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Is the Ranni Ending a Good Ending in Elden Ring? A Deep Dive

Yes, the Ranni ending, also known as the Age of Stars, can be considered a “good” ending in Elden Ring, but whether it’s the best is subjective and depends entirely on your interpretation of the game’s lore and your own moral compass. It offers a radical departure from the existing order, one that many players find appealing, but it’s also rife with uncertainty and potential dangers.

Understanding the Nuances of “Good” in Elden Ring

Before diving deeper, it’s crucial to understand that “good” in Elden Ring is rarely black and white. The world is steeped in moral ambiguity, and every ending has its drawbacks and potential for unintended consequences. The Age of the Golden Order, though seemingly stable, is revealed to be built on oppression and stagnation. The Frenzied Flame ending is outright destructive. Each path presents a different vision for the future, and the “best” one is often the one that resonates most with the player’s personal philosophy.

What Makes the Age of Stars Appealing?

The Age of Stars offers several key elements that make it attractive to many players:

Change and Freedom: It represents a fundamental rejection of the established order. Ranni seeks to usher in an era of freedom from the influence of the Greater Will and the Golden Order. This resonates with players who see the existing system as inherently flawed and oppressive.
Cosmic Perspective: Ranni’s vision extends beyond the immediate concerns of the Lands Between. She seeks to guide humanity towards a deeper understanding of the cosmos, encouraging exploration, independence, and self-determination.
Romantic Aspect: The Tarnished becomes Ranni’s consort, a powerful figure at her side as she guides the world into this new age. This adds a personal and emotional dimension to the ending that appeals to many players.
Challenging the Gods: The quest involves directly opposing powerful, seemingly immutable forces. This appeals to players who enjoy the idea of striking against established authority and forging their own destiny.
Player agency: Unlike the standard Elden Lord endings, the player here has direct influence on the future, deciding who will inherit and what is left behind in the Lands Between.

The Potential Downsides

Despite its appeal, the Age of Stars is not without its critics. Some argue that:

It’s a Leap into the Unknown: The future under Ranni’s guidance is uncertain. Her plans are shrouded in mystery, and there’s no guarantee that her vision will lead to a better world.
It’s Anti-Human: Some interpret Ranni’s ending as a rejection of humanity, pushing it towards a more cosmic and detached existence.
It Involves Betrayal: The quest requires the Tarnished to work against established factions and characters, potentially causing harm to others in the process.
It Doesn’t Solve Underlying Problems: It could be argued that the Age of Stars simply replaces one set of problems with another, without addressing the fundamental issues that led to the Shattering in the first place. This could be seen as a form of nihilism, as explored on the Games Learning Society website, https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/, in various articles on narrative in games.
Ranni’s intentions: There are hints throughout the game that Ranni herself may not be entirely trustworthy. Her actions are often driven by her own desires, and it’s unclear whether she truly cares about the well-being of humanity.

Conclusion: A Matter of Perspective

Ultimately, whether the Ranni ending is “good” is a matter of personal interpretation. There is no objectively correct answer. It is an ending that offers hope for change, but also carries significant risks. As with any ending in Elden Ring, it’s important to consider the potential consequences and decide which vision for the future aligns most with your own values. The game masterfully presents morally grey choices, challenging players to grapple with complex questions and form their own conclusions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about the Ranni ending in Elden Ring:

1. What exactly happens in the Age of Stars ending?

In the Age of Stars ending, Ranni replaces Queen Marika as the vessel for the Elden Ring, ushering in a new age where the influence of the Greater Will is diminished. The Tarnished becomes her Elden Lord and consort, accompanying her as she journeys into the cosmos to guide humanity towards a new understanding of existence.

2. Is Ranni’s ending considered the “canon” ending?

FromSoftware has not officially declared any ending as canon. However, the default ending is often considered the most likely canon path. The Ranni ending is popular and narratively rich, but the “canon” is ultimately up to player interpretation and future developments in the Elden Ring universe.

3. Does completing Ranni’s quest lock you out of other endings?

No, completing Ranni’s quest does not automatically lock you out of other endings. The game offers multiple opportunities to choose a different path, even after completing Ranni’s questline.

4. How do I trigger the Age of Stars ending?

To trigger the Age of Stars ending, you must complete Ranni’s questline, which involves finding her, helping her defeat various enemies, and ultimately giving her the Dark Moon Ring at the Cathedral of Manus Celes. After defeating the final boss, a blue summon sign will appear, allowing you to summon Ranni and initiate the ending.

5. Is Ranni a good or evil character?

Ranni is a complex and morally ambiguous character. She has her own agenda and is willing to make sacrifices to achieve it. Whether she is ultimately “good” or “evil” is a matter of perspective. Many see her as morally grey.

6. How does Ranni’s ending affect the Golden Order?

Ranni’s ending effectively dismantles the Golden Order’s influence over the Lands Between. She seeks to free humanity from the control of the Greater Will and establish a new age of freedom and exploration.

7. Is the Frenzied Flame ending truly “bad”?

The Frenzied Flame ending is generally considered the most destructive and undesirable ending in Elden Ring. It involves embracing the Three Fingers and burning the Erdtree, essentially destroying the Lands Between and plunging the world into chaos. While considered “bad”, it still offers a narrative for players to follow in a game that relies on complex storytelling.

8. What are the other “good” endings besides Ranni’s?

Other endings considered “good” or at least less overtly destructive include the Age of Order, the Age of Duskborn (Fia’s ending), and some of the variations on the standard Elden Lord ending, depending on the specific Rune used.

9. Does Ranni love the Tarnished?

In the Age of Stars ending, Ranni refers to the Tarnished as her “lord” and her “dear consort,” suggesting a level of affection and partnership. However, the nature of their relationship is open to interpretation, and it’s unclear whether it’s based on genuine love or strategic alliance.

10. What happens to Melina in Ranni’s ending?

Melina’s fate in Ranni’s ending is ambiguous. She is not explicitly present in the ending cutscene, and it’s unclear whether she survives or fades away as the Golden Order loses its influence. This contributes to the complexity of the world, as examined at GamesLearningSociety.org.

11. Can you get Ranni’s ending after becoming the Lord of Frenzied Flame?

Yes, you can get Ranni’s ending even after receiving the Frenzied Flame. To do so, you must complete Millicent’s questline and obtain Unalloyed Gold Needle which you can use to get rid of the Frenzied Flame.

12. Where does Ranni go after you beat the game?

After you beat the game and trigger the Age of Stars ending, Ranni’s spirit departs to begin her journey into the cosmos. Her physical doll body remains at the Cathedral of Manus Celes.

13. Is Ranni the same person as Melina?

There are theories that Ranni and Melina are connected or even the same person, but this is never explicitly confirmed in the game. They share some similarities and a connection to Marika, but their true relationship remains a mystery.

14. Should I summon Ranni or touch Marika?

If you want the Age of Stars ending, you must summon Ranni after defeating the Elden Beast. Touching Marika will lead to one of the standard Elden Lord endings.

15. What are the benefits of choosing the Age of Stars ending?

The benefits of choosing the Age of Stars ending include the promise of freedom from the Greater Will, the potential for humanity to explore the cosmos, and the chance to forge a new destiny under Ranni’s guidance. It offers a sense of hope and change in a world plagued by stagnation and conflict.

Is the Ranni ending a good ending?