ComputerMKII
Banned
Most memorable:
- Castlevania : Lords of Shadow
The ending of Castlevania: Lords of Shadow is unique and precious for several reasons. First, it's intelligent in that you automatically have to wait for the credits in order to enjoy the second ending, which is actually the true ending - much more convincing than the post-boss ending, which is not so original and rather disappointing. As a result, when you can see Zobek enter a huge castle and rise up into the air, to a huge room filled with darkness, there comes suspicion. Suspicion then makes way for astonishment as you discover that the prince of darkness, Dracula, who goes towards Zobek, is none other than Gabriel Belmont, the hero you've played for several hours. Breathless, the player then realizes how important that revelation is, in the sense that Lords of Shadow, as a reboot of the saga, is part of the series' timeline as an original episode. However, while you barely have the time to stomach the revelation saying how -in the end- the Belmonts from the other Castlevania games had been fighting one of their ancestors, Zobek throws Dracula through a huge stained-glass window. That's when the second revelation happens, since you discover that the scene you've just witnessed doesn't take place in the Dark Fantasy world you've been allowed to appreciate all along your playthrough, but actually in our era, in some sort of megalopolis reminiscent of New York. A surprising way to introduce an already announced sequel, but also and above all, a way to surprise players in the very last seconds of the game.
- Sanitarium
Even though Sanitarium is a total experience which is better lived than told, praised be the writers of the game, given its answers are to be found in a conclusion worthy of The Usual Suspects or the lesser-known -but still as good- Swedish movie Sleepwalker. So, the conclusion of Sanitarium is the archetype of the well-done ending, in the sense that you discover the incredible truth in the very last minutes, the re-exploration (The original text said "la remontée en apnée", not sure how to translate) of your own psyche, even giving you answers about the psychedelic adventures you've just experienced through objects (such as a comic-book) which take you back to most locations you've visited. As a result, you understand that most of the people you've met were actually resurgences of real people, the first of which being the chief physician, gravitating around you while you were in a hospital bed, plunged into a nightmarish coma. Therefore, the ending feels astonishing in more than one way, since it allows the player to re-experience or re-think the game on a totally different angle, the same thing Braid or the intriguing Dead Light did later.
- Shadow of the Colossus
You can't deny it, Shadow of the Colossus is a divinely touching work, with multiple meanings. The universality of its plot, telling about love and suffering without a single wird, pierces even the hardestr hearts, to pour its flow of emotion directly into your soul. However, if every defeated colossus sends you into a mix of joy and sorrow, the final moment is so cruel towards the main character (Wander) that you can't help but shed a small tear. After bringing down mountains and losing his only companion in desolate lands, Wander finally thinks he's reached his one and only goal: saving Mono, a young girl sacrificed for obscure reasons. Unfortunately, the price to pay was immense, and the final scene may be the peak of that playable sequence in which you try to join Mono, a few steps away, struggling against some force that takes you towards certain death. A classic moment which has shocked many people and has marked the history of video games forever.
- Divinity II : Ego Draconis
Divinity II is, above all, a story. In fact, before discussing the ending, let's take a look at the synopsis. You play a hero from the Draconis order, which goal is to prevent Damian, the damned one who rules the Alliance of Darkness, to invade the world of Rivellon. Towards the beginning of the game, you fight Talanna, a Dragon Knight (hunted for a long time by the Draconis) who, when dying, transmits you his powers and tells us that there is a way to defeat Damian: reviving Igraine, his late spouse whom he was himself forced to sacrifice, a long time ago. Later, Talanna's voice guides you during the whole game. So, during entire hours, as you try hard to find a way to revive Igraine, you never question Talanna's revelations. Until the final twist when, after reviving Igraine, you realize you've been tricked all along! Igrain betrayed you, just as she once corrupted Damian, by impersonating Talanna. And the brave Zandalor got tricked too. As a result, not only Damian couldn't be defeated, but you've also allowed him to find back his spouse. So the final scene shows the evil couple as their armada gets ready to invade Rivellon. You witness the scene, powerless, from the astral prison you've been locked into. Brilliant or frustrating depending on your point of view, this epilogue hinted at a sequel nevertheless - which we've had with Divinity II: Flames of Vengeance.
