If in doubt, steal somebody else's idea for the topic of your own
post. Specifically, I'm borrowing the idea from the website SVG* where
they post a list of '5 Classic Video Games That Were Ruined By Their
Final Level'.
[Their list included, for those of you too lazy to click
the link: Ghosts 'n Goblins; Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's
Revenge; Fable II; Mass Effect 3; and Assassin's Creed
III. There, I saved you some reading. ;-)]
I'm not sure I agree with their selection, but I agree with the
concept. A lot of games are let down by their lackluster finales. Then
again, endings are hard... and creating a satisfying ending for video
games --especially modern video games-- is harder. I mean, how do you
bring an experience that gamers may have spent 60 to 100 hours (or
more!) playing to a suitably pleasing end? I mean, if you've spent
that much time playing, just the fact that the game is ending is disappointing already!
I'm not sure I've ever had a game 'ruined' by its ending, but I know
I've walked away from plenty of games left unfulfilled by how it
concludes. This, of course, has been a problem facing games for years;
heck, back in the 8-bit you'd be lucky to even GET an ending. Too many
games would have you kill the end boss, then present you with a
single-line "You won" screen before dropping to the command prompt.
Still, whenever I think of a game that had an unsatisfying ending, the
first game that comes to mind is "Dying Light". The game itself was
quite a mixed bag, but its final boss fight was little more than a QTE
(and, really, the only battle in the entire game to use that
mechanic). So not only didn't you get to kill the boss yourself, but
it dumped an entirely new mechanic on you last-moment. It felt
extremely low-effort. It's arguably not the worst ending but it's the
one that first pops into my head whenever the topic of 'bad endings'
comes up.
(But fuck "Eye of the Beholder's" ending too! ;-)
What game do you think of first when it comes to 'bad endings'?
----
* the expected link to the article. https://www.svg.com/2077331/classic-video-games-ruined-final-level/
Spalls Hurgenson <spallshurgenson@gmail.com> wrote at 16:43 this Tuesday (GMT):
What game do you think of first when it comes to 'bad endings'?
Sonic Generation's final boss has been memed on a lot. Other than that,
idk I haven't played any story based games lately and nothing really
stands out?
[Can I nominate 1996's adventure game, "Mission Critical". That
was an interesting sci-fi story well told, and even if its
ending wasn't conclusive, it left you with a lot to think
about... like good sci-fi should!]
Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's
Revenge
If in doubt, steal somebody else's idea for the topic of your own
post. Specifically, I'm borrowing the idea from the website SVG* where
they post a list of '5 Classic Video Games That Were Ruined By Their
Final Level'.
[Their list included, for those of you too lazy to click
the link: Ghosts 'n Goblins; Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's
Revenge; Fable II; Mass Effect 3; and Assassin's Creed
III. There, I saved you some reading. ;-)]
I'm not sure I agree with their selection, but I agree with the
concept. A lot of games are let down by their lackluster finales. Then
again, endings are hard... and creating a satisfying ending for video
games --especially modern video games-- is harder. I mean, how do you
bring an experience that gamers may have spent 60 to 100 hours (or
more!) playing to a suitably pleasing end? I mean, if you've spent
that much time playing, just the fact that the game is ending is disappointing already!
I'm not sure I've ever had a game 'ruined' by its ending, but I know
I've walked away from plenty of games left unfulfilled by how it
concludes. This, of course, has been a problem facing games for years;
heck, back in the 8-bit you'd be lucky to even GET an ending. Too many
games would have you kill the end boss, then present you with a
single-line "You won" screen before dropping to the command prompt.
Still, whenever I think of a game that had an unsatisfying ending, the
first game that comes to mind is "Dying Light". The game itself was
quite a mixed bag, but its final boss fight was little more than a QTE
(and, really, the only battle in the entire game to use that
mechanic). So not only didn't you get to kill the boss yourself, but
it dumped an entirely new mechanic on you last-moment. It felt
extremely low-effort. It's arguably not the worst ending but it's the
one that first pops into my head whenever the topic of 'bad endings'
comes up.
(But fuck "Eye of the Beholder's" ending too! ;-)
What game do you think of first when it comes to 'bad endings'?
