Dark Souls 1 Ending: Choosing Your Destiny in Lordran

So, you’ve finally conquered Gwyn, Lord of Cinder, and now stand at the precipice of a decision that will shape the fate of Lordran. Which ending should you choose in Dark Souls 1? The short answer is: choose the ending that resonates with you most, because neither is objectively “better.” Dark Souls intentionally leaves the morality of each choice ambiguous, encouraging you to interpret the lore and decide what you believe is the best course of action. Embrace the ambiguity, and let your own understanding of the world guide your choice!

Understanding the Endings: Link the Fire or Dark Lord?

The core choice boils down to two options:

• Link the Fire: Sacrifice yourself to rekindle the First Flame, prolonging the Age of Fire. This ending depicts your character being consumed by flames, seemingly perpetuating the cycle.

• Become the Dark Lord: Walk away from the bonfire and allow the flame to die, ushering in the Age of Dark. This ending shows you walking out into the darkness, greeted by the Serpent King, Kaathe, and implies you will rule over a new age of humanity.

The Illusion of Choice

While it might seem like you’re making a monumental decision, it’s crucial to understand that Dark Souls thrives on the idea of cycles. The article extract you provided shows that no matter what happens the fire is likely to get re-linked regardless. Even if you choose the Dark Lord ending, the game doesn’t explicitly guarantee a lasting Age of Dark. The cycle of fire and dark is deeply ingrained in the world’s very fabric.

Why There’s No “Right” Answer

• Ambiguous Morality: Dark Souls rarely provides clear-cut good vs. evil scenarios. Both endings have potentially positive and negative consequences. Linking the fire might temporarily stave off the encroaching darkness, but it also perpetuates a system of sacrifice and oppression. Ushering in the Age of Dark could represent a new era of freedom for humanity, but it also carries the risk of chaos and the unknown.

• Personal Interpretation: The beauty of Dark Souls‘s narrative lies in its open-endedness. Your understanding of the lore, your character’s motivations, and your personal values will all influence your interpretation of the endings. There is no wrong answer. What is morally right is entirely based upon your perspective.

• The Cycle Continues: As stated before, the theme of cycles is central to Dark Souls. Regardless of your choice, the world is destined to experience a cyclical change between Fire and Dark. This realization may lead you to choose the option that you believe will bring the least amount of suffering, or the choice that better prepares the world for the change.

How To Decide

Instead of searching for a definitive “good” ending, consider these factors:

1. Your Understanding of the Lore: Dive into the item descriptions, character dialogues, and environmental storytelling. The more you understand the history of Lordran, the better equipped you’ll be to make an informed decision.

2. Your Character’s Journey: What kind of character have you created? Did you play as a noble knight striving to restore order, or a disillusioned wanderer seeking to break free from the established system? Let your character’s personality influence your decision.

3. Philosophical Alignment: Which ending aligns with your own philosophical beliefs? Do you believe in preserving tradition, even if it comes at a cost? Or do you favor embracing change, even if it’s uncertain?

Embracing the Consequences (or Lack Thereof)

Ultimately, the ending you choose doesn’t drastically alter the gameplay experience beyond the immediate cutscene. Dark Souls will launch you into New Game Plus (NG+), allowing you to experience the game again with increased difficulty. In NG+, you’ll retain your character’s stats, equipment, and knowledge, allowing you to explore new builds, discover hidden secrets, and further refine your understanding of the world. This gives you another opportunity to play and learn even more about what you like or dislike about certain options.

Don’t Stress It!

The most important thing is to enjoy the journey. Dark Souls is a challenging and rewarding experience, and the ending is just one piece of the puzzle. Don’t let the pressure of choosing the “right” ending detract from your overall enjoyment of the game. Play the game with a clear head and enjoy the adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Dark Souls 1 Endings

1. Is there a true “canon” ending to Dark Souls 1?

   No, FromSoftware has intentionally left the endings ambiguous, allowing players to interpret the lore and choose the ending that resonates with them. The concept of canon doesn’t really apply to Dark Souls in the traditional sense.

2. Does the ending I choose affect the subsequent Dark Souls games?

   Not directly. While the subsequent Dark Souls games build upon the lore established in the first game, the specific ending you choose in Dark Souls 1 doesn’t have a direct impact on the events of the later games. The cycles continue regardless of which ending you pick.

3. Can I see both endings without replaying the entire game?

   Unfortunately, no. To experience both endings, you need to complete the game twice, making a different choice at the end each time.

4. Does my ending choice impact the difficulty of New Game Plus (NG+)?

   No, the difficulty of NG+ is determined by the number of times you’ve completed the game, not by the ending you chose.

5. Is one ending considered the “good” ending?

   No, it’s a matter of perspective. Some may view linking the fire as the “good” ending because it prolongs the Age of Fire and staves off the darkness, while others may see it as perpetuating a cycle of sacrifice and oppression.

6. Is one ending considered the “evil” ending?

   Similarly, neither is inherently “evil.” Choosing to become the Dark Lord might seem sinister, but it could also be viewed as an act of rebellion against a corrupt system and a chance for humanity to forge its own destiny.

7. What happens if I don’t do anything after defeating Gwyn?

   You must choose one of the two available endings to progress in the game. You cannot simply remain in the arena.

8. Does my covenant affect the ending I get?

   No, your covenant affiliation doesn’t influence the available endings.

9. Does my Humanity level affect the ending I get?

   No, your Humanity level doesn’t influence the available endings.

10. Can I continue playing in my current world after choosing an ending?

    No, after choosing an ending, the game immediately transitions to the credits and then to the main menu. You can then start NG+. You need to complete everything you want to do before beating Gwyn.

11. Is it possible to avoid choosing an ending and keep playing in my current world?

    No, defeating Gwyn forces you to choose an ending and progress to NG+.

12. If I choose to link the fire, am I permanently trapped in the Kiln of the First Flame?

    No, after the ending cutscene, the game transitions to the credits and then back to the main menu, allowing you to start NG+.

13. Are there any unique items or rewards for choosing a specific ending?

    No, there are no exclusive items or rewards associated with either ending.

14. Does the game ever explicitly state the consequences of each ending?

    No, Dark Souls deliberately avoids providing definitive answers, leaving it up to the player to interpret the lore and draw their own conclusions.

15. Where can I learn more about the lore and deeper meaning behind the Dark Souls endings?

    Explore online forums, watch lore videos on YouTube, and engage with the Dark Souls community. There are countless resources available to help you delve deeper into the game’s rich and complex world. The Games Learning Society also has a great community that can potentially teach you a great deal about Dark Souls. Find it here: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

Ultimately, the choice is yours. Embrace the ambiguity, explore the lore, and choose the ending that resonates with you most. Good luck, Chosen Undead!