what's the best ending in elden ring

3 min read 15-12-2024

Elden Ring: Which Ending is Truly the "Best"? A Comprehensive Look

Meta Description: Uncover the secrets behind Elden Ring's multiple endings! We delve deep into each, analyzing their implications and helping you decide which truly reigns supreme. Discover the lore, the choices, and ultimately, the best ending for your Tarnished. Explore the Age of Fracture, the Lord of Frenzied Flame, and more!

Title Tag: Best Elden Ring Ending: A Comprehensive Guide

The Elden Ring's Multitude of Endings: A Choice with Consequences

Elden Ring, FromSoftware's masterpiece, isn't just about conquering challenging bosses; it's about shaping the fate of the Lands Between. Unlike many games with a single definitive conclusion, Elden Ring presents players with multiple endings, each drastically altering the narrative and the future of the world. But which ending is truly the "best"? The answer, as with much in Elden Ring, is complex and depends on your interpretation. There's no objectively "right" answer, but we can analyze each to help you decide which resonates most with you.

This article will explore the major endings, outlining the choices required to achieve them and examining their implications on the lore and overall narrative.

Understanding the Choices: A Path to Multiple Destinies

Before diving into the individual endings, it's crucial to grasp the decision points that lead to them. Your choices throughout the game, particularly interactions with key NPCs and the final moments before facing the final boss, significantly impact your ending. These choices are often subtle and easily missed, adding to the game's replayability and depth.

The Lord of Order's Ending: The Age of Order

This "standard" ending, achieved by defeating Marika's children without aligning with any specific faction and repairing the Elden Ring, results in the restoration of order. This isn't necessarily a "good" outcome; it's a restoration of the status quo, which was inherently flawed and oppressive. Many consider this a rather unsatisfying conclusion, as it simply returns things to a less-than-ideal norm.

Pros: Relatively easy to achieve, brings a sense of completion, maintains the traditional Elden Ring world order. Cons: Restores a system riddled with issues. Doesn't directly address the problems that caused the shattering.

The Age of Stars: A New Beginning

The Age of Stars ending, obtained by choosing Ranni's questline and helping her break the cycle of the Greater Will, offers a more ambiguous yet intriguing conclusion. Ranni's intentions are to dismantle the old gods and create a world free from their control. This ending paints a picture of a fresh start, although the specifics remain unknown, allowing players to project their own hopes and fears onto the future.

Pros: Offers a chance for a more just and equitable future, breaks free from the manipulative influence of the Greater Will. Cons: Uncertainties surrounding the new age; the exact nature of the change isn't fully revealed. Some players may find the lack of clarity frustrating.

The Age of the Frenzied Flame: Embracing Chaos

Achieving this ending involves allying with Mohg, Lord of Blood, and embracing the chaotic power of the Frenzied Flame. This is a decidedly "evil" ending, resulting in a burning, chaotic destruction of the Lands Between. While morally questionable, it offers a visceral and powerful narrative conclusion, suggesting that sometimes, a complete dismantling is needed before rebuilding can occur.

Pros: A bold, dramatic, and visually stunning ending. Provides a stark contrast to the more conventional outcomes. Cons: A bleak and destructive vision for the future. Not recommended for players seeking a triumphant or optimistic resolution.

Which Ending is "Best"? A Matter of Perspective

Ultimately, there's no single "best" ending in Elden Ring. Each offers a unique perspective on the game's narrative, reflecting different philosophical viewpoints and desires for the Lands Between's future. The best ending is the one that resonates most deeply with the individual player and their interpretation of the game's complex themes.

Consider your preferred style of gameplay and your overall feelings about the game's world. Do you crave order, or do you yearn for chaos? Your answer will guide you towards the most fulfilling conclusion to your Tarnished's journey.

Further Exploration: We encourage you to explore each ending and then decide which aligns with your vision of the Lands Between's destiny! Remember to share your preferred ending and why in the comments below!