Bandai Namco documented a progression-blocking black screen in the main quest "Original Sin" shortly after launch. The issue had a specific partner condition and official workaround, then was listed as fixed in <strong>Ver.1.0.4 on July 16, 2026</strong>. This article preserves the workaround for patch history while leading with the current status.
The short answer
- Launch-build trigger: completing "Original Sin" with a partner other than Iori, Zash, or Argo could leave the screen black instead of returning to gameplay.
- Archived workaround: select Iori, Zash, or Argo before starting the quest on an affected build.
- Current official status: fixed in Ver.1.0.4.
That was the full official guidance in the July 10 notice. Players on an older installation should update the game rather than relying on alleged fixes involving skipped cutscenes, cache clearing or autosave reloads.
What Bandai Namco confirmed
The original notice identifies a black-screen failure after the quest completes, not an NPC interaction that fails to advance. It applied when the active partner was anyone except Iori, Zash or Argo.
On an affected pre-1.0.4 build, the official preventive step was to open partner selection and switch to one of those three characters. The partner system guide and character database list their published weapon roles, but current installations should use Ver.1.0.4 or later.
What Ver.1.0.4 Changed
The Ver.1.0.4 notes explicitly list the "Original Sin" black-screen condition among resolved issues. They also fix Visgo appearing under the floor in "Thicket Inquiry," event-scene rendering and certain phase-transition failures. The patch notes supersede the preventive partner restriction for current builds.
Death Game Mode warning
For Death Game Mode, install the current update before committing a run. Ver.1.0.4 separately documents a black screen that can occur after using Summons and gives a specific safeguard: restart the game before HP reaches zero so the Death Game save is not deleted. That is a different issue from the resolved "Original Sin" quest condition.
For the current official status of this and other launch issues, see our Known Issues & Workarounds.