10 Final Levels That Ruined Great Video Games

It's remarkable how iconic Half-Life became considering how universally reviled the last section is. The game up until this point has taken place in an industrial complex, which feels grounded. But in the third act, Gordon Freeman is dumped into the alien planet of Xen.

Although the change in aesthetic is drastic, it could work, at least in theory. After all, the enemies Freeman has been fighting originated from this world, so it's not completely out of the blue.

But it's not Xen's look that's the problem but its structure. Rather than traversing through a straightforward building like before, Freeman must navigate around abstract floating islands, making it feel disjointed and maze-like. The surreal landscapes lack clear visual cues for movement or objectives, making it easy to fall off or wander aimlessly.

The enemies on Xen are less varied and overpowered compared to those in the earlier sections. Fighting them on precarious platforms amplifies the difficulty artificially rather than through clever design.

Due to how influential Half-Life is, the anticlimactic ending can be forgiven. Nevertheless, it's a shame to see Valve's classic shooter fumble on the homestretch.