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ere

Doctor Who is finally back, it's been two weeks since I made one of these posts, I'm drowsy on allergy medicine, and I can't put up any picture directly related to our theme without spoiling something for someone. Why wouldn't I post a photo of David Tennant?

RetroforceGO! is a day late, Podtoid is a day early -- today is truly opposite day. After a two week hiatus, we're back to talk about videogame endings; our favorites, our least favorites, what works and what doesn't.

As always, we need reader questions: we record at 8 pm PST, so you've got until then to give us your most interesting, thought-provoking questions to be read on-air. The best question, or the question which results in the best discussion, will get $25 to the person who asked it.

Anything's up for grabs this week: since it's been a while since the last episode, go ahead and share any news pieces you'd like us to discuss. Or, just ask us something about videogame endings that we probably won't talk about on the show anyway (e.g., not "what do you think of multiple endings?"). Or, forego all that BS and ask us something totally unrelated. It's up to you.

Anyway, hit the just and get to askin'! 


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81 comments | showing # 1 to 50

razerangel's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 16:49
razerangel
Is the pricing and bundling of Rock Band in Europe a step too far?
Revolt in Colour's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 16:51
Revolt in Colour
Worst use of the "to be continued" type ending?
Def JM's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 16:53
Def JM
Not sure it anyone's played Insecticide (DS), but my question is when is it alright to not allow different control schemes, and when its better for the player to adopt? I always wait to judge controls based on what I"m used to, allowing time for adjustment but this is uncomprehendable.
Mxyzptlk's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 16:55
Mxyzptlk
So, what do you guys think of multiple endings?
SourceDecay's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 16:56
SourceDecay
Recent Atlusbomb. Arcana Heart, Baroque, Mana Khemia, Persona 3: FES. Discuss.
MissHinasaki's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 17:05
MissHinasaki
Doctor Who for the motherfuckin' win!
JTHomeslice's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 17:05
JTHomeslice
What kind of endings are you all fans of? I mean, like cliffhangers, happy endings, fucked up, twisted endings, etc.
Wexx's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 17:06
Wexx
Damn, it's been a while.
XivSpew's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 17:06
XivSpew
Are you as happy as I am that Thief 4 is getting produced/semi-confirmed?

Oh, and IMO the best ending of a game in recent memory was Hitman: Blood Money. First time through i just let the credits roll, but then when i found out you could rise from your deathbed and destroy everybody I (almost) wept for joy a little. Truly epic.
Rational_Jesus's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 17:06
Rational_Jesus
I love the ending to Shadow of the Colossus, just wondering what all of you thought of it. I've heard many different interpretations about the nature of Dormin and the creation of the Colussi, your thoughts?
Projectexodus's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 17:11
Projectexodus
Question: What kind of ending did you get the least satisfaction out of? You know... the kind of endings that makes you say "Thats it?".

Also I have a request. If you're going to spoil the endings of certain games, please list up wich games you have discussed the endings of when you post the podcast. Thanks! :)
Crackhippo's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 17:12
Crackhippo
have you ever played through a bad game just to see the ending?
for me it was Assassins Creed..and man, milk was a bad choice.
JohnTheCrow's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 17:12
JohnTheCrow
How do games' various types of endings, such as completely open ended games that have no ending like The Sims, games that continue after the "ending" like Oblivion or GTA, games that give you new game + files like Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy X-2, and games that just outright stop after the end, affect your decision to buy the game and the replay value of a game?
Cosades's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 17:13
Cosades
Is multiple endings in a game always a good thing? After all, if a game's story is linear, is it presenting anything that couldn't be experienced in a movie theater? (I'm just talking about the story, not the gameplay experience.)

OR

Are there some games that function better with a single ending? Take the example of ICO as a proud linear story and Bioshock as a game that might have been better without multiple endings. Can linear stories in games justify their place in an interactive medium?
AgentMOO's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 17:14
AgentMOO
Legend of Zelda: Link to the past was a great ending; I was a huge nerd and I taped it, watching it over and over on VHS.

Also on that tape I recorded every single ending from SF2 Turbo. People complain about fighter stories but the Street Fighter characters are just classic.






Hitman: Blood money was an amazing ending, please talk about the subtle interactive part. It seriously made me geekgasm when I realized what was happening. If you haven't played it, here's the summary below.

