WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Five Dates, available now for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
It’s not a stretch to say that there might not be a game that I’ve publicly gushed about more this year than Five Dates from Good Gate Media and Wales Interactive. Who would’ve thought that a full-motion video (FMV) game would make such an incredible impact on me - someone who had never played an FMV title prior. Yet, here we are - Five Dates receiving a perfect score in my review, while being touted as one of the best romantic comedy experiences ever between both film and video game platforms.
Why is it deserving of such praise? I get far more in-depth in my review (read it here!), but from a high level, Five Dates is so successful in its execution of the rom-com genre thanks to its heartfelt narrative, relatable and surprisingly complex characters, and overall immersive experience. The game features multiple outcomes depending on the choices you make throughout the game, but one ending, in particular, stands out to me as one of the best endings in the rom-com genre period (and one that is quite popular among fans, according to Five Dates writer and director, Paul Raschid).
Check out the video below for the full story, which in all honestly, could be a standalone rom-com movie by itself.
What makes this ending so impactful? First of all, it’s the acting. The chemistry between Taheen Modak and Sinéad Harnett (who makes her acting debut in Five Dates) is both relatable and believable. This is all the more impressive considering they never actually met in person while filming, since the global lockdown forced the entire production to be completed remotely.
The storyline really starts to dive down deeper at the end of the second date with the discovery of Paige’s daughter, with the second date conversation itself being more personal and intimate.
The third and final date is the most impactful one of all, with Vinny challenging Paige in a sincere and thoughtful way that ultimately leads to Paige letting down her wall. That said, her priorities as a mother take precedence - rightfully so - over moving forward with Vinny… for now. The ending leaves the door wide open for a potential relationship in the post-lockdown future, giving viewers a hopeful and satisfying feeling.
I’d love to think that a sequel would ultimately provide resolve in some sort of “happily ever after” ending, but honestly, that might take away from the impact of the original ending. Some may dismiss this ending as a quintessential “nice guys finish last” type of ending. To that I say - speaking as a “nice guy” myself - I can’t think of a better way to start off a relationship than by genuinely caring about the well-being of your potential partner, regardless of how you may fare in the end.
This particular Five Dates ending may not suit everyone’s tastes, but Vinny breaking through Paige Lee’s wall is a warm, satisfying outcome that leaves me hopeful for the characters’ future together, and would 100% be a rom-com that I would watch over and over again.