8 Gameplay Twists Introduced Very Late In Their Games

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Many games grab your attention right away, such as *Donkey Kong Bananza*, while others, like *The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild*, start slowly but remain enjoyable. Both are fantastic games that let players explore and play however they want.

The game doesn’t offer many unexpected twists or radically new gameplay elements, like suddenly changing genres or introducing characters with unique abilities. However, some games *did* include surprises, ranging from mild to quite dramatic.

There will be spoilers.

Astro Bot

The Shmup Finale

As a huge fan, I was constantly surprised by how much fun *Astro Bot* kept throwing at me! Every new power-up was a blast – seriously, soaking up water to put out lava was genius. But the final boss fight? Absolutely incredible. All the little bots you rescued actually *flew* at Nebulax in old PlayStation consoles, and suddenly the game turned into this amazing 3D shooter, kind of like *Star Fox*, but drenched in PlayStation nostalgia. I mean, shooting down enemy ships *with memory cards*? That’s a moment every PlayStation fan will remember forever!

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach

Coffin Flop

In *Death Stranding 2: On the Beach*, the core goal is to link up safe houses across Mexico and Australia using an online network. Players accomplish this by delivering packages, which then unlocks new abilities at each location. Later in the game, players will connect with a character called The Mechanic, who modifies a coffin into a surfboard. This surfboard lets players effortlessly glide over water and even pull off tricks, dramatically expanding the ways they can explore the game world – it’s a really exciting feature to uncover!

Dragon Quest 11: Echoes Of An Elusive Age

Smells Fishy

Dragon Quest 11 is a particularly lengthy game in the Dragon Quest series, constantly introducing new storylines just when players feel they’re approaching the finish. A surprisingly bizarre part of the game even transforms the main character, known as The Luminary, into a fish.

Players can explore an underwater kingdom, interacting with fish and other sea creatures. This unexpected addition became surprisingly popular with fans, so much so that Square Enix created merchandise featuring this unique fish form.

The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom

Mecha Break

The community is uncovering amazing things in *The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom*. The game’s new building features have led to players creating impressive – and sometimes game-bending – designs. But beyond these fan creations, a later story reveal will especially excite longtime *Zelda* players: Link gains access to a mech. While not massive, this mech is incredibly helpful for exploring the underground areas of Hyrule.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

Here Comes Venom

While titled *Marvel’s Spider-Man 2*, this is actually the third Spider-Man game developed by Insomniac Games, and it’s their most ambitious yet. Players can switch between controlling Miles Morales and Peter Parker, each with unique abilities and combat styles. The story sees Peter becoming host to the Venom symbiote – a predictable turn for fans of the series – which unlocks new powers for his suit. However, the real surprise was the chance to briefly play as Harry Osborn’s version of Venom and cause widespread destruction throughout New York City. Though short-lived, this moment was a huge treat for Venom enthusiasts.

The Messenger

Pixel Upgrades

When players first started *The Messenger* in 2018, it seemed like a fun tribute to classic NES games like *Ninja Gaiden*. For the first half of the game, it delivered exactly that-a fast-paced, 8-bit ninja adventure. But after defeating the apparent final boss, the game took a surprising and significant turn.

The main character, Messenger, will receive a visual update, adopting a simpler, more streamlined look as the game progresses. Later on, players will be able to shift between different dimensions within levels, adding a new and complex element to the gameplay experience for the rest of the game.

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns Of Patriots

Rex Vs Ray

Back when *Metal Gear Solid 4* was coming out, Hideo Kojima really led us all to believe it would be the last *Metal Gear* game ever. Turns out, that wasn’t true, but it *was* the end of Solid Snake’s story, and it was packed with callbacks to everything that happened in the series. I remember being blown away when, in one of the final chapters, we got to revisit Shadow Moses – the island from the very first *Metal Gear Solid*. And it was insane! For the first time, we actually got to *play* as Snake piloting Metal Gear Rex against Metal Gear Ray – a totally iconic moment for any fan of the series.

Titanfall 2

The Time Gauntlet

In *Titanfall 2*, mechs weren’t just an addition-they were a core part of the experience. Players seamlessly switched between fighting as a pilot and controlling a powerful mech, and both felt great. The game also introduced a surprising item called the Time Gauntlet. During one memorable mission, this gauntlet let players shift between different timelines, altering the environment-like rebuilding or collapsing doorways. It was an unexpected twist for a game that wasn’t about time travel, and it’s a big reason why *Titanfall 2* remains popular with FPS fans.

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2025-09-19 03:40