- Braid
We can't say it often enough, Braid is one of the most intelligent videogames made in the past ten years, gameplay-wise as much as story-wise - the two elements are closely tied to each other, by the way. Indeed, beyond the excellent platforming game hides an incredibly rich plot, with at least three different meanings. Brilliant as a whole, the game also offers an admirable ending. So, you discover that the hero, desperate to join his princess as in some Mario game, isn't who you think he is. Then you see the princess running away, while you're about to join her, in order for her to find the knight who tried to ruin your plans all along. That's when the second interpretation truly comes in. There, you understand that the hero is more of a psychopath, who's desperate to get back with his ex-wife, who herself doesn't want him to since she's with her new boyfriend, symbolized by the knight, who's acting as the big bad guy. Let's notice that this interpretation comes with yet another version of the story, synonymous with a metaphor about the atomic bomb. Anyway, Braid remains an example of great storytelling by getting free from technical constraints. Number None Inc showed with prowess that you could choose a genre with easy access for everyone, while crafting a fine and mature scenario, which completely unfolds un the very last minutes.
- Silent Hill 2
If Silent Hill 2 is one of the fan's favorite episodes, it's mainly because of its scenario. Compared to the previous game and the third entry, Silent Hill 2 chose a much more psychological story. By the way, two theories are opposed among the community - the first one saying that everything James Sunderland has experienced was only in his mind - the enemies and other characters were, in the end, just avatars of his psyche, his doubts, his guilt, etc. If the second theory chose a more down-to-earth point of view, the game's ending makes you witness an event that the character can hardly accept - the murder of his wife Mary. Off-putting, you learn that the act, committed by James himself, was as much an act of despair as of mercy, in the sense that his wife was suffering from a disease we guess was incurable. So, if you find the five endings just like all the episodes in the series, the one shown below is the most powerful one. Supported by the haunting tunes of Akira Yamaoka, theplayer will have to find his wife's soul before he can accept his past in order to move on... unless, of course, if it was all a dream. As you can see, the ending itself used simple, fixed shots, with no frills, leaving the best spot for Mary's letter, which highlights all that you've been suspecting during the adventure. Certainly one of the most moving and tragit endings we've been able to see. (Video: http://www.jeuxvideo.com/dossiers/0...eme-silent-hill-2-pc-ps2-xbox-360-ps3-005.htm)
- Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
More movie-like than the previous episode, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater also remains a more human episode or, at least, an episode more focused around the series' characters. Snake Eater's ending, following one of the most incredible gameplay sequences in terms of empathy between a player and his avatar, transports us some time after The Boss's death. There, Kojima chooses a sober style, breaking radically from the more Hollywood-like moments we've seen before. It's not a trivial choice, it allows the player to really appreciate the journey of a man and to understand his choices better. Moving, this conclusion is also a superb homage to Snake's mentor and his influence on his disciple, supported by the magnificent music of Harry Gregson-Williams.
- Spec Ops : The Line
You probably didn't expect to see such a recent title in that list, but actually, Spec Ops: The Line does deserve its place. Even though studio Yager's game can be fit into the 'war game' genre, we're far from glorifying American troops. We must say that a game which draws inspiration stright from Joseph Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness' (which, by the way, inspired the film Apocalypse Now), you know what to expect: a dirty war, where men are forced to commit horrible acts in order to reach their goals. If the psychology of the main characters is put in the foreground all along the adventure, the final revelations can left some players stunned. As the hero carefully looked for the head of a batallion in a Dubai filled with sandstorms and corpses, the final meeting is a more than unexpected meeting. (Video there: http://www.jeuxvideo.com/dossiers/0...deo-8eme-spec-ops-the-line-pc-360-ps3-003.htm)
- Monkey Island 2 : LeChuck's Revenge
Monkey Island 2 : LeChuck's Revenge is a LucasArts game and, for this reason, it's always pleasant (even though it's not surprising) to find hints at some George Lucas movies. As a result, even though we'll laugh heartily when finding the hint at Empire Strikes Back, as LeChuck formally tells Guybrush he's his brother, the ending is what's truly memorable. Indeed, you discover that the entire adventure you've just experienced is actually a role-playing game between two kids in a theme park. Even though the conclusion doesn't question the previous or next episods, in a way that it's self-sufficient as a writers' joke, it's still just as exquisite, funny and especially most surprising.
