So... uh... what was the ending all about?

[WowIExist]

After finishing the game and reading the (Spoiler alert BTW) reaper's cassete tape im kinda left wondering what the game was about really. I dont really.. get it.

Can someone explain this to me? I feel like im missing something.

[Alex Pine]

The god of life, AKA the fireplace, employs reapers to kill undead and let them pass on to the afterlife. We don't know details about how many reapers there are / have been, but we know that Ibzan was one of them.

There is no reaper tape - both Ibzan's and the secret tape are by Ibzan. His days as the reaper were insufferable - as detailed in the secret tape and shown by the minimalistic, almost prison-like interior of his room, his existance was mundane and pointless. Ironically, the god of life failed to give Ibzan something to live for, resulting in his suicide. This event made him come back as a skeleton, but took away his warmth and his employer (a man undead, cannot live with me).

After the disappearance of the fireplace, he began work on a portal that could lead him to his ex-employer, not with the intent to get revenge, but to apologize and regain his old life. The god of life still hasn't changed his mind about the undead, so he tasks you with stopping Ibzan.

As an additional interesting detail, the god of life tries very hard not to repeat his old mistakes, giving the reaper rich furniture and even a cat companion, though these gifts are awkward and silly, and don't help considering our reaper's attitude. There's a goldmine of irony here - Ibzan wanted a friend, but the fireplace only wanted a soldier. Neither got what they wanted. Our reaper wants to be a good soldier, but the fireplace tried to become his friend, failing yet again.

[WowIExist]

Originally posted by Alex Pine:

The god of life, AKA the fireplace, employs reapers to kill undead and let them pass on to the afterlife. We don't know details about how many reapers there are / have been, but we know that Ibzan was one of them.

There is no reaper tape - both Ibzan's and the secret tape are by Ibzan. His days as the reaper were insufferable - as detailed in the secret tape and shown by the minimalistic, almost prison-like interior of his room, his existance was mundane and pointless. Ironically, the god of life failed to give Ibzan something to live for, resulting in his suicide. This event made him come back as a skeleton, but took away his warmth and his employer (a man undead, cannot live with me).

After the disappearance of the fireplace, he began work on a portal that could lead him to his ex-employer, not with the intent to get revenge, but to apologize and regain his old life. The god of life still hasn't changed his mind about the undead, so he tasks you with stopping Ibzan.

As an additional interesting detail, the god of life tries very hard not to repeat his old mistakes, giving the reaper rich furniture and even a cat companion, though these gifts are awkward and silly, and don't help considering our reaper's attitude. There's a goldmine of irony here - Ibzan wanted a friend, but the fireplace only wanted a soldier. Neither got what they wanted. Our reaper wants to be a good soldier, but the fireplace tried to become his friend, failing yet again.

Wow. Thanks! That makes a ton of sense. I hadn't even thought about Izban having been a reaper and the tape beings Izbans. What a cool story. :D

[Square_Rabbit]

Ibzan having been a reaper is hinted at by several means. Firstly, Ibzan's apartment and the Reaper's apartment have very similar layouts, though different standards as mentioned above (bed, chair to the left of fireplace, mission table to the right). Inside Ibzan's wall safe is a broken lighter, which is what our Reaper uses to turn to smoke and enter vents. Also, Ibzan bleeds the same black substance that the Reaper does.

Another detail I found interesting, but Ibzan has a cool colour scheme while the Reaper had a warm one - Ibzan's coat is blue and his apartment has grey walls and metal furniture, while the Reaper has a brown coat, furniture and falls. Fitting, given the presence of warmth in their existences. Also Ibzan keeps his coat unbuttoned despite being cold, what an idiot

On a side note, you can see in the secret cassette that the fire never appears for Ibzan unless it's to give a mission, while after completing the game and activating the fireplace, it still lights despite having no more missions, and you can have it light without talking by hitting R on the chair.

[WowIExist]

Originally posted by Square_Rabbit:

Ibzan having been a reaper is hinted at by several means. Firstly, Ibzan's apartment and the Reaper's apartment have very similar layouts, though different standards as mentioned above (bed, chair to the left of fireplace, mission table to the right). Inside Ibzan's wall safe is a broken lighter, which is what our Reaper uses to turn to smoke and enter vents. Also, Ibzan bleeds the same black substance that the Reaper does.

Another detail I found interesting, but Ibzan has a cool colour scheme while the Reaper had a warm one - Ibzan's coat is blue and his apartment has grey walls and metal furniture, while the Reaper has a brown coat, furniture and falls. Fitting, given the presence of warmth in their existences. Also Ibzan keeps his coat unbuttoned despite being cold, what an idiot :hoopter:

On a side note, you can see in the secret cassette that the fire never appears for Ibzan unless it's to give a mission, while after completing the game and activating the fireplace, it still lights despite having no more missions, and you can have it light without talking by hitting R on the chair.

Huh. Never noticed the little details like that lol