Disappointing endings to games ( warning discussion of HL2 )
by Jarrod Roberson · in General Discussion · 11/29/2004 (7:44 pm) · 42 replies
How can someone spend 5 years making a game with a story and create such a completely crappy ending.
I mean it is no better than the original Doom ending with the vertically scrolling STILL image!!!!!!
I mean they go to all this trouble to try and create characters that you care about, quality voice acting, and a story ( which ) I thought was no better than a James Bond movie or the last Matrix movie that was just an excuse to string together a bunch of action sequences.
I think the ending was just slack and a complete pandering to set up a sequel. After all that you get the equivelent of the end of the original Doom!
Man Valve was completely LAZY and dropped the ball on the ending for sure.
I mean it is no better than the original Doom ending with the vertically scrolling STILL image!!!!!!
I mean they go to all this trouble to try and create characters that you care about, quality voice acting, and a story ( which ) I thought was no better than a James Bond movie or the last Matrix movie that was just an excuse to string together a bunch of action sequences.
I think the ending was just slack and a complete pandering to set up a sequel. After all that you get the equivelent of the end of the original Doom!
Man Valve was completely LAZY and dropped the ball on the ending for sure.
About the author
#22
11/30/2004 (1:37 pm)
At least halo one had a good ending. but this makes the potentialy extremely long wait for halo 3 even longer. they've already started on it its for Xbox 2.
#23
well I would have had an ending ( if that is what the writer intended ), what you got after the last fight in HL2 was not an ending, it should have just said "To Be Continued" at least that would be something with more closure.
11/30/2004 (2:17 pm)
Quote:I am not looking to troll here, but I have to ask those who didn't like the ending, how would you have ended it if it were your game?
well I would have had an ending ( if that is what the writer intended ), what you got after the last fight in HL2 was not an ending, it should have just said "To Be Continued" at least that would be something with more closure.
#24
I was very dissapointed that the ending was so unfinished. It did not make me want to play H3 because I knew I would have to buy another Xbox to get it. $200 plus to play H3, no thanks. Part of the reason I bought Torque was so I could create games that are fun and run on the hardware I have.
Another problem with H2 is the more locked in game play. I don't think there was a single level where you could finish checkpoints out of order. Part of the fun of H1 was doing things out of sequence. Another attraction to H1 was the "twist". Oh yeah, there is this other nasty alien... Any twist in H2 was expected although very cool I admit.
I guess the skinny of this long winded critique is: not impressed by the ending, and H3 may have to be a 10 year from now second hand store afterthought.
BTW, I never did buy a N64 or Gamecube even though I owned the NES and SNES. So either I out grew them or I got sick of proprietary hardware/software.
Thanks,
Frank
11/30/2004 (3:06 pm)
I had a feeling M$ was going to string out H2 into H3 so that they could sell Xbox 2. However, before I get H3 the new Xbox better be hackable. One of the main reasons I bought the Xbox was that I knew I could put Linux on it. Even though I have not yet done that, my Xbox is still stock unhacked. I was very dissapointed that the ending was so unfinished. It did not make me want to play H3 because I knew I would have to buy another Xbox to get it. $200 plus to play H3, no thanks. Part of the reason I bought Torque was so I could create games that are fun and run on the hardware I have.
Another problem with H2 is the more locked in game play. I don't think there was a single level where you could finish checkpoints out of order. Part of the fun of H1 was doing things out of sequence. Another attraction to H1 was the "twist". Oh yeah, there is this other nasty alien... Any twist in H2 was expected although very cool I admit.
I guess the skinny of this long winded critique is: not impressed by the ending, and H3 may have to be a 10 year from now second hand store afterthought.
BTW, I never did buy a N64 or Gamecube even though I owned the NES and SNES. So either I out grew them or I got sick of proprietary hardware/software.
Thanks,
Frank
#25
11/30/2004 (3:22 pm)
The ending sounds good to me in Half-Life 2 because during the game there were little bits of closure which is all you really get in actual life. The part where you hang out with Alex and play fetch with dog is priceless ... it was a little bit of closure for a moment and then BAM it's off for more ... but it made that little moment you had so much sweeter. If that's not just like life (and the up and down makes it beautiful) then I don't know what is.
#26
11/30/2004 (4:39 pm)
Right on, jeremy!
#27
Personally, the game is the bast game ever made to me. Jeremy, you really have to see the ending to get and oppinion. I just played the ending once again and it really wasn't that bad if you think about it. It's just more the shock and sorrow of it beeing over that makes it seem like a bad ending.
