[SPOILERS] Discussion about the ending

[Stelercus]

This thread will contain open discussion of plot elements that aren't revealed until the final cutscene. Do not read further if you do not wish to have them spoiled.

I thought that while all the plot elements introduced at the end of the game (the Conqueror's origin and purpose, Rush's identity, and the machine in the Sacred Lands) were good, the developers could have done more throughout the game to prepare us for them. I would make a few subtle changes to the storyline:

* When Rush arrives at the Sacred Lands for the first time, the flashback showing him with his mother indicate that they've already met. The flashback could be changed to show Marina picking Rush up from the cradle so that we know he has some connection to the Sacred Lands.

* At some point after meeting Rush's parents, one of them can mention that they discovered a large mechanical remnant in the Sacred Lands that can affect other remnants, but that they haven't figured out exactly what effects it can have.

* When they bring in the remnant that can track other remnants, there should be two dots over Athlum: One for the Gae Bolg, and one for Rush. When David asks about them, John Sykes can say that the first is the Gae Bolg, and that the second is either residual energy from the Valeria Heart or an undiscovered remnant near the city.

The idea that there are sentient remnants is introduced steadily enough that I'd leave that part of the story untouched; I'd just be slightly more overt about Rush being one of them.

Finally, there seems to be a connection between Rush, his cradle, and the Sacred Lands, versus the Conqueror, his throne, and the dark version of the Sacred Lands under Undelwalt. The only part we know for sure is that the throne room under Undelwalt was the Conqueror's "home".

What other parts of the story could have been told better?

[Stabbey]

Originally posted by Stelercus:

* When Rush arrives at the Sacred Lands for the first time, the flashback showing him with his mother indicate that they've already met. The flashback could be changed to show Marina picking Rush up from the cradle so that we know he has some connection to the Sacred Lands.

Maybe that flashback would work in the cutscene after the final boss, but putting it in the first sacred lands scene would be terrible, it would completely give the twist away immediately. Honestly though, this doesn't really seem necessarry.

* At some point after meeting Rush's parents, one of them can mention that they discovered a large mechanical remnant in the Sacred Lands that can affect other remnants, but that they haven't figured out exactly what effects it can have.

Who says that they did discover it?

* When they bring in the remnant that can track other remnants, there should be two dots over Athlum: One for the Gae Bolg, and one for Rush. When David asks about them, John Sykes can say that the first is the Gae Bolg, and that the second is either residual energy from the Valeria Heart or an undiscovered remnant near the city.

The tracker doesn't have that big a level of precision. The map's all wavy. Even if it could show Rush's position, it wouldn't mean anything because he has a Talisman, which is a sleeping Remnant. Marina claims that the Conqueror shows up on the map because of the talismans he carries.

The idea that there are sentient remnants is introduced steadily enough that I'd leave that part of the story untouched; I'd just be slightly more overt about Rush being one of them.

I think that all the Conqueror's overt hinting, combined with the first Sacred Lands cutscene, combined with Rush's reaction when Irina jokes that a Remnant could even look like a mitra is enough.

Finally, there seems to be a connection between Rush, his cradle, and the Sacred Lands, versus the Conqueror, his throne, and the dark version of the Sacred Lands under Undelwalt. The only part we know for sure is that the throne room under Undelwalt was the Conqueror's "home".

Wait, what "dark" Sacred Lands? I must have forgotten that part. It has been a while.

[Zloth]

I agree, I think we had PLENTY of hinting.

If they flesh anything out, it should be what a remnant really is. Is it actually the remnant of something else? Leftovers from some great battle? We really aren't given much at all.

[Rod]

Afaik, some content was cut out before the definitive release, so there are naturally some open ties on the plot

[Rod]

Anyways, here is the real reason why Rush says "I'm going back. They're waiting for me" after the staff credits: https://imgur.com/a/FUUhPXW