What does the Dark Souls 2 ending mean?

The Dark Souls 2 ending means that the player, as the Bearer of the Curse, has the option to either link the flame and continue the cycle of kingdoms rising and falling, or let the flame die once and for all, potentially bringing an end to the Age of Fire. This ending is intentionally ambiguous, leaving players to interpret the fate of the world and the Chosen Undead‘s decision, with the game’s director, Hidetaka Miyazaki, stating that the ending is intentionally open to interpretation.

Understanding the Ending

The Bearer of the Curse

The Bearer of the Curse is the player character, tasked with finding a cure for their undead curse and uncovering the truth about the world of Drangleic. Throughout the game, the player must navigate the world of Drangleic, fighting against formidable enemies and bosses to ultimately reach the Throne of Want.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the true ending of Dark Souls 2?: The true ending of Dark Souls 2 is not explicitly stated, leaving players to interpret the fate of the world and the Chosen Undead’s decision.
2. What does the end of Dark Souls mean?: The end of Dark Souls refers to the linking of the flame, where the player must decide whether to continue the cycle of kingdoms rising and falling or let the flame die.
3. What is the canon ending of Dark Souls?: There is no canon ending in Dark Souls, as the game’s director intentionally left the ending open to interpretation.
4. Which Dark Souls 3 ending is canon?: Like Dark Souls 1, there is no canon ending in Dark Souls 3, leaving players to interpret the fate of the world and the player character’s decision.
5. Is DS2 lore canon?: Yes, DS2 lore is considered canon, with references to Forossa, Mirrah, and Lucatiel in Dark Souls 3.
6. What is the true ending of DS3?: The true ending of DS3 is considered to be the The Flame ending, where the player gives the Fire Keeper a set of eyes and summons her to handle the flame.
7. What is the happiest ending of Dark Souls?: The happiest ending of Dark Souls is often considered to be the linking of the flame, where the player continues the cycle of kingdoms rising and falling.
8. Are Dark Souls 2 and Elden Ring connected?: No, there is no story link between Dark Souls 2 and Elden Ring, although they share similar worlds and gameplay.
9. Is Elden Ring tied to Dark Souls?: No, Elden Ring is not officially connected to Dark Souls, although fans have formulated their own theories about the connection between the two games.
10. Is there a bad ending in Dark Souls?: Yes, there is a bad ending in Dark Souls, where the player chooses not to link the flame, potentially bringing an end to the Age of Fire.
11. How many endings are in DS1?: There are two endings in Dark Souls 1, although it is not clear which one is the good or bad ending.
12. Who is the end boss of Dark Souls?: The end boss of Dark Souls is Gwyn, The Lord of Cinder.
13. Who is the secret final boss in Dark Souls 2?: The secret final boss in Dark Souls 2 is Aldia, who can be fought by meeting certain conditions.
14. Can you continue Dark Souls 2 after beating it?: Yes, players can continue playing Dark Souls 2 after beating it by entering NG+ mode.
15. Is Dark Souls 2 harder than Elden Ring?: No, Dark Souls 2 is generally considered easier than Elden Ring, due to its simpler enemies and gameplay.