9 Gaming Decisions Where Nobody Wins

In many role-playing games (RPGs), as well as several others, the storyline is more interactive compared to a standard, straightforward sequence of events. This interaction often leads to various conclusions or situations where your actions significantly alter the direction of the story.

As a gamer, I’ve noticed that no matter which route I take in a game, there’s always someone who benefits from it. It could be the heroes gaining their liberty, or the villains seizing control of the world – the outcomes are as diverse as they come.

In some instances within the game, your choices may lead to events that seem pointless because they offer no advantage to any character, or the benefits are so insignificant that they’re hardly worth considering. It’s not merely an unsatisfactory conclusion, but rather a “What made you pick this option?” kind of ending.

This article primarily covers endings, and contains spoilers for the games mentioned.

9. Katherine’s Not Interested

Catherine

In Catherine, the final outcome is influenced by two significant aspects: your balance between order and chaos as reflected on the enigmatic scale, and the decisions you make towards the game’s climax. If your choices diverge from your alignment on the scale, Vincent may find himself in a disastrous predicament, with either Katherine or Catherine suffering the consequences.

Previously, following his victory over Mutton, Vincent tricked him into taking Katherine to the Stray Sheep Inn under false pretenses. Vincent attempted to persuade her that he hadn’t truly been unfaithful and asked for another chance, however, Katherine, understandably, refused his plea.

In simpler terms, Katherine departs from Vincent permanently, reducing him to tears, while he mourns the loss of his beloved. Meanwhile, Mutton’s ambitious project was abandoned, causing disappointment, and Katherine experienced emotional pain when she parted ways.

A more positive perspective would be: At least now, Katherine is no longer tied to Vincent’s less intelligent side.

8. Destroy The Yamato Reactor

Shin Megami Tensei 4

Towards the latter part of Shin Megami Tensei 4’s narrative, following the initial activation of the Yamato Everlasting Reactor, you establish connections with several enigmatic figures who are collectively referred to as “the White.

These black-and-white characters are extreme skeptics who long for the annihilation of our known reality, aiming to free it from constant battles between structure and disorder.

obliterate the entire Yamato Reactor.

If you choose to align with them and demolish the Reactor, a boundless black hole could abruptly emerge, devouring Tokyo, Mikado, and everything else in the vicinity – including all other locations – in an instant. This cataclysmic event would erase reality as we know it, even the White, leaving behind nothing but emptiness. While it might seem like a victory for them, it’s hard to call it a true success.

7. The Easy Way Out

Cyberpunk 2077

As Cyberpunk 2077 nears its conclusion, your character, V, is running low on resources and urgently requires a remedy for the datachip overwrite. There are several paths to follow, many of which involve confronting Mihoshi either solo or with the aid of an allied faction. If you prefer, you can opt to align with Arasaka and Hanako, embracing the corporate lifestyle.

Another option exists, one that seems unappealing to everyone: instead of attacking Mihoshi or aligning with any specific group, you could simply discard V’s medication and threaten them with a gun. Johnny isn’t thrilled with this idea, but given his current circumstances, he can’t stop V from making their own choices anymore.

After the credits roll, V may find themselves receiving phone calls from various friends, some expressing regret over their choice while others, like Panam, are eager to connect in the afterlife to settle old scores, such as giving them a good scolding.

6. Lord Of The Frenzied Flame

Elden Ring

In Elden Ring, various conclusions can be achieved based on the specific Mending Runes utilized to reforge the Elden Ring. While some endings surpass others in terms of quality, there is an unconventional conclusion that rejects the Elden Ring altogether and instead chooses to set everything ablaze.

By connecting with the Three-Fingered symbol and obtaining the Furious Inferno, you have the power to bypass the Elden Throne and instead rise as the Sovereign of the Frenzied Flame. Upon your self-sacrifice within the Giant’s Forge, a colossal inferno erupts that incinerates the very fabric of existence.

In simpler terms, the realm known as the Lands Between, along with possibly other parts of the world, is headed towards a catastrophic, destructive end. If Melina is still alive, she will likely swear revenge on you for this calamity.

In essence, while this outcome technically favors the Three Fingers group, their ultimate goal is not to triumph but to annihilate all creations ordained by the Greater Will. So, it’s not so much a “win,” as it is more like someone destroying their sibling’s toys, made of LEGOs.

