As a die-hard gamer who has spent countless hours immersed in virtual worlds, I can attest that some of the most disappointing moments have been when a game with such potential falls short at the finish line. The ending of Mass Effect 3 is undoubtedly one of those moments for me.
Remarkable games have been played throughout time, but it’s those exceptional ones that deliver a perfect finish – it is these matches that endure in our collective memory as truly great.
It’s crucial to have an outstanding conclusion when crafting compelling narratives, yet regrettably, numerous games have boasted exceptional storylines but disappointing conclusions. Here are ten endings that left a particularly strong impression (for not always the best reasons).
10 Kingdom Come: Deliverance
That’s it?
Kingdom Come: Deliverance stands out as an exceptional role-playing game, blending realism and stunning visuals for a game often referred to as the historically authentic version of Skyrim.
The tale that unfolded was extraordinary, with you portraying Henry, an ordinary peasant unknowingly thrust into a conflict. Over time, this struggle became your own as you fought in battles that would ultimately decide the destiny of your people.
The content boasts exceptional writing, superb voice performances, and an array of memorable characters that linger in your mind even beyond the ending sequence.
The problem lies in its conclusion. It lacks a conclusion. Instead, it seems more like a midpoint, where Henry and another ally are preparing to embark on a crucial mission.
As a devoted fan, I’m left on tenterhooks, eagerly anticipating the climactic end, but instead, I’m met with an anticlimax – no conclusion, just a cryptic hint about a sequel yet to come.
As a patient gamer, I’ve been eagerly awaiting this game for years, only to find it trapped in development limbo. But finally, after what feels like an eternity, it looks like I’ll be able to get my hands on it in 2025. However, the long wait doesn’t make up for the anticipation and frustration that I’ve had to endure in the interim.
9 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The Real Battle We Never See
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt” stands as a renowned game and a crucial play for enthusiasts of role-playing games everywhere.
Its renown is built on captivating storytelling, intriguing characters, and a vividly alive setting that invites exploration.
In this captivating tale, you’re on a thrilling quest to find your missing adoptive daughter, Ciri. Your mission is to save her from the enigmatic and chilling pursuit of the Wild Hunt.
Then the letdown hits. The Wild Hunt are revealed to be nothing more than Elves.
The White Frost that is coming to consume everything? The apocalyptic threat? Ciri punches it in the face, or something.
As a devoted fan, I must admit that it’s left us all guessing about how she manages to halt it, but we never get to see it – and that’s certainly a letdown. To add to the disappointment, the climactic battle against Eredin falls flat, and his demise is less than satisfying.
For such an epic game, it really doesn’t do a great job of wrapping itself up.
8 Elden Ring
All That Strife, For Little Payoff
In 2022, the game called Elden Ring shook up the gaming world with its innovative approach.
Instead of most FromSoftware titles, this game placed significant emphasis on storytelling. George R.R. Martin was involved in shaping the primary narrative’s creative direction.
The plot remained somewhat mysterious, yet it was brimming with intriguing subplots. From the Maidens, the Will of the Fingers, the Frenzied Flame, to the diverse array of characters you could align with to uncover the multiple conclusions, there was no dearth of captivating elements in the narrative.
As the story unfolds, your quest is to ascend as the new Elden Lord, and the game’s closing moments are truly captivating.
Crumbling Farum Azula is one of the most incredible levels in any game, and the boss fights get bigger and bigger, getting you ready for the final fight.
Here’s my take:
Each option is so unimpressive, it seems more like a prank than a real choice. You essentially sit on a throne while various global impacts unfold in the background, based on the route you select.
On extended trips lasting over 100 hours, each conclusion seemed disappointingly insubstantial. Not even the hidden ending of selecting the Frenzied Flame manages to feel exceptionally special.
It is strangely reminiscent of a title we’ll be discussing a little further down this list.
7 Xenoblade Chronicles 3
So Many Great Ideas, So Little Resolution
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 has one of the more ambitious stories in any JRPG.
It gradually unfolds with intriguing paths for exploration, like its central figures being fully grown individuals at the outset, and subsequently leads you on a peculiar and twisty journey that becomes increasingly complex from there.
As I delve deeper into the gaming universe, mind-blowing connections to previous game installments surface, unexpected twists unfold, and I find myself racing towards an electrifying showdown against the formidable foe known as Z.
