FF7 Remake Chapter 9 Choices Guide: Johnny, Madam M, Chocobo Sam

Final Fantasy 7 Remake’s ninth chapter introduces a sophisticated choice-driven narrative that significantly alters your gameplay experience through branching side-quest availability. Unlike earlier segments that follow a linear progression, this section employs a weighted decision matrix where your responses directly influence which character’s missions become accessible.

Important Note: This comprehensive guide contains moderate spoilers for Chapter 9: The Town That Never Sleeps. We strongly recommend progressing through this chapter naturally before consulting these strategic insights.

The branching system creates two distinct gameplay paths aligned with either Chocobo Sam or Madam M, both being key associates of the notorious Don Corneo. Your cumulative choices throughout the chapter’s first half determine which set of exclusive missions you’ll undertake after the Corneo Colosseum sequence concludes.

Many players underestimate the complexity of this system, leading to unintended questline assignments. The game tracks your decisions through a point-based system where each major choice contributes toward one character’s alignment. Understanding this underlying mechanics can help you strategically guide the narrative toward your preferred outcome.

Three pivotal moments serve as the primary determinants for questline assignment, each offering clear alignment options. Mastering these decisions requires understanding both the immediate consequences and their cumulative impact on narrative branching.

The initial critical encounter occurs when you spot Johnny racing past during your approach to Don Corneo’s mansion. This seemingly minor interaction carries substantial weight in the alignment calculation. Choosing to pursue Johnny strengthens your connection with Chocobo Sam’s faction, while ignoring him or declining to follow advances Madam M’s cause.

Chocobo Sam’s coin toss proposition represents the second major decision point. This gambling opportunity tests your willingness to engage with his schemes—selecting either heads or tails demonstrates alignment with his opportunistic worldview. Conversely, refusing the wager entirely signals respect for boundaries and supports Madam M’s values.

Madam M’s massage establishment presents the final definitive choice. The Luxury Course at 3,000 gil clearly favors Madam M’s alignment, while the budget-friendly Poor Man’s Course at 100 gil supports Chocobo Sam. The Standard Course priced at 1,000 gil functions as a neutral option, contributing to neither faction’s point total.

Beyond these primary decisions, several secondary factors can influence your alignment. Conversations with Johnny’s father at both the inn and outside the colosseum subtly increase Chocobo Sam’s points. Your description of Tifa also carries weight—commenting on her physical condition favors Sam, while acknowledging her business acumen supports Madam M. The “great fighter” characterization remains neutral, affecting neither alignment significantly.

The assignment logic follows a straightforward majority rule—whichever character receives more favorable decisions from you determines your questline access. This means that mixing two Madam M choices with one Chocobo Sam selection still grants you Madam M’s missions. For players specifically targeting Madam M’s path, the consistent strategy involves opposing Chocobo Sam’s propositions and selecting options that demonstrate respect toward women throughout the chapter.

For completionists pursuing 100% game progress, experiencing both questlines is essential. The “Best in the Business” Trophy specifically requires completing all side-quests from both character sets, making strategic replay an unavoidable component of thorough gameplay.

The Chapter Select feature, unlocked after finishing the main storyline, provides the most efficient method for experiencing the alternate path. Planning your replay strategy can save considerable time—consider focusing solely on the divergent decision points during subsequent playthroughs rather than replaying the entire chapter comprehensively.

When optimizing for efficiency, prioritize understanding the complete decision tree rather than attempting to manipulate minor variables. While some community speculation exists about additional influencing factors, the three primary decisions consistently prove most reliable for controlling questline access. This knowledge becomes particularly valuable when using Chapter Select to minimize unnecessary repetition.

Below you’ll find detailed walkthroughs for each questline pair alongside the specific rewards available through each path. For additional strategic guidance, explore our Complete Guide to similar branching narrative systems in modern RPGs. Weapon enthusiasts should consult our comprehensive Weapons Unlock guide for equipment optimization strategies, while character specialists will benefit from our Class Guide for role-specific optimization.

Advanced players should note that certain dialogue choices and environmental interactions may provide subtle alignment shifts, but these secondary factors rarely override the three primary decisions. The most consistent approach involves focusing on these key moments while maintaining character-appropriate behavior throughout the chapter.

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