8 Most Confusing Video Game Endings Nobody Understands

3. Ecco: The Tides of Time

At first glance, Ecco the Dolphin might seem like cute puzzle-solving porpoise action complete with a brooding soundtrack and rather lovely visuals. Under the surface, as it were, hides a surprisingly deep and complex plot, as after the first few levels things really take a dark turn and end with Ecco taking on the Vortex Queen inside an alien spaceship.

However, this is nothing compared to the sequel, which manages to up the levels of baffling to almost... well, baffling levels. After the main game closes, the player is able to chase the Vortex Queen to a time machine which she uses, threatening to destroy the world's ecosystem. For some reason, this doesn't work and instead all she accomplishes is manipulating things to such a degree that modern day insects are said to have all descended from her actions.

OK, with you so far. But wait: there's more! Ecco then uses the time machine as well and goes back to before The Atlanteans were wiped out. In the words of the game's mournful epilogue, he "disappears into the Tides of Time".

And that's it.

That's the end of the game. You get no understanding as to what Ecco's plan was nor why the Vortex Queen couldn't change things nor even why Ecco didn't at least follow her there to make sure. You just get... nothing. Which is as deflating as it is confusing.