The PlayStation family of systems has boasted many exclusive heavy-hitting titles since the PS1 launched in 1995. From Ape Escape and enigmatic classic Metal Gear Solid to 2021's Returnal and Deathloop, the consoles have been home to numerous memorable experiences, many of which are fun to play from start to finish.
Some of these games really kick things up at the eleventh hour, opting to end things with a loud bang sure to leave a lasting impression. Whether it's a shocking story revelation or an exciting gameplay sequence, there are quite a few PlayStation games that are worth remembering just for their endings alone.It should be noted that this article will feature major ending spoilers for several of the biggest PlayStation games out there, including God of War, The Last of Us Part 2, and Final Fantasy 7 Remake.
10 Shadow Of The Colossus: You Were The Villain All Along?
Upon defeating every Colossus in the game, Wander is able to revive Mono, but he also accidentally unleashes a dark god upon the world that possesses him. This turns him into a demonic being as the game draws to a close.
Keeping this in mind while considering the non-hostile nature of the game’s Colossi, the ending makes the true nature of the game’s conflict clear. It becomes a story about Wander hunting down each Colossus to serve his own interests, and losing his humanity in the process. While several games have experimented with a similar premise since, this sort of twist is very novel for a game from 2005.
9 Marvel's Spider-Man: Making Some Tough Personal Choices
One of Spider-Man’s defining characteristics is that he leads a double life, and many of the character’s best stories occur when these lives overlap. The PlayStation-exclusive title Marvel's Spider-Man understands this, and forces Peter to bear some incredibly heavy burdens of responsibility at the game’s end.
He’s forced into combat against his friend-turned-enemy, Otto Octavius, and further required to make a hard choice that sees him saying goodbye to his beloved Aunt May, his only known relative. While Peter does go through the ringer, the triumphant way he rises up once more at the very end of the game is inspiring, and it definitely communicates just how well Insomniac understands the core idea behind the character of Spider-Man.
8 God of War: A Father And Son Grow Closer
God of War’s narrative surprised many with its heartfelt roots, atypical of the bloody, violent franchise. The game’s ending sees Kratos resolving to ensure that his son, Atreus, won’t follow in his footsteps as a god-killer as the two grow closer in their relationship. It’s a simple yet effective ending that caps off a story about a father who simply wants his son to be better than he ever could.
The ending is packed with emotion, but it’s also filled with various teases for the game’s follow-up, God of War: Ragnarök, that help make it all the more memorable. The most notable tease is perhaps a cameo by the God of Thunder, Thor, who greets Kratos and Atreus at their home.
7 Uncharted 4: A Thief's End: A New Generation of Drakes
Uncharted 4 seemingly brings an end to the story of Nathan Drake. After years of treasure hunting, Drake finally settles down with Elena to run a salvaging operation together. The two become a power couple celebrated by the media, and they go on to have a daughter named Cassie – in honor of Drake’s mother, Cassandra.
The game’s final chapter sees Cassie discover Drake and Elena’s exploits from the prior games, which had been hidden from her up to this point. The story concludes with Drake and Elena preparing to recount their prior adventures to their daughter, in a way bringing the series full circle.
6 Final Fantasy 7 Remake: An Exciting Battle To Defy Destiny
Up until a certain point, Final Fantasy 7 Remake follows the story laid out in the original game pretty well. While there are some minor differences from the source material seen throughout, the game truly goes off the rails in its final act.
An exhilarating gauntlet of tough boss battles is concluded by a subversive story beat that effectively sets the stage for future parts to deviate significantly from the plot of the original game. Naturally, this is a bold statement from a remake, and it'll be intriguing to see where the narrative goes next.
5 The Last Of Us Part 2: The Consequences Of Revenge
Throughout The Last of Us Part 2, Ellie spends most of her time hunting down Abby, who killed Joel early in the game. However, Ellie opts to spare Abby in the end. Unfortunately, by the time she gives up, it turns out that her prior obsession with revenge has already driven away those closest to her – her partner, Dina, and child, JJ.
The game ends on a heartbreaking and poignant note, one that subverts the classic video game trope of rewarding you for committing various acts of violence. Instead, it showcases the self-destructive properties that malice and anger can carry.
4 Metal Gear Solid: A Haunting Message
Metal Gear Solid ends with a bang. Several tense gameplay sequences are strung together that allow the game to flex its stealth, action, and cinematic muscles. Solid Snake sneaks into a weapons hangar, fights the titular Metal Gear, and takes on his brother in a climactic boss fight. In the end, Snake saves the day and rides off into the sunset on a snowspeeder.
The final act is equal parts exciting, dynamic, and dramatic, but it’s also surprisingly informative. The ending gives a harsh reminder that while Snake has saved his world, ours is very much in danger. Statistics regarding the number of existing nuclear weapons in the world are shown on screen, and the game further elaborates on the destructive capabilities of nukes. It delivers a brazenly anti-war, anti-nuclear message that’s sure to stick with you, even if the series’ convoluted lore doesn’t.
3 Persona 5: Royal: Accepting The Cold Realities Of Life
Persona 5: Royal’s ending is unforgettable thanks to the main villain of its final act: Takuto Maruki. Initially introduced as a mild-mannered school counselor, Maruki is revealed to have been tampering with the Metaverse, to create a fictional reality where no-one would have to remember or re-experience any prior trauma suffered. Ultimately, the main cast rejects Maruki’s ambitions, and puts an end to his plans.
However, unlike other Persona 5 bosses, Maruki is an enemy fueled by noble desires. He wants to help people; his methods are just questionable. His morally ambiguous nature makes Joker’s conflict with him both emotionally complex and incredibly memorable.
2 Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater: The Price Of Loyalty
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is often regarded as Kojima Productions’ magnum opus, and the ending is one reason why. A thrilling string of setpieces is capped off by a deadly battle between Snake and his former mentor, the engima known as The Boss, who seemingly defected to the Soviet Union at the start of the game.
What truly makes this ending shine is EVA’s final monologue following The Boss' death, which reveals that The Boss never actually defected. Her actions was staged by the United States, and her mission was to die by Snake's hands. The ending examines the dire consequences of absolute loyalty to a nation or governing body, and EVA’s monologue, as well as Snake’s ending salute, have gone on to be some of the most iconic moments in the series.
1 The Last Of Us: Joel Dooms Humanity
The Last of Us' ending sees Joel and Ellie’s relationship threatened by the Fireflies. They plan to euthanize and dissect Ellie, who is immune to the Cordyceps infection, to find a cure. In response, Joel embarks on a violent rampage to save Ellie, thus halting research on a cure.
At the game’s launch, this ending was a hot topic of online discussion, due to its morally ambiguous nature. Joel did save Ellie’s life, but at what cost? The sequel's story further explores the grave consequences of Joel's actions, which makes this ending hit even harder on replays.
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