*BEGIN SPOILER*
Throughout the game, the menu is unfocused, and gradually clarifies on a casket as ave maria plays. As you progress in the game, you finally see it's your character in it. In the final scene you are killed with a poison, and the credits play while your heartbeat slowly fades out on the scene from the game menu... but you press on the joystick, and your heartbeat starts to come back. After doing this repeatedly you can come back to life and take the guns you are to be buried with to get your revenge.
*END SPOILER*
AgentMOO's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 17:19
AgentMOO
Also what do you think of the current trend of advertising the number of endings to a game? Do you think it spoils the experience to be looking for the trigger points in the game that will give you a "Good", "Evil" or "Gray" ending?





What do you think of the "Mad Libs" customized style such as Fallout 3 is purported to have? Do you think that the customized aspect panders to the consumer at the cost of sacrificing the creative license of the author?
Nubc4kes's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 17:21
Nubc4kes
I want to expand on Mxyzptlk's question:

Half-Life 2: Episode 2 is one of the most effective endings I can think of, but it is the same ending for everyone. What is your favorite game where the ending is dependent on player choice?
spinseffingcool's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 17:27
spinseffingcool
hey i just started listening and i think you guys are awesome, but i was wondering how well do you think a game would do if it had a horribly offensive name but was supposed to be the greatest game ever?
njsykora's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 17:28
njsykora
Can a good Doctor Who game be made without going too far down the blazing action route?
Kif 's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 17:36
Kif
What ist he worst ending you've ever seen for a video game, and why did you find it so bad? I know I can't be the only one bored to death with the same old "You're the real bad guy" cliche.
Kif 's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 17:37
Kif
is the*

Stupid keyboard.
AngelsDontBurn's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 17:38
AngelsDontBurn
OH BOY! :D
Evil Cheese's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 17:40
Evil Cheese
I want stories. About almost anything. GO!
Face's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 17:45
Face
Did anyone else find that aborting a giant fetus at the end of Half Life was not as awesome as it should have been?
Dexter345's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 17:47
Dexter345
Related: Do you like it when the game lets you keep playing after the proper ending, in order to tie up loose ends and whatnot, or do you prefer the standard "keep you at your last save before the end?

Unrelated: Seriously, how awesome would virtual reality be with the technology we have today? Why don't we see this happening?
Gangles's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 17:48
Gangles
Dr. Who is back? woohoo!
Sharpless's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 17:51
Sharpless
For Tiff:



Now, to serious business: I'm sure Rev will mention the Half-Life series, so I won't bother. I know everyone will hate me for mentioning this, but I'm still a really big fan of the endings to Halo 1 and 3. I mean, regardless of your feelings towards the Halo series, driving an army jeep through (A) an exploding ship and (B) a crumbling alien world is fucking awesome. The latter experience is especially enjoyable when played with three friends.

Sorry. That's what I got.
sleepingagain's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 17:53
sleepingagain
the best endings are those 30 seconds of audio at the end of podtoid where Aaron says something that makes .tiff cringe
smurfee mcgee's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 17:58
smurfee mcgee
Question: Have you ever been so pissed off at a game's ending that you never play said game again?
SenorCalavera's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 17:59
SenorCalavera
In my experience, the majority games will begin their ending when you defeat the final boss and the rest of the story is told in cutscene. However, a small number will allow you to explore post climax for a short period, allowing you to discover an ending of their own (more recent examples being the half life episodes, especially 2, Splinter Cell: DA, and maybe CoD4 with the airplane. Do you find this as a more effective story ending technique or would it be better just to go to cut scene, credits, then title screen as everyone else does.
Dan CiTi's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 18:03
Dan CiTi
Charles Barkley Shut Up and Jam: Gaiden and the Metal Gear Solid series endings.
aborto thefetus's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 18:03
aborto thefetus
I have a question that I hope you in all your infinite wisdom can answer:

Why does every Resident Evil game end with an explosion?

Seriously, there is nothing that pisses me off more than a game that ends with you running away from a building that is about to self-destruct. It's been done so many fucking times I am just tired of games doing it.

Does this bother you anywhere as much as it does me?
Tpete2008's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 18:04
Tpete2008
Catherine Tate's his new companion, right?? Cuz I remember her from the Runaway Bride, but then she kinda just left on her own. Lauren (her char. name) should make a good companion, since the last few never really ripped on him like she does.
Ferros's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 18:04
Ferros
I've got a question for you Rev. Why the hell did they replace Freema Agyeman with Catherine Tate? Worst casting change ever...
Dr Spaceman's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 18:05
Dr Spaceman
Ok, so I've recently finished Resident Evil 4 and I loved the that game. The ending was good, definiately not the best. One thing I did like about it though was the interactiveness of it, (and the game as a whole). So, do y'all enjoy interactive cutscenes and endings, like in Resident Evil 4, and why?

