Bad Endings Options

[Jens of Zanicuud]

Some times ago I was working on a project (now dismissed - or rather, waiting for my current project completion) which was designed to end badly, with the death of every character in the party (this was however related to the plot).

I've seen quite a few RPG with a default (i.e. not optional) bad ending (FFXIII-2 / KH Birth by Sleep - if we can call their ending bad), so I wonder if it's a taboo to make your game ends in a tragic way, or simply players prefer an happy ending to every game they play, since they are playing not to think to their problems...

What's your point about it?
Would you play/create a game with a tragic ending (not optional - main ending)?

If so, why?

That's a feature I've never found in a RPG Maker game (excluding maybe survival horror...)
If you know some link 'bout that, I'd be pleased to give it a look.

Maybe my project will resurrect, who knows?

Jens

[Shaddow]

I realize that there are a lot of answers to this already, and most say that once a character is dead they should stay dead. While I agree with that for the most part, there are games and stories where the character is brought back to life through valiant effort and dedication by his loved ones. A prime example is Chrono Trigger.

[Show/Hide] Old School Spoiler

Crono, the main character, dies about halfway through the game to save everyone's life. As the rest of the group struggles with his death, you find an option to go back in time and save him. This requires a lot of effort on your part and secrets to be found. I also say option, because you can beat the game without ever reviving him, which changes the ending and gives for a very sad ending.

I say that this is just as powerful as having a character stay dead, and maybe more so. Who in life has lost a loved one and had not wished to see them 'just one more time'. It's tragic, and tragedy is hard to deal with. So, while this is not really within the topic of the conversation, I felt like I had to bring my own counterpoint to all this discussion.

[rewells]

I realize that there are a lot of answers to this already, and most say that once a character is dead they should stay dead. While I agree with that for the most part, there are games and stories where the character is brought back to life through valiant effort and dedication by his loved ones. A prime example is Chrono Trigger.

I agree. Chrono Trigger has I think 14 endings? It's one of my favorite games because of the tightness of its story. I think it only works because the whole game is about time travel though, and making it optional enforces the theme of the power of small decisions. Also:

[Show/Hide] Chrono Trigger Spoilers

I'd argue that it works because Chrono is a mute, blank-slate type character. He represents the player, and he has no character development. I never felt attached to him as much as the other awesome characters, so my enticement to get him back was because he's the most powerful in battle, and I wanted to see all the endings. Again, I totally agree that Chrono Trigger handles the situation well - thanks for pointing it out because I hadn't thought about that.