subject: Top 5 Endings That Killed Good Video Games [print this page] 3. The Lion King3. The Lion King
If there was one movie tie in video game that was actually fun to play, it was The Lion King released in 1994. In fact, when it was released, many movie games were actually pretty cool - unlike today. However, the ending of this game was awkward to the point of hilarity. After defeating Scar by throwing him off the edge of a platform, your run to the end, rain starts to fall and you stand there roaring for way too long. Then, we are shown a screen that is easily trumped by pop up books as far as action and intensity is concerned. All of this is backed up by a cheesy medley of music from the Disney movie that just seems to take turns invading our comfort zone. This is all capped by a James Earl Jones impression saying that you now rule the world. Great
2. The Legend of Zelda
Imagine that you have just saved the world. You have defeated evil and are about to have your way with the princess. What would you expect? Cheers from the populace? A gift of some sort? A speech about your bravery? How about if someone said - Thanks man. You're pretty cool. I guess the story is over now. That about sums up the ending of The Legend of Zelda. Now, don't get me wrong. It was a Nintendo game and we couldn't expect a spectacular cut scene. However, you just saved the world. A Link to the Past had a very simple but fantastic ending that brought many gamers near tears recalling their journey. The Legend of Zelda was just stale and anti-climactic. In order to be a good ending, we have to be satisfied that we don't really care what happens next. This didn't do it for most gamers.
1. Fable II
Many will question the inclusion of Fable 2 at the very bottom of this list. Of course, it comes from personal experience. Technically, the game really doesn't end. However, most players put their controllers down after the "innovative" choice ending that you were forced into following what is possibly the worst final boss fight of all time. The vast majority of players were still shocked that it took one shot to end what was supposed to be the final epic confrontation with the villain against which you had built such hate throughout the game. This made the 3 selection choice at the end a strange conclusion. The problem here was that most gamers made the obvious choice. You probably didn't care about the villagers because, honestly, most were just jerks to you the whole game or were just a backdrop for the story.
If you took the time to level up a few professions, you had plenty of money. So, of course, you chose love and got your dog back. But, to do what? There was no conflict remaining and, without conflict, there wasn't any story. Sure, you could continue taking out cookie cutter bandits but for what? This ending was supposed to be a powerful conclusion to the game but ended up being an insulting faux wrap up. The joy of finding your loyal dog back at the dock passed in a few minutes of fetch and you were left with pretty much nothing you couldn't do in real life. And that is not a good game.