----
* the expected link to the article. https://www.svg.com/2077331/classic-video-games-ruined-final-level/
On Fri, 23 Jan 2026 16:00:06 -0000 (UTC), candycanearter07
<candycanearter07@candycanearter07.nomail.afraid> wrote:
Spalls Hurgenson <spallshurgenson@gmail.com> wrote at 16:43 this Tuesday (GMT):
What game do you think of first when it comes to 'bad endings'?
Sonic Generation's final boss has been memed on a lot. Other than that,
idk I haven't played any story based games lately and nothing really
stands out?
I'm not enough into Sonic games to remember that one. Honestly, after
the first two, I can't remember which ones I even played. There was
the one where Sonic kissed a human girl, I think? And the one where he
turned into a werewolf? I really don't remember. I'm not even sure
which games in the franchise I have played, and which I haven't. Did I
play Generations? Without going to Mobygames to update my memory, I've
no idea.
[Even after I've check MobyGames, I'm not entirely sure...
but I don't think I did.]
But for reasons espoused in my earlier post, a lot of game endings, ultimately, are disappointing. It's /hard/ to say goodbye to a beloved
game, especially one that you've dedicated days or weeks or even
months of your life to finishing. All the more since many modern
open-world games barely have an ending to begin with.
It might be easier to list games that actually HAD good endings that
gave you the feels. ;-)
[Can I nominate 1996's adventure game, "Mission Critical". That
was an interesting sci-fi story well told, and even if its
ending wasn't conclusive, it left you with a lot to think
about... like good sci-fi should!]
Spalls Hurgenson <spallshurgenson@gmail.com> wrote in >news:4tg7nkd8m1uo55ucgooudqsb05c60i5cou@4ax.com:
[Can I nominate 1996's adventure game, "Mission Critical". That
was an interesting sci-fi story well told, and even if its
ending wasn't conclusive, it left you with a lot to think
about... like good sci-fi should!]
I remember liking that game a lot back then.
Currently available on GOG forf 1.39 USD, I wonder if it'll run under Windows 11?
On 1/20/2026 5:43 PM, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:
Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's
Revenge
Look, I hated the ending. But you have to admit it had a very Monty
Python and the Holy Grail energy to it, exactly the kind of humor that
game was going for.
Spalls Hurgenson <spallshurgenson@gmail.com> wrote:On Sun, 25 Jan 2026 00:38:05 -0000 (UTC), ant@zimage.comANT (Ant)
What game do you think of first when it comes to 'bad endings'?
What about the ending boss level like in Fire Hawk (Thexder 2) game? >https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qbFVY2d6aM for a video. I finished this >game on my IBM PS/2 model 30 286 10 Mhz PC, but geez this final boss was >lame.
[I went and re-downloaded the game from GOG. It runs happily
under Windows 11 using DOSBox.]
Spalls Hurgenson <spallshurgenson@gmail.com> wrote:On Sun, 25 Jan 2026 00:38:05 -0000 (UTC), ant@zimage.comANT (Ant)
wrote:
What game do you think of first when it comes to 'bad endings'?
What about the ending boss level like in Fire Hawk (Thexder 2) game? >https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qbFVY2d6aM for a video. I finished this >game on my IBM PS/2 model 30 286 10 Mhz PC, but geez this final boss was >lame.
Well, you're welcome to hate on it... but as you are one of only six
people to have actually played that far in the game, I'm not sure many
people will be able to relate. ;-)
I myself had to go see for myself.
https://youtu.be/PO4ojYq3Scg?t=5686
I can't say that end-boss will win any awards, but compared to the
rest of the game it seems okay. The visual design is interesting, at
least, even if it does seem a bit of a bullet sponge and you've little
room to manuever. But that's par for pretty much the entire game. And
the ending cutscene is neat.
Although the version I watched was the MSX2 version; maybe the PC
version was different. I wouldn't know. I'm not one of the Six! ;-)
[I went and re-downloaded the game from GOG. It runs happily
under Windows 11 using DOSBox.]
Spalls Hurgenson <spallshurgenson@gmail.com> writes:
[I went and re-downloaded the game from GOG. It runs happily
under Windows 11 using DOSBox.]
Thanks. I tried to buy Mission Critical but turns out I already have it
on GOG, should've checked my library first. I don't think I've played
this since 1998 or so. I remember I did like it, especially the gentle
intro where the game told you exactly what your situation is and what
you need to do next. Bit of a departure from typical adventure games.
