Is the Ranni Ending the Best Ending in Elden Ring? A Comprehensive Analysis
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The question of whether the Age of Stars ending, achieved through Ranni’s questline, is the “best” ending in Elden Ring is complex and ultimately subjective. While it consistently ranks high among players and critics alike, declaring it definitively superior overlooks the nuances of the other endings and the player’s own interpretation of the game’s themes. The Age of Stars ending offers a vision of a world free from the influence of the Greater Will and the Golden Order, ushering in an era of cold, distant stars and individual freedom. Whether this is truly “best” depends on your perspective on power, control, and the nature of reality itself. It is a compelling and well-developed ending with a potential for positive change, making it a popular choice, but other endings offer equally valid, if perhaps less optimistic, resolutions to the Tarnished’s journey.
Why the Age of Stars Resonates
Several factors contribute to the widespread perception of the Ranni ending as the “best”:
- Hopeful Vision: Compared to the bleakness of the Lord of Frenzied Flame or the perpetuation of the status quo in the default Elden Lord ending, the Age of Stars offers a sense of genuine change and a potential for a better future. The idea of escaping the influence of the Outer Gods and forging a new destiny appeals to many players.
- Complex and Intriguing Character: Ranni the Witch is one of the most compelling characters in Elden Ring. Her questline is extensive, intricate, and filled with memorable encounters and lore. Her motivations are complex, making her a morally grey figure that players can readily become invested in.
- Romantic Element: The role of the Tarnished as Ranni’s consort adds a romantic dimension to the ending that resonates with some players. It provides a personal connection to the world-altering events and gives the Tarnished a clear stake in the new order.
- Narrative Closure: Completing Ranni’s questline feels like a significant accomplishment. The journey is challenging, the rewards are substantial, and the ending provides a satisfying sense of closure to the Tarnished’s personal narrative.
- Player Agency: The Age of Stars ending emphasizes individual freedom and the rejection of predetermined fates. This aligns with the themes of player agency that are central to the Elden Ring experience.
Considerations Against Labeling it the “Best”
Despite its popularity, labeling the Ranni ending as objectively “best” has limitations:
- Subjectivity: “Best” is inherently subjective. Some players may prefer the traditional Elden Lord ending, valuing order and stability over freedom and uncertainty. Others may find the nihilistic destruction of the Frenzied Flame ending more appealing.
- Moral Ambiguity: Ranni’s actions are not without consequences. Her pursuit of freedom involves sacrifices and the potential for unintended negative outcomes. The Age of Stars is not necessarily a utopian vision, and its long-term effects are unknown. As Julianna Swickard of CBR argues, Ranni is morally grey.
- Other Compelling Endings: The Age of Order ending, while less widely discussed, offers a different vision of positive change, focusing on repairing the Elden Ring and restoring order to the Lands Between. The Age of Duskborn ending provides a compelling perspective as well. Dismissing these endings overlooks their unique contributions to the game’s lore and themes.
- Personal Interpretation: Ultimately, the “best” ending is the one that resonates most strongly with the player’s own values and interpretations of the game’s narrative. Each ending offers a different perspective on the nature of power, destiny, and the role of the Tarnished in shaping the future of the Lands Between.
The Importance of Exploring All Endings
The richness of Elden Ring’s narrative lies in its multiple endings. Each ending provides a unique perspective on the game’s themes and offers a different resolution to the Tarnished’s journey. To fully appreciate the game’s complexity, it is essential to explore all the available options and consider the potential consequences of each choice. This approach aligns with the educational principles espoused by organizations like the Games Learning Society, which recognize the potential of games to foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and ethical reasoning. Find out more at GamesLearningSociety.org.
FAQs: Elden Ring Endings
1. What are all the main endings in Elden Ring?
The main endings in Elden Ring are:
- Elden Lord: The default ending, where the Tarnished becomes the Elden Lord by mending the Elden Ring. This is the ending Melina leads you to throughout the game.
- Age of Stars: Achieved through Ranni’s questline, ushering in an era of cold, distant stars.
- Lord of Frenzied Flame: Requires accepting the Frenzied Flame from the Three Fingers, leading to the destruction of the Erdtree and the world.
