Video games are defined by many things, but when it comes to their stories, how the story ends is often the most important detail to get right. There are too many cases where a lot doesn't live up to expectations right at the finish line, and that problem is most common in open world genrewhere the environments are huge and the stories span dozens of hours of gameplay.
But among all the mediocre conclusions stand a select few games that manage to wrap up their stories perfectly, whether by tying up loose ends or simply setting up sequels without being too obvious about their intent. From fantasy epics to emotional masterpieces, the open-world genre has truly gifted players with several classic endings that end their stories with respect, allowing players to feel satisfied that the journey was worth it.
Spoiler Alert: Major spoilers for the end of every open world game list, including their sequels and DLCs
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Destiny is finally fulfilled
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt wraps up Geralt's saga in as fitting a way as possible, offering multiple endings that feel entirely shaped by the player's choices on their journey. Instead of forcing them down a specific path, players are instead presented with multiple 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, the most important is undoubtedly Ciri's, which is now set 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, while also giving Geralt an expulsion 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 comes in large part from the emotional story and how it eventually concludes. After traveling through the West with Arthur Morgan and seeing him face hardship and despair, his send-off feels both deeply heartbreaking yet beautiful, allowing him to be redeemed and finally put to rest.
The epilogue with John Marston provides further closure by bridging the story with original RED Dead Redemption in a subtly brilliant way, while letting players see the true cost of loyalty and freedom. The ending is not one of spectacle but one of peace, reminding players that while death may be permanent, legacy is forever.
Horizon Zero Dawn
The beginning of something bigger
Horizon Zero Dawn ends not with finality, but with revelation. Aloy's journey from outcast to savior ends with a discovery that redefines both her world and her identity, as while she succeeds in defeating HADES, it is clear that there are far greater dangers out there.
After the credits, Sylen is shown talking to HADES about “the ones who sent the signal that woke you up”, opening the door to a whole other world of evil. This ensures that the story of the original game feels complete, but allows it to exist as part of a larger story that players must explore for themselves in Horizon Forbidden West.
Shadow Of The Colossus
Tell a story through silence
Shadow of the Colossus remains a masterclass in emotional storytelling, relying less on obvious narrative and more on symbolism. Its finale turns everything the player thought they understood about their mission 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 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 still 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 ending 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 devastating yet beautiful, and reflects the themes that drive the entire story.
The ending encapsulates Jin's transformation from samurai to legend, and the final duel, framed in falling leaves and silence, is pure cinematic poetry. In a way, the game manages to end exactly as it began, with elegance and beauty, and end a monumental story in the most perfect way possible.
The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom
To complete the cycle
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom ending one of Nintendo's most impressive stories, ending the age of disaster and allowing an age of peace to begin. After reassembling the Master Sword, players descend beneath Hyrule Castle for a final confrontation with Ganondorf in what is arguably the most impressive boss fight of all Zelda series.
After successfully defeating him, Zelda and Link are returned to safety, and Zelda is restored to human form by the ancient sages. The final moments of the game feel less about victory and more about restoration, as the lands are no longer corrupted and the story can be concluded in a way that feels complete.
Outer Wilds
Ending the Loop Finally
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 must jump into the eye of the universe, and once inside they help ignite a new beginning for the universe, one teeming with life without the threat of further death.
All of the player's discoveries up to that point loop around, and every little detail becomes important in figuring out how to end the loop. The journey that ends 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.
