Writing a movie or show isn’t easy, as so many things need to be taken into consideration. From characters' motivations to their personalities, a writer needs to be very mindful when forging their concepts into words. However,video game writing takes that challenge to a whole new levelbecause of the player’s interactability. In games such asGrand Theft AutoorMarvel’s Spider-Man, gamers are in control of their journeys as they explore a living, breathing virtual city at their own pace.
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Hence, the writer’s job is to make sure everything makes sense regardless of a player’s playstyle. Some games do a great job at it, while others do not so much. Let’s look at a few titles where the writing failed, especially at the end.
10Bioshock Infinite
BioShock Infiniteis a 2013 game that is the third main title in the popular first-person shooter series. At the time of its release, it was one of the most ambitious story-driven games that did a lot to live up to its hype. As a result,BioShock Infinitebecame one of the most popular games of the yearand won a handful of awards.
That said, the game did drop the ball when concluding their mind-bending storyline, which showed the main character drowning as the camera panned away and the screen cut to black.
9Borderlands
Borderlandswas supposed to redefine cooperative gameplay mechanics and give players a lovely universe to explore. Fortunately, it kept many of its promises and became one of the most popular four-player co-op shooters of 2009. From quirky dialogues to fun mission design and thousands of weapons,Borderlandsdidn’t disappoint.
However, it completely ruined the storyline by delivering one of the most abrupt endings in video game history. At the end of the game, the popular action RPG decided to cut to credits after the final boss with a pointless outro and no real reward.
8Inside
Insideis a 2.5D puzzle platformer that came out in 2016 for PC and consoles. It’s one of the best games in its genre and has brilliant level-design and simple gameplay mechanics. In the game, players control a little boy running away from guards while making his way through a forest.
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The game does most of its storytelling through obscure environments as the boy travels through different locations. Unfortunately, the game ends abruptly when the main character turns into a monster and falls near a beach.
7Half-Life 2: Episode 2
Half-Lifeis one of the many popular franchises from Valve. The games are also some of the best sci-fi releases of all time, mainly because they cover topics such as time travel, aliens, etc. However, the main reason fortheir success is the storyline and world-building, which is excellent inHalf-Life 2.
Unfortunately, the game takes a u-turn inHalf-Life 2: Episode 2by leaving the gamers on a cliffhanger and ending with the death of a side character and fading to black. A cinematic could’ve helped.
6Dark Souls
2011 is one of the best years in video game history. FromBatman: Arkham CitytoTheElder Scrolls: Skyrim, most of the notable titles that were released that year are still acclaimed, and for good reason. However,Dark Soulsis the only game that redefined an entire genre and built a new one called Souls-like.
The title isone of the best RPGs and does a lot to live up to its hype.However, it leaves most players with an unsatisfying ending by showing a poorly made cinematic that isn’t close to the detailed intro.
5Too Human
Not many rememberToo Human. At its core, this Microsoft-exclusive title is an action role-playing game that revolves around Norse Mythology. However, it does a lot of creative things to shake things up. In this game, every god is a cybernetically augmented warrior, and the world is a weird mix of sci-fi & fantastical elements.
Hence, the game goes wild with its concepts and storyline, which makes it quite engaging. Unfortunately, it ends without completing the plot.
4Dishonored
Dishonoredis a cult-classic game that stunned everyone when it came out in 2012. This game is one of Bethesda’s most outstanding properties, as it ditches the usual RPG formula for action and stealth. In the game, players assume control of the main character, Corvo, who someone gets tangled in the murder of the empress.
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Hence,Dishonoredis about uncovering the truth and hoping for the ultimate finale. Unfortunately, the game doesn’t deliver a good ending. Instead, it cuts to the score screen right after the final kill.
3Rage
Rageis a first-person shooter and vehicular combat game that came out in 2011. The Bethesda Softworks title is most known for its awe-inspiring visual style and the use of mega textures that define its unique look. In terms of gameplay,Ragedoesn’t do something wholly different from other games in its genre, except it is a lot more atmospheric and set in an extraordinary post-apocalyptic world with an excellent backstory.
Unfortunately, that is all the game really achieves, as its storyline is pretty lackluster. Moreover, the ending is worse, where players press a button that triggers a short cinematic, and the game concludes.
2Halo 2
TheHaloseries needs no introduction, as almost everyone knows about its fun multiplayer. However, the same is not valid for single-player campaigns, as they’ve always been a bit of a hit & miss. Most would agree that the latest game,Halo Infinite, is a disappointing experience in the series.
At the same time,Halo: Spartan Assaulthas to be the weakesttitle regarding the main story. Yet, even the worst of games in the series do not compare toHalo 2,which ends without a conclusion.
1Sniper: Ghost Warrior
Sniper: Ghost Warriorcame out in 2010, the same year populargames likeRed Dead Redemption,Super Mario Galaxy 2,Mass Effect 2,Alan Wake,BioShock 2, Mafia 2,God of War 3,Call of Duty: Black Opsand more hit the market. Hence, it faced much competition from all sides, which didn’t favor it.
But, even if there were no good games that year,Sniper: Ghost Warriorwould’ve been a terrible experience because of its awful ending. After all, the game literally cuts to the “THE END” screen when players take their final kill.
