Does Your Ending in Elden Ring Really Matter? A Deep Dive
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Yes, the ending you achieve in Elden Ring absolutely matters, but perhaps not in the way you might initially think. While the core narrative remains consistent – the Tarnished striving to become Elden Lord – the manner in which you achieve this, and the specific Elden Ring you mend (or replace), dramatically reshapes the future of the Lands Between. These alterations have profound implications for the world, its inhabitants, and the very fabric of reality. While the ending might not create direct save-state differences that carry over into a hypothetical Elden Ring 2 or drastically affect the upcoming DLC, it profoundly influences your understanding of the narrative, your personal interpretation of events, and the thematic weight of your choices. It colors your entire experience of the game.
Understanding the Endings
Elden Ring offers six primary endings, each unlocked through a combination of gameplay choices, side quest completion, and specific interactions with key NPCs. These endings aren’t mere cosmetic variations; they represent fundamentally different visions for the future of the Lands Between.
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The Elden Lord (Default Ending): Simply mend the Elden Ring and restore the Golden Order. While seemingly straightforward, even this “default” ending carries the weight of restoring a status quo that was already deeply flawed.
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Age of Stars (Ranni’s Ending): Usher in a new age guided by the moon and the stars, severing the influence of the Greater Will and embracing a more individualistic future.
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Age of Order (Goldmask’s Ending): Repair the Elden Ring with the Mending Rune of Perfect Order, creating a future of rigid structure and unwavering stability.
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Blessing of Despair (Dung Eater’s Ending): Curse the Elden Ring with the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse, plunging the Lands Between into an age of despair and eternal torment.
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Lord of Frenzied Flame (Three Fingers Ending): Embrace the Frenzied Flame and burn everything away, resetting the world to a state of chaos and primordial energy.
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Age of Duskborn (Fia’s Ending): Repair the Elden Ring using the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince, which will bring back true death to those “living in death.”
The significance of each ending lies in its philosophical implications. Each choice reflects different worldviews, moral compasses, and ideas about the nature of order, chaos, and free will.
Beyond Direct Impact: The Power of Narrative Resonance
While the ending may not immediately alter the game world in a tangible, save-state dependent way, it profoundly affects the player’s understanding of the world and their role within it. The choices you make during the game do carry emotional and narrative weight, shaping your personal relationship with the Lands Between. The feeling of accomplishment, despair, hope, or horror you experience at the conclusion will linger, influencing how you interpret future playthroughs and discussions about the game.
Moreover, the narrative complexity and multiple interpretations available in Elden Ring are a prime example of why games can be incredibly valuable educational tools. Through systems like these, players can learn complex themes and develop critical thinking skills. For more on this, check out the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
Endings and the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC
The developers at FromSoftware have strongly suggested that Elden Ring will not have a canon ending that ties directly into the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion. This indicates that the DLC story will likely be self-contained, allowing players to experience it regardless of their chosen ending. However, the thematic resonance of your ending will still influence your perception of the DLC’s events. A player who embraced the Frenzied Flame might see the DLC’s struggles through a lens of nihilistic acceptance, while a player who ushered in the Age of Stars might approach it with a sense of hopeful curiosity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Elden Ring Endings
Here are 15 FAQs to further clarify the nuances of Elden Ring endings:
1. Does the Elden Ring ending affect New Game Plus (NG+)?
No, the ending you choose does not directly affect your NG+ playthrough. You start anew with your character progression intact, but the world resets to its pre-ending state. You can pursue a different ending in NG+.
2. Is there a “true” ending in Elden Ring?
No, there is no officially designated “true” ending. FromSoftware games are known for their ambiguous narratives, and Elden Ring is no exception. Each ending offers a valid interpretation of the story, and the “best” ending is ultimately subjective.
3. Which Elden Ring ending is considered the “good” ending?
The Age of Stars and Age of Order endings are often seen as the most positive, offering potential for a better future for the Lands Between. However, even these endings have their drawbacks and are not universally considered “good.”
4. Does Ranni sacrifice herself in her ending?
Not exactly. Ranni destroys her original physical body as part of her plan to break free from the influence of the Greater Will. In her ending, she doesn’t sacrifice herself in the traditional sense, but rather embraces a new form of existence.
5. What happens to Melina depending on the ending?
Melina’s fate varies depending on the path you take. In the “default” Elden Lord ending, she fulfills her purpose by burning the Erdtree, likely leading to her death. However, if you embrace the Frenzied Flame, she becomes your enemy, vowing to deliver Destined Death upon you.
6. How does Ranni’s ending change the Lands Between?
Ranni’s ending ushers in the Age of Stars, severing the Lands Between from the influence of the Greater Will and the Golden Order. It represents a move towards greater individual freedom and a rejection of divine intervention.
7. Can I get multiple endings in one playthrough?
No, you can only achieve one ending per playthrough. However, you can back up your save data before the final boss and reload it to experience different endings.
8. What determines which Elden Ring ending I get?
Your ending is determined by the completion of specific NPC side quests, the items you acquire (like Mending Runes), and the choices you make at the very end of the game.
9. What is the significance of the Mending Runes?
Mending Runes are key items obtained during various side quests that allow you to alter the Elden Ring in specific ways, leading to different ending variations. Each rune represents a different philosophical vision for the future of the Lands Between.
10. Is it possible to undo the Frenzied Flame ending?
Yes, there is a hidden questline involving Millicent and Malenia’s Unalloyed Gold Needle that allows you to remove the Frenzied Flame before the final choice, preventing the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending.
11. Does the Elden Ring ending affect the world in Elden Ring?
No, there are no continuing consequences to the world state of Elden Ring after an ending. It does not affect the world that you play in after viewing the cutscene. The game has no further content and the cycle begins again.
12. How many achievements are related to endings in Elden Ring?
There are achievements for only the 3 core endings: Elden Lord, Age of Stars, and Lord of Frenzied Flame. The variations of Elden Lord do not have unique achievements.
13. Is Ranni a villain in Elden Ring?
This is a matter of perspective. Some players perceive her as a liberator, freeing the Lands Between from the tyrannical Greater Will. Others view her actions as selfish and destructive. She’s a morally complex character with justifiable motives.
14. Is Elden Ring 2 confirmed?
While there has been no official confirmation of Elden Ring 2, the game’s immense success makes a sequel highly likely. However, FromSoftware has not made any formal announcements.
15. Who shattered the Elden Ring?
Queen Marika shattered the Elden Ring, though her motives are complex and open to interpretation. Some believe she did it out of grief, while others believe it was a calculated act of defiance against the Greater Will.
Final Thoughts: The End is Just the Beginning
The endings of Elden Ring aren’t just cutscenes; they’re the culmination of your journey and the embodiment of your choices. They represent different visions for the future of the Lands Between and offer a profound reflection on themes of order, chaos, freedom, and destiny. While the direct impact on future content may be limited, the narrative resonance of your chosen ending will undoubtedly shape your experience and leave a lasting impact on your perception of this richly complex world. Remember, the journey itself is the most important thing, and the ending is simply the final brushstroke on your personal masterpiece. Whether you embrace the stars, restore the order, or burn it all away, your ending in Elden Ring truly matters.