Final quests are directly connected to the endings of video games so the creators must make a lasting impression. Final missions also usher in new weapons, powers, and abilities, so many gamers are usually at the peak of their fighting prowess. In short, final quests make or break endings in video games, though a bad conclusion is always a hard pill to swallow. Games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom don’t have a bad ending.
To that end, we’ve gathered the best final quests in recent memory that left us amazed. These aren’t final missions that’ll leave you frustrated with the creators and developers. Rather, these endings will leave you satisfied and happy that you purchased and finished the game.
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The 7 Best Final Quests in Games
We could have broken down 15 final quests in video games but we kept the list short. So, we can include other features that make these games memorable. Before jumping in, you can check out Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty. It’s a title that’s ahead of its time.
#1: Mass Effect 2 | Suicide Mission
Mass Effect 2 is a 2010 action-adventure shooter game where you control Commander Shephard, a seasoned intergalactic warrior. Your job is to create the ultimate team of allies to defeat the Reapers, who are invading the universe. Thanks to the new dialogue system, your decisions have a deeper impact on the game’s conclusion. So choose carefully. Some of the other reasons why this game is a classic are:
- Shift the Odds in Your Favour: There are tons of weapons and powers to experiment with in Mass Effect 2. Your job is to recognise your enemies’ weaknesses and then exploit them with the aforementioned weapons and abilities. Thankfully, there’s a new health regeneration system that cuts down on the time you need to find healing items.
- You’re the Leader: Your decisions are far more important than you can imagine in Mass Effect 2. You’ll be tasked with handling many intergalactic challenges that are steeped in politics. For one, there are now prompt-based dialogues that let you interrupt conversations that could affect your future and that of your crew.
- Create New Alliances: Select your allies carefully because you can be stabbed in the back at any time. Thankfully, some of your crew members are trustworthy and reliable.
Why We Love The Final Quest: The final quest of this game is Suicide Mission and that’s because of the risk involved. The whole campaign leads to this mission, so the decisions you’ve made before it are super important. If you assemble your team wrongly, you’ll pay for it with your life and that of your crew members.
#2: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas | End of the Line
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is a phenomenal title from Rockstar Games that every teenager post-2005 must have played. You’ll play CJ, a hustler who was framed for homicide by some cops. However, after escaping his pursuers, CJ’s ambitions are bigger than ever, so your goal is to control the streets and keep your family safe. A few other features of the game we love are:
- Great Visuals: The lighting is brilliant, down to the textures but only for PCs. In fact, PC fans can mod Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas to be visually better than its developers intended it to be. After all, there’s no remake coming anytime soon, so mod away.
- Explore Tons of Weapons and Cheats: There are tons of weapons to try out, including assault rifles, pistols, sniping rifles, grenades, Molotov cocktails, and many more. Additionally, there are many cheats for gaining an edge in combat. Spawn helicopters, fast cars, huge crowds, and cops.
- Huge Sandbox to Explore: The sandbox is huge and it’s alive. Explore a world where your actions have consequences.
Why We Love The Final Quest: This mission was memorable because our protagonist finally had the chance to kill Big Smoke and Tenpenny. Along the way, you’ll sneak behind enemy lines and then battle their soldiers. Finally, you’ll also save Sweet from a certain death.
#3: Shadow of the Colossus | Malus
Shadow of the Colossus is a great game that combines excellent visuals, great soundtracks and music, and sleek combat. You vanquish evil in the end but not before being manipulated to murder the innocent protectors of your realm. On your way to the game’s ending, you’ll be guided by a compelling narrative, thinking you’re the hero. Eventually, you’ll learn that the protagonist is far from one and yet he isn’t a villain either.
- Explore a Majestic Landscape: The world of Shadow of the Colossus is stunning, especially in 4K. You’ll experience mind-blowing visuals, including top-tier texture quality, great particle effects, and many others.
- Master Your Bow and Sword: You have to master your bow and sword, which are the only weapons you can use in Shadow of the Colossus. For real, you’ll be amazed at the feats our protagonist is capable of with both weapons.
Why We Love The Final Quest: Each boss in Shadow of the Colossus is huge, with the next one bigger than the previous. Naturally, Malus is a huge beast so he has a huge health bar that’s exhausting. Also, Malus can shoot fireballs at the protagonist so prepare for the fight of your life.
#4: Red Dead Redemption 2 | American Poison
Red Dead Redemption 2 is gaining legendary status among gamers in the industry. It’s the game that other developers have to beat to cement their legacies. This is because of Arthur and John, two protagonists whose pasts and futures are entwined in violence, betrayal, love, and depression. This game is memorable because the first protagonist contracts tuberculosis, so players will control a healthy gunslinger who eventually dies from his affliction.
- Dead Eye: Slow downtime, using your adrenaline to prove you’re the fastest gun in the Wild West. Your enemies won’t know what hit them, although they’ll hear the fatal gunshots.
- Excellent Online Multiplayer: Plan and execute raids that’ll have you robbing banks, trains, and really any unfortunate soul in Red Dead Redemption 2. Naturally, the great part is that you can pull off heists together with your friends.
- Beautiful Visuals: Explore a wild and untamed West in Red Dead Redemption 2, where rules aren’t the theme of the day. You can go fishing, explore large open fields of sunflowers, or hunt deep in the lush forests. Explore mountains, caves, and majestic waterfalls.
Why We Love The Final Quest: Everybody at Player.me loved Arthur Morgan because of his compelling personality and fighting prowess. He’s not the tallest, but he’s tougher than nails. So, controlling him when he was both healthy and sick makes for a great conclusion. Especially as he tries to finish off the rat in his gang.
#5: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt | On Thin Ice
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a story about Geralt and his protégé, Ciri, a lady who’s prophesied to be either The Witcher universe’s saviour or destroyer. So, you’ll journey across the realms, learning new powers, skills, and recipes. You’ll also be upgrading your stats a lot to keep the more powerful monsters at bay. The game is legendary because you can experiment with different playstyles to create a unique experience for yourself.
- Geralt Is an Expert Monster Hunter: Heck, you can even consider Geralt a monster himself since he sees in the dark, can leap up to great heights, and can even hold his breath underwater for hours. The protagonist has been pumping his body with potions and other body-altering chemicals since he was young.
- Explore a Beautiful Sandbox: You’ll explore ancient ruins, shipwrecks, caves, and even trade with merchants. You’ll meet tons of NPCs and side characters with deep backstories. This includes treasonous captains, witches, corrupt politicians, and royalty.
Why We Love The Final Quest: On Thin Ice is the final mission in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. At the end of the mission, Eredin is brutally gutted like a pig after Geralt and his friends collectively bully him into submission. The experience is all the sweeter because you get to avenge Geralt’s mentor, Vesemir.
#6: Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon | I Will Break You
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon is a kick-ass cyber shooter title where you control Sergeant Rex Colt, a Mark IV Cyber Commando. Your mission is simple: Rescue the girl, eliminate the bad guys, and save the day. While there are other games like Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon, the game is visually impressive. Expect top-notch animations, lighting effects, and great textures. We also love the funky soundtracks and music, as well as the weapon sounds.
- Confront Enemies with an Advanced AI: The enemy AI is advanced and it’s capable of flanking players on tougher difficulty settings. However, you’re smarter and your environment provides enough resources and platforms to give you an edge.
- Explore a World of Weirdos: There are cyborgs, mutants, blood dragons, and many more in Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon. Ultimately, you would have experienced every cliché of the VHS era.
Why We Love The Final Quest: Despite being a DLC, Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon is a better game than Far Cry 4 and Far Cry 6. It’s a huge cliché but Rex eventually infiltrates Danko and then systematically kills all the soldiers defending Colonel Sloan. Eventually, he kills the evil Colonel and even destroys his lab.
#7: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 | Endgame
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is likely the best Call of Duty game ever, with lush graphics, fast-paced gunplay, great animations, and many more. Players loved reviewing orders from Captain Price and in the end, we all got our hearts broken when our favourite characters were betrayed and murdered. You’ll enjoy a variety of powerful guns, animations, and weapons. Once you finish the game, you’ll have access to mods like the cluster grenade, which will split any grenade you throw into several explosives. Overall, the game is phenomenal! Especially because of features such as:
- Access to Call of Duty: Warzone: This is the new multiplayer for Call of Duty that’s filled with tons of new content for gamers to explore. It has several modes, including a Battle Royale where you’ll battle up to 99 other gamers.
- New Graphics and Animations: You’ll enjoy better visuals in the remastered version of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. Explore new gun handling mechanics, advanced AI systems, a gunsmith lab, and many others.
Why We Love The Final Quest: General Shepherd turns out to be a mole and a traitor who betrays his soldiers and country. So, you avenge your fallen friend by shooting down his chopper and after a brutal showdown, you kill General Shepherd. This ending is memorable and fitting, so it’s exactly what we deserve.
Our Final Say: Play in Descending Order
If you’re interested in enjoying these missions, rejoice! You’ll find tons of deals on them that will cut down on your investment. Also, play these games from the last entry to the first one so you can appreciate the difference in quality. Ultimately, Mass Effect 2’s final quest is our favourite because the fate of the universe depends on Commander Shepard’s actions. You can also check out games like Detroit: Become Human here. It’s a similar game to Far Cry 3.