All the character endings are optional, but not missable. Every party member (expect the 2 DLC ones) have a string of events that you'll unlock as the story progresses. You can trigger the events by visiting specifc places (marked with a '!'), making items in your Atelier(making time pass), or making specifc key items for their route.Kikki wrote:Thanks Bluie. Hmm, I hadn't realized it worked that way; I thought any ending was an *ending*...but you can get all or most of the character endings in one play-through and the game only ends when you get an ending specific to Lydie/Suelle themselves? I assume to get each main ending you have to replay from the start? Or is there a point in the story where you should save and just go from there if you want to unlock all endings?
The Twin's endings are dictated by numerous requirements. You'll get the normal ending if none of specifc requirements are met for the others. As long as you have a save before your ending, you can reload and take all the time you want working towards the others. If you have the requirements beyond the normal ending, you will get to choose from a menu which one to view instead of being locked into a specifc one.
The older Ateliers 'lock' you into endings depending on completion rate and friendship levels, which can get tricky to manage with the time limit. However, each playthrough gets quicker and easier as you carry over all your money, friendship, and levels. The newer Ateliers instead let you go at your own pace and hardly let you carry over anything, so one perfect playthrough is encouraged rather than many.
Did a first playthrough of The Doll Shop. Games with very little gameplay are typically a hard sell for me, but I figured hey - try it, comment, support the devs. And it's quite fun! Three regular endings to get too. About 2 hours for a full playthrough - for a free game that's kind of excellent. 
And I'm not particularly good at combat, so believe me, it was the armor. Maxed guardian armor + offence-up food effect + a good ancient weapon and the HP is sliced off those lynels (and every other enemy) in such huge chunks, hundreds of HP per whack...it's a joke.
) I think that would eliminate a lot of the ease during the final boss. I didn't bother upgrading my armor very much but I remember being really anxious going into the final boss because of some quote from Aonuma that seemed to imply it would be tough...so I had WAY too many healing items...and it was a cake walk. 
) Honorable mentions to the Water Temple and Stone Tower Temple in Majora's Mask...