The drone battle thing was also fun although I remember that while it
was easy enough to win in a practice fight I couldn't win the real
deal. Or couldn't be arsed to grind since the game again held out a
helping hand, it could play and win the battle for you :)
What about the ending boss level like in Fire Hawk (Thexder 2) game?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qbFVY2d6aM for a video. I finished this >> >game on my IBM PS/2 model 30 286 10 Mhz PC, but geez this final boss was >> >lame.
You could had used my link!
On Sat, 24 Jan 2026 23:58:06 +0100, Gottfried Neuner
<kyonshi@wilderland.ovh> wrote:
On 1/20/2026 5:43 PM, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:
Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's
Revenge
Look, I hated the ending. But you have to admit it had a very Monty
Python and the Holy Grail energy to it, exactly the kind of humor that >>game was going for.
I know a lot of people detested the game for its ending. I can't say I
found it all that satisfying either. But I didn't hate it. Like you
said, it was offbeat (and certainly unexpected*). Also, I think
LucasArts redeemed themselves and the ending with the start of the
next game.
Not my favorite ending, no. But not one --for me at least-- that
ruined an otherwise fun game.
----
* Just like the Spanish Inquisition!**
** I bet you didn't expect that!***
*** NOBODY expects the Spanish Inquisition!****
**** Now fetch the comfy chair!!!!
If in doubt, steal somebody else's idea for the topic of your own
post. Specifically, I'm borrowing the idea from the website SVG* where
they post a list of '5 Classic Video Games That Were Ruined By Their
Final Level'.
[Their list included, for those of you too lazy to click
the link: Ghosts 'n Goblins; Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's
Revenge; Fable II; Mass Effect 3; and Assassin's Creed
III. There, I saved you some reading. ;-)]
What game do you think of first when it comes to 'bad endings'?
On Mon, 26 Jan 2026 01:07:24 -0000 (UTC), ant@zimage.comANT (Ant)
wrote:
What about the ending boss level like in Fire Hawk (Thexder 2) game?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qbFVY2d6aM for a video. I finished this >> >game on my IBM PS/2 model 30 286 10 Mhz PC, but geez this final boss was >> >lame.
You could had used my link!
I could have. You provided a link to a playthrough the PC version's
final level; much more appropriate!
I have to admit, I completely blanked out on the EXISTENCE of the URL
you provided. I just didn't see it. It's like my brain saw the
gibberish-y format of YouTube's URL and just said, 'nope, just move on
to the next word'. ;-)
The music (and to some degree, the visuals) on the MSX version is so
much nicer though. The URL I provided gets right to the boss-battle
without three minutes of faffing about in the maze first ;-)
But yeah, my URL was unnecessary. Apologies for that.
On 1/20/2026 8:43 AM, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:
[Their list included, for those of you too lazy to click
the link: Ghosts 'n Goblins; Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's
Revenge; Fable II; Mass Effect 3; and Assassin's Creed
III. There, I saved you some reading. ;-)]
I don't remember ME3's ending which is the only one of those I've played
to the end.
What game do you think of first when it comes to 'bad endings'?
The original ending of Fallout 3 before they fixed it with a DLC is what >comes to mind. It didn't ruin the game, but it was definitely
disappointing you died to make safe water.
On Sat, 24 Jan 2026 23:58:06 +0100, Gottfried Neuner
<kyonshi@wilderland.ovh> wrote:
On 1/20/2026 5:43 PM, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:
Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's
Revenge
Look, I hated the ending. But you have to admit it had a very Monty
Python and the Holy Grail energy to it, exactly the kind of humor that
game was going for.
I know a lot of people detested the game for its ending. I can't say I
found it all that satisfying either. But I didn't hate it. Like you
said, it was offbeat (and certainly unexpected*). Also, I think
LucasArts redeemed themselves and the ending with the start of the
next game.
Not my favorite ending, no. But not one --for me at least-- that
ruined an otherwise fun game.
