Last Levels and Game Endings

neoglow

neoglow

neoglow

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Does anyone else ever feel disappointed with the way a good game ends?

Ive just finished Metro 2033 (yeah I know, about time huh!?) and whilst I loved the game all the way through, I was left feeling really deflated with the final level and the ending (or endings). The last level was just a bit 'weird' and didnt explain a whole lot, not to mention it was also really easy. Why did they have to go weird with it, just stick to what made the game great, the monsters and feeling of panic when youre getting attacked from all sides and ammo is running low.

Ive had the same experience with other games before and it strikes me somtimes that developers either dont know how to end the game or just cant be bothered to make the effort. I would think the last level of a game should be pretty tough, no matter what difficulty level you're playing on, it should be about effort where everything has led up to this moment and the reward is a great ending sequence that sums up the game or leaves you wanting more from the inevitable sequel.

The last game I remember completing and really enjoying the ending (maybe through rose tinted glasses slightly) was Halo 1. The last level was great fun thundering through driving the off road Warthog thing against the clock with explosions everywhere and aliens flying all over the place and then the end FMV. It was great, or thats how I remember it anyway.

Dead Space 2, great game, loved it but the last level was way too easy, I did enjoy the last stage but suddenly thought "is that it"?!? I wish developers would really think through the story of a game ALL the way to the end, not start well, stuff in a half decent middle bit and then trail off the effort to the end. I want the ending to be fantastic, the best level of the game, with a real challange and a great FMV. I look back at older games like Doom and Doom 2, fighting the Cyberdemon and then killing the cameos of Commander Keen or fighting the Icon of Sin to find Romero's head on a stake behind it. Old games but with tough last levels.

Sigh...anyone else know what Im barking on about?
 
It all depends on the game and the story. Your right that some games certainly do end far too abruptly and too easily. But there are plenty of games that have really satisfying endings. Like the Legend of Zelda games for example :)








All epic endings to epic games :D
 
I'm not going to watch any of them since I have never completed any of them and I still plan to ... some day.
 
Vampire: Bloodlines had a pretty botched ending. Doesn't stop it being a brilliant game though.
 
Deus Ex has horrible bosses and a crap ending.

I'd rather if you could just walk up the bad guy, press E so he says something like "oh, it's you Jensen"

Then hold Q and tear him in two, game over :D
 
Singularity royally pee'd me off with the possible endings. I knew exactly what I wanted to do to set the timeline straight, and it wouldn't let me. Very annoying after such a stellar game.
 
Skyfall said:
Play Crysis 3, you'll cry.
Click to expand...

Tears of joy or despair? Not played it yet ;)

I remember one game on the C64 called Turbo the Tortoise. It was a platformer. When you reached the last level and beat the game, it said

"Congratulations you have completed Turbo the Tortoise"

In plain, white text, in the middle of the screen. That was it :p Even for 1980s standards, that was poor :p
 
FoxEye said:
I remember one game on the C64 called Turbo the Tortoise. It was a platformer. When you reached the last level and beat the game, it said

"Congratulations you have completed Turbo the Tortoise"

In plain, white text, in the middle of the screen. That was it :p Even for 1980s standards, that was poor :p
Click to expand...

I seem to recall John Hare talking about resource limitations on Parallax. That had a short ending.

 
I think sometimes they just try and do something a little bit different for the last level which is better than just more of the same. Also, making the last level more difficult is not necessarily a good thing (e.g. Far Cry).

It's hard to come up with something original or amazing but when they get it right (System Shock 2, Portal etc.) it's fantastic.
 
For genuinely good games I'm usually more disappointed that it has ended rather than the ending itself. I think good endings are more important in RPG/Adventure type games than traditional FPS, although I do like a good boss fight especially if it isn't over-reliant on gimmicks to win (i.e the best ones just need lots of firepower).

Looking back I can't really remember how that many games end anyway.
 
I remember playing through Carrier Command on the Spectrum. None of your "save game" nonsense, this was a get up early and spend every spare minute until your mum was shouting bedtime at you to complete.

And my reward for destroying the enemy carrier, capturing the final island and completing the game?

The normal "Game over" screen but simply with the words "Game Over" changed to "Congratulations - Game Over".

:rolleyes:
 
Confused Stu said:
I remember playing through Carrier Command on the Spectrum. And my reward for destroying the enemy carrier, capturing the final island and completing the game?
Click to expand...

You're lucky (or dedicated :) ) - the hours I pumped into that game... I was just happy to take off a vehicle without crashing or getting shot down within the first minute!
 
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