The Best Endings in RPG History

AXE OF THE BLOOD GOD | Kat and Nadia delve into the art of creating a great ending in an RPG.

Article by Kat Bailey, Editor in Chief

26 February 2018

Axe of the Blood God is our weekly RPG podcast hosted by Kat Bailey and Nadia Oxford. You can find the previous episodes here.

Following on from our discussion of meaningful decisions in RPGs, Nadia and I delve still further into the art of making a good RPG ending. Do we want a happy ending? A bittersweet one? How important is it to tie up all the loose threads? We discuss all that and more while highlighting the endings of Final Fantasy X, Planescape Torment, Mass Effect, Fallout, and other classic RPGs in the latest episode of Axe of the Blood God [download link here].

But that's not all! As Kingdom Come: Deliverance's sales continue apace, Nadia and I debate what its success means for historical RPGs in general. Plus, we add a termite to our party in Cosmic Star Heroine.

Where to find us (Subscribe, rate, and review!)

Show Description

Kat and Nadia dive into the best RPG endings and why they work [20:00], with the discussion touching on Final Fantasy X, Fallout, Planescape Torment, the Mass Effect games, Breath of Fire, Chrono Trigger, and Valkyrie Profile. Plus, Kat and Nadia debate what Kingdom Come's success means for medieval RPGs, and the pair add a termite to their party in the Cosmic Star Heroine Report.

Music from Axe of the Blood God is courtesy of Lena Chappelle, who has also contributed the themes to Active Time Babble and Roleplayers' Realm. I also use music from the RPG Music Pack over at rpgmaker.net. Check it out!

Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. See our terms & conditions.

Kat Bailey

Editor in Chief

Kat Bailey is a former freelance writer and contributor to publications including 1UP, IGN, GameSpot, GamesRadar, and EGM. Her fondest memories as a journalist are at GamePro, where she hosted RolePlayer's Realm and had legal access to the term "Protip." She is USgamer's resident mecha enthusiast, Pokemon Master, and Minnesota Vikings nut (skol).

Sea of Thieves: Where to Find and Use Ashen Keys

We show you how to get rare chests you can use your Ashen Keys on.

Axe of the Blood God: The Dreamcast Console RPG Quest

The Console RPG Quest takes on one of the most beloved consoles ever. Plus, Fire Emblem: Three Houses DLC discussion!

What Video Game Romances Should Have Remained Friendships?

COMMUNITY QUESTION | On Valentine's Day, we want to hear who you don't ship.

To All the Video Game Characters We Never Got to Romance

We still love you, even if the game won't let us.

Need help?

Witcher 3: How to Start the Blood and Wine DLC and Meet Its Level Requirements

We explain how to get to Toussaint and what level you should be when you do.

Witcher 3: All the Correct Play Lines in "The Play's the Thing" Quest

We explain how to perform the Doppler's play with Priscilla, as well as whether to choose tragedy or comedy.

Pokemon Sword and Shield Mystery Gift Codes List (January 2020)

You can get free gifts in Pokemon Sword and Shield by entering certain Mystery Gift Codes. Here’s a full list of all the active codes available right now.

The Outer Worlds Shrink Ray - How to Get the Unique Shrink Ray Science Weapon

This is where you can get the Shrink Ray science weapon in The Outer Worlds, one of the unique weapons in the game.