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 level because of the player's interactability. In games such as Grand Theft Auto or Marvel’s Spider-Man, gamers are in control of their journeys as they explore a living, breathing virtual city at their own pace.
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.
10 Bioshock Infinite
BioShock Infinite is 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 Infinite became one of the most popular games of the year and 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.
9 Borderlands
Borderlands was 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, Borderlands didn'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.
8 Inside
Inside is 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.
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.
7 Half-Life 2: Episode 2
Half-Life is 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 for their success is the storyline and world-building, which is excellent in Half-Life 2.
Unfortunately, the game takes a u-turn in Half-Life 2: Episode 2 by leaving the gamers on a cliffhanger and ending with the death of a side character and fading to black. A cinematic could’ve helped.
6 Dark Souls
2011 is one of the best years in video game history. From Batman: Arkham City to The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim, most of the notable titles that were released that year are still acclaimed, and for good reason. However, Dark Souls is the only game that redefined an entire genre and built a new one called Souls-like.
The title is one 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.
5 Too Human
Not many remember Too 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.
4 Dishonored
Dishonored is 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.
Hence, Dishonored is 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.
3 Rage
Rage is 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, Rage doesn’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.
2 Halo 2
The Halo series 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 Assault has to be the weakest title regarding the main story. Yet, even the worst of games in the series do not compare to Halo 2, which ends without a conclusion.
1 Sniper: Ghost Warrior
Sniper: Ghost Warrior came out in 2010, the same year popular games like Red Dead Redemption, Super Mario Galaxy 2, Mass Effect 2, Alan Wake, BioShock 2, Mafia 2, God of War 3, Call of Duty: Black Ops and 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 Warrior would’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.