I know this is probably a topic that has been beaten to death on many blogs, LAN parties, and D&D sessions. Maybe it's just that this is something that's bothered me for some time. Maybe it's just the fact that like the title says, I do feel like a whore on a Wednesday (apparently that's a slow day for them [I made that up]). Or maybe it's because I'm up at work at 5:30 this morning and I'm tired or slightly delirious.

Yeah, that must be it.

Anyway, have you ever played a game that took you on such a crazy roller coaster ride that you couldn't wait for the ending? You put so much time, so much effort into leveling up your character or learning certain strategies to get past all these puzzles and mazes that you feel that you've EARNED a big payoff. You want that money shot. Yet you get the equivalent of "two girls one cup". Ok maybe that was harsh, but you get the idea.
Developers, I understand that gameplay must and should come first, and hey, that's the way I like it too. But if you want to involve a story in your game, come on, work with me. Don't take a player through your crazy concoction and not give me a satisfying ending. Make me feel good when I beat your game. Don't give me a 2 second CGI clip then scroll Thanks for Playing! onto the screen. I understand that you may want to leave things open for a reason for possible sequels and such. But if you leave me and the gang unsatisfied with the videogame equivalent of The Happening (gosh what a stupid movie), we will be annoyed. Granted, we are a very picky bunch so anything less than perfection and well, you get sharted on. Just try and give it some effort though? Finish the game up with maybe something fun like at the end of Sam and Max Hit the Road or a nice little wrap-up of where or how the characters are and how situation X effected them. Think less like the end of Halo 2, Gears of War(1 and 2), FEAR, Condemned, or Half Life and more like the end of Grim Fandango, Prince of Persia, or Under a Killing Moon. Wow, I had to go back to think of some good endings. But I may be wrong. I haven't played everything under the sun so I can't say for sure if the quality of endings has become better or worse. But regardless, that's just how I feel and dagnammit, I'm sticking to it.

But what are your thoughts? Which games in the past 5 or so years do you feel have made you feel a bit short changed? Which games made you feel all warm and gooey inside?