Top 5 Best Endings Of The Generation
A few quick notes: first, this article is spoiler-free. I'm not giving away anything. Secondly, I obviously haven't played and completed every game in existence, so this can only be based on my experience. Therefore, as if it needed an explanation (but God forbid if it got on N4G, it might), this isn't definitive fact. It's just an opinion. We're still allowed to have those, aren't we?
Anyway, here we go-
5. Bioshock 2
I'd like to first mention a caveat to this listing: this only cracks into my top 5 because I got the special ending by saving all the Little Sisters. This isn't the longest, most dramatic, or clearest culmination of the generation but for some reason, it really resonated with me. I really liked the twist at the end, where you actually sort of "play" the semi-emotional climax, and the story was pretty darn good. I still liked the story a bit more in the original Bioshock but for some reason, the sequel's ending felt more fulfilling. Oh, and without the special ending, I might have to give the #5 position to Assassin's Creed II.
4. Red Dead Redemption
Some will argue this "ending" wasn't much of anything. But I adored the timing and simplistic presentation. You see the credits at exactly the right moment after completing your final task, and you get this feeling of, "yeah, now I'm done." It's just so perfect for the game's atmosphere and style. The abruptness and straightforward drama of that final encounter really sums up the whole thing quite nicely. You sort of reflect on everything that has happened; the entire story runs through your head right at the climactic moment. It's not easy to do that from a story/plot standpoint, you know.
3. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
In retrospect, there really isn't anything overly special about this ending but, just like the rest of this production, it was just so professional and polished. I mean, I've seen it a few times and I know I will always laugh hard at that last bit of banter between Elena and Nate. "Clowns." HA! Like with RDR, it fits flawlessly; it's exactly the right way to end things. In fact, it's not completely unlike how a movie might end, which isn't exactly surprising, considering Uncharted 2 is the closest I've ever come to playing an action movie on my screen.
2. Final Fantasy XIII
Say what you want about the start of the game and the fact that it probably doesn't qualify as an RPG, but in typical FF style, it all ended beautifully. Coupled with that signature Final Fantasy CGI brilliance, one watched the entire climax with a small smile of appreciation and understanding. As is the case with many titles in the series, it doesn't quite tie up every loose end, but we've come to expect this from Final Fantasy, right? For the record, I still say FFVIII has the best ending in the series and possibly the best ending of all time. But FFXIII's finale is well worth experiencing.
1. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
Yeah, it was too long and drawn-out, and it was a little overdone like the rest of the game's story. Kojima is indeed a genius but he has yet to understand when to end a scene. Even so, this is the best ending of the generation, IMO; it's only fitting that it closes one of the best storylines of the past five years. For some reason, I especially liked to see how Meryl turned out. There's a lot to love about this climax; it's wonderfully satisfying in just about every way. I think MGS3 has the best ending in the series but this one was close...nothing beats a feeling of immense accomplishment after finishing an epic saga.
7/30/2010 Ben Dutka
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Comments (152 posts)
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Friday, July 30, 2010 @ 9:59:33 PM
WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, July 30, 2010 @ 10:11:21 PM
Riku994
Friday, July 30, 2010 @ 10:12:10 PM
WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 12:02:06 AM
Crabba
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 3:41:58 AM
And that's coming from someone who thought GoW3 was actually an awesome game for 99.9% of the game, except that VERY end of the game, VERY unfortunate!
Oxvial
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 5:25:33 AM
Zorigo
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 7:14:08 AM
sawao_yamanaka
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 7:21:16 AM
aaronisbla
Sunday, August 01, 2010 @ 4:45:54 AM
The_R0gue_Ninja
Friday, July 30, 2010 @ 10:11:53 PM
Reply
WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, July 30, 2010 @ 10:15:39 PM
WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, July 30, 2010 @ 10:15:15 PM
Reply
Bugzbunny109
Friday, July 30, 2010 @ 10:15:33 PM
Reply
TEG3SH
Friday, July 30, 2010 @ 10:28:17 PM
Temjin001
Friday, July 30, 2010 @ 10:42:40 PM
I'm not a FF heavy weight, but I felt FFXII's story was spread out a little thin. Through much of the game I wanted more dialogue and a greater sense of purpose from a few of the characters. I did, however, enjoy it's ending.