- Age of Order: Achieved by completing the questline involving Brother Corhyn and Goldmask, restoring order to the Lands Between.
- Age of Duskborn: Achieved by completing Fia’s questline, granting Destined Death to those who live in death.
- Blessing of Despair: Achieved by using the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse on the Elden Ring. This ending curses the Lands Between.
2. How do I get the Age of Stars ending?
To achieve the Age of Stars ending, you must complete Ranni’s extensive questline, which involves:
- Enlisting her service in the Three Sisters area.
- Exploring Nokron, Eternal City, to acquire the Fingerslayer Blade.
- Defeating Astel, Naturalborn of the Void.
- Acquiring the Dark Moon Ring.
- Defeating the final boss and using the blue summon sign to summon Ranni.
3. Does giving Ranni the ring lock you out of other endings?
Yes, summoning Ranni after defeating the final boss for the Age of Stars ending will lock you out of the other endings in that playthrough.
4. Is the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending evil?
The Lord of Frenzied Flame ending is generally considered the most destructive and nihilistic ending. It involves burning the Erdtree and potentially the entire world, leading to an era of chaos and destruction.
5. Is Melina good or bad?
Melina is generally considered a good character. She guides the Tarnished throughout their journey and helps them on their quest to become Elden Lord. However, she opposes the Frenzied Flame and will become an enemy if the Tarnished chooses that path.
6. What ending does Melina want?
Melina wants the Tarnished to become Elden Lord and restore order to the Lands Between by mending the Elden Ring, which aligns with the default Elden Lord ending.
7. Which ending is canon in Elden Ring?
There is no officially confirmed canon ending for Elden Ring. All endings are valid and offer different interpretations of the game’s story and themes.
8. Is Melina the same person as Ranni?
There is a theory that Melina and Ranni are related, possibly sisters, due to their shared connection to Marika and their possession of spirits. However, this is just a theory and has not been confirmed by FromSoftware.
9. Who was killed by Ranni?
Ranni killed her own physical body during the Night of Black Knives, transferring her spirit into a doll. During this same event, Godwyn the Golden was killed in spirit by the assassins.
10. Should I summon Ranni or touch Marika?
If you want the Age of Stars ending, you should summon Ranni using the blue summon sign after defeating the Elden Beast. Touching Marika will trigger the default Elden Lord ending.
11. Is Ranni the Tarnished’s wife?
In the Age of Stars ending, the Tarnished becomes Ranni’s consort, essentially her partner and co-ruler in the new order. This can be interpreted as a form of marriage or partnership.
12. What does Ranni’s ending mean?
The Age of Stars ending signifies a departure from the influence of the Greater Will and the Golden Order. It ushers in an era of cold, distant stars, individual freedom, and the potential for a new order to emerge, free from the constraints of the past. Ranni replaces Marika in this process.
13. How do I get the Age of Order ending?
To get the Age of Order ending, you need to complete Brother Corhyn and Goldmask’s questline, which involves:
- Speaking with Brother Corhyn.
- Finding the Goldmask.
- Acquiring the Golden Order Principia.
- Using the Law of Regression in front of Radagon’s statue.
- Returning to Corhyn and then choosing the appropriate option after defeating the final boss.
14. Why does Melina sacrifice herself?
Melina sacrifices herself to burn the thorns blocking access to the Erdtree, allowing the Tarnished to fulfill their destiny. She views this sacrifice as necessary to restore order to the Lands Between or, if the Tarnished embraces the Frenzied Flame, to deliver destined death to the Lord of Frenzied Flame.
15. Is Ranni evil or good?
Ranni is a morally grey character. Her quest for freedom involves sacrifices and potentially unintended consequences. While she seeks to liberate the Lands Between from the influence of the Outer Gods, her methods and the ultimate outcome of her actions are open to interpretation.
In conclusion, while the Age of Stars ending is a popular and compelling choice, the “best” ending in Elden Ring ultimately depends on individual preferences and interpretations. Each ending offers a unique perspective on the game’s themes and provides a different resolution to the Tarnished’s journey. Exploring all the available options is essential to fully appreciate the complexity and richness of Elden Ring’s narrative.