In the end, it’s the ultimate showdown, a spectacle I never thought my Nintendo Switch could handle so flawlessly. All that remains for this game is to add one more sweet touch and gracefully claim victory.
But, while emotional, the ending just doesn’t hit right.
Although Z appears as a formidable force during the entire game, it turns out that his main purpose was simply to find amusement in the spectacle, as he had no specific goal driving him.
It’s intriguing to consider that someone might manipulate the game’s events on a whim, but upon deeper reflection, one may find oneself questioning if there wasn’t a more complex or extensive storyline at play.
Essentially, many queries regarding the primary game are resolved in the outstanding Future Redeemed DLC expansion, yet it fails to compensate for the underwhelming conclusion of the core game.
6 Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
So Much Potential
If circumstances had allowed, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided could’ve rekindled the franchise and sparked numerous successful follow-ups in the years that followed.
Unfortunately, that aspiration didn’t come to fruition because there was no conclusive end to the game, which played a significant role.
The game offers a captivating, ominous journey into an impending tomorrow, as you strive to expose the roots of a terror incident that unfolds at its onset.
The combat has never been better; the graphics are stunning to this day, and the story is full of intrigue and is well told.
That is until the ending. A lukewarm final boss and an ending that feels horribly rushed.
It seems more like a halfway mark rather than an end point. Marchenko lacked the qualities of a final boss, and the story definitely has a long way to go before it reaches its conclusion.
It felt like a DLC would have to come to give us the ending we deserved, but that never happened.
Adam Jensen’s story is out there somewhere, waiting to be finished.
5 Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla
Not My Valhalla
In “Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla,” the climax stands out as a remarkable point of discussion within the series, primarily due to its conclusion.
From start to finish, this game is an enjoyable ride, providing it doesn’t overwhelm you with excess details. In fact, it might just offer the finest Viking-themed gaming adventure we’ve encountered so far.
The tale of your adventure to England, exploration of diverse territories, and, in the end, the saving of your sibling, Sigurd, is an enthralling saga that seems to unfold into numerous conclusions.
The tough part is that every single ending is awful. First, we’ve got the reveal of Valhalla.
It’s an Isu device that is a computer simulation program because….of course it is.
Initially, this seems intriguing, but later on, just as with Eivor, you come to understand that there’s not much substance to the concept, and we both find ourselves losing interest in it.
Then, we get an epic battle that ends with our story, big bad, Aelfred, getting away.
This requirement stems from historical precedent, yet it falls short of being fully satisfactory. However, unveiling the secret conclusion after removing all the guild members offers a modicum of closure. Nonetheless, our journey is far from complete.
In the game, I, Laila, embark on a quest to find the mysterious Valhalla device. However, I unwittingly activate it, leading to an unexpected outcome – my digital demise and entry into a virtual world. Here, I find myself alongside Desmond, where we commiserate over our games’ less-than-satisfying conclusions. It seems that’s the way things have played out for us.
There are numerous concepts, yet not much progress towards resolving them. This conclusion could be seen as overly ambitious.
4 Fallout 3
Ignoring Logic, Embracing Stupidity
In simpler terms, “Fallout 3” is often praised as a revolutionary game, but it’s also known for Bethesda’s struggle to conclude their grand narratives in a way that fully satisfies players.
I can’t help but reflect on the repeated instances where game developers have fallen short, particularly with Bethesda’s Fallout 3. In my opinion, it seems like they struck a proverbial goldmine with subpar conclusions.
The development leading up to the climax is engaging, and you are given the freedom to decide your action during the last stages.
You are faced with deciding how to activate Project Purity and save the Wasteland.
It seems like I’ve put you in a bit of a bind, asking whether you or Sarah should handle the task at hand. However, let me clarify that making this decision isn’t essential, as there are other options available.
See, whoever you send in will die from radiation. It’s a guarantee. However, do you have companions other than Sarah who are, in fact, immune to said radiation? You bet our ass you do.
Why don’t they go in, you ask? Your guess is as good as mine.
The illogical nature of this scenario strips away any sense of choice, leaving readers puzzled as to how the writers could have made such significant errors right before concluding their work.
Even though they subsequently issued Downloadable Content (DLC) allowing for the selection of the suitable party character, it was evident they acknowledged their mistake; however, at that point, the damage was already done.
3 Metal Gear Solid V
The Non-Ending
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain might have the best stealth gameplay ever conceived.