Max
11/30/2004 (4:40 pm)
Well,Personally, the game is the bast game ever made to me. Jeremy, you really have to see the ending to get and oppinion. I just played the ending once again and it really wasn't that bad if you think about it. It's just more the shock and sorrow of it beeing over that makes it seem like a bad ending.
Max
#28
11/30/2004 (5:18 pm)
Sence games are alot like movies I just wanted to mention that one movie that had a good ending was Butterfly Affect.
#29
Haven't played H2 or HL2, so, oh well...
11/30/2004 (5:22 pm)
Never seen that one, though, I did see it in an ad. Looked cool. :P Haven't played H2 or HL2, so, oh well...
#30
11/30/2004 (5:33 pm)
Halo 2's ending was crap... Bungie has let me down... They say thier not making an H3... If they dont know they know their entire team will be assassinated by someone... I mean SOOOOO many people are pissed off about it
#31
Max
11/30/2004 (6:05 pm)
All I have to say is that they better make a HL3 or the whole valve and sierra teams will be assassinated by me.Max
#32
you hardcores sound like junkies!
you got your second fix, now you need a third...
(just one more, I swear!)
((...I can quit anytime...))
11/30/2004 (9:24 pm)
Are we making games or are we making drugs here?you hardcores sound like junkies!
you got your second fix, now you need a third...
(just one more, I swear!)
((...I can quit anytime...))
#33
11/30/2004 (9:27 pm)
For the record, there is no Sierra team. Vivendi killed them a few months ago. 
#34
11/30/2004 (11:44 pm)
I have to agree with Adam about the ending of HL2, it had a kind of stomach wrenching beauty to it. You have just begun to genuinely care for all the people's plight in the game and suddenly at the end you are ripped away from it all and it's just you and the gman...brilliant, if a little 'film noir'.
#35
12/01/2004 (1:30 am)
At least the original Call of Duty finished with the war ending.. Not much one could do after that, except maybe go home and find some guy's been having an affair with your missus.. Guess that could start another game.. "Revenge of the Jilted GI"
#36
I hate games that end and then the next game is meant to carry on from it but there is no flow. Problem recently is that everyone wants a real definate ending where things are wound up and the game/film explained in full.
12/01/2004 (1:36 am)
I thought Halo 2 had a great ending left it open for Halo 3. Bungie never said they arent making a 3rd one. They just said its not likely be their next game. Of course they will make Halo 3 on Xbox 2 since there is too much money in it for them not to.I hate games that end and then the next game is meant to carry on from it but there is no flow. Problem recently is that everyone wants a real definate ending where things are wound up and the game/film explained in full.
#37
Huh? That was exactly what Jeremy meant. He liked the ending, it was just like real-life to him.
On the subject, I think the ending was marvelous.
12/01/2004 (3:41 pm)
@Max Thomas:Huh? That was exactly what Jeremy meant. He liked the ending, it was just like real-life to him.
On the subject, I think the ending was marvelous.
#38
What I always wondered through Half-Life 1, "Who was that guy in the bluish suit? I know he is called the G-Man but what a weird name for a stalker." (Exactly what I thought, word for word)
What I would like to see, in the end of the Half-Life series, the G-Man opens his gaping maw of doom and eats Gordon, then no more "Free Man" (Dr. Breen).
My favorite character in the Half-Life series is the G-Man, I think he is the coolest.
Then comes Lamarr. the most under used character the entire game. (I would like to play a free mod or game were you could go on as Lamarr)
I really hate Gordon Freeman, even though he is like me (A geek, kill aliens and zombies).
12/01/2004 (4:58 pm)
I have not beat Half-Life 2 (yet) but I knew how it ended somewhat.What I always wondered through Half-Life 1, "Who was that guy in the bluish suit? I know he is called the G-Man but what a weird name for a stalker." (Exactly what I thought, word for word)
What I would like to see, in the end of the Half-Life series, the G-Man opens his gaping maw of doom and eats Gordon, then no more "Free Man" (Dr. Breen).
My favorite character in the Half-Life series is the G-Man, I think he is the coolest.
Then comes Lamarr. the most under used character the entire game. (I would like to play a free mod or game were you could go on as Lamarr)
I really hate Gordon Freeman, even though he is like me (A geek, kill aliens and zombies).
#39
12/01/2004 (6:30 pm)
Is it just me or can people not read for comprehension, this thread had NOTHING to do with Bungie, Microsoft or Halo in anyway, it was about Half-Life 2????? 
Robert Brim