“The Landing Was Perfect”: 10 Games That Actually Nailed the Ending
Most modern games fail at the finish line. They either drown you in a boring boss fight, leave too many cliffhangers for a sequel that might never happen, or give you a generic “congratulations” screen. But every once in a while, a game comes along that treats its ending with the same respect as its beginning. These are the rare gems where the credits roll and you just sit there in silence, staring at the wall, trying to process what just happened. Here are 10 games (including some 2025–2026 hits) that stuck the landing perfectly.
1. The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon (2026)
This is the most recent example of how to handle a complex, multi-route narrative. After three massive games in the Calvard arc, Trails Beyond the Horizon finally weaves its protagonists together for a finale that feels earned.
- IMDb Rating: 8.8/10
- Why it sticks the landing: While it has a divisive cliffhanger for the next series, the actual emotional resolution of the main cast is flawless. It’s a masterclass in long-term world-building payoff.
2. SOMA (2015)
An oldie but a goldie that everyone is replaying in 2026 thanks to the “Deep Reset” trend. This sci-fi horror game about identity and AI has what is arguably the most devastating ending in gaming history.
- IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
- Why it sticks the landing: It doesn’t cheat. It follows its own internal logic to a brutal, heartbreaking conclusion that forces you to think about the nature of the “soul” for weeks.
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3. Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018)
You know it, you love it, and you probably cried during it. Arthur Morgan’s journey is the gold standard for character arcs in open-world games.
- IMDb Rating: 9.7/10
- Why it sticks the landing: The transition into the epilogue isn’t just a “bonus”—it’s a necessary bridge that gives the player closure while perfectly setting up the events of the first game. It is a poetic, slow-burn masterpiece.
4. Nier: Automata (2017)
To get the “real” ending, you have to play the game multiple times, but Ending E is one of the most ambitious things ever attempted in digital media.
- IMDb Rating: 8.9/10
- Why it sticks the landing: It breaks the fourth wall in a way that feels spiritual. It turns the act of “deleting your save data” into a profound gesture of altruism. No other medium could pull this off.
5. Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty (2023)
The “New Ending” added in the expansion is a grim, realistic look at what happens when you actually choose survival over glory.
- IMDb Rating: 9.1/10 (DLC rating)
- Why it sticks the landing: It’s painful. It strips away the “hero” fantasy and leaves you with the cold reality of life in Night City. It’s the perfect “Deep Reset” for V’s story.
6. The Last of Us Part I (2013/2022)
The ending that sparked a million debates. Joel’s choice at the hospital remains one of the most morally complex moments in entertainment.
- IMDb Rating: 9.6/10
- Why it sticks the landing: Because it’s selfish. It refuses the “heroic sacrifice” trope in favor of something much more human and much more terrifying.
7. Outer Wilds (2019)
A game about space exploration that is actually about the acceptance of the inevitable.
- IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
- Why it sticks the landing: It turns a cosmic disaster into a beautiful, quiet moment of creation. It’s an ending that gives you a “new religion” based on curiosity and letting go.
8. Final Fantasy XVI (2023)
Clive Rosfield’s story is a heavy, Shakespearean tragedy that culminates in a battle that literally re-writes the laws of the world.
- IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
- Why it sticks the landing: The bittersweet nature of the final scene—and the ambiguity of the post-credits reveal—allows the community to theorize without feeling cheated. It’s epic, emotional, and conclusive.
9. BioShock Infinite (2013)
“There is always a lighthouse, there is always a man, there is always a city.” The ending of Infinite is a mind-bending loop that recontextualizes the entire franchise.
- IMDb Rating: 9.4/10
- Why it sticks the landing: It’s a “brain-breaker.” It requires you to immediately go to YouTube to watch an explanation video, but in a way that makes you respect the writing even more.
10. Hades (2020)
Rarely does a “rogue-like” have a good ending, but Hades manages to make the repetitive nature of the genre part of the story’s resolution.
- IMDb Rating: 9.0/10
- Why it sticks the landing: The “True Ending” is a warm, family-focused resolution that feels incredibly rewarding after 50+ hours of dying. It proves that even in hell, you can find a way to make it work.
Comparison: Why Some Games Fail at the End
| Why They Fail | The Result | The Better Way (The “Stuck Landing”) |
| Sequel Baiting | Feel like you bought half a game. | Provide a closed loop with hints for more. |
| Sudden Boss Fight | Mechanical frustration vs Story. | Narrative-driven climax (like RDR2). |
| “Choose Your Color” | Your choices didn’t matter (Mass Effect 3). | Choices change the emotional weight, not just the sky. |
| Excessive Exposition | Boredom during the final 30 mins. | Show, don’t tell (The Last of Us). |
Final Thoughts: The Post-Game Depression
The sign of a truly great ending is the “post-game depression”—that feeling where no other game seems worth playing for at least a week. In 2026, we have more games than ever, but very few have the guts to give you a definitive, meaningful goodbye. If you haven’t finished the titles on this list, you are missing out on the best “Deep Resets” in gaming history.