10 Final Levels That Ruined Great Video Games
These video games were doing everything right... until the homestretch.
There are key moments in a video game which the developers have to nail to leave a lasting impression. The opening should introduce key mechanics in a way that's easy to follow without being overwhelming. Plot twists and character deaths must be handled with care in order to have an emotional impact.
Another aspect of game design that'ds absolutely crucial is the final stage. Players should've mastered all their skills at this point, so the last section is the perfect opportunity to put everything to the test. Whether the level takes the form of an enemy-packed arena, a slew of puzzles, or a boss-rush, it's important it feels satisfying, challenging, and epic.
But if the final area sets the difficulty too high, introduces an awkward mechanic, or concludes with an uninspired boss battle, it can overshadow everything that came before. Some players will walk off slightly jaded while others will be compelled to rethink their entire opinion on what they initially thought was a masterpiece.
Even though these ten entries are awesome for the most part, each of them failed to stick the landing.
10. The Eye Of The Storm - Dead Space 2
After the success of Dead Space, the sequel had a lot to live up to. Fortunately, the follow-up maintained the claustrophobic gameplay of its predecessor, while implementing a wider variety of weapons and mechanics. It also added an array of abilities like Kinesis and Stasis, which mades puzzles and combat more interactive.
After completing the iconic eye surgery moment in the third act, players should be expecting a dread-inducing finale. Instead, the last section shifts to fast-paced action, reminiscent of a generic shooter. The enemies aren't varied or strategically demanding, sapping away any potential tension.
The sequence is dominated by scripted events, making players feel like audience members, not participants. It's impressive to look at, but it feels like a spectacle rather than a turning point in the story.
Although climaxes tend to be cinematic, it doesn't fit the tone here at all. Dead Space is survival horror above all else, so it's baffling to see action and thriller tropes thrown in at the last minute.
What makes this decision stranger is the fact Dead Space's finale worked perfectly. If this sequel replicated the style of the original's last level, it could've avoided this issue.