JRPGs with thoughtful endings

If there's one thing most JRPGs carry, it's their stories. Within a game or an entire series, many fans have fallen in love with JRPG universes through the heavy emphasis these games typically have on storytelling. Fantasy JRPGs are often high stakes, with the fate of the world or even the entire fabric of existence hanging in the balance. Even when the stakes are lower, well-written characters and a good plot will be just as engaging for players.

But one of the major pillars that support a story is its ending. Whether the game is an ARPG wonder or an intense epic of intrigue and twists, a bad ending will forever be at best a caveat mentioned by fans recommending the game, and at worst ruin completely any goodwill acquired by the game. until that moment. These JRPGs in particular don't just have good endings that tie up the loose plot threads well, they also have incredibly challenging endings that will leave the player questioning everything about the games… and maybe their lives.

8 Suikoden 2

The true ending of this game is a wonder

The future Suikoden The remastered collection is sure to bring a lot of attention to the legendary pair of original games that kicked off the series. Suikoden 2, in particular, it's a great ending to the overall story established in the first title, especially for those who collect all 108 stars of destiny.

The true ending of this title, available to those who have collected every possible companion in the game, is an incredibly insightful and satisfying end to the campaign that has been fought, and also gives the player a chance to see the entire sequence of events that defined the narrative from a new perspective.

7 Final Fantasy 10

An emotional, powerful ending

Considered to be one of the best Final Fantasy titles, both for beginners and in general, Final Fantasy 10 is an emotional masterpiece that ends on a rich and emotional note that is sure to stay with players long after the game is over.

The sequel to this game is considered just as great, although it somewhat softens the ending of this game, as some things that were tightly packed together suddenly unraveled for the sake of the plot.

6 The triangle strategy

The nature of victory and democracy is questioned in each ending

One of the best JRPGs with branching narratives available today, The triangle strategy offers the player a variety of thought-provoking endings based on their choices throughout the story. It's an incredibly new means of storytelling from Square Enix, and hopefully one they'll replicate soon.

While there is a golden path that provides an ideal ending in this game, there are also three belief-based endings that – through their sweetness – give the player a lot to think about. These darker “non-gold” endings are the ones players are most likely to see on the first run and reflect a game full of ethical dilemmas and gray morality.

5 Chrono Trigger

A series of compelling endings

That The triangle strategy, Chrono Trigger offers a variety of endings based on the player's choices, though they all come at a similar time in the story's climactic ending. Each ending, while distinct, provides an emotional and thought-provoking conclusion to one of the most influential JRPGs of all time.

The endings and their presence after defeating a challenging final boss are a broad and sweeping celebration of the incredibly intricate setting this game has created over a variety of time periods.

4 P3 Recharge

More linear than the later characters, but with a great ending

The third persona the game was the first in the series to truly differentiate itself as more than just a spin-off of the game Shin Megami Tensei series. There's certainly an incredible amount of credit to the first two titles, but this was the one that helped establish it persona as the sleek and elegant series known as today.

This game has only one true ending, but it is the summation of an incredibly long and deep game, and leaves the player feeling more than incredibly satisfied, but – in true megami tensei fashion – lost in thought about the very nature of divinity and reality.

3 Trails In The Sky SC

A fantastic ending and one of the best trail games ever

There's stiff competition for the best game in Nihon Falcom's legendary library of titles, but the second chapter in Trails In The Sky would certainly come close thanks to its tight cast of emotive characters.

The ending of this title is a perfect synthesis of plot elements from both this title and its predecessor, coming together in what is more than a satisfying ending, but one that leaves players truly amazed.

2 Shin Megami Tensei 4: Apocalypse

The dark ending is stunning

So much about Shin Megami Tensei the series is thought-provoking. What is the true nature of divinity? What role do humanity and faith play in the creation of the gods? Why are some of these games so hard? Players may never find all the answers they're looking for.

REVELATION it's a unique SMT title in that it eschews Law and Chaos for a dark and light take on the neutral ending, similar to how the previous game eschewed Law and Chaos for “the ending, with you doing all the side quests and stuff”. . While the light neutral ending is incredibly wholesome, the dark neutral ending is so vast in its scope and such a melancholic end to an amazing title that it can't help but leave players deep in thought about how fundamentally they've just changed SMT. setting.

1 Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Sky Explorers

A classic Pokemon spin-off with a surprisingly deep ending

For many people of a certain age, they would have been just kids when this game came out. A new, interesting one Pokémon the title hits the shelves and, like clockwork, a bunch of kids eagerly grab it. What they probably didn't expect was one of the most emotional and mature stories ever put into a Pokemon story (a low bar to be sure, but still impressive).

Explorers of the sky has an excellent, timely ending that involves a deeply emotional climax and – especially when viewed in conjunction with heaven exclusive special episodes – an incredibly interesting and insightful look at the nature of time and space from Pokemon Mystery Dungeon series.