FromSoftware has gained incredible success thanks to the Souls-like games they've created. This began with Demon's Souls in 2009, which was mildly popular. The most recent game, however, is Elden Ring, which was released in 2022 and attained mass popularity. It even won Game of the Year for 2022 at the Game Awards.
FromSoftware's Souls games are truly phenomenal, and each game has multiple endings. These endings can be achieved through different means, with several of them often requiring the completion of specific questlines. Some, like in Bloodborne, require more precise actions that are figured out more by accident rather than by design.
Updated on October 30, 2024, by Scoot Allan: The release of the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC gave fans yet another chance to experience a few unique endings in FromSoftware's hit Elden Ring. Of course, the studio is known for layering multiple endings in various games, increasing the replay value while branching out storylines even further. This list has been updated with even more of the best FromSoftware endings and to conform to CBR's current standards.
15 Fans Couldn't Leave the Throne Until The Scholar of the First Sin
Dark Souls II
To be fair, the best ending in any FromSoftware game is actually Dark Souls II because it meant that players were finally finished with one of the franchise's most disappointing entries. Fans were hyped for the sequel after the success of the first Dark Souls but weren't given much choice in endings after the initial trudge through the unforgiving levels.
However, with the revamped Scholar of the First Sin edition, fans were now given the choice to either Take the Throne, which was the original default ending, or Leave the Throne. The new option only came about if Aldia was spoken to in every instance throughout the game before becoming a new final boss.
14 The Bad Ending Was FromSoftware's First Hard Choice
Demon's Souls
Many fans consider Demon's Souls the spiritual successor to FromSoftware's Kings Field franchise. However, it was the first game of a new era that would inspire many Soulslike games over the years. It featured several mechanics that would become a mainstay in later Dark Souls games, including choosing between endings.
While heroic players who fought to protect the Maiden in Black and become the Great Protector likely chose the Good Ending, they might have missed out. Players who chose to kill the Maiden in Black, the Old One, and pretty much everything else to become the True Demon gained a huge amount of souls for New Game+ and the Red-Eye Stone, which is integral for dropping PvP signs.
13 Fans Decided To Link the Fire or Become a Dark Lord
Dark Souls
The ending of the first Dark Souls will sound incredibly familiar to anyone who has played through any of the related titles. Since it was early in the franchise, players only had two choices, but they would hear those choices again in other games. Link the fire, or become a Dark Lord.
Given that this was the first game in the Dark Souls series and fans were still getting a handle on the huge amount of hidden lore within the game, each ending could feel rewarding to players who chose to follow either the Firekeeper or the Darkstalker. While the Link the Fire ending seemed more cinematic, The Dark Lord ending favored the darkness and turning away from the cycle, a them that would be present throughout the entire franchise.
12 The Blessing of Despair Ending is the Best "Bad" Ending
Elden Ring
Players can leave their mark on the Lands Between in FromSoftware's Elden Ring in a few different ways. From cleansing the land with burning fire to freeing everyone within to follow their own path, players can choose how to remove the curse plaguing everyone in the game. Or, if they are so inclined, they can simply deliver an altogether different curse to the lands.
After meeting the vile character known as the Dung-Eater and fulfilling his questline, players can choose at the end to spread his Seedbed Curse to the Lands Between. This would remove the Erdtree and Greater Will's control over the Lands Between, freeing it to become what it was before the Great Beast from the stars landed and changed everything.
11 The Yharnam Sunrise Ending Is Happy Yet Unfinished
Bloodborne
Yharnam Sunrise initially seems like the "bad ending" of the game because the player simply bows down and allows themselves to be slain. However, Gehrman is actually doing the Hunter a favor in this case. He's sending them out of the Hunter's Dream and back into the waking world. Upon this, the Hunt ends, and the Hunter can live in peace.
While this is a happy ending to a long, grueling, and horrifying story, it is less satisfying that the final boss for the player was only Mergo's Wet Nurse. Yharnam Sunrise is an excellent ending, but not quite as good as the other Bloodborne endings.
10 The Honoring Wish Ending Allows Players To Take Over Gehrman's Role
Bloodborne
Honoring Wish is the logical choice ending for many players and will be the most common ending for those who don't know how to complete Childhood's Beginning. In this ending, the Hunter refuses to be slain by Gehrman, and the two of them instead fight, beginning one of the best boss fights in FromSoftware's games.
While Gehrman is a boss and antagonistic toward the Hunter after this, he isn't a villain. He's trying to do a favor for the Hunter, as the Hunter has already completed his task. However, the Hunter slays Gehrman and releases the old man from being bound to the Moon Presence and the Hunter's Dream. The Hunter is forced to lead the Hunters, stuck where Gehrman once was.
9 The Heartbreaking Shura Ending Forces Players To Follow the Code
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
The Shura ending is foreshadowed and hinted at multiple times in Sekiro. However, descending this path is heartbreaking to play through. In some respects, it seemed like the logical choice to stay loyal to the code. This has Sekiro denying his loyalty to Kuro, and the player has no choice but to cut down both Emma and Isshin.
This path does open up one of the most intense bosses in the game, but slaying down pure characters is a terrible outcome. Sekiro eventually cuts down Owl himself as Shura completely consumes him and ends up wielding both Mortal Blades becoming a master of death.
8 The Return Ending is Sekiro's True but Hard-Earned Finale
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Return is the true ending of Sekiro and the most difficult one to complete. The player has to finish a long and tedious questline to be able to choose the correct actions at the end of the game. Rather than eradicating the Dragon's Heritage, the characters journey to the West and return the Divine Dragon to its birthplace.
In this ending, neither Kuro nor Sekiro dies, and the Divine Priest absorbs Kuro into herself instead. Many fans have loved this ending even more since it seemed to imply at the time that the game would receive a sequel; however, there's no word on whether this will ever actually happen.
7 The Lord Of The Frenzied Flame Ending Embraced Chaos
Elden Ring
The Age of the Frenzied Flame is the darkest ending that players can choose in Elden Ring. In this conclusion, the Tarnished is completely consumed by the madness of the Frenzied Flame, bringing on an age of fire. The intentions behind this conclusion are meant to seem pure initially as the player is first pointed in the direction of the Frenzied Flame to save Melina.
However, this proves to be far against Melina's wishes as she wishes upon the Tarnished's death and destruction at the end of the game. Some sort of true nature is also revealed about Melina as she's seen anew and with both eyes open. Due to her unique appearance, many fans have speculated that she is actually the Gloam-Eyed Queen.
6 The Childhood's Beginning is the Hopeful Ending
Bloodborne
Childhood's Beginning is the true ending of Bloodborne. The player can free Gehrman from his long service in the Hunter's Dream and slay the Moon Presence to avoid being placed into the same service as Gehrman. The Moon Presence was the Great One who controlled the Hunter's Dream and bent it to its will.
After killing the Moon Presence, the Hunter is reborn into a Great One. It's implied that this time, the Hunter is replacing the Moon Presence. This means the Hunter will now decide how to control the Hunter's Dream. It does not confirm that the future will be perfect, but this ending shows hope.