It’s a sad fact of life that some video games have simply awful endings. Whether it’s because of a rushed development cycle, a lack of creativity, or simply bad writing, some games just don’t manage to stick the landing. Here’s a look at some of the worst endings in gaming history.
10- Batman: Arkham Asylum
Batman’s fans rejoiced when the Arkham series of Batman games was released, beginning with Batman: Arkham Asylum. In this game, Batman was trapped in Arkham Asylum and had to traverse it, taking out iconic villains before facing off with his arch-nemesis, The Joker. The Joker then injected himself with an overdose of Titan formula, transforming into a green monster that Batman had to defeat in order to end the game. Though the ending left many gamers confused and unsatisfied, the game was still acclaimed for its overall quality.
9- Alan Wake
Photo Credit: IGN
Alan Wake is a psychological horror-thriller video game developed by Remedy Entertainment and published by Microsoft Studios. It follows the story of the titular protagonist, Alan Wake, as he struggles to uncover the mystery behind the disappearance of his wife, Alice, while fighting a sinister darkness that has taken hold of the small town of Bright Falls, Washington. The game has an infamous ending, one which left many players feeling cheated and disappointed.
When Alan finally reaches the end of his journey, he discovers that his wife is alive and well and living in the town of Bright Falls. However, in order to keep her safe from the darkness that has taken over the town, Alan is tricked into sacrificing himself to save her. He is then transported to an alternate reality, one in which he and Alice are happily married and living in the town. While this may seem like a happy ending, it is bittersweet. As Alan is never able to return to the real world and is instead trapped in a world that is not his own.
8- Mass Effect 3
Photo Credit: Rpg Site
Mass Effect 3 concludes the action-packed trilogy with an immersive and action-packed finale. Players must rally their forces to take on a powerful enemy that threatens the fate of the entire galaxy. The ultimate goal is to make a crucial decision that will determine the fate of the entire universe. Players must choose between three different endings, each with its own consequences. The controversial ending of the game has been met with mixed reactions from fans. Some have praised it for its complexity and thematic depth, while others have criticised its lack of closure. Mass Effect 3’s ending was a letdown for many, but the game itself was still an incredible experience.
7- Halo 2
Photo Credit: The Nerd Stash
Halo 2 had the worst ending in the game series. Players were left disappointed, angry, and confused. Master Chief was unable to save Earth from the Covenant as the Prophet of Truth activated the Halo rings. The Gravemind was also released from High Charity and Cortana was left behind. The Arbiter and the Elites were forced to flee the planet. The Flood reemerged to threaten the galaxy and the Chief was forced to go into cryo-sleep to find a way to stop them. The game left many questions unanswered and fans felt the ending was abrupt and unsatisfying. Also, Fans were left with a cliffhanger and an uncertain future for the beloved characters.
6- Vanquish
Photo Credit: Prodigy Gamers
Vanquish is a fast-paced third-person shooter video game. It puts players in the shoes of an augmented soldier sent to save the world from a powerful enemy. The game’s story follows a complex plot line which culminates in a disappointing ending that many players find unsatisfactory. Players take on the role of protagonist Sam Gideon, a DARPA agent equipped with a powerful advanced battle suit. They battle to take down the powerful Russian military forces and the mysterious artificial intelligence, ARS. Players must traverse a variety of levels, taking down enemies and engaging in intense firefights. The game culminates in a final boss fight, which, unfortunately, leads to a lackluster conclusion, when the main villain, Victor Zaitsev escapes. Players have complained that the ending fails to reward their hard work, leaving them feeling unfulfilled and frustrated.
5- Fallout 3
Fallout 3 is an action role-playing game set in a post-apocalyptic, retro-futuristic world. Players take on the role of a Vault Dweller. Who must leave their sheltered home to explore the ruins of Washington D.C. and survive the perils of the Wasteland. The game features intense combat, an expansive open world, and a unique ending that leaves the player with a sense of dread and despair. Players must battle raiders, mutants. and factions. While searching for the truth behind the mysterious Vault-Tec Corporation and the secrets of the Wasteland. The game culminates in a bleak scenario that forces players to make a difficult choice that could save the world, or condemn it to an even darker fate. Fallout 3 is an unforgettable journey that no gamer should miss.
4- Borderlands
As treasure hunters, we descend to the abandoned planet Pandora in search of the fabled Vault, rumored to contain alien technology. Exploring Pandora and battling locals, we must beat the Corporation to the Vault. When we finally find it, we are confronted by a monster who we must defeat in order to reseal the Vault for another 200 years. And that too without ever learning what was inside. Despite all our efforts, it turns out that the Vault was merely a plot device and our search was a total waste of time.
3- Far Cry 5
Far Cry 5 is an action-adventure video game that has been met with mixed reviews. Players take on the role of a sheriff’s deputy in the fictional Hope County, Montana. The game follows the deputy’s fight against the fanatical cult the Project at Eden’s Gate. Unfortunately, the game has been criticized for its lack of a satisfying ending. The player character Deputy stays true to their mission and arrests Joseph Seed. Only for the latter’s prophecies to come true: a nuclear detonation near Hope County. Despite the Deputy’s best efforts, their car crashes on the way to the shelter, killing everyone except Seed and the Deputy, now at Seed’s mercy while the world outside Hope County burns from nuclear fire – and there’s nothing the Deputy can do to stop it. All of the endings in Far Cry 5 are tragedies, with this one being the most devastating of all.
2- Half-Life 2
The mysterious G-Man thanks you for your efforts after you dispatch of the final boss, who proves to be easier to defeat than you’d imagine, as the building is about to blow up. Sadly, your mate doesn’t make it out of the factory before its destruction and the game ends, leaving you with a poor and unfulfilling conclusion after battling your way through hordes of alien creatures across multiple challenging levels in the epic game, Half-Life 2. What is it with first-person shooters and bad endings?
1- Injustice 2
Photo Credit: Game Watcher
Injustice 2 is a fighting game developed by NetherRealm Studios for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles. It follows up on the events of the first game and continues the story of Superman and his Regime. The game features a large roster of characters, each with their own unique move sets and special abilities. Players can create their own team of heroes and villains and compete in various single-player and multiplayer modes. However, the game has been criticized for its ending, which many consider to be unsatisfying. Players must defeat Brainiac, the main antagonist, in order to win the game. However, the ending cutscene reveals that Superman and the other members of his Regime remain in power, leaving players feeling like their efforts were for nothing. This has been a major source of disappointment for many fans and has caused many to lose interest in the game.