5. Dipped In The FEV Vat

Fallout

At the peak of Fallout’s primary storyline, you face off against The Master deep within the Cathedral, where he coordinates mutant attacks across the wasteland. In an optimal situation, you have two options: engage in a battle with The Master or use persuasive dialogue to convince him to give up and detonate the Cathedral from below.

If you’re up for transforming into a towering, green-skinned behemoth, then you can choose to align with the Unity. This means submitting yourself to an FEV bath, which could turn you into a super mutant. After that, you’ll spearhead an assault on Vault 13, eliminate the Overseer, and capture more humans for further mutation. It’s a grim path, but it sure beats cleaning out a tank of snot!

Initially, it appears that The Master has the upper hand. But remember from our previous discussion about the speech check situation, super mutants are sterile and can’t continue their lineage beyond one generation. In essence, there is no viable winning strategy for Unity; aligning with them only guarantees that no other party will triumph as well.

4. A Painting’s Demise

Ib

In the style of numerous Role-Playing Game Maker titles, the game Ib offers multiple conclusions. The ending you encounter is largely determined by several key decisions you make and ensuring that Ib’s relationship with Garry and/or Mary develops adequately.

If you fail to cultivate a connection between Ib and Mary, it’s almost certain that Garry will become mentally distressed when attempting to flee the Doll Room. In this situation, Ib may lose all optimism, sitting down beside Garry and becoming unresponsive. Mary will initially try to persuade Ib to depart with her, but ultimately relents and departs on her own as well.

For a brief period, you guide Mary through her ordeal until she eventually breaks free from the Fictitious Realm, returning to the art gallery once more. Regrettably, it’s impossible for a painting to freely depart its realm, and in the end, Mary is swallowed by darkness, feeling both fearful and isolated.

3. Armageddon

Live A Live

At the conclusion of Live A Live, it’s up to you to decide which one of the seven historical figures, each playing a unique hero, will join your team. Alternatively, you could opt to command Oersted, who has fully embraced his character as Odio, the Dark Lord.

In the role of Oersted, you have the ability to extend your awareness across time, guiding the Odio entities in various temporal settings, similar to a boss battle marathon.

If the heroes reduce your health significantly, the Flee option will transform into an Armageddon command. Utilizing this command, Oersted will instantly vaporize all his manifestations, thereby erasing the entire human history from existence. He’s the only one capable of such destruction if he can’t be defeated.

Indeed, even if you manage to vanquish every hero across all the forms of Odio, what remains is Oersted reigning as King Nothing over a world that’s utterly lifeless, laughing insanely and imploring an empty throne for recognition as the hero he fancies himself. At best, it’s a hollow victory.

2. All For The Board

The Outer Worlds

In the game titled The Outer Worlds (distinct from Outer Wilds), the main narrative concludes in two significant ways: one path leads to reviving the colonists onboard the ship called Hope, with the goal of bettering the Halcyon colony system, and another path involves aligning oneself with the ruling body known as ‘The Board’.

In this alternative situation, all Hope’s colonists are ejected into space, whereas common citizens are forced into suspended animation instead. Consequently, the entire colony’s resources are left for the city of Byzantium to exploit, benefiting only the ruling Board and elite.

While you may perceive this as a triumph for the Board, it’s important to note that their strategy has consistently focused on immediate benefits rather than long-term planning. The reserves are substantial at present, ensuring Byzantium’s stability for some time. However, these resources won’t last indefinitely; they will eventually deplete.

If it weren’t for Hope’s scientists, the colony’s facilities would have deteriorated beyond repair by now, even if the workers had been awakened from suspended animation. Without their intervention, there wouldn’t be a way to secure additional food supplies.

1. You Broke Spacetime

Outer Wilds

In the game Outer Wilds (differentiated from The Outer Worlds), you won’t find yourself in the typical “win-lose” scenario. Though eventually escaping the loop and witnessing the Eye of the Universe, the storyline continues with everything still coming to an end. Yet, a new universe arises in its stead, offering a unique and breathtaking beauty all its own.

If you’d prefer nothing at all to be distributed, there’s a method to achieve that. It involves altering the very fabric of existence. This can be accomplished in various manners, but the most straightforward is by venturing to the High Energy Lab on Ember Twin, propelling your Scout into a black hole, and swiftly extract the core immediately following its emergence from the corresponding white hole.

In the peculiar situation where two identical Scouts stand side by side, a cataclysmic paradox unfolds, causing the very fabric of space and time to explode like a fragile windowpane. No remnants of this reality remain, nor does any new universe emerge. It’s just… emptiness. Well done.

2025-04-08 19:11