Unveiling Elden Ring's Ultimate Victory: A Complete Breakdown and Analysis of the Game's Most Epic Ending
Discover the intricacies of Elden Ring's six possible endings, each tied to a unique questline Unveil the true essence of The Lands Between as you navigate through challenging choices Uncover the hidden gem among the endings, often overlooked but deserving of recognition
Highlights
Elevating Elden Ring to the forefront of the best RPGs of its generation is its expansive selection of choices within The Lands Between.The game's intricate narrative branches and diverse range of endings provide a myriad of possibilities for the Tarnished, with a majority of the conclusions imbued with a haunting and desolate atmosphere.
The Age of Stars and the Age of Order present contrasting but hopeful conclusions for the world of Elden Ring.
Caution: MAJOR SPOILERS for Elden Ring follow. Read at your own discretion.
Elden Ring is poised to be remembered as one of the finest RPGs of its generation, and the extensive range of choices available in The Lands Between has played a significant role in its acclaim. As the latest release from FromSoftware, renowned for pioneering the Soulsborne genre, Elden Ring successfully combines beloved elements from past Dark Souls titles, Bloodborne, and Sekiro. Enjoying continued success more than a year after its initial launch, one of Elden Ring's standout features is its RPG staple that adds to its replay value.
The storyline of Elden Ring is the culmination of director Hidetaka Miyazaki's illustrious career in world-building, complemented by a collaboration with fantasy legend George R.R. Martin. It lives up to the esteemed lore of the Dark Souls series that preceded it, with its intricate narrative centered around the Golden Order. Embracing the genre's emphasis on player choice, Elden Ring offers multiple endings that present various outcomes for the Tarnished following the defeat of Radagon and the Elden Beast. Although the existence of six potential endings may suggest controversy in determining the ideal conclusion, the majority of players are unified in their appreciation of the dark nature of these endings.
The Bleak Nature of Most Elden Ring Endings
The player's choice regarding the usage of mending Runes on the Elden Ring determines the variation in Elden Ring's finale. Each Rune is obtained through a distinct questline. It is widely agreed that the Age of the Duskborn, Blessing of Despair, and Lord of the Frenzied Flame endings are all unfavorable outcomes, resulting in the corruption of the Tarnished. However, each ending offers a unique sense of desolation. Whether it's breaking the cycle of life and death, afflicting everyone with the Dung Eater's curse, or setting the world ablaze in chaos, pursuing any of these outcomes requires embracing dark urges.
Considering that only half of Elden Ring's conclusions end on a positive note, it is logical to assume that the remaining half would reflect a more optimistic tone. However, even the default Age of Fracture ending, which fulfills Melina's will, carries a sinister undertone that overshadows the player's status as Elden Lord. While the Tarnished's control over the Elden Ring after its mending may present a better alternative to Marika and Radagon's corrupt rule that plagued The Lands Between, the player character's virtuous morals are not typically allowed to endure in FromSoftware's worlds.
Elden Ring's Most Underrated Ending
The Age of Stars, achieved through Ranni's questline, is widely considered the superior ending by most players. However, there is another lesser-known positive outcome called the Age of Order. This ending can be reached by using the Rune obtained from Goldmask after uncovering Marika and Radagon's true identity. In the Age of Order, the corrupted nature of the world's imperfect gods is cleansed, contrasting with Ranni's plan which completely removes the Elden Ring's influence from The Lands Between. Depending on the player's perspective, either of these changes to the Lands Between could be seen as the best ending in the game.
With the upcoming Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, there is a possibility that new endings will be introduced, similar to previous FromSoftware titles. Until then, both of Elden Ring's more optimistic endings hold validity in their new vision for the game's world after Marika's downfall. The Age of Stars, with its removal of all godly influence, means freedom for all, while the Age of Order offers a world of gods incapable of senseless conflict. Both options are equally appealing for those who choose to pursue them.
Elden Ring is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