----
* Just like the Spanish Inquisition!**
** I bet you didn't expect that!***
*** NOBODY expects the Spanish Inquisition!****
**** Now fetch the comfy chair!!!!
On Mon, 26 Jan 2026 15:59:36 -0800, Justisaur <justisaur@yahoo.com>
wrote:
On 1/20/2026 8:43 AM, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:
[Their list included, for those of you too lazy to click
the link: Ghosts 'n Goblins; Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's
Revenge; Fable II; Mass Effect 3; and Assassin's Creed
III. There, I saved you some reading. ;-)]
I don't remember ME3's ending which is the only one of those I've played
to the end.
In its essence: fight your way to the Crucible, and make a choice for
one of three endings (although you may get fewer options depending on
your 'military readiness' score. These included:
<ROT13>
- Qrfgebl gur Erncref naq nyy NV (raqvat gur 50,000 lrne plpyrf bs qrfgehpgvba)
- Pbageby gur Erncref (tvivat Furcureq gur novyvgl gb gryy gur erncref
jung gb qb), be
- Zretr jvgu gur Erncref, jurer NV naq betnavp yvsr shfr gbtrgure va n
arj sbez bs yvsr.
- Ershfny Raqvat (ninvynoyr va gur rkgraqrq irefvba cngpu) unf
Furcureq ershfr gb pubbfr, juvpu zrnaf gur Erncref jva naq gur plpyrf pbagvahr
</ROT13>
In the original game, regardless of your choice, you got a nearly
identical ending cinematic, with the primary difference being whether
the lights were red, blue or green. The patched extended edition added
a few tweaks.
The similarities between the endings were... not well received.
Myself, I didn't mind the endings themselves, but the lack of effort
to diffentiate them was rather a let down.
What game do you think of first when it comes to 'bad endings'?
The original ending of Fallout 3 before they fixed it with a DLC is what
comes to mind. It didn't ruin the game, but it was definitely
disappointing you died to make safe water.
Mostly because your sacrifice was predicated on your entering a high-radiation area and you had a party member who could easily
survive that. It was such an obvious oversight that it angered a lot
of people.
Not me, though. I didn't have Fawkes in my party so it was never an
option. What, allow one of those murderous abominations to travel with
me? I think not! I left him in bloody gibbets in Vault 87!!! ;-)
On 1/27/2026 7:25 AM, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:
On Mon, 26 Jan 2026 15:59:36 -0800, Justisaur <justisaur@yahoo.com>
wrote:
On 1/20/2026 8:43 AM, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:
[Their list included, for those of you too lazy to click
the link: Ghosts 'n Goblins; Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's
Revenge; Fable II; Mass Effect 3; and Assassin's Creed
III. There, I saved you some reading. ;-)]
I don't remember ME3's ending which is the only one of those I've played >>> to the end.
In its essence: fight your way to the Crucible, and make a choice for
one of three endings (although you may get fewer options depending on
your 'military readiness' score. These included:
<ROT13>
- Qrfgebl gur Erncref naq nyy NV (raqvat gur 50,000 lrne plpyrf bs
qrfgehpgvba)
- Pbageby gur Erncref (tvivat Furcureq gur novyvgl gb gryy gur erncref
jung gb qb), be
- Zretr jvgu gur Erncref, jurer NV naq betnavp yvsr shfr gbtrgure va n
arj sbez bs yvsr.
- Ershfny Raqvat (ninvynoyr va gur rkgraqrq irefvba cngpu) unf
Furcureq ershfr gb pubbfr, juvpu zrnaf gur Erncref jva naq gur plpyrf
pbagvahr
</ROT13>
In the original game, regardless of your choice, you got a nearly
identical ending cinematic, with the primary difference being whether
the lights were red, blue or green. The patched extended edition added
a few tweaks.
The similarities between the endings were... not well received.
Myself, I didn't mind the endings themselves, but the lack of effort
to diffentiate them was rather a let down.
Ah, that doesn't even makes sense that's the worst ending of a game
ever.. It's just typical 'choices don't matter' I only ever played it
once to the end, so I didn't notice.
On Mon, 26 Jan 2026 15:59:36 -0800, Justisaur <justisaur@yahoo.com>
wrote:
On 1/20/2026 8:43 AM, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:
[Their list included, for those of you too lazy to click
the link: Ghosts 'n Goblins; Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's
Revenge; Fable II; Mass Effect 3; and Assassin's Creed
III. There, I saved you some reading. ;-)]
I don't remember ME3's ending which is the only one of those I've played >>to the end.