From what I've played of FFXIII ( I've made it into Gran Pulse) the story is very involved, more-so than it's predecessor. The character's ambitions and sense of purpose were very defined.
TEG3SH
Friday, July 30, 2010 @ 10:46:10 PM
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Friday, July 30, 2010 @ 11:27:47 PM
It depends on how you look at it. Personally, I liked FFXIII's story more but that's because I didn't much like the politics in FFXII.
Scarecrow
Friday, July 30, 2010 @ 11:31:00 PM
I know everyone's entitled to their own opinion. But FFXII gets some hate just because it didn't focus on having some damsel in distress. Instead the damsel turned out to the kick ass person in the team.
I liked the fact that it dealt more with world politics and a sense a greater sense of actually caring 'bout the world than too much of the personal 'whinery' of other FFs.
WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, July 30, 2010 @ 11:39:30 PM
You know who the bad guy is very early on, your guys want to get him, aside from some personal problems with each character it's basically a start to finish, A to B, walk in a straight line game.
Akuma07
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 3:36:57 AM
Ultimadream
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 5:04:33 AM
Even though XII's story was more political it does not defend how slow the story is to progress. the only time anything really eventful happened is when the judges appeared. In previous FF games when you reach a new town an event would happen (For instance, FFX when you travel on the Shoopuff, what seemd like a normal even turned into peril when the Albhed kidnap Yuna, or on FFVIII how the start of the Garden battle begins.)
Balthier was the only one who really got some strong back story in my opinion. And i have nothing bad to say about him at all. He's the only reason i carried on to complete the game.
aaronisbla
Sunday, August 01, 2010 @ 4:51:37 AM
The story is decent, but it needs to be great to make me wanna put up with its gameplay again. 12 had much better gameplay imo and had weapons and gear you actually could get excited about using
Last edited by aaronisbla on 8/1/2010 4:53:05 AM
WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, July 30, 2010 @ 11:42:36 PM
WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, July 30, 2010 @ 11:44:00 PM
TEG3SH
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 12:16:02 AM
WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 12:22:15 AM
WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, July 30, 2010 @ 11:45:54 PM
kraygen
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 12:09:45 AM
I felt that ff7 was all about them saving the planet from being raped by the evil corporation. You learn about the characters along the way, but I felt the ending was more giving us the fact that life continued and they did what they set out to do.
(shrug) I liked its ending.
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 12:55:32 AM
aaronisbla
Sunday, August 01, 2010 @ 4:55:15 AM
Temjin001
Friday, July 30, 2010 @ 10:38:25 PM
Reply
In no special order...
Ratchet and Clank: Crack in Time: A great way to wrap up a great series. I'm somewhat surprised that this one didn't crack Ben's Top 5. I liked Uncharted 2's ending, but I thought R&C's topped it. I
Darksiders: A great way to both end a game and make you excited for it's sequel.
MGS4: Similar to Ratchet in the sense that it mostly wraps up a long running saga of iconic games. (and yes, I preferred MGS3's ending, though I enjoyed both)
I anticipate good endings from Mass Effect and FFXIII. Two games I haven't completed as of yet.
Shams
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 12:20:58 AM
Ultimate_Balla
Friday, July 30, 2010 @ 10:47:01 PM
Reply
WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, July 30, 2010 @ 10:48:16 PM
Reply
TEG3SH
Friday, July 30, 2010 @ 10:57:56 PM
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Friday, July 30, 2010 @ 11:29:58 PM
Scarecrow
Friday, July 30, 2010 @ 11:32:29 PM
WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, July 30, 2010 @ 11:40:35 PM
Shams
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 12:15:23 AM
WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 12:19:26 AM
gangan19
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 12:40:20 AM
TEG3SH
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 6:10:25 AM
NoSmokingBandit
Friday, July 30, 2010 @ 11:10:06 PM
Reply
King James
Friday, July 30, 2010 @ 11:16:51 PM
godsman
Friday, July 30, 2010 @ 11:17:30 PM
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 12:53:50 AM
johnld
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 1:49:33 AM
NoSmokingBandit
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 9:18:56 AM
I've gone through the story 3 times by now and i have almost all of the medals. I am going to finish it up later this summer if i time time in my gaming schedule.
