The worst video game endings

11 days ago, by Enzo

Throughout the history of video games, certain endings have left a lasting impression on players thanks to their emotional impact, ingenuity, or narrative power. But... not all of them. Some endings are flawed, frustrating, or simply absurd, sometimes leaving a bitter taste in the mouth after hours of adventure. In this article, we look back at the worst video game endings: those we didn't expect, those that disappointed us, or even those that made us facepalm. Let's take a look back at those moments when developers sadly missed the mark.

After a fast-paced game across numerous regions, the ending of Far Cry 6 seems surprisingly simple and rushed. While it may come as a surprise at first, the ending is meant to be tragic, but quickly falls flat. After an ending phase and a final boss that doesn't quite live up to the expected intensity, we're left wanting more, and we can almost conclude: well... is that all there is to it?

The Callisto Protocol has been criticized for its ending, which leaves more questions than answers. The storyline, which is already confusing at times, ends abruptly with a cliffhanger that frustrates rather than amazes. The characters' motivations and the main issues at stake remain unclear, giving the impression that the entire game was building towards a conclusion that never reaches its full potential. In short, the ending is unclear and lacks punch.

The ending of Pokémon Scarlet (and Pokémon Violet) is often considered disappointing because it concludes an open-ended and ambitious adventure in a rather flat manner. The final battles lack tension and surprises, and the main story ends abruptly, leaving some mysteries and secondary narrative arcs unresolved. For a game that focuses on exploration and customization, the ending clearly lacks punch and emotional reward.

The final phase of Dying Light 2 is often criticized for its lack of consistency and clarity. Despite a choice system that is supposed to influence the story, the conclusion offers few significant variations, making the player's decisions seem inconsequential. Those who replayed the game hoping to discover a radically different ending were left disappointed. The ending is rather rushed and narratively weak. It leaves character arcs and storylines unfinished, which is disappointing after dozens of hours of exploration and missions.

On a slightly different note, Batman: Arkham Knight offers an ending that didn't appeal to everyone. Beyond the disappointment some players felt with the storyline, the game's full endings require completing all the side missions, which is very time-consuming, as well as collecting the Sphinx trophies (the mystery man in the game). The first Borderlands game, although appreciated by the community, failed to deliver an ending that pleased everyone. Throughout the game, we are teased with the promise of a mysterious treasure... only to end up facing an unexpected boss and leaving without any real reward.

Atomfall is another title that is often mentioned when discussing disappointing endings in video games. It is often seen as “anticlimactic” because, after an immersive and intriguing adventure, the conclusion feels like a simple sequence of images or text, without any real staging. Despite the multiple endings, none of them provide a truly satisfying resolution: the consequences of choices, the identity of certain characters, or the fate of the protagonist remain unclear or too open-ended.

There are some other games with disappointing endings. Fallout 3 offers an abrupt ending before the Broken Steel DLC. Initially, it is impossible to use certain companions in the final scene, a choice that is perceived as forced. Halo 2, meanwhile, leaves a brutal cliffhanger with no resolution, the conclusion coming later in Halo 3, which frustrated many players upon release. Finally, No Man's Sky, at launch, ultimately leaves nothing but an impactless ending loop: the player arrives at the “center of the universe,” which reveals nothing and sends them back to the beginning.

In conclusion, bad video game endings remind us that even the most ambitious universes can stumble when it comes to wrapping things up. Rushed endings, failed twists, or choices that seem to have no consequences... There is no shortage of ways to mess up an ending, which can leave players with a bitter taste in their mouths after hours of fun. Paradoxically, it is sometimes these disappointing endings that ultimately remain etched in the memory.