In its essence: fight your way to the Crucible, and make a choice for
one of three endings (although you may get fewer options depending on
your 'military readiness' score. These included:
<ROT13>
- Qrfgebl gur Erncref naq nyy NV (raqvat gur 50,000 lrne plpyrf bs qrfgehpgvba)
- Pbageby gur Erncref (tvivat Furcureq gur novyvgl gb gryy gur erncref
jung gb qb), be
- Zretr jvgu gur Erncref, jurer NV naq betnavp yvsr shfr gbtrgure va n
arj sbez bs yvsr.
- Ershfny Raqvat (ninvynoyr va gur rkgraqrq irefvba cngpu) unf
Furcureq ershfr gb pubbfr, juvpu zrnaf gur Erncref jva naq gur plpyrf pbagvahr
</ROT13>
In the original game, regardless of your choice, you got a nearly
identical ending cinematic, with the primary difference being whether
the lights were red, blue or green. The patched extended edition added
a few tweaks.
The similarities between the endings were... not well received.
Myself, I didn't mind the endings themselves, but the lack of effort
to diffentiate them was rather a let down.
What game do you think of first when it comes to 'bad endings'?
The original ending of Fallout 3 before they fixed it with a DLC is what >>comes to mind. It didn't ruin the game, but it was definitely >>disappointing you died to make safe water.
Mostly because your sacrifice was predicated on your entering a high-radiation area and you had a party member who could easily
survive that. It was such an obvious oversight that it angered a lot
of people.
Not me, though. I didn't have Fawkes in my party so it was never an
option. What, allow one of those murderous abominations to travel with
me? I think not! I left him in bloody gibbets in Vault 87!!! ;-)
Spalls Hurgenson <spallshurgenson@gmail.com> wrote at 15:25 this Tuesday (GMT):
On Mon, 26 Jan 2026 15:59:36 -0800, Justisaur <justisaur@yahoo.com>
wrote:
On 1/20/2026 8:43 AM, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:
[Their list included, for those of you too lazy to click
the link: Ghosts 'n Goblins; Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's
Revenge; Fable II; Mass Effect 3; and Assassin's Creed
III. There, I saved you some reading. ;-)]
I don't remember ME3's ending which is the only one of those I've played >>>to the end.
In its essence: fight your way to the Crucible, and make a choice for
one of three endings (although you may get fewer options depending on
your 'military readiness' score. These included:
<ROT13>
- Qrfgebl gur Erncref naq nyy NV (raqvat gur 50,000 lrne plpyrf bs
qrfgehpgvba)
- Pbageby gur Erncref (tvivat Furcureq gur novyvgl gb gryy gur erncref
jung gb qb), be
- Zretr jvgu gur Erncref, jurer NV naq betnavp yvsr shfr gbtrgure va n
arj sbez bs yvsr.
- Ershfny Raqvat (ninvynoyr va gur rkgraqrq irefvba cngpu) unf
Furcureq ershfr gb pubbfr, juvpu zrnaf gur Erncref jva naq gur plpyrf
pbagvahr
</ROT13>
In the original game, regardless of your choice, you got a nearly
identical ending cinematic, with the primary difference being whether
the lights were red, blue or green. The patched extended edition added
a few tweaks.
The similarities between the endings were... not well received.
Myself, I didn't mind the endings themselves, but the lack of effort
to diffentiate them was rather a let down.
I sure do love games where your choice of ending is down to a clear >signposted choice at the end.
What game do you think of first when it comes to 'bad endings'?
The original ending of Fallout 3 before they fixed it with a DLC is what >>>comes to mind. It didn't ruin the game, but it was definitely >>>disappointing you died to make safe water.
Mostly because your sacrifice was predicated on your entering a
high-radiation area and you had a party member who could easily
survive that. It was such an obvious oversight that it angered a lot
of people.
Not me, though. I didn't have Fawkes in my party so it was never an
option. What, allow one of those murderous abominations to travel with
me? I think not! I left him in bloody gibbets in Vault 87!!! ;-)
I believe FO3 got a patch to change the patch later. Also, apparently
FO3 wasn't a very good Fallout game anyways (not speaking as a FO fan)
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