Video games are defined by many things, but when it comes to their narratives, how the story ends is often the most important detailm to get right. There are too many cases where a plot falls short of expectations right at the finish line, and that problem is most common in the open-world genre, where the environments are vast and the stories span dozens of hours of in-game time.
However, among all the mediocre conclusions stand a select few games that manage to perfectly wrap up their stories, be it through tying up loose ends or effortlessly setting up sequels without being too obvious with their intention. From fantasy epics to emotional masterpieces, the open-world genre has certainly gifted players with several classic endings that finish off their tales with respect, allowing players to feel satisfied that the journey was worth it.
Spoiler Alert: Major spoilers for the endings of each open-world game listed, including their sequels and DLCs
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The Destiny Is Finally Fulfilled
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt brings Geralt’s saga to an end in the most fitting way possible, offering multiple endings that feel entirely shaped by the player’s choices on their journey. Rather than forcing them down one specific path, players are instead presented with several outcomes for both individual characters, like Ciri, and the kingdom itself, making the conclusion feel more personal and meaningful.
Among all the stories being tied up, arguably the most important is Ciri’s, who is now slated to return in The Witcher 4. Her path to becoming a Witcher feels like a natural progression for the franchise, allowing the story to continue with a new hero at the helm, whilst giving Geralt a send-off that is specific to each player’s path in the game.
Red Dead Redemption 2
A Tragic Masterpiece
Red Dead Redemption 2 is widely considered to be one of the best open-world games ever made, and that status largely comes from the emotional narrative and how it eventually concludes. After journeying through the West with Arthur Morgan and seeing him face hardship and despair, his send-off feels both deeply heartbreaking yet also beautiful, allowing him to be redeemed and finally put to rest.
The epilogue with John Marston provides further closure by bridging the story with the original Red Dead Redemption in a subtly brilliant way, while letting players witness the true cost of loyalty and freedom. The ending is not one of spectacle but one of peace, reminding players that although death may be permanent, legacies are forever.
Horizon Zero Dawn
The Beginning Of Something Greater
Horizon Zero Dawn ends not with finality, but with revelation. Aloy’s journey from outcast to savior concludes with a discovery that redefines both her world and her identity, as while she manages to defeat HADES, it is clear that there are far greater dangers out there.
After the credits, Sylen is shown speaking to HADES about “the ones that sent the signal that woke you”, opening the door to a whole other world of evil. This ensures that the narrative of the original game feels complete, but allows it to exist as part of a grander tale that players will need to explore for themselves in Horizon Forbidden West.
Shadow Of The Colossus
Telling A Tale Through Silence
Shadow of the Colossus remains a masterclass in emotional storytelling, relying less on obvious story beats and more on symbolism. Its finale transforms everything the player thought they understood about their quest into a series of further questions to which there are no clear answers.
The conclusion is haunting and unsettling, as the player is transformed into a giant, shadowy beast and forced to fight off humans until they are sucked into the void. The final cutscene is deeply emotional, but it also leaves things intentionally open-ended, with many players speculating to this day as to what it all means and the player’s true place in the world.
Ghost Of Tsushima
Honor And Heartbreak
Ghost of Tsushima concludes with one of the most emotionally complex finales in modern gaming. Jin Sakai’s final confrontation with his uncle, Lord Shimura, forces him to choose between honor and compassion, with both possible outcomes being devastating yet beautiful, reflecting the themes that drive the entire narrative.
The ending encapsulates Jin’s transformation from samurai to legend, and that final duel, framed in falling leaves and silence, is pure cinematic poetry. In a way, the game manages to end just as it began, with grace and beauty, concluding a monumental narrative in the most perfect way possible.
The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom
Completing The Cycle
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom brings closure to one of Nintendo’s most impressive narratives, ending the age of calamity and allowing an age peace to begin. After reassembling the Master Sword, players descend beneath Hyrule Castle for one final confrontation with Ganondorf in what is quite possibly the most impressive boss fight in the entire Zelda series.
After successfully defeating him, Zelda and Link are returned to safety, and Zelda is restored to a human form by the ancient sages. The game’s final moments feel less about victory and more about restoration, as the lands are no longer corrupted and the narrative can conclude in a way that feels complete.
Outer Wilds
Ending The Loop At Last
Outer Wilds delivers one of the most profound endings in gaming history. After many cycles trapped in a time loop, players are finally greeted with an end to their journey. They need to leap into the Eye of the Universe, and once inside, they help to ignite a new beginning for the universe, one that is teeming with life without the threat of further death.
All the player’s discoveries up until that point come full circle, and every tiny detail becomes important to figuring out how to end the loop. The journey ending this way allows the failures of the past to feel worthwhile and reframes the entire narrative as a path to acceptance rather than a constant battle against time itself.
