discussion Hot take: A bittersweet tragedy is a better ending for stories than happy ones

[Aerythox]

As the title says I think a bittersweet ending where the MC or someone close to MC ends in tragedy would make for a better story, I feel like sadness or anger is a much stronger emotion to evoke to a reader/watcher than happiness, the feeling will stay with you for a long time rather than when all the characters all live happily ever after. Bit hypocritical but an ending where it ends in all tragedy is also pretty grim and I don't like that, I mean there are some stories that make me accept the ending even if it's grim but that's only in rare cases where I know the ending is inevitable or something

 

[Aerythox]

I do prefer happy endings to pure romance stories tho

 

[jacky76]

uh it all depends on the story example love story the MC hides his relationship with another girl and she discovers that it shouldn't always bring a happy ending... example Thefamilyintrouble there are 3 possible endings but I would have liked an ending with the MC in jail and everyone falling apart but happy endings are the best just to be able to see where the extreme goes to the other

 

[AlBetGam]

No one kind of ending is inherently better than the other kinds. The right ending for a story is the one that best matches the tone and themes of that story; nothing less, nothing more.

 

[ThatGoblin]

bittersweet can work well

 

[Uthuriel]

I think a bittersweet ending where the MC or someone close to MC ends in tragedy would make for a better story.

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[ApocalypseSurvivor]

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same man. A bittersweet ending? HELL NO.

 

[sommerlager]

I like it when i achieve everything I wanted in a game. As long as that's the case, it doesn't need to be a happy end.

 

[jld000]

one game comes to mind is Acting Lessons. I don't know if the tragedy ending made the game any better. Majority of the people hated the ending and felt it's unnecessary. Tragedy ending could definitely work if it reflect choices that player made throughout the game and fit with the narrative. But just slapping a tragedy ending where a happy ending would work just as well probably won't enhance the game in any meaningful way. Other than shock value.

 

[Wolflorz]

I feel like a bittersweet ending is only warranted depending on the overall tone of the story itself. I don't mind happy, sad, or bittersweet endings, if it feels like it's something the story has been building up to. Blood Meridian springs to mind. It's a story as dark as night with an ending just as malicious as the narrative itself. There were already a lot of implications spread throughout the story telling the reader that this was not going to have a happy ending.

If you force a bittersweet ending because you, the creator, want one; even though your story has dictated another outcome, it will diminish the quality of the story as a whole. Tonal whiplash is real. Look at how Game of Thrones ended. Nobody is talking about the series anymore, other than remarking on what dogshit ending it had.

 

[blacblacblac]

As the title says I think a bittersweet ending where the MC or someone close to MC ends in tragedy would make for a better story, I feel like sadness or anger is a much stronger emotion to evoke to a reader/watcher than happiness, the feeling will stay with you for a long time rather than when all the characters all live happily ever after. Bit hypocritical but an ending where it ends in all tragedy is also pretty grim and I don't like that, I mean there are some stories that make me accept the ending even if it's grim but that's only in rare cases where I know the ending is inevitable or something

Definitely a hot take. The only reason I would like a bittersweet ending is if it call into question the MC's views, choices, and stances. Otherwise it just feels like the writer hates the main character they wrote.

 

[flappynoodle]

I feel like a bittersweet ending is only warranted depending on the overall tone of the story itself. I don't mind happy, sad, or bittersweet endings, if it feels like it's something the story has been building up to. Blood Meridian springs to mind. It's a story as dark as night with an ending just as malicious as the narrative itself. There were already a lot of implications spread throughout the story telling the reader that this was not going to have a happy ending.

If you force a bittersweet ending because you, the creator, want one; even though your story has dictated another outcome, it will diminish the quality of the story as a whole. Tonal whiplash is real. Look at how Game of Thrones ended. Nobody is talking about the series anymore, other than remarking on what dogshit ending it had.

I agree overall, though I think that ending had more problems than that. Like just... basic common sense and not being generally terrible.

 

[LockHF]

It depends on the story lol because in +18 games I always look for little ones so I don't want them to suffer, but in stories in general the bittersweet endings are much better to enjoy.

 

[Sadfruit30]

I feel like a bittersweet ending is only warranted depending on the overall tone of the story itself. I don't mind happy, sad, or bittersweet endings, if it feels like it's something the story has been building up to. Blood Meridian springs to mind. It's a story as dark as night with an ending just as malicious as the narrative itself. There were already a lot of implications spread throughout the story telling the reader that this was not going to have a happy ending.

If you force a bittersweet ending because you, the creator, want one; even though your story has dictated another outcome, it will diminish the quality of the story as a whole. Tonal whiplash is real. Look at how Game of Thrones ended. Nobody is talking about the series anymore, other than remarking on what dogshit ending it had.

Agreed, if the ending makes no sense and feels random then it's just disappointing and feels like a waste of time.

 

[cullarn]

i gotta say personally i prefer a happy ending to a bittersweet or tragic ending but that is my preference (i am not trying to say anyone is wrong about what they like)

 

[Captain Panda]

If it is done well I like it, well not like it but it leaves an impact. Tell tales the walking dead season 1 game is definatly one that comes to mind for it.

 

[Wolflorz]

I agree overall, though I think that ending had more problems than that. Like just... basic common sense and not being generally terrible.

Oh, for sure. Also, the whole "marvelization" aspect of it. Suddenly, all the main characters have plot armor and are exchanging quips back and forth. That whole journey beyond the Wall to capture a wight? It's so dumb. What happened to my wonderful 4-dimensional characters and intricate plotlines?

 

[flappynoodle]

Oh, for sure. Also, the whole "marvelization" aspect of it. Suddenly, all the main characters have plot armor and are exchanging quips back and forth. That whole journey beyond the Wall to capture a wight? It's so dumb. What happened to my wonderful 4-dimensional characters and intricate plotlines?

Producers got offered that Disney money.

 

[Wolflorz]

Producers got offered that Disney money.

They really wanted that Star Wars brand, and then they couldn't even land that in the end. GoT was sacrificed because of their ambition, for nothing. That's peak incompetence. I'll never watch anything by D&D again.

 

[Joesilvestri]

whether it is bittersweet or happy, execution is what matters most imo, and both can be badly executed.