his new apartment. It is minimalist, sterile, and impeccably clean. There are no personal effects, no photos, and certainly no mementos from his childhood home. He stands by the window, looking out at the city, his expression unreadable. The camera pulls back, emphasizing the emptiness of the space around him. This is the 'Severance' ending, a conclusion where Alex has achieved peace not through reconciliation, but through radical detachment.
Momento in-game screenshot
Gameplay Unlocks & The "Clean Slate" Achievement
This bleaker ending also comes with its own set of unique rewards that reflect the thematic choice.
- The "Clean Slate" Achievement/Trophy: Awarded for choosing to leave the past behind completely.
- New Title Screen: The title screen is updated to show Alex's empty, minimalist apartment, stark and devoid of personal objects.
- Journal Entry: The final journal entry is not a sketch but a single, typed sentence on a clean page: "The foundation is clear."
A Side-by-Side Comparison of Both Endings
To make the decision clearer, here is a direct comparison of the outcomes. The choice is less about gameplay advantage and entirely about the narrative conclusion you want for Alex's story.
| Feature | [KEEP] "Reconciliation" Ending | [THROW AWAY] "Severance" Ending |
|---|---|---|
| Final Memory | Introspective scene with younger self, recalling a positive moment with his father. | Traumatic replay of a violent argument between his parents involving the bear. |
| Final Scene | Alex sketching at his new drafting table, the bear sitting nearby. Warm, sunlit apartment. | Alex standing in a sterile, empty apartment, looking out the window. Cold, minimalist. |
| Core Theme | Acceptance, Integration, Healing | Detachment, Erasure, Moving On |
| Protagonist's State | Hopeful, creatively inspired, at peace with his complex past. | Numb, detached, free from the past but emotionally isolated. |
| Unlocked Achievement | "Full Circle" | "Clean Slate" |
| Journal Finale | An intricate architectural sketch dedicated to his father and himself. | A single typed sentence: "The foundation is clear." |
Momento in-game screenshot
Is There a "Best" Ending?
While the game doesn't pass judgment, the narrative framing strongly suggests that the "Reconciliation" ending is the more emotionally resonant and complete conclusion. Momento's central theme is about how we live with our memories, not how we escape them. Nearly every other memento in the game—the chipped teacup, the faded photograph, the music box—involves Alex finding a new, more nuanced understanding of a painful memory. The 'Keep' option is the logical culmination of this journey.
The 'Severance' ending feels more like a rejection of the game's core thesis. It provides a form of peace, but it's the cold peace of a void. It implies that Alex has had to destroy a part of his own history to function, which can be seen as a tragedy in its own right. However, for players who interpret Alex's relationship with his father as irredeemably toxic, this ending can feel like a necessary and empowering act of self-preservation. Ultimately, the "best" ending is the one that feels most true to the version of Alex you have guided throughout the game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get both achievements in one playthrough?
No, the choice at 'The Drafting Table' is a hard lock. To get both the "Full Circle" and "Clean Slate" achievements, you will need to either replay the final chapter from the main menu's Chapter Select (unlocked after your first completion) or start a New Game+.
Does the teddy bear choice affect any other items or memories?
No. This decision is the very last one you make and only impacts the final memory sequence and the ending cinematic. It serves as the conclusion to your interactions with all previous mementos, but does not retroactively change them.
Where exactly is the teddy bear choice located?
The choice occurs in the final chapter, titled 'The Drafting Table.' After you have sorted through all the other key mementos in Alex's childhood bedroom, you will be prompted to pack one last box. The final object you interact with is the teddy bear, which will be sitting on the bed.
Is there a secret third ending related to the bear?
There is no secret third ending. The narrative path is strictly binary at this point. The consequences are tied directly and exclusively to the Keep or Throw Away actions.
A Final Take
The choice of what to do with Barnaby the bear is Momento's final exam. It asks you to decide what it truly means to move on. Is it about curating the past, finding a way to let the good and bad coexist to build a more complete future? Or is it about cauterizing old wounds, excising the source of pain so that new, unblemished ground can be broken? Both are valid human responses to trauma, and the game honors that complexity by making both paths feel final and definitive. The choice is yours.