Last edited by NoSmokingBandit on 7/31/2010 9:20:27 AM
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 10:26:19 AM
NoSmokingBandit
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 10:38:34 AM
King James
Friday, July 30, 2010 @ 11:15:26 PM
Reply
johnld
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 1:51:04 AM
aaronisbla
Sunday, August 01, 2010 @ 4:59:05 AM
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Friday, July 30, 2010 @ 11:28:35 PM
WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, July 30, 2010 @ 11:48:03 PM
johnld
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 1:52:37 AM
aaronisbla
Sunday, August 01, 2010 @ 5:01:23 AM
sunspider13
Friday, July 30, 2010 @ 11:23:26 PM
Reply
johnld
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 1:54:20 AM
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Friday, July 30, 2010 @ 11:30:53 PM
Reply
Shams
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 12:27:41 AM
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 12:52:36 AM
Temjin001
Friday, July 30, 2010 @ 11:31:42 PM
Reply
Fast forward to today, many games have the stories interwoven into the very fabric of the play. In this regard, something like Uncharted 2 is quite amazing.
To me, when I play games like MGS, Uncharted, Ratchet etc. The ending doesn't necessarily begin after the last input has been registered by the user. Rather, it's the totality of events that lead up to the closing of the story. Some games do a very good job at building up and resolving even if there isn't much to see after the last shot is fired, spell cast, or sword slashed.
WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, July 30, 2010 @ 11:51:02 PM
Shams
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 12:19:14 AM
WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 1:16:44 AM
Shams
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 8:14:54 AM
WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, July 30, 2010 @ 11:50:06 PM
Reply
Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 7/30/2010 11:51:38 PM
kraygen
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 12:14:17 AM
It's my guess that she simply tries to be there for him and help him out with things in the hopes that eventually he'll come around.
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 12:51:02 AM
I WOULD like to think defeating Sephiroth/Jenova and restoring the life stream would fix Cloud completely, but I bet there was some sort of after-effects of the Mako poisoning...and the fact that he's probably a little tapped in the head after such an insane experience.
Besides, I keep thinking of Tifa and Cloud as the best of lifelong friends, and Cloud's only love - Aeris - is gone.
WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 1:15:54 AM
johnld
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 2:01:14 AM
Pandacastro
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 12:35:55 PM
Pandacastro
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 12:35:56 PM
NoSmokingBandit
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 1:13:35 PM
WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 12:01:11 AM
TEG3SH
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 12:18:48 AM
WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 12:18:05 AM
Reply
TEG3SH
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 12:20:22 AM
Shams
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 12:22:45 AM
Scarecrow
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 12:30:36 AM
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 12:48:40 AM
Scarecrow
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 1:09:25 AM
WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 1:13:04 AM
Hope you have a good one too Ben.
Jawknee
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 9:46:34 AM
BikerSaint
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 10:13:53 PM
kraygen
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 12:27:02 AM
Reply
As for Red Dead Redemption
**SPOILER WARNING**
I have to disagree wholeheartedly. I understand following the cliche ending of having him gunned down in some heroic unsurvivable climax, but the end was terribly drawn out and poorly done.
There was no point in having him go back to his family and doing several pointless and annoying missions simply to have the government supposedly try to kill off his family. There was no point or purpose in them killing his family, they wanted him dead, ok, but his family?
It would have made much more sense to kill him before ever going back to his family. The end simply felt like it dragged on and on, continuously fading out only to come back and keep going.
As much as I enjoyed RDR I hated the long drawn out pointless ending. One of the worst endings in my opinion. Doesn't help that the last quest of the game had more glitch problems than any other quest.
**END SPOILER**
After MGS4, my favs would go like this,
White Knight Chronicles
Valkyria Chronicles
Demon's Souls
That's only 4, but can't really think of anything that is in their league.
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 12:48:05 AM
I know exactly what you mean; that part made little sense. I have no idea why the government let John go back to his family, and then hunt him down later. If they wanted him dead, he would've been dead. It just didn't make much sense. But you DO realize that isn't the end, right? I mean, I'm talking about doing the revenge deed with the son and actually seeing the credits...