Even to this very moment, that game stands out as an unrivaled showcase of player ingenuity, stunning visuals, and masterfully designed missions. Engaging in battles against The Skulls remains one of the most nail-biting experiences in the entire series for me.
Unfortunately, none of that can make up for the disaster that is the ending of this game.
In essence, despite it being debatable whether it truly had a conclusion, it’s clear now that creative differences between Konami and Hideo Kojima resulted in an incomplete game – one we’re still reminiscing about, almost a decade after its release.
Initially, I thought my final showdown with the main antagonist, Skullface, would be epic. But instead, I watched as Metal Gear came crashing down on him, and then I ended up casually putting a bullet right through his eyehole.
That’s all well and good, but then comes the big reveal.
Originally, you weren’t the top leader; instead, you were just a fellow associate who was led to believe you were the Big Boss. Meanwhile, the true leader lived on elsewhere. This significant disclosure, in the broader context, is massive and bears considerable importance.
However, unlike its predecessor which released 7 years ago, this game aimed to serve as a self-contained conclusion. Regrettably, in terms of delivering a significant finale, it fell short.
Then, we’ve got Eli (Liquid Snake) escaping with Metal Gear. Do we go after him?
Does it make sense for us to simply stand by while a child controls a nuclear-armed war vehicle without any attempt at intervention? Indeed, that seems to be our approach, and as the movie concludes, the credits begin to roll.
It hurts this many years later and the worst part is it will never be fixed. The perfect game, with the worst ending imaginable.
2 The Order: 1886
Such a Tease
The Order: 1886 has faced undue criticism at its release but nowadays, it’s often commended for its taut gameplay, swift tempo, and stunning visuals.
From start to finish, it’s an enjoyable ride, but unfortunately, we were left wanting more due to its underwhelming conclusion. This is particularly noticeable in its finale.
Intriguingly, this narrative revolves around us assuming the role of Galahad, who’s part of an order with a mission to eliminate werewolves (Lycans) and various other terrifying creatures, in a modern twist on the Knights of the Round Table.
Here, we reach an enormous climax, with surprises coming from all sides – unexpected turns, the unmasking of antagonists, and ultimately, the purpose of The Order becoming clear.
After our supervisor had a confrontation with Lucan, who appears to be one of Lord Hasting’s top aides, the matter was resolved.
Questions about The Order’s fate, the intention behind eliminating half-breeds from the world, and whether we ourselves are vampires still remain uncertain.
In the original story, the roles of villain, hero, or vampire within The Order were left unclear. The ending served as an enticing cliffhanger for potential sequels, but unfortunately, due to poor sales and the passage of time, it seems unlikely that a sequel will ever be made.
1 Mass Effect 3
Red, Green, or Blue
In my opinion, among all the games in the series, none surpasses Mass Effect 3 quite like it does. The foreboding atmosphere that envelops the narrative is an unmatched level of intensity not found in any other game to such a degree.
The combat is top-notch, the acting incredible, and the story itself is a winding, weaving nightmare come to life that culminates in a simply epic battle for the galaxy that takes place on Earth.
Engaging in fierce struggle together with your fellow soldiers, amidst a backdrop where chaos reigns, leaves an indelible mark on me, and the eloquent speech delivered by Commander Shepard is destined to be enshrined among the greatest gaming moments of all time.
It’s all set up to be Bioware’s best game ever. And then Star Child happens.
Floating enigmatically towards the Citadel, you find yourself in a critical state, losing blood, when suddenly an otherworldly child appears before you, presenting you with three options to eliminate The Reaper menace.
Each entity is symbolized by a unique hue. Specifically, blue signifies your assumption of The Reapers’ intelligence, merging with them, and leading them thereon.
In a simpler paraphrase, Green presents a scenario where you unite humans and technology across the cosmos, while Red offers a choice to annihilate them both.
Based on your selection, you receive a unique color outcome accompanied by a brief concluding scene, and that’s all there is.
As a gamer, I find myself at a crossroads where every decision I’ve carefully made across the last three epic adventures seems to be nullified. Now, it boils down to three seemingly random choices, presented by what appears to be the most blatant Deus Ex Machina in gaming lore.
Bioware introduced additional content, including DLC and an expansion, aimed at addressing criticism about the ending, yet these efforts failed to significantly improve the game’s tarnished image.
Although fan theories helped make the conclusion seem less bitter, they didn’t have enough power to rescue it entirely.
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2024-11-09 23:10