What are the best games with good endgames? Endgames aren’t just a reward for completing a story or beating a game; they can be an entirely different way to play a title, and can introduce new mechanics that improve the overall experience.
Pokémon Gold and Silver
The Pokémon series has always had a strong postgame, with the ability to return to the Kanto region in Gold and Silver and battle against Red at the top of Mt. Silver being hailed as one of the best game features in Pokémon Red and Blue and their remakes.
Some users praise Gold and Silver’s postgame for its variety and high-quality content. “You can go back to Johto, battle Red, take on the Battle Tower, battle the Elite Four, Battle Frontier, and more,” says one user. “Returning to Johto in gen 3 was my favorite part,” says another, while another user adds, “I’d say the most recent games did an amazing job, with the ability to return to Kanto in Ultra Sun/Moon.”
Dragon’s Dogma
Dragon’s Dogma is a game that got a lot of things right, and its endgame is no exception. While Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen offers a much more expansive postgame, the base game’s final stretch is no less enjoyable. After you’re finished with the main story, you’re dropped into the world with harder monsters, new dungeons, and challenging bosses.
But what makes Dragon’s Dogma’s endgame so good is its openness. There are no barriers, no forced grinding, and no arbitrary level caps. If you want to spend hours grinding for experience, you can, but you don’t have to. You can also explore the world and take on new, challenging quests.
Mario Odyssey
Mario Odyssey’s postgame content is focused on new challenges and a balloon chase mini-game, but collectively, they provide a satisfying end to the game’s story.
While many of the game’s story objectives task you with visiting new areas of the map, after you’ve completed all of these objectives, you’re free to explore the rest of the kingdoms however you like. It’s here that you can find new enemies, try out new power-ups, and work towards completing all of the kingdoms’ Moons.
Old School RuneScape
Old School RuneScape is one of the best free MMOs, and its endgame is highly praised by the GameSpot community. One user says, “I’ve been playing Old School RuneScape for about seven years and I’m still not done with it.” Another user says, “The game is open-ended and you can set your own goals.”
Many users highlight the open-ended endgame content as one of the main reasons they continue to play the game even after beating the main quest line. Others discuss how the game’s bosses and more challenging areas offer more of a challenge than the main game.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2’s overall story is a fantastic tale that’s perfectly paced, with Rockstar’s gorgeous open-world game offering similar perks to its predecessor.
While the game’s story wraps up relatively quickly, there’s still a lot to do. One user says, “The story is good, but the endgame is great,” while another adds, “Almost a year after launch, I’m still not bored of the game.” One suggestion for the game’s endgame is the ability to expand the ranch and recruit old gang members.
Path of Exile
Path of Exile is an excellent example of a game with a diverse endgame. While other games on this list offer a specific path or set of options to complete upon beating the main story, Path of Exile offers a plethora of options for players to choose from.
Some players are interested in PvP options, others want to focus on completing the game’s many challenges, and still others want to work towards completing the game’s ultimate endgame boss, the Beast.
Monster Hunter World: Iceborne
Iceborne’s “Guiding Lands” are a challenge for even the most experienced Monster Hunter players. They’re a new zone filled with stronger monsters and high-level armor and weapons.
If that’s not challenging enough for you, then Nioh’s “The Abyss” and “The Underworld” should satisfy your hardcore needs. Both offer a much more difficult experience than the main game, with the Abyss featuring a level cap of 170 and the Underworld offering a level cap of 180.
Yakuza franchise
The Yakuza franchise is a series that offers a unique experience. It’s difficult to compare to other games on this list, but it still offers an endgame that many users praise.
Most of the games offer a large open-world to explore, but what makes the Yakuza franchise endgame so good is the variety of side content on offer.