That's the actual ending, and the part I'm referring to.
johnld
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 2:03:34 AM
kraygen
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 3:59:56 AM
Yeah, I can see what you're saying, but do remember how a lot of ppl complained how the 3rd lotr movie had like 12 endings and it just didn't seem to end? That's how RDR was.
As for that final bit where you get your revenge, that fight actually was really irritating to me. Not sure if you realized this or not, but to kill him, you had to do it exactly how the game wanted it done, you couldn't kill him any other way.
You couldn't ride up and shoot him in the leg and then tell him how you hate him and you've killed everyone, you couldn't duel him and only injure him so you could really give it to him, you had to shoot him with a kill shot in the duel.
I actually killed that guy about 6 times trying to do it in a way that felt like revenge, an honest, honorable duel, doesn't say revenge, in the old west that was a good way to die.
Meh, was definitely glad that you got to get revenge, but the end of the story as a whole was a let down for me. The game was all about John Marston, and the end of his story was lame, then you get a little more game playing as his son and it felt like add-on filler material.
**END SPOILER**
@ Johnld
I realize that WKC really leads into the sequel, but it left me being like heck yeah, now what, it was a great end to the game, not the story tho of course, I still look forward to the end of the story.
Last edited by kraygen on 7/31/2010 4:02:54 AM
RadioHeader
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 9:15:43 AM
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 10:30:17 AM
And yes, it was considered honorable and a good way to die, but only if YOU were the one doing the challenging. Marsten's son wasn't a dishonorable person, regardless of what happened to his father, so he wouldn't have shot Ross in the back. It needed to be fair and face-to-face. Just right.
At least, that's how I see it.
kraygen
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 3:10:38 PM
Honestly I don't think Marston's son would have been able to kill the guy in a fair fight. He was a pansy. Constantly whining, lazy, never wanted to use a gun, but suddenly he's a few years older and can outgun the guy?
I hear what you're saying about it being scripted, but I felt they could have scripted the scene so that if you shot him it could have a scene of the kid standing over him and finishing him off.
I guess personally I just hated the son and found him to be more annoying than any other video game character this year.
Even still I wouldn't feel that him getting revenge is worth a spot in the top 5 endings of the generation.
aaronisbla
Sunday, August 01, 2010 @ 5:16:43 AM
Key word: WAS
I think the ending, even the lead up with the family missions were great. The jack we first met was pretty weak. John tried his best to teach him as much in the small time they had together. Perhaps he did take some of those teachings to heart. Quite a few even speculated he was taught how to shoot by Landon Ricketts, due to one of his quotes Jack says while winning duels.
I think the reason it was a bit drawn out was to show that no matter what, your an outlaw till the end, lots of foreshadowing in this game. It lulled you into this false sense of safety. If they would have just offed him right afterwards, it would have made for a dull ending.
Last edited by aaronisbla on 8/1/2010 5:21:45 AM
Lawless SXE
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 12:38:14 AM
Reply
I'm having trouble thinking about this, I mean it's so subjective, and there are so few games that I've actually finished. Either way, here goes in no particular order.
Uncharted 2: I agree with Ben, there was nothing overwhelmingly special about it, but it ended the way it was supposed to. Simple as that.
MGS4: Again, like Ben said, ridiculously long-winded but it really did help to sum up the entire game in a fantastic way. And that last battle atop the ship was awesome.
Dead Space: The game was actually really good, and the way that Isaac was on the ship at the end I was like, 'sweet, so now it's finished and, *BANG* WTF WAS THAT???!!!'
inFamous: The whole game was a ton of fun, and then the way it was set up and the set up for the sequel. Never was I happier than the day that I first heard concrete news about the existence of the second (Well, I have been happier, but I did mark out.)
Resistance 2: The thing in the sky, Hale's words to Capelli (I think that was his name, it's been a while since I played it), and then the sudden cut to black. Insomniac know what they're doing and I can't wait for confirmation of the third.
I have to give props to KZ2, and I know already that the ending for Valkyria Chronicles is going to be sweet. The last chapter has already blown my mind.
Peace.
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 12:46:08 AM
WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 2:17:18 AM
SmokeyPSD
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 1:00:41 AM
Reply
I dont agree that MGS4 was too overtop, it was a culmination of a 20 years long series, that's a lot of pent up story.
WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 2:15:53 AM
BikerSaint
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 2:33:16 AM
Reply
___________
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 3:18:09 AM
Reply
honestly no game has had such good endings as that, and thats whats more impressive because it has so many of them and there all fantastic, some even heart wrenching!
same goes for bioshock 2, it had a fantastic story, a great ending but it was NOTHING! compared to bioshock!
that had so many tiwsts that no one expected!
and the ending, was nothing short of BRILLIANT!
will you kindly............
Crabba
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 4:03:53 AM
Reply
Overall in my opinion these are the best endings so far on the PS3:
1. Killzone 2
2. Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
3. Uncharted 2
4. Resistance: Fall of Man (actually haven't played R2 yet)
5. Guitar Hero III - Ending with the hardest song ever, fully playable in the credits, awesome :)
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 10:31:37 AM
SvenMD
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 2:41:55 PM
Mavfan321
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 4:21:22 AM
Reply
Last edited by Mavfan321 on 7/31/2010 4:24:11 AM
ABUrabad
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 4:32:17 AM
Reply
i think Ben u mentioned them in the right order for me at this current generation
maybe MGS was the best ever game series with Best Endings Of The all Generations in general
but still MGS3: snake eater has the best ever ending ,i can even remember every moment of it even though i had played that game 4 years ago
,
when it comes to Snake i feel sad why Sony didn't buy the rights of it MGS
I'd say that snake would be a great mascot for sony
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 10:32:12 AM
Ultimadream
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 5:34:31 AM
Reply
If we do count Heavy Rain i wluld like to mention that also, the 1st ending i got was heartbreaking.
FM23
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 6:38:19 AM
Reply
1)MGS4 (Classic, but yes too long)
2)RDR (Just right)
3)ACII (Excited for the next one)
4)Infamous (Shocking)
5)Killzone 2(Great voice acting Visari)
Worst ending to the best game I played...Fallout 3. That black and white clip of my decisions wasn't worth the trouble.
Last edited by FM23 on 7/31/2010 6:40:10 AM
Deleted User
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 6:40:08 AM
Reply
my top 5 pluse best endings
1. Star Craft 2 (just finished it yesterday one of the best PC games this year)
2. Mass Effect 2
3. Infamous
4. Uncharted 2
5 A. Heavy Rain
B. Demon's Souls
Captain Spacker
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 9:07:19 AM
Reply
Also, Bad Company 1. Loved driving away with that truck of gold, felt like I'd earned it.
I know alot of people were disappointed, but GTA4's ending also rung well with me, but maybe not top 5 material
TheIllusiveMan
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 10:22:20 AM
Reply
My list would personally go:
5. Dragon Age
4. Heavy Rain
3. Resistance 2
2. Assassins Creed 2
1. MGS 4
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 10:33:03 AM
TheIllusiveMan
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 12:46:31 PM
IMO, Dragon Age is the best full on RPG of this generation. Easily my favorite just over Fallout (and Oblivion). Kinda reflecting back at what you were talking about in your semi-recent article about modern RPG's, I almost wouldn't consider Fallout (and Oblivion) to be RPG's exactly, but rather a new "pseudo RPG" style. They have the elements of an RPG game, but at the same time, they were so different than everything else.
carl0975
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 2:44:00 PM
kraygen
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 3:17:29 PM
aaronisbla
Sunday, August 01, 2010 @ 5:25:01 AM
RadioHeader
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 4:53:24 PM
Reply
SubjectiveTruth
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 10:16:54 PM
Reply
Although I think MGS4 had better story telling, the MGS3 ending had a greater impact on me but I think that is almost exclusively due to the sacrifice the boss' character makes.
DeathOfChaos
Saturday, July 31, 2010 @ 11:41:23 PM
Reply
THE NTMIDTR
Sunday, August 01, 2010 @ 3:00:33 AM
Reply
aaronisbla
Sunday, August 01, 2010 @ 5:27:14 AM
Reply
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, August 02, 2010 @ 12:27:00 AM

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots









Riku994
Reply
Friday, July 30, 2010 @ 9:32:07 PM