RPGs and similar immersive games often provide players with the power to shape their narratives, allowing for greater freedom compared to traditional linear storylines. This interactivity frequently leads to various endings or scenarios where choices drastically alter a character’s journey. However, not all outcomes yield tangible benefits—some decisions can lead players to endings that leave them questioning their choices.
Throughout gameplay, almost every decision made can benefit someone or some faction, whether liberating the protagonists or enabling antagonistic forces to achieve dominance. Yet, there are instances in which players make choices that lead to events that reward no one at all, resulting in what can be seen as a more frustrating ending than simply a negative one—essentially a “why did I even choose this?”conclusion.
This article focuses on specific game endings and contains spoilers for the mentioned titles.
1. Katherine’s Not Interested
Catherine
The conclusion you experience in Catherine hinges on your alignment with the chaotic and orderly meter and the critical decisions made during the final phases of the game. Straying from your established path leads Vincent to an undesirable outcome with either Katherine or Catherine.
In one bleak outcome, after defeating Mutton, Vincent deceives Katherine into meeting him, claiming he never cheated. Unfortunately, Katherine rightfully rejects him, leading to a heart-wrenching farewell. Vincent is left shattered, Mutton’s project is abandoned, and Katherine walks away heartbroken but free from Vincent’s turmoil.
2. Destroy the Yamato Reactor
Shin Megami Tensei 4
As the story of Shin Megami Tensei 4 progresses, you encounter enigmatic characters known as “the White”after activating the Yamato Perpetual Reactor. These nihilistic figures wish to erase existence entirely, believing it will free humanity from perpetual conflict.
The White offer you the choice to destroy the Yamato Reactor, promising liberation. However, agreeing leads to a catastrophic outcome: a black hole engulfs Tokyo and erases reality in an instant. Although it may seem like a victory for the White, it is ultimately a loss for everyone involved.
3. The Easy Way Out
Cyberpunk 2077
In the climactic moments of Cyberpunk 2077, V faces a dire situation that requires immediate resolution regarding the datachip overwrite. Players can pursue various pathways, either by storming Mihoshi with allies or side with Arasaka and Hanako. However, there’s a darker option: V can discard their medication and choose self-destruction.
Despite Johnny’s disapproval and lack of influence over V’s choices, this drastic decision leads to a somber conclusion where V’s friends react with grief during the credits, illustrating the devastating impact of this choice.
4. Lord of the Frenzied Flame
Ring of Fire
Elden Ring features several endings based on the Mending Rune selected to restore the Elden Ring. One particularly grim choice is to become the Lord of Frenzied Flame by allying with the Three Fingers. This decision leads to an apocalyptic event where a massive fire engulfs the world, heralding chaos and destruction.
Though this may satisfy the desires of the Three Fingers, it ultimately results in annihilation—less a victory and more an act of devastation.
5. Dipped in the FEV Vat
Fallout
In the climactic moments of the original Fallout, players confront The Master, the orchestrator behind the super mutant attacks. Opting to join The Master leads to a significant choice: being transformed into a super mutant.
While this initially appears to serve The Master’s interests, it ultimately reveals a bleak truth: super mutants are sterile and doomed to extinction. Thus, no lasting victory is achieved for anyone involved.
6. A Painting’s Demise
One
In Ib, players are greeted with multiple endings contingent on their choices and relationship-building with characters like Garry and Mary. Failing to foster this bond results in a tragic outcome where Garry loses his sanity while trying to escape, leaving Ib desolate.
As Mary attempts to exit the Fabricated World alone, she is ultimately consumed by darkness, leading to a heartbreaking conclusion where hope fades into despair.
7. Armageddon
Live A Live
In the finale of Live A Live, players select one of seven heroes to represent their team. Alternatively, they can take on the role of Oersted, now molded by darkness. As Oersted, players can opt for the ultimate destructive strategy: the Armageddon command, annihilating all incarnations and erasing humanity’s existence.
Even if Oersted triumphs, he ends up alone, a mad ruler in a dead world—a result far from heroic.
8. All for the Board
The Outer Worlds
In The Outer Worlds, players face two main narrative endings: one that leads to awakening the colonists aboard the Hope to revitalize the Halcyon colonies, and another that involves siding with the Board. Opting for the latter results in a grim fate for the colonists, as they are expelled into the void while the corrupt elite enjoy exclusive access to resources.
While it may seem like a victory for the Board, it is a hollow one; their reliance on short-term gains signals an inevitable downfall, leaving the colony in peril.
9. You Broke Spacetime
Outer Wilds
In Outer Wilds, players embark on a journey where traditional victory is elusive. Even after escaping the time loop, the universe faces inevitable demise, yet a new cosmos emerges in its place. Players can accelerate this end by deliberately breaking reality’s fabric.
This can be achieved, for example, by manipulating the High Energy Lab’s technology—creating a catastrophic paradox that shatters all of spacetime, resulting in utter desolation. What once was ceases to exist, leaving nothing behind—a notorious outcome for those seeking ultimate destruction.
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