It’s always difficult to create a good ending for any story. Sometimes endings are fulfilling, other times they leave you with questions to encourage a continuation, and often they just fall flat. However, crafting a satisfying conclusion for a video game seems especially challenging, likely because games take so much longer to experience than most other forms of entertainment.
As a longtime PlayStation fan, I’ve always wondered how game developers manage to wrap up a story after I’ve poured dozens of hours into it. Thinking back over PlayStation’s history, I realized they’ve consistently delivered really memorable endings. Whether it’s been on different consoles or in totally different game types, these games all managed to stick the landing and give me a satisfying conclusion.
This list contains spoilers!
The Last Of Us
What Any Father Would Do
In The Last of Us, Joel and Ellie travel across the country to Seattle, hoping doctors can use Ellie to create a cure for the fungal infection that has turned people into zombies. However, Joel discovers that creating the cure requires Ellie’s death. He refuses to let that happen, killing everyone in the hospital and escaping with her. He then lies to Ellie, telling her the research failed, leaving her to question his story. This uncertain ending allowed for a continuation of the story and was effective because both main characters survived the perilous journey.
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
To New Horizons
Naughty Dog, the studio behind The Last of Us, delivered a particularly touching conclusion with Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End. The game focuses on Nathan Drake’s final adventure, portraying him as he wraps up his treasure-hunting days alongside his loved ones. The ending shows a glimpse into the future, with Drake’s daughter, Cassie, waiting for her parents to come home, suggesting he’s truly left that life behind. It’s a feel-good conclusion that either hints at Cassie continuing the family’s adventurous spirit or simply marks a peaceful new chapter for the Drakes, prioritizing family over fortune.
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
VERY Kojima
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is an experience unlike any other, and truly embodies Hideo Kojima’s unique style. It’s packed with bizarre and exciting elements, including giant monsters, mechs, a guitar duel, a dance-off, and even a baby with angelic powers. One of the most satisfying reveals is that Tomorrow is actually the grown-up version of Lou, who players believed had died early in the game. The emotional reunion between Lou and her father, Sam, is incredibly touching, and the game ends with a beautiful scene of an older Lou taking over Sam’s role as a delivery person.
Final Fantasy 7
Aerith Returns
Okay, so Final Fantasy 7 is one of those classic Japanese RPGs where you build up a team and go on this huge adventure to save the world. Basically, there’s this bad guy, Sephiroth, who’s trying to destroy everything by calling down a massive meteor. It’s a long game with a lot of tough fights, but eventually, you beat him and save the planet. It’s a really iconic game for a reason!
As the final dungeon crumbles around them, the heroes manage to escape after defeating Sephiroth, but they still see the massive meteor hurtling towards the planet. Just when it seems hopeless, the Lifestream—guided by the spirit of Aerith, who sacrificed herself earlier—rises up and destroys the meteor in a powerful and uplifting moment. Everyone is saved, and the scene offers a hopeful look towards the future, suggesting humanity has learned from its mistakes.
Marvel’s Spider-Man
Breaking Peter
Thankfully, Marvel’s Spider-Man skips the typical origin story, instead focusing on the developing relationship between Peter Parker and the villain, Doc Ock, which ultimately leads to an intense showdown. Even after discovering Peter’s secret identity, Doc Ock remains steadfast in his beliefs, forcing Peter to confront him. The game takes a tragic turn with the loss of a father figure and, later, Aunt May. While devastating for Peter, these events are crucial to his growth as Spider-Man, reinforcing his commitment to justice and pushing him forward despite the personal cost.
Ghost Of Tsushima
Get Over It, Uncle
In Ghost of Tsushima, the island of Tsushima and its people are under attack by Mongolian invaders. The hero, Jin, must abandon traditional samurai principles and fight using unconventional methods to liberate his home. While he succeeds in saving the island, his uncle, Lord Shimura, disapproves of the dishonorable tactics. The game culminates in a difficult confrontation with his uncle, forcing players to choose between giving him an honorable death or leaving him to grapple with his own shortcomings.
God of War (2018)
Boy, Spread The Ashes
The 2018 God of War reimagines the series, moving the story from ancient Greece to Norse mythology and giving Kratos a fresh start. While filled with epic battles against Norse gods, the game’s core is a personal journey: Kratos and his son, Atreus, travel to a mountain to scatter ashes. They complete this emotional task, sharing a touching moment as they spread the ashes over a beautiful landscape. Though they start as distant father and son, the journey brings Kratos and Atreus closer together, providing a heartwarming conclusion to the story.
Persona 5 Royale
Reworking The Lore
The original ending of Persona 5 was good, though a little sad, because the main character, Ren, had to leave his friends after saving Japan from a powerful enemy. Persona 5 Royal adds to the story with new characters and an ending that feels like an add-on, changing what happened before.
The game’s new ending and villain shed light on the purpose of the Mementos area and explain how adults gained their power through an experiment. While not part of the original story and not necessarily an improvement, it’s a good reason to replay the game.
Shadow Of The Colossus (2018)
Never Trust The Gods
The story of Shadow of the Colossus centers around Wander, a young man who seeks to bring a woman named Mono back to life. He’s tasked by powerful gods to defeat massive creatures, and after a difficult journey, he succeeds—only to be betrayed and sacrificed to the gods’ dark power. Mono is revived, creating a bittersweet ending. The finale is made even more mysterious by the unexplained appearance of a baby, suggesting Wander may have been reborn. This ending remains consistent in both the original PlayStation 2 version and the remake.
Astro Bot
A Nostalgia Trip
Astro Bot is a love letter to everything PlayStation. Throughout the game, you rescue robot versions of famous characters from PlayStation’s history – spanning thirty years, from Parappa the Rapper to Amaterasu and even Leon S. Kennedy. The game culminates in a fun shooting section where all the rescued bots team up with Astro Bot, using PlayStation consoles and accessories as weapons to battle aliens. Released in 2024, coinciding with PlayStation’s 30th anniversary, it’s a fantastic experience for longtime fans and a real celebration of the brand.
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2025-11-18 15:37