If interactivity is what sets games apart from other mediums, then the narrative games that have the most potential to show off this form of art are those that feature multiple endings based on your decisions. Amongst the many games with multiple endings, some settle for simple dual options based on whether you play as a good or evil, while others blow out the variety of conclusions to truly absurd levels. I polled the GI staff to see which games stuck out in our minds as prime examples of multiple endings done right and some done horribly wrong. I present them to you now in order of number of endings possible.

NOTE: I’m going to do my best to avoid major spoilers here, even for the older games, but when discussing endings, there’s always a risk of some unintended reveals. Also, if you click any of the links in this article, they’re almost guaranteed to lead to spoilers. You’ve been warned!

Metal Gear Solid – 2 endings possible

Metal Gear Solid was the first game that I personally remember playing where the inclusion of multiple endings was a big deal, something that made me want to replay it to see both. Perhaps it was simply the fact that MGS was one of the earliest examples of a successfully cinematic, narrative-driven experience in video games, but it blew my mind as a teenager when I discovered that the game could wrap up in two distinctly different ways based on whether or not you give in to the torture sequence around the game’s halfway point. It’s worth replaying that part and muscling through it to ensure that Snake doesn’t end up with Otacon for the rest of his life…even if the sequels reveal that he’s pretty much stuck with him anyway.

Grand Theft Auto IV – 2 endings possible

While GTA IV contains a number of important plot choices throughout the game, only one affects the ending: whether or not you choose to strike a deal with a slimy character who has been one of the primary antagonists for Niko Bellic. This choice is made near the game’s climax and affects what your final few missions consist of, who lives and dies among your allies and enemies, and what happens at the very end. It may have been more powerful if earlier choices affected the conclusion, but GTA IV’s endings are both quite effective and emotional. You can find all the details on GTA Wiki.

Cave Story – 3 endings possible

Cave Story is the first entry on this list that carries on a long tradition that’s still surprisingly common in Japanese games: locking the best ending behind a number of obscure and arbitrary choices. In this case, the bad ending is obvious – you can choose to escape well before actually facing the final boss – and the good ending comes from taking the most obvious and clear path through the game. If you want the true ending, though, you’ll need to skip certain upgrades you’d normally pick up, find characters in areas you wouldn’t expect them, and more. Your reward for completing these weird tasks includes the best ending and a brand new, super difficult section of the game to play through. Good luck figuring it out without an FAQ, but if you want all the details for yourself, check out this GameSpot thread.

Amnesia: The Dark Descent – 3 endings possible

As one of the most horrifying games released last year, Amnesia’s twisted plot needed some satisfying conclusions to make all the scares worth it. Luckily, all three endings can be achieved in the final confrontation, and all three provide a dark and fitting end to the events at Brennenburg Castle. See them for yourselves below – but I highly suggest not ruining the ending for yourself if you haven’t played the game yet: