What Makes a Great Game Ending? Red Dead Redemption 2 Nailed It
There’s nothing worse than finishing a game you’ve been obsessed with—hours deep, fully invested—only for the ending to fall flat. It’s a letdown that stays with you. But when a game sticks the landing? When it hits just right? That’s the kind of experience you carry with you long after the credits roll.
And honestly, Red Dead Redemption 2 might have one of the best endings in gaming, because it doesn’t just end the story. It ends you.
Slow, Quiet, and Heavy in the Best Way
RDR2 isn’t in a hurry. It lets you live in Arthur’s boots, take your time, mess up, make amends, ride through snowstorms, shootouts, and sunsets—and then it pulls the rug out from under you. The buildup to the ending is slow but deliberate. By the time it comes, you don’t just feel like you finished a game. You feel like you lived a life..
Arthur Morgan: A Character That Stays With You
At the start, Arthur’s just the muscle. A loyal outlaw, carrying out Dutch’s plans and cracking dry jokes. But over time, especially if you lean into the high honor path, he becomes something more—a man trying to do the right thing, even if it’s too late for him. His character arc is one of the most raw, emotional, and beautifully written stories in gaming. No notes. Just perfect.
You’re In Control—And That Changes Everything
The ending isn’t just something you watch—it reflects how you played. Were you kind to strangers? Did you question Dutch’s madness? Did you help John escape? All of it adds weight to Arthur’s final moments. The choices you make shape not just the ending, but how it feels. It becomes your version of the story. That’s rare.
The Epilogue Actually Matters
Most games are done once the main character dies or the big mission ends. Not this one. RDR2 hands you the reins as John Marston and gives you more time—not just to wrap things up, but to feel the weight of what Arthur did for him. You get closure, not just for John, but for Arthur too. That ranch, those conversations—it’s all part of the healing.
It’s in the Details
Let’s be real: when “That’s the Way It Is” starts playing during Arthur’s final ride, it’s hard not to tear up a little. The music, the lighting, the way the game just lets it breathe—no crazy explosions, no last-minute twist. Just a quiet, tragic, earned goodbye. It’s powerful in a way few games dare to be.
Why It Hits So Hard
The reason RDR2’s ending works so well? It doesn’t treat you like a player. It treats you like a person. A person who’s lived a story, made mistakes, tried to do better, and now has to say goodbye. It’s respectful, emotional, and honest—and that’s what makes it unforgettable.
Final Thoughts
Great endings don’t need to be flashy. They need to be true. Red Dead Redemption 2 didn’t give us a final boss fight or a cliffhanger. It gave us closure. Painful, quiet, beautiful closure. And honestly? That’s harder to pull off than any twist ending or jump scare.
If you’ve played it, you know. If you haven’t—you’re in for something special.