Typical forms
- Played straight:
- A work runs its credits list prior to the climax/Final Boss fight.
- A game runs its credits list after the supposed main story ends and unlocks the New Game Plus, however, the New Game Plus is an integral part of the story (i.e. a key area locked after the main "story" is completed) rather than a bonus.
- A game runs its credits list once all characters' story modes are cleared.
- A game in the lowest difficulty settings ends prior to fighting the Big Bad, who you can only fight against in the higher difficulty levels.
- Justified:
- A work runs its credits list prior to the climax or Final Boss fight in a logical way.
- The New Game Plus requires truly high-tier abilities or stats. Hence why you don't access the climax of the story in the "main story" proper.
- Every character story is tied to the Big Bad/Final Boss, and everything comes together in the very final story chapter.
- The game that implements Easy-Mode Mockery is a Secret Test of Character, and as a result, the Big Bad/Final Boss doesn't deem you worthy of fighting them.
- Inverted: A work runs its credits list after the end of each episode sans the last.
- Subverted: A work runs its credits list prior to the climax or Final Boss fight, then the list is cut halfway through.
- Double Subverted: A work runs its credits list prior to the climax or Final Boss fight, then the list is cut halfway through... then it resumes.
- Parodied: The work makes use of The Fourth Wall Will Not Protect You while playing the trope straight.
- Deconstructed: There's a developer/producer/director commentary while the credits are displayed, then they say "the work doesn't end here, by the way. Prepare for the final fight!".
- Reconstructed:
- Zig-Zagged: The credits roll before the final fight, then cut to the first phase of the fight, then a second part of the credits roll, then the second phase of the fight begins... rinse and repeat until all phases are cleared off. Expect some lampshading.
- Averted: The credits roll after the climax or Final Boss fight.
- Enforced: The executives demand, for some reason, that the credits must roll before the climax. Possibly due to Product Placement.
- Implied:
- Logical Extreme:
Tone and Style
- Exaggerated:
- A work runs its credits list after the first act is finished.
- A game runs its credits list after the prelude levels are finished.
- Downplayed: Prior to the climax, only a very narrow set of credits are displayed.
- Played For Laughs: Prior to the climax, the credits begin to roll. Then they stop, and the climax takes place. Then the credits roll again. After a certain amount of loops, the characters involved in the climax scream "STOP IT!".
- Played For Drama: Prior to the climax, the credits begin to roll, just as the characters made a stunning discovery. Then they stop, and the climax takes place.
- Played For Horror: Prior to the climax, the credits begin to roll. Then they stop, and the climax takes place. Someone dies while the credits were rolling.
Specific characters
- Lampshaded: Either the main characters or the Big Bad/Final Boss wonder what's the point of rolling the credits before the final fight.
- Invoked: Either the main characters or the Big Bad/Final Boss request the credits to be rolled prior to the final fight.
- Defied: Either the main characters or the Big Bad/Final Boss prevent the titles to be rolled before the final fight.
- Exploited: Either the main characters or the Big Bad/Final Boss weaponize credits being rolled to their favor.
- Discussed: Side characters expect the credits to roll before the final fight.
- Conversed: Side characters lampshade the use of the trope and discuss why the credits must roll before the final fight.
Back to Pre-Ending Credits.
