This week’s FFD comes thanks to reader @Milni06 who brought up the topic of game endings on Twitter this week.
The problem seems to be that many video game developers really fall short when it comes to delivering that all-too-important final BANG when all is said and done. You see, its not just about the final cinematic, but the final portion of the game as well that makes it so important.
Sure, we want stories to wrap up nicely or endings to be epic and amazing, but none of that matters if the game ends on a downer. This is easily screwed up with a terrible final boss battle or anti-climatic final sequence.
Why do game endings suck so often? What would you do to fix them? Let’s talk about everything to do with endings. Also feel free to list your worst and best endings in the comments.
NOTE: PLEASE MAKE KEEP THE COMMENTS SPOILER FREE
I actually went back and watched the Uncharted 2 ending again on Youtube after writing this post, and while some people weren’t big fans of the final gameplay sequences, I still thought the ending was really awesome and I loved their use of the characters. More of that for me please.
Last Updated: November 19, 2010
easy
November 19, 2010 at 10:09
all endings suck… just means you need to fork out another r700 for a new game 😉
lans
November 19, 2010 at 10:16
This article will also have a terrible ending, uncharted terrible ending wth, what are you guys expecting this is not metal gear solid the boss is not going to transform into an octopus the boss is just a douche rugby player!
Uberutang
November 19, 2010 at 10:19
Uncharted endings was both nice endings.
With Gears they leave the door open to the next game/book/comic/film.
TO me that makes commercial sense, but as a fan I really hate it.
Want a terrible ending? Halo 2…
Aussious
November 19, 2010 at 10:25
The main culprit is always weak plotlines if you look at gears for instance the back story is very vague the characters themselves lack sufficient character development and real motivation. Mass Effect in my book does this well they don’t try and reinvent the wheel instead they stuck to the basics of Sci Fi story telling but strong characters and interaction insure that you feel like you part of the experience from start to finish.
pantsula
November 19, 2010 at 10:57
Initially I was dissapointed with the final confrontation in Mirror’s Edge. But thinking about it later changed my mind, it was such a clinical closure and very fitting finish for Faith.
Milni06
November 19, 2010 at 10:58
Yay, thanks for the mention 😉
On the debate, I think it is more about the final boss battles being a let down rather than the story ending. The example I used was Uncharted 2. Undeniably an amazing game with solid platforming, combat, puzzles throughout. Than you get to the final boss and you run around like a chicken trying to shoot. I just felt it lacked consistency with the rest of the game.
The story ending after the fight was great, but that action climax really left me feeling a little underwhelmed.
I only used UC2 as an example, many games are the same. Batman was another that came up in the discussion on twitter.
Geoffrey Tim
November 19, 2010 at 10:59
The ending for Uncharted 2 was awesome. The final boss? Not so much. typical cliched “3 rounds of doing this to boss” to kill him.
Uberutang
November 19, 2010 at 11:06
Games like uncharted, that is all about story and experience really do not need boss battles at all.
Dooza
November 19, 2010 at 11:17
I loved the ending of the 1st Gears, General Raam was hard to beat especially if you’re playing alone coz Dom will just get knocked out for most of the time, I was disappointed with the ending of the 2nd Gears, the final boss was way to easy to beat, I played through the game a couple of times now, on my own and Co-op and I can’t remember dying while fighting the final boss
GooseZA
November 19, 2010 at 11:18
Best final boss / level was the final part of Mass Effect 1. The fight with Saren was a bit frustrating sure, but the whole battle to get there when you’re running up the [spoiler] of the [spoiler] with the [spoiler] etc is just blockbusterifically awesome!
Worst final boss for me would be the end of Gears 2 or Batman Arkham Asylum
Q121
November 19, 2010 at 11:24
Do you guys follow the story?
Cut scenes are meant to be skipped, or a good time to fetch beer
Aussious
November 19, 2010 at 11:43
The only thing more awesome was ME2’s suicide mission from the beginning were you have to set up two teams to the Final battle against the (Spoiler) and the you have escape from (spoiler) and the if you didn’t (spoiler) some of you teammates or even you will (spoiler) Wow just awsome!
GooseZA
November 19, 2010 at 11:45
Lol! I don’t think I gave away anywhere near as much as you did there 😀
Fox1
November 19, 2010 at 11:47
The ending for Assassins Creed 1 almost killed the whole series :devil:
But the ending for Most Wanted was epic 🙂
Aussious
November 19, 2010 at 12:09
I know this is off the topic the before the Wii came around the definition of a casual gamer was someone that plays games for fun to pass the time without the intention of neccessarily finishing the game or achieving some rediculous high score and yes skipping all the cutscenes…
Nick de Bruyne
November 19, 2010 at 12:36
I really hate it when games pretty much forfeit an ending entirely just to hint at another one. There are classy ways to do it, but you never see them in gaming. It’s always just straightforward, game is over, there will be another (oooooooooh. aaaaaaah). dammit.
al360
November 19, 2010 at 12:44
i agree just need a good ending to the story thats all
lans
November 19, 2010 at 14:41
yes i paid 600 bucks for the game i would i skip the cut scene?
Aussious
November 19, 2010 at 16:32
Lol, yeah still ME is one of those games that even if I tell you in detail what happens experiencing it for yourself will still blow you away. I mean I’ve got like 10 new games that I haven’t played simply because I’m still playing thru ME for like the 4th time!DAMN you Bioware,damn you to hell!
Luna
November 19, 2010 at 20:25
I still haven’t played Uncharted 2, but Gears 2 did have a pretty lame ending. Well, actually, the ending itself was pretty decent. The final battle was easy as hell, even when you pumped the difficulty all the way up. That sucked….