The concluding moment of, be it a final level, chapter, or battle, is often one of the most outstanding parts of a game. Seeing how it's usually the last major part of a game plot-wise, it's only natural for the gamer to remember it more easily after finishing the game and moving on. In this short series, I will analyze the endings of certain games that really stand out. In this first part, I will look into Little King's Story.

The general plot of Little King's Story was never really deep until the very end. For the uninitiated, it follows young King (in my case) Larry as he attempts to conquer the other kingdoms and unite the world. After succeeding in world domination, the king decides to do something about the increasingly-dangerous earthquakes that are plaguing the kingdom, so he builds a flying machine in order to reach heaven and talk tell God to cut the crap (seriously).

However, the big revelation comes after the king flies to "heaven" and finds out the true nature of his world. It turns out that his "world" is really enclosed inside a box, like a playset, and the earthquakes are being caused by giant rats that are chewing on the cardboard. An area that comes just before the final battle contains notes for a story called "Little King's Story," as well as some drawings and observations of the adults that are in the (real) boy's life. These adults are exaggerated to become the bosses in the game. The final scene involves a giant Larry, dressed in pajamas, picking up the rats and tossing them out of his bedroom window. King Larry (the toy) makes eye contact with Larry (the ordinary boy) and they just stare at each other in awe.

Yes, the whole game was really just a metaphor. And it all ties in directly to the opening scene of the game. In that scene, Larry (the boy) is troubled by a family of rats who invade his room. Chasing them from his home leads to his discovery of the crown that makes him king. It also signifies the point at which the game becomes pure fiction within fiction. See, Larry the boy made up Larry the king in order to help himself deal with the problems in his life, including the rats, his dead grandfather (who is a major character in the game), and apparently the girl he likes (the credits show him with one of the major characters). By getting rid of the rats once and for all, Larry the boy has already started on a path of self-improvement and has begun addressing his problems head-on.

The very first part of the game shows a curtain opening to begin a puppet show by Larry the boy, discussing nobility. The play is interrupted by the rats, who are then chased out of the home, and from there it's history. The very last scene of the credits shows the same stage, but now the curtains are drawn shut. The same song is used in both the ending and the beginning. In my opinion, this is the perfect way to end a video game. The best part is that the opening really doesn't stand out until after you finish the game, at which point it becomes a "Wow!" moment.

Side note on The World Ends with You:

Do these guys EVER smile?