Is There a “Good” Ending to Dark Souls 3? A Soul-Searching Analysis
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The short answer is: it’s complicated. Dark Souls 3, like its predecessors, doesn’t offer a clear-cut “good” ending in the traditional sense. Instead, it presents a spectrum of choices, each with its own implications for the world of Lothric and the cycle of fire and dark. Whether an ending is “good” is entirely subjective and depends on your interpretation of the lore and your character’s motivations. It’s a matter of perspective, as dark and light can also be intertwined.
Understanding the Endings
Dark Souls 3 features four distinct endings, each achieved through specific actions and questlines:
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To Link the First Flame: This is often considered the “default” ending and is achieved by simply defeating the Soul of Cinder and interacting with the bonfire. Your character becomes the next Lord of Cinder, prolonging the Age of Fire. However, the game subtly suggests this is a futile act, only delaying the inevitable Age of Dark.
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The End of Fire: This ending requires you to obtain the Eyes of a Fire Keeper from the Untended Graves and give them to the Fire Keeper in Firelink Shrine. After defeating the Soul of Cinder, you summon the Fire Keeper, who extinguishes the First Flame. This ending brings about the Age of Dark but also offers the possibility of a new beginning, free from the cycle of linking the fire.
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The End of Fire (Betrayal): This is a variation of the “End of Fire” ending. By summoning the Fire Keeper and allowing her to extinguish the flame, you can then choose to kill her. This darker twist leaves the world in darkness without the promise of a gentler Age of Dark, potentially ushering in chaos and stagnation.
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The Usurpation of Fire: This is arguably the most complex ending, requiring you to follow Yoel of Londor’s questline, draw out your true strength (hollowing), marry Anri of Astora, and eventually usurp the First Flame for yourself, becoming the Lord of Hollows. This ending represents a radical departure from the established cycle, potentially leading to a new order ruled by the undead.
What Makes an Ending “Good”?
The question of a “good” ending boils down to your perspective.
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Linking the Fire: Some might see linking the fire as the “good” choice, upholding tradition and staving off the chaos of the Age of Dark. However, this is portrayed as a temporary fix, a desperate attempt to cling to a fading age. It’s a noble sacrifice, perhaps, but one that ultimately perpetuates a cycle of suffering.
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The End of Fire: Others might view ending the cycle as the “good” ending, arguing that the Age of Fire is corrupt and unsustainable. Extinguishing the flame offers the chance for something new, even if the future is uncertain. This ending emphasizes breaking free from predetermined roles and embracing the unknown. The betrayal of the Fire Keeper makes this ending less good, as the fate of humanity might be compromised.
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The Usurpation of Fire: The “Usurpation of Fire” is potentially the darkest ending. It might be considered “good” only if you believe the undead deserve to rule Lothric. It’s a power grab, but it could also be interpreted as a necessary step to break the cycle and establish a new order, however bleak.
Ultimately, the “good” ending in Dark Souls 3 is the one that resonates with you the most. There is no objectively correct answer. The beauty of the game lies in its ambiguity and its ability to provoke thoughtful reflection on themes of duty, sacrifice, and the nature of power. Understanding the implications of each ending through careful analysis, such as those cultivated by studying the philosophy in games at the Games Learning Society, can enable you to make the best choice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which ending is the most difficult to achieve?
The Usurpation of Fire ending is generally considered the most challenging to unlock. It requires meticulous attention to detail, following a specific questline with multiple steps that can easily be missed or messed up. This questline needs you to perform multiple actions, like drawing out true strenght by hollowing, and the marriage with Anri of Astora.
2. Does the Fire Keeper’s dialogue change based on which ending you’re pursuing?
Yes, the Fire Keeper’s dialogue changes depending on whether you have given her the Eyes of a Fire Keeper. With the eyes, she becomes aware of the darkness inherent in the cycle of linking the flame and offers a different perspective on the future.
3. Is there a secret ending in Dark Souls 3?
No, there are no officially recognized secret endings beyond the four main ones. However, some players might consider certain variations or nuances within the endings to be “secret” in a way. The nuances in the ending depends on the players’ actions throughout the entire game.
4. Which ending is considered the canon ending by the community?
There is no universally accepted canon ending. FromSoftware has intentionally left the endings ambiguous, encouraging players to interpret them in their own way. The community is divided on which ending is most fitting or likely.
5. What happens if I refuse to link the fire in the “To Link the First Flame” ending?
You cannot refuse to link the fire in the “To Link the First Flame” ending once you have chosen that path by interacting with the bonfire. The only way to avoid linking the fire is to pursue one of the other endings.
6. Does my character’s class or build affect the endings?
Your character’s class or build does not directly affect the endings. The endings are determined by your actions and choices within the game’s narrative, not by your stats or equipment.
7. Can I get multiple endings in a single playthrough?
No, you can only get one ending per playthrough. To experience all the endings, you will need to play through the game multiple times or use save-scumming techniques (backing up your save file before the final decision).
8. How do the DLCs affect the endings of Dark Souls 3?
The DLCs, Ashes of Ariandel and The Ringed City, do not directly change the main endings of the game. However, they provide more lore and context that can influence your interpretation of the endings and your understanding of the world.
9. What happens if I kill the Fire Keeper after giving her the eyes?
If you kill the Fire Keeper after giving her the eyes, you can revive her by purchasing her soul from the Shrine Handmaid for 20,000 souls. Betraying her and taking her soul is necessary for obtaining the “The End of Fire (Betrayal)” ending.
10. Is there a consequence for betraying Yuria of Londor?
Betraying Yuria of Londor by curing your hollowing or attacking her will prevent you from achieving the Usurpation of Fire ending. She will become hostile, and you will need to defeat her.
11. What are the Eyes of a Fire Keeper for?
The Eyes of a Fire Keeper are a key item that, when given to the Fire Keeper, allow her to see the darkness within the cycle of linking the fire. This opens up the possibility of the “End of Fire” ending. Giving the eyes to the Fire Keeper also changes her dialouge, and the music inside the Firelink Shrine.
12. Does the difficulty of the final boss change depending on which ending I’m going for?
No, the difficulty of the Soul of Cinder boss fight remains the same regardless of which ending you are pursuing. However, your build and skill level will, of course, affect the difficulty of the fight.
13. How important is understanding the lore to appreciating the endings?
Understanding the lore is crucial to fully appreciating the endings of Dark Souls 3. The more you understand the history of Lothric, the motivations of the characters, and the implications of the cycle of fire and dark, the more meaningful the endings will become.
14. Are there any in-game hints or clues about which ending is “best”?
The game does not explicitly tell you which ending is “best”. It leaves it up to the player to interpret the clues and decide which ending aligns with their values and understanding of the world.
15. Where can I learn more about the lore and philosophy of Dark Souls 3?
There are many online resources available to help you delve deeper into the lore and philosophy of Dark Souls 3, including wikis, forums, and video essays. Academic organizations, such as the GamesLearningSociety.org, also provide venues for serious analysis of games.