15 Controversial Video Game Endings That Still Infuriate Fans Today
Ever rage-quit so hard your controller almost became a projectile? You poured hours into the journey, aced every challenge, and thought you were about to claim ultimate victory.
Then… BAM! The credits roll, leaving you with a gut punch of an ending that feels like a betrayal of epic proportions.
Welcome to the Hall of Infamy: 15 video game endings that continue to infuriate fans to this day.
From seemingly nonsensical plot twists to utter annihilation of your meticulously crafted character, get ready to relive the fury (and maybe learn a spoiler or two). Buckle up, gamers, because this list is about to trigger some serious PTSD.
1. Mass Effect 3
The ending of Mass Effect 3 left many fans feeling betrayed. Throughout the series, players made choices that were supposed to significantly impact the story.
However, the final decision led to almost identical outcomes, making fans feel like their decisions were meaningless. This perceived lack of agency in the story’s conclusion sparked widespread frustration.
2. Fallout 3
Fallout 3’s original ending forced players to sacrifice themselves to activate a water purifier, even when companions immune to radiation could do the job. It seemed like a forced story device, this irrational option.
Fans were so upset that the developers released a DLC to change the ending, allowing other characters to make the sacrifice instead.
3. Assassin’s Creed II
Assassin’s Creed II ended with a confusing revelation involving an ancient alien goddess. This twist, where the protagonist meets a holographic figure from an ancient civilization, abruptly shifts the story’s direction.
It left many players bewildered and dissatisfied, as it introduced complex lore without clear answers, setting the stage for future games instead of resolving the current plot.
4. Halo 2
The abrupt cliffhanger in Halo 2 left fans hanging. The game ended with Master Chief’s cryptic words, “Sir, finishing this fight,” followed by the credits.
There was no resolution to the intense build-up, forcing fans to wait three years for the sequel. Many were unhappy with the abrupt, unresolved finale.
5. BioShock
BioShock’s ending depended on whether players saved or harvested little girls called “Little Sisters.” If they missed saving even one, they received a dark ending where the protagonist becomes a villain.
A lot of players believed they had played morally but were penalized for a single error, which undermined their efforts throughout the game. Such a harsh penalty infuriated them.
6. Monkey Island 2: LeChuck’s Revenge
In the end, Monkey Island 2 revealed that the whole experience was a kid’s fantasy set in a theme park. Fans felt this twist invalidated their journey, making the whole game seem pointless.
The backlash was so strong that the developers retconned this ending in the sequel, starting the next game by suggesting the previous conclusion was a spell-induced illusion.
7. Borderlands
After hours of battling through the game, players expected a grand treasure in Borderlands’ vault. Instead, they fought a tough boss and found nothing inside the vault. This anticlimactic ending made the game feel like a bait-and-switch, leaving players feeling their efforts were for nothing.
8. Dead Rising 4
Dead Rising 4’s base game ending was decent, with the protagonist sacrificing himself so his friends could survive. However, the true ending, where the protagonist survives and must find a way to escape, is locked behind paid DLC.
Fans were outraged at having to pay extra for the complete story. Many felt let down and taken advantage of by this action, which was perceived as a clear cash grab.
9. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
A significant revelation near the end of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain indicates that the player has been commanding a different character than anticipated.
It felt like a bait and switch when this information was revealed. Fans were upset as it undermined the story’s buildup and left many plot threads unresolved.
10. No Man’s Sky
No Man’s Sky promised a grand exploration experience, but its original ending was simply reaching the center of the galaxy and being reset to the start. Players felt this was anticlimactic and lacked any real payoff. The lack of a meaningful conclusion left many feeling cheated.
11. The Last of Us Part II
The Last of Us Part II ends on a note that many fans found unsatisfying. Ellie’s decision to let Abby go and then return to an empty home felt like a betrayal of her character arc. Fans were divided over this ending, with some feeling it didn’t provide proper closure.
12. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II
The ending of Knights of the Old Republic II was rushed due to development constraints. Many plot points were left unresolved, and the final scenes felt incomplete. Fans were frustrated as the game had built up a complex story that needed to be properly concluded.
13. Fable II
Fable II’s ending allows players to choose between wealth, the resurrection of loved ones, or a statue in their honor. Many felt these choices lacked depth and meaningful consequences. The abruptness of the ending left players feeling unsatisfied.
14. Deus Ex: Human Revolution
As the game ends with a choice that determines humanity’s fate, the outcomes are presented through nearly identical cutscenes.
Players felt their selections were shallow as a result of this resemblance. It could have been preferable if there had been clear consequences for every decision.
15. Star Ocean: Till the End of Time
Star Ocean: Till the End of Time reveals that the game’s universe is a computer simulation, undermining the entire story.
This twist felt disconnected from the narrative and trivialized the characters’ struggles. Fans were upset as it made their journey feel inconsequential.
