8 Fantastic Fourth Wall Breaks That Blew Gamers Minds

3. Borderlands €“ Dr. Ned Tears Down The Credits

Dr. Ned Do you remember that Old Spice advert where Terry Crews decides to tear through the end of his own advert because his body spray is just too damn powerful? No? Well here it is, and apologies for the spamming repeats of the ending €“ it€™s the only clip I could find featuring just this advert). What you just saw €“ you€™re welcome. Anyway, the first Borderlands manages to pull off such Terry Crews-esque feats but in videogame form, and for that reason alone we should be worshipping it. I€™ll explain. In one of Borderlands' DLC you have to go an assault Dr Ned, who is guarded by zombies in the predictably named €˜Zombie Island of Dr. Ned.€™ When you confront the big guy, you fight him for a bit and he dies, the credits roll and you€™re left deflated by an anti-climax. You€™re pretty sure it€™s over €“ you even unlocked the trophy/achievement for game-ending, for god€™s sake. Yet then, Dr. Ned pulls a Terry Crews, battering down the credit screen and coming back as an undead monster. Personally, I love this twist, entirely because it gazumps you with some good old-fashioned deceptive mechanics. Again, you thought it was all over, and the game knew you thought this €“ but suddenly, BAM! There€™s Ned, and you€™ve got a whole other awesome fight going on. It€™s a great subversion of expectation, and that€™s what makes it belong on this list. If Gearbox had been half as inventive when they resurrected Duke Nukem, they might€™ve turned the mega-flop into a hit.
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Contributor

Durham University graduate and qualified sports journalist. Very good at sitting down and watching things. Can multi-task this with playing computer games. Football Manager addict who has taken Shrewsbury Town to the summit of the Premier League. You can follow me at @Ed_OwenUK, if you like ramblings about Newcastle United and A Place in the Sun. If you don't, I don't know what I can do for you.