There’s nothing more heartbreaking than a franchise that fails to wrap up a riveting and memorable video game series with a subpar ending. The same goes for films and TV shows—but with video games, the emphasis on storytelling is even more important. Gamers aren’t just spectators, but active participants in their favorite games.
In other words, they become a part of the story. Even games designed for shorter playing sessions need to have some sort of intriguing narrative at play. For example, the best online slots will include bonus rounds and an RPT of 97% or higher—but players also want compelling stories that give the game depth.
In fact, online slots include a wide range of themes, from action-adventure plots to Wild West settings to ancient mythology. Though slots aren’t considered an RPG, the best titles include one or more characters on an unforgettable journey. Even so, slots don’t need to build out the same complex and emotionally fulfilling endings that RPG video games do.
Gamers around the world still remember the ending of Final Fantasy VII, which was so disappointing it had to be remade. The studio again found itself in hot water with gamers with another lagging conclusion to Final Fantasy XV.
But not all RPGs stumble across the finish line. Keep reading for a few of the best video game endings in RPG history.
Fallout: New Vegas
Not every game handles multiple endings well, but Fallout: New Vegas presents a new angle with its conclusions: morality. Players will need to choose their ending, but also consider philosophical questions related to the future prosperity of humans amid an apocalypse. It’s not just wrapping up a story, but also leaving an impression on players that won’t likely fade soon.
The Last of Us
Three years after Fallout: New Vegas was released in 2010, Sony released The Last of Us. Hailed as one of the best RPGs of all time, gamers must navigate a post-Apocalyptic world to save the life of humanity’s last chance of survival. Just like with Fallout, players will be presented with a tense ending that will make them question what they’d do if put in a similar position. But this time, they won’t have a choice in how the game ends—not that players would change a thing.
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
When it comes to adventure RPGs, Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is one of the farthest-reaching and successful games. Just about any gamer, casual or fanatical, will find something intriguing and fulfilling in the title’s gameplay and story. However, the game’s ending goes above and beyond in delivering exciting twists and turns. Best of all, these final sequences create a naturally satisfying ending for Link and Zelda.
Shadow of the Colossus
This successful fantasy-adventure ticks all the boxes of RPG greatness: imaginative new world, high stakes, fantastical gameplay mechanics, and a minimal narrative that intensifies as the game goes on. The twists and turns of the mythical world and the imaginative villains are never quite what they seem—but in the end, players are left with a perfect balance of ambiguity, heartbreak, and hope.