10 Long Video Games That Fall Apart At The VERY End
5. Xenogears
Squaresoft, as they were known pre-2003 Enix merger, were renowned for their epic RPG's at the turn of the century. Several Final Fantasies, Legends and Secrets of Mana, Front Missions, Triggers and Crosses... and Xenogears.
It would take far too long to recap the story here, but suffice to say; it is huge. Taking on god(s), a Soylent Green part, various dynasties and generations, split personalities across millennia, there is a lot going on.
For the most part, the pacing is fine. Set over two discs, Fei's journey is a good fifty-plus hours of cracking gameplay and narrative. It's the last 25% or so that falls apart.
Clearer a grander scale than anticipated, it becomes apparent that the last act was rushed. After setting up some massive deicide-like confrontation, Xenogears fumbles its pacing by pretty much rushing through the last of the plot threads.
What took hours to establish is rushed through, as is the journey to get to Deus. It does conclude the story, thankfully, but the whole experience feels like Squaresoft just wanted it done before any money was spent on a project so ambitious.