Gaming
Games
The Best and Worst Endings in Games
Oh, Bioware, what have you done? "We would like to dispel the perception that we are angry"
Halo 4 already has a spot on the MLG
© [unknown]
In case you are blissfully unaware of this spoiled weeping and wailing, it's because some gamers who have finished Mass Effect 3, the final part of the trilogy, aren't very happy with how it ended. And so they are demanding, with as straight a face as they can muster between the heaving sobs, that Bioware actually write a new one just for them. Diddums.
To be clear, everyone is perfectly entitled to like or dislike any ending as he or she sees fit. But for gamers to suggest, pitifully, that they have a "right" to the one they "deserve". Well, it'd be embarrassing if it wasn't so funny.
The one wonderful thing to come out of this, though, is that the campaign has raised $70,000 for Child's Play to generate awareness for its "mission". Which is brilliant, so good on everyone who has donated. It's the only cause in any of this that makes the slightest bit of sense.
Anyway, with game endings all over the news this week, let's take a look at the best and the worst to grace the small screen. Warning: spoilers. (Well, duh.)
The Good
Super Mario World (SNES)
Regarded (rightly) by many as the greatest game of all time, it has the ending to match. From the heart-shaped firework and blushing Mario, to that glorious organ theme and then the grand, Yoshi-hatching finale, it's the perfect close to a near-perfect platformer.
Portal (PC, Xbox, PS3)
Cake. And a song. What more do you want? Valve repeated the formula for the BAFTA Best Game-winning sequel, with another Jonathan Coulton composition, but the first time was best.
Red Dead Redemption (Xbox, PS3)
Rockstar's old west masterpiece actually has two endings: the murder of John Marston and then his son's revenge in the epilogue. It's the former that really stirs, with the brilliantly written, performed and directed demise of a gaming legend.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Wii)
Since the landmark Ocarina of Time on N64, Nintendo has never held back on the climax of Link's adventures. But Skyward Sword upped the ante, yanking at the heart strings until grown men were reduced to tears.
Shadow of the Colossus (PS2, PS3)
When you've put in as much effort as is required to conquer the colossi in this cinematic show-stopper, you expect a decent pay-off. And, like the rest of this beautiful game, the ending is in no rush to part company with the awestruck player.
The Bad
1942 (NES, arcade)
It's far too easy to point and laugh at the endings of games from the '80s. But, even by the standards of those days, this one takes the piss.
Borderlands (PC, Xbox, PS3)
Before Gearbox made a bit of a fool of itself with Duke Nukem Forever, it was roundly hailed for this brilliant shooter-RPG. Hundreds of hours were poured into it. And what did players get at the end of it all? Badly letdown. Hurrah!
Halo: Combat Evolved (Xbox, Xbox 360)
All the Halo whining seems to be reserved for the ending of Halo 2. I've never really understood people's problem with a cliffhanger. And anyway, what about the original Halo? Wonderful game, but the ending? Rubbish.
Knights of the Old Republic II (PC, Xbox)
It is not unreasonable to expect, after scores of hours slogging through this vast RPG, a satisfyingly sizeable conclusion. Instead, players got something the work experience kid apparently knocked out on his lunch hour.
Jurassic Park (SNES)
You almost have to admire the chutzpah. Having escaped the island, the game simply displays the intro sequence on rewind to make it look like you're flying away to freedom. As if they didn't think anyone would notice.
The Damn Right Weird
Amped 3 (Xbox)
And here's a bonus one for you. I can't decide whether this is genius or a complete waste of everyone's time. Either way, it is certainly worth a watch.
