Post
When the game has more than one conclusion, and which one you get depends on how you played.
Multiple endings give a game two or more possible conclusions based on player choices, performance, or discovered content. The spectrum ranges from simple good/bad binary endings to dozens of variations accounting for hundreds of decisions. The design challenge is making each ending feel earned and meaningful rather than arbitrary. Players should understand why they got their ending, even if they didn't anticipate it. The best multiple-ending systems create a powerful post-game reflection: 'what could I have done differently?' Some games use 'true' endings locked behind completionist requirements, rewarding dedicated players with the canonical conclusion while still giving everyone a satisfying stopping point.
Example
Chrono Trigger has over a dozen endings, including some wildly different ones accessible through New Game+ by fighting the final boss at different story points. Nier: Automata famously requires multiple full playthroughs to reach its 'real' ending, with each subsequent run fundamentally changing perspective and meaning.
Why it matters
Multiple endings are the ultimate expression of player agency in narrative games. They give choices weight because the conclusion isn't guaranteed, drive replayability and community discussion, and acknowledge that different players deserve different narrative rewards based on how they engaged with the game.
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