- God of War II : Divine Retribution
God of War being an ode to barbarity of pixels, to heroism with muscles and an epic scope, the ending of any episode necessarily has to be an extension of all those qualities. God of War II: Divine Retribution does follow the rule indeed. Even better, it transcends it trough a monumental fight between Zeus and Kratos, ending with the "death" of Athena, iconic figure of tyhe series. Even though the battle is a great moment in itself, the writers literally hammer you afterwards thanks to a wonderful cutscene, with a 'twirling' travelling, ending with the Spartan, perched on the back of the Titan Gaïa, herself climbing to Olympus with her brothers. Mindblowing, all the more since said ending is an incredible cliffhanger and a big open door to a God of War III you'd expect to be divine in more than one way.
Source: http://www.jeuxvideo.com/dossiers/00017614/les-10-fins-les-plus-marquantes-du-jeu-video.htm
Most disappointing
- Ghost'n Goblins
You didn't expect this? All the better. Ghost'n Goblins is one of those mythical games that you at least have heard of, even if you were born long after it was released. And if you've only heard one word about it, it was necessarily 'hardcore'! Indeed, you can't describe this action/platforming game from 1985 without mentioning its horrible difficulty, the kind that provoke psychopathy, if not wars. Every pixel had no other ambition than to make you suffer and, unless you know the game by heart, only reflexes from outer-space could allow you not to fall dead like a piece of dung in the very first level. As was usual back then, the story fits on a Post-It since it's about the knight Arthur fighting Satan and his lackeys, in order to save the princess. Now, imagine yourself as the relentless player, who's played for three days non-stop and who, through a succession of miracles and phenomenal moves, finally gets to the final boss after experiencing infernal traps. After an intense fight, forehead sweating, you defeat Satan and you're getting ready for being covered with kisses from your promised. And there comes drama. Instead of praise, an ordinary message tells you that it was all an illusion from the demon, and you're back to the first level!
- Rage
It's not always easy to bash a FPS by the Id Software studio. We must say that these masters of the genre made us used to an exhilarating level of excellence, and veteran PC players won't deny it. With is post-apocalyptic universe and its resolutely old-school gameplay, Rage made people experience great shooter moments and is a blockbuster in every way... except the ending. After playing for more than ten hours, you finally activate the Arks to free the people, which was stuck underground for a long time! You necessarily expect a spectacular, stunning dénouement! You see a satellite sending information, Arks rising from the ground by the hundreds, a door opens and then... credits? Seriously?
- Shenmue II
Once more it's about an exceptional case, but since we like to break our own rules, why not do it? Indeed, the ending of Shenmue II didn't shock anyone when the game came out, and no fan would dare say it was disappointing, for fear of being stoned to death in public and dying with terrible pain. Built from the ground up as the end of a chapter, this ending was made as a launching pad for a third episode, already planned. So, Ryo and Shenhua discover a sword which unlocks a mechanism, revealing a representation of the Phoenix and Dragon mirrors, supposedly able to revive the ancient Qing dynasty. Closeup on the two main characters, a melody starts ringing louder and louder before a magnificent 'The story goes on' appears. Problem is, the story stayed there and Shenmue III has become an expression one uses to make numerous unsatisfied fans weep. More than a decade later, the end of the series (no matter how acclaimed by critics and players alike) still is considered as one of the biggest dramas of the video game microcosm, all things considered. One must admit that sales were more than disappointing, for a project that was, back then, one of the most expensive in the history of video games. Even though some still believe it can come back, we'll most likely never know the end of the story...