Also, I am so glad y'all are back!!
episodic's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 18:06
episodic
No more Catherine Tate in Doctor Who! She's rubbish, her own seris is rubbish, and she's just rubbish! Bah. Bring back Christopher Eccleston.

Urm.. let me go think up a question, my brain just exploded out of hatred for Catherine Tate.
Dr Spaceman's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 18:08
Dr Spaceman
Ok, so I've recently finished Resident Evil 4 and I loved the that game. The ending was good, definiately not the best. One thing I did like about it though was the interactiveness of it, (and the game as a whole). So, do y'all enjoy interactive cutscenes and endings, like in Resident Evil 4, and why?

Also, I am so glad y'all are back!!
Tamz's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 18:17
Tamz
I like a good definitive ending, it's one of the reasons i quite enjoy the Final Fantasy games, I know that at the end of the game there will be a definite ending that'll wrap the game up nicely.
However occasionally I do wish such a game would be brought back for a sequel - so do you guys have any games that were given a definitive endings that you'd like to see given a sequel?
Topher Cantler's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 18:26
Topher Cantler
Totally passing you.
Tiff's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 18:35
Tiff
@Sharpless

Those Douchelocities do not pertain to my interests. That photo should exist in tandem to the Oxford English Dictionary definition, however. Good job!
Zombutler's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 18:44
Zombutler
My Question:

If you could change the ending of any game, what would it be, and why?
DanGale's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 18:45
DanGale
Thank you Reverend, for brightening up my day with some Doctor-ness. I was really surprised at the ending to the first episode. To tease us so early was a bold move. I'm sure they'll drop it now until the time comes later in the series, but it would be a huge cock tease to do something like that every episode taking place in the modern day.

My favourite ending to a video game was Wind Waker. Okay so it wasn't SPECTACULAR, but it captured the essence of the game and threw me some bones I love so much. Other than that though I really liked the ending to Megaman 2. I found it somewhat tragic and yet still with hope. Of course that's just nonsensical bullshit, but I was 5 and liked to interpret my own ideas.

Consequently do you prefer endings where you are told in concrete what happens to the characters after the game or do you prefer those where it is left to interpretation? That's pretty much aimed at everyone too.
CaptainApocalypse's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 18:48
CaptainApocalypse
Portal wins Best Ending Ever. Period.
RJG's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 18:52
RJG
Catherine Tate is awesome. Redhead too. Best companion ever!
weedgan's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 18:53
weedgan
QUESTION 1:

Exactly how hard do your nipples get for GTA IV?

For ladies too.
Wedge's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 18:54
Wedge
Why does it sound like there is a fly in my modem?
animateria's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 18:58
animateria
At the ending of Crisis Core...



*SPOILER ALERT*

Why is Genesis taken away by a Shinra Copter. And quote LOVELESS again about how he will return.

*SPOILER ENDED*


Does he return in some shape or form in FF7 that I missed?

Or is this another way for Square Enix to make another spin off?
Resonance's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 18:59
Resonance
What are your thoughts on how interactive storytelling affects the quality of endings? (negative or positive).

Things like the use of cutscenes, silent protagonists, utilising gameplay throughout the ending and avoiding storytelling techniques altogether.
Nogarda's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 19:08
Nogarda
Q: What is your Favorite BAD ending in a videogame?

(additional possibility could be a game ending you just thought was bad overall.)

my example would be:
Panzer Dragoon Saga had a really good bad one, hero [edge] is left in some sort of limbo, his love interest is left to wander the world and he lets all his bandit friends down.
BlackSunEmpire's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 19:08
BlackSunEmpire
I hate the overly obvious plot twist which is so banal in its delivery that I predicted it before the game was even inserted into my console/PC. I find it detracts from the overall experience when I have to stifle a groan as the 'twist' is revealed.

I understand that stories seem to require a 'twist' to drive the story along. But would no twist at all be better than another 'the person who has been giving you all the information is actually the bad dude' storyline?? I know I for one, would probably be more surprised, after waiting for a twist that never happened.
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