I feel you there. It's a story about change through the eyes of someone who cannot change; a story about hope from the point of someone who doesn't understand it. Importance highlighted through lack, if you will.
If it helps... I myself consider there to be meaning in the game ending the moment of the Queen's death. The game tells the story of the Dark Queen of Mortholme, but beyond its end the title is no more. I like to think that the person bound to that role is released from it.
Thank you.
Though I think "someone who cannot change" is a little inaccurate towards the Queen here. From the way I perceived the story - she moreso doesn't believe in change nor in having capacity or need to do so - but she does evolve as in that view as the confrontation escalates. Or, well. Has the capacity to do so. That part is left up to the player.
I agree entirely that the game's ending is well placed. That no matter how this story would end, it would end with the Dark Queen of Mortholme being no more.
I just wish there was room for a little hope before that final screen. Just a little bit of that purple flame of rebirth or whatnot, if the circumstances were right.
I actually think the death animation for the Queen is phenomenal, in how she appears to be absorbed into the Hero's sword. I see that as a sign - that the Hero will forever carry the imprint she left in their memory. But it is always the same - whether the hero's last words are just to put her to rest, or to acknowledge her change. I think it works the best in the ending where the Queen gives the Hero her blessing, though, beyond any other.
Thoughtful meta, thank you!
I think the motivation behind writing little confirmation of whether the Queen will be able to resurrect or not after the game ends is because all the dialogue happens within the reign of the Dark Queen. Before it's over, before the status quo ceases to be, it's still bound to treat her capacity to change as an unknown.
You're absolutely right that the Queen's fate is left to the player; to their understanding of who or what she is and how metaphorical death is in this world, to their beliefs about change. It's a fair point that this uncertainty has potential to come off as a tad grim, perhaps moreso than I expected it would. Still, that freedom has resulted in a wide variety of interpretations, which has been fascinating for me and hopefully valuable for the players.
