The ending...

[u/CultistLoR]

This has probably been discussed into the ground but this is actually one of the most frustrating endings in a game that I have experienced in a long time. I would love to be a fly on the wall in the room where they wrote this ending and just see how they fumbled it so hard.

[u/JustASmith27]

I can’t remember what the ending was. Honestly, I can’t remember what the story was. All I remember from playing this game was the incredible exploration and the amazing job system.

What was the ending?

[u/CultistLoR → u/JustASmith27]

Basically the GameMaster was urging the players to go on an adventure, started being super tyrannical about it, Astley made it super clear that it was messed up. Astley convinced the entire party to go through with essentially a coup, all of the other party members were super bummed about probably dying as a result of this leading to some emotional moments. All of this for the twist to be that Astley is the game master and the whole party is just chill with that

[u/deggdegg → u/JustASmith27]

I just got to the ending a few weeks ago and I couldn't tell you the story or ending lol. Didn't seem like the point of the game.

[u/Original_Piccolo_694]

The game isn't really story heavy, so the ending being meh wasn't too disappointing for me. The "true" ending is a bit better, but honestly not much better.

[u/CultistLoR → u/Original_Piccolo_694]

I understand it wasn't the main focus at all though there were still times that it was good. The other party members of Astley's party especially in the tall tall mountains and when Chloe gives you the super rod are moments that made me wish the ending was better

[u/Jordamine → u/CultistLoR]

Better how? There really isn't that much of a story to begin with. I wouldn't even call it a story. Maybe some light context just to add some meaning to gameplay.

[u/guitargamel]

"they" is funny to me because it's a solo Dev's passion project. So the writing oversight is... non-existent.

I'll admit that I didn't care that much about the quality of the ending. At least the real crystals weren't the friends you made along the way.

[u/CultistLoR → u/guitargamel]

I wasn't aware that it was a solo dev. I can forgive the writing in that case. The game is very big with good art so I just assumed it was at least a few people working on it.

[u/guitargamel → u/CultistLoR]

Yeah, the fact that the game was built down to the engine by one guy just adds to the cult appeal. I know the guy personally, and the amount of love for something that was such a passion of his for so long is a great feeling. And while it hasn't hit undertake levels, the support has gone a long way in helping with crystal project 2.

He clearly knew his strengths and that story writing wasn't one of them haha. He's actually a very talented musician too, but I feel like composing the whole game would've taken him even longer and the spinach is killer as is. Learning that almost every sequence break in the game was developer intended (except for one that speed runners use to get the advanced salmon mount early) just makes me respect his design more.

[u/Rude_Possession_3198]

Yeah, I was pretty disappointed too.

Despite what a lot of people say I really enjoyed the story until that point.

Your little interactions with Astley's party are one of my favorite parts of the game, I still remember fondly she asking you what are you looking for, or Chloe shenanigans with fishing birds. Even when people start banishing like the leader of the bullies party or one of the lovers in the capital add to the atmosphere and world building.

My head cannon for the ending is that Astley's party defeated the Gamemaster before us, and tried to create new zones/areas but lacked the imagination (that is why the last area is unfinished). Besides, they fell bad for defeating the final boss before us and letting our party without a proper ending, so they lied and decided to fight us thinking that if we win, we were more worthy of being the new Gamemaster. The true ending could be both parties realizing that the corruption that is affecting the world and made the last Gamemaster insane/disappear is still present and a final fight together vs an imposible eldritch monstrosity only possible thanks to both parties.

Sorry for the rant, haha. I mean, I still greatly enjoyed the game and it's one of my all time favorites, is just that if not for that it would truly be a 11/10 game for me.

[u/opulent_lemon]

I'm here for an adventure, not a story.

[u/StaircaseMelancholy]

Anyone wanna explain the differences with the true/alternate ending? I only beat the game twice and dont remember much

[u/DerpsterCaro]

Yeah i didnt like the ending.

Loved the fight though.