10 BEST Video Game Endings of the Decade So Far

10 Best Video Game Endings of the Decade So Far

Welcome to MojoPlays, and today we’re paying respect to the most satisfying video game endings from 2020 to 2026. You know what that means: major spoilers lie ahead.

“It Takes Two” (2021)

Beginning as bitter parents on the edge of divorce, “It Takes Two” follows Cody and May, turned into dolls by their daughter’s wish and forced to work together. Over the course of the game, we see the walls between them broken down, and the spark returns to their relationship. Their final test is helping each other reignite one of their passions, Cody’s gardening and May’s singing, culminating in a fairytale moment where their kiss breaks the spell. But while they rediscovered their love, their daughter Rose, blamed herself for their failing marriage. This made way for a heartwarming, bus stop reunion before the family headed home, together. Maybe it’s a little sappy, but it's a lovely way to cap off such an imaginative adventure.

“Hades” (2020)

Making it out onto the surface at the end of “Hades,” after numerous deaths at the hands of your father’s Underworld forces, feels incredibly momentous. But as you breathe that sigh of relief, and Zagreus finally meets his mother Persephone, you find this game plays things differently when it comes to endings. Zagreus is unable to stay on the surface for long. And you must make it to Persephone nine more times, with each encounter revealing more of the story behind her relationship with Hades. Each morsel is more satisfying than the last, until you get her to return to the Underworld, bringing your family back together in the actual ending. But the happy reunions don’t stop there. By maxing out your relationship with most of the Olympians, an epilogue unlocks, showing them patching things up with your dear old dad. After all the work, it’s incredibly rewarding to see.

“Astro Bot” (2024)

“Astro Bot” ends with a sacrifice, but not a sad one. After Astro is sucked into a black hole, it’s almost comical as the credits begin to roll, sad music plays, and the bots mourn their friend. But then the little hero falls back down, broken, before they start to rebuild him. Once he springs back to life, that’s when the real ending begins. The credits become a playable level, with staff roles and names made of breakable blocks to farm coins. You cycle through the various power-ups used across the adventure, and fireworks explode around you as you go. It is a perfectly joyous ending paired to this particular game. The rest of it is such a celebration, so why shouldn’t the ending be the same?

“Spiritfarer” (2020)

Throughout “Spiritfarer,” you play as Stella, a caretaker for the dead in a limbo world, who prepares them to move on to the afterlife. But at a certain point, it’s made clear that Stella herself is lying on her deathbed in the real world, and took on the role of spiritfarer due to her profession as a caretaker. Once you feel ready to move on, Stella can head to the Everdoor, where she’s taken so many spirits before. But not before they all appear for one last time, and one final hug goodbye. “Spiritfarer” is an emotionally fulfilling game, whose characters all feel rich and deep. As Stella and her cat companion, Daffodil, leave for the great beyond, you truly feel the weight of goodbye.

“Metaphor: ReFantazio” (2024)

It’s a long journey, bringing peace to the United Kingdom of Euchronia. Which is partially why the ending of “Metaphor: ReFantazio” is so satisfying; you really have to fight for it. With Louis the villain finally brought down after a spectacular battle, the wounds left on the kingdom begin to heal. The spirit of the former king moves on, with you taking your father’s place and the people rejoicing. After all of the political and social wrongs you’ve witnessed across its lengthy campaign, you really feel accomplished, like this world you’ve been invested in can move in a positive direction at last. Still, change takes time. An epilogue set one year later shows you and your compatriots setting out on another adventure, a commitment to make their world a better place.

“Ori and the Will of the Wisps” (2020)

Here, we have another game that ends with a sacrifice. Unfortunately, it is a sad one. Moon Studios’ sequel follows Ori, trying to restore the light of the Spirit Willow, an ancient, mystical tree. But when it comes time to do so, the tree is unable to hold it after having been dead for so long. And so it falls to Ori to merge with the Light, but only after having defeated the final boss, a vicious, massive owl. It’s a funny thing to fight for a chance to sacrifice yourself. Once Ori and the light merge, peace returns to the land of Niwen. Though sad, a small tree sprouts at the same location, which grows throughout the ending montage. Watching Ori’s loved ones visit it throughout its growth, revealing Ori has been narrating the game as the Spirit Tree, is beautifully bittersweet.

“The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom” (2023)

Nintendo seemed to hear the criticism about “Breath of the Wild’s” anti-climactic finale. And had a tremendous response in store with “Tears of the Kingdom.” In a heroic victory for Link, Ganondorf’s Demon Dragon goes out in a massive explosion above Hyrule. But that doesn’t feel half as good as what comes next. With a little help from Rauru and Sonia’s spirits, Zelda is returned to her true form…before she begins to plummet to the ground. Giving us brief control during this moment, knowing Link failed to catch her during the game’s opening, it’s satisfying both for us and for him to finally be reunited with her. The epilogue paints a bright picture for the kingdom’s future, as well, with Mineru departing Hyrule, but leaving it in capable hands.

“Ghost of Yōtei” (2025)

Vengeance consumes all, as Atsu painfully learns during the climax of “Ghost of Yōtei.” Her quest in reaching Lord Saito, the leader behind the slaughter of her parents, has taken a lot from her. And yet, it has more to take. During the confrontation, Atsu’s brother, Jubei, is mortally wounded. And you’re forced to keep on fighting while not knowing his fate. While that does make defeating Saito much sweeter, Jubei’s final moments in his sister’s arms are absolutely tragic. The final twist of the knife: Atsu embracing Jubei’s daughter, Kiku, so she won’t be alone like they were. There is hope for the future, though. An epilogue shows Atsu living a simple, peaceful life with Kiku, her hunt finally done.

“God of War Ragnarök” (2022)

With the battle of Asgard done, the survivors are left to pick up the pieces. Or in some cases, say goodbye. After Angrboda reveals a shrine that Faye had destroyed, Atreus tells Kratos that he intends to find the remaining hidden giants. Alone. Yet, instead of fighting him on this decision, as he so often has, Kratos supports his son. It is a moment of incredible growth for both of them; Atreus, showing the responsibility it takes to be a leader, and Kratos, having the grace to recognize that, and let him leave. One emotionally gratifying moment is capped off by another, when Kratos discovers a hidden panel on the Shrine depicting him as a God loved by the people, something he never expected. It’s a perfect ending to each of their arcs, a beautiful moment to sit in before heading into the post-game.

“Clair Obscur: Expedition 33” (2025)

There are two endings to choose from in “Expedition 33.” Yet, it is a testament to the strength of the narrative, to the positives and negatives of each outcome, that both Maelle and Verso’s endings deserve to be included. If you side with Maelle, the Canvas continues to exist, and everyone you lost along the way is saved. Except, Verso is recreated against his will so that this is possible, and Maelle’s health will decline as she stays here instead of the real world. If you side with Verso, the Canvas world is destroyed along with everyone you met throughout the game. But the last bit of Verso’s soul is finally allowed to rest, and Maelle can live a real life alongside her family. Yet, will she be happy? The game leaves you with two deeply layered outcomes, each revolving around how we process grief differently.

What game do you think has the best ending of the 2020s? Share your thoughts in the comments, and we’ll see you next time!