- Karateka
Karateka is a very special case, about which we've hesitated a lot before including it in this dossier. However, it's so funny we couldn't resist. When he shipped his game in 1984, Jordan Mechner (who later became the father of Prince of Persia) made a point not to talk about the final surpprise. As you control a hero who has to save princess Mariko, kidnapped by the evil Akuma, you explore a fortress, little by little, fighting enemies one after the other. Since you have to be prepared to defend yourself, for fear of being pulverized at the lightest touch of a finger, you constantly keep a fighting stance as you advance, room by room. After several fierce battles, you finally beat up the evil Akuma, marking the end of the game! Or is it? You can still control the character? Damn, let's walk slowly to see what's in the next room. Oh! Mariko! Finally! However, as the savior you are hopes for a kiss, or even more if possible, she welcomes you with this: (Video available there http://www.jeuxvideo.com/dossiers/0...le-ii-amstrad-cpc-nes-atari-st-c64-pc-007.htm)
Sorry? Is that a joke? No, no, she did actually one-shot you with a single kick, you who've just crushed the 12 Dan of the tough guy who held her captive! Notwithstanding the fact that, with such a high-kick, she would have certainly been able to free herself, you're wondering how one can make such a horrible ending... except you're the one who've made a mistake! In fact, in order to have the real ending, you should not have gone in with a fighting stance, but run into your promised one's arms instead! Yes, Mariko doesn't seem to like provocation. You're aware that, back then, you weren't really told anything and some gamers were certain that this punitive ending was the actual one... It does cast a chill indeed. We're going to show you the real ending anyway, to prove you she wasn't such a bitch.
- Halo 2
Oh, we haven't scratched the Halo series yet. May the fans be reassured, it's not gonna be really mean. We won't remind you of the intrinsic qualities of Halo 2, which have already been proven. Tough luck, you can't say that the ending has convinced everyone. Yes, it is the second episode of a trilogyu indeed, and unless you're completely stupid, everyone undertood that the conclusion wouldn't be such a super dénouement answering all questions. But, hell, we still have the feeling that the game stops in the middle of the action, while we were still eager for more, gamepad in our hands! "What do you mean it's over? But no, Master Chief is arriving on Earth right now! Oh, crap!"
- Star Wars : Knight of the Old Republic II
When you talk about surprising endings, the first Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic shows up. We can no longer count how many jaws that game made drop. So, the gamers who started playing the sequen of that interstellar role-playing game expected yet another spectacular scenario, with charismatic characters and mythical scenes, and we can't say that the Obsidian studio was misled. Once you face Kreia for a final battle, you start thinking of mutliple images and necessarily expect a stunning final cutscene. But how surprised were we, as, after a lightsaber battle, the conclusion is being told to us by Kreia herself, blabbering for ten years just to tell us what happened of our companions and the entire story of KOTOR II. There's even a several minutes' close-up on her face! She's not even pretty, by the way... We do agree that the voice acting is believable, but we were expecting something else, right? And if you're still wondering why that ending looked so 'low-budget', let us remind you that time (or the lack thereof) forced the studio to rush the product, even though the creators must have had planned something much more substantial. What a sad story.
- Metal Gear Solid 2
We know what you're about to say. When you talk about the MGS series, it's rather easy to bash the second game, which many consider the unpopular one because of the mere presence of the blond guy Raiden, who DARES send Solid Snake - the man with the eternal three days' stubble - to the background. However, we're the first to say that it's an excellent episode, terrificly crafted, which gave us some of the very greatest moments in video game history. However, it's unsure if the ending will remain a consecration... Of course, the series is known for its final cutscenes mixing politics and philosophy, and whoever has gone through the 45 minutes' conclusion of MGS4 without falling asleep can confirm that. But MGS2 accomplished the feat of being sleep-inducing and incomprehensible since the first second of its final sequence. By delving too much into philosophy, Snake states the obvious, accumulates paraphrases and would become almost comical if you couldn't see the clichés of american daily life. Special mention to the discussion between Raiden and his fiancée, worthy of the greatest soap operas, to some small 'lounge' tune which sounds like it was taken straight from some local jazzy bar. Even the fan of the series who's writing these lines has to admit - the ending of MGS2 is... extravagant, to say the least.
- Assassin's Creed: Revelations
The popular belief says that, when you talk about revelations, you're necessarily supposed to get the answer to a given question. However, at Ubisoft, that fact is not necessarily obvious. So, after focusing the entire marketing of Assassin's Revelations on the conclusion of Ezio and Altair's story, no need to say that the ending can only disappoint the players. Even though said ending can give a few bits of emotion, it's nevertheless way too sparing with true revelations, those being, in the end, only extensions of information you already knew. Moreso, if the final cutscene is impressive, it's also useful and useless at the same time, just like the final act which brings forth the next episode in a too conventional and clumsy way (what the hell is Desmond's father doing in the van?)...
- Super Mario Bros. 2
- Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver
Source: http://www.jeuxvideo.com/dossiers/00017603/les-10-fins-les-plus-decevantes-du-jeu-video.htm
