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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 # 51 to 81

Jetsetlemming's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 19:14
Jetsetlemming
Which game in which ended with the hero fighting a giant monster baby had a better giant monster baby related ending- Half-Life, or Parasite Eve 2?
Rational_Jesus's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 19:15
Rational_Jesus
Almost forgot- Bad Dudes had the best ending ever. How can ya beat a burger with Ronnie?
Necros's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 19:15
Necros
It seems that, almost always, games go with the "Hollywood ending": everything works out in the end for the hero and he/she saves the day/resolves the conflict/becomes the best Pokemon master in the world. How come, unlike other forms of media, we never see games where the hero loses, except as non-canonical alternate endings resulting from poor in-game choices? Is it just because gamers would not accept a depressing ending?
MissHinasaki's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 19:16
MissHinasaki
Hey, Rev?

Since you're my hero, would you be interested in answering a few questions for me (an interview) for a paper I'm writing about video games and violence?
Jetsetlemming's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 19:16
Jetsetlemming
Oh lol, I just remembered Parasite Eve 1 also ended with a baby fight, though that baby wasn't nearly so giant, and it grew up and finally became a 1 hit KO blue goo dolphin looking thing in the end.
naia-the-gamer's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 19:34
naia-the-gamer
Having finally finished Bioshock I'm curious about what you guys think about the etiquette of spoilers. Without actively looking for it I found one of the big surprises in the game about who a certain person REALLY is, but I managed to keep everything else in the dark so it was still enjoyable finding out all the intricacies of the game. But I have to wonder when is it appropriate to talk about major spoilers in games. It seems like for example it's okay to talk about Aeris's death in FF7 or Nei's death in Phantasy Star 2, but Bioshock has been out for less than a year. Is it really fair to assume that every hardcore gamer out there has had the time/money to play Bioshock if they wanted to by now? I'm not trying to gripe, but I'm just curious as to where the line is and what you think.
NihonTiger90's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 19:46
NihonTiger90
Which game ending is a guilty pleasure for you?
Eschatos's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 19:57
Eschatos
Great, I just managed to catch up with all the old Podtoids.
TheRemedy's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 20:01
TheRemedy
She's so damn horrendous
liquidninja's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 20:05
liquidninja
How many people buy games based on Game Reviews?
and
Is "Journalistic Integrity" just one of those phrases like "Good Sportsmanship" where there is know evidence that anyone posses such attributes?
Samit Sarkar's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 20:05
Samit Sarkar
What naia-the-gamer said. Seriously, seeing “Atlas is Fontaine” splattered all over the internet and knowing that that’s a HUGE spoiler for BioShock makes me sad, because I won’t have the opportunity to play it until the summer. Hell, I probably won’t even be able to listen to this podcast (like the characters episode) because I’m assuming you’re going to talk about BioShock, the Half-Life series, and the Metal Gear Solid series; I haven’t played any of those games (sadly).
naia-the-gamer's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 20:47
naia-the-gamer
@Samit:

If you've managed to avoid hearing anything else about the game I still have to say there are a lot of cool little twists to enjoy. Just knowing about Atlas to me is only scratching the surface.
Coonskin05's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 20:54
Coonskin05
My question is sort of a spinoff of Samit's question.

Why are we as gamers, so selective as to an acceptable ending spoiler and an unacceptable ending spoiler? Case in point, if you said "Atlas is Fontaine" within the first week of Bioshock's release, people would have been calling for your head on a stick, however withing 24 hours of Portal's release people were gleefully screaming "The Cake is a lie."
Jetsetlemming's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 20:58
Jetsetlemming
"The Cake is a Lie" isn't a spoiler. It's a quote of a wall message you find 1/3 of the way into the game.
brucie97's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 20:59
brucie97
Sequels..

Do you enjoy when games leave the ending open for another planned sequel (with either the dreaded "To Be Continued.." or just a skimpy ending) or would you rather have an unabridged ending that finishes up any (reasonable) loose ends and the sequel move on from there? /longsentence
IceMax's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 21:02
IceMax
how do you guys feel about typical RPG clichés, where theres always a big suprise twist at the end? Do you feel that after so many games doing it, that the "suprise" becomes expected and thus loses something?
Anthony Burch's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 21:31
Anthony Burch
Face:
Have we always been referring to Nihilanth as a giant fetus? Because I was unaware of that. And that is AWESOME.

DanGale:
I'm really happy they showed her in the very first episode, if only because it makes the fact that all of us found out about her presence beforehand a lot less spoileriffic.

MissHinasaki:
Sure. What's your email address?

To everyone who despises or kind of likes Catherine Tate:
Check the alt-text. We're sort of in agreement.
RAB's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 21:54
RAB
What do you guys think of videogame endings where the main character (the player) dies? (ie Final Fantasy Tactics) And should it be done more often?

This kind of idea could potentially lead into interesting sequel themes, whereas you play as someone who was close to that character for example.
RAB's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 21:55
RAB
oh right.. ^^^***[SPOILER ALERT ABOVE]***^^^
manasteel88's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 21:58
manasteel88
This medium was started as a means of maximizing gameplay with the goal to get the best score (IE Arcades). It was only when the home console came about that endings actually tended to be a real process in gaming. Do you think that endings actually live up to the gameplay? Meaning is the conclusion actually as rewarding as the playthrough itself.
Samit Sarkar's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 22:06
Samit Sarkar
@Revered Anthony: You do realize that the alt-text gets cut off at “Donna’s dynamic with the,” right?
KMCC's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 22:20
KMCC
Multiple endings: In general, they suck, but that may be because they are so hard to do well. You really need to present an excellent story with well developed characters, and then you need to convince the player that the multiple endings are convincing, and even worthwhile.

Really, the only example I can think of is Silent Hill 2 (excluding the completely absurd endings)

Or, conversely, they can work well when the story is light and kind of silly, when the narrative is either amusing or not really the focus in the first place.

Endings were more important when we were kids, I think, (I'm almost 30) because the medium was not as complex, and thus usually not able to convey as much story during gameplay (except maybe RPGs). We played for endings, it was often where the majority of the story came across.

Now I think it is more of a total story experience. I think we need to see more of a subtle blending of the two. The ultimate example of this, in my opinion, is Shadow of the Colossus. It shows you the bond you formed without ever telling you.
manasteel88's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 22:40
manasteel88
oh thought of another one...what are some of your favorite sequel setup endings to games that had no sequel? Megaman Legends 2 just came to mind when I was reading some comments.
Anthony Burch's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/08/2008 23:41
Anthony Burch
Samit:
If you're using firefox, you have to right click and choose properties to see the full deal.
MissHinasaki's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/09/2008 00:09
MissHinasaki
e-mail: ForLackOfReason@yahoo.com
Dyson's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/09/2008 02:20
Dyson
"As much as Catherine Tate irritates me in real life, I kinda like Donna's dynamic with the Doctor. If only because it's completely separate from Martha's and Roses, which were essentially identical save for the bit where one was requited."

And, we are totally passing you.
ScottyG's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/09/2008 07:07
ScottyG
*sigh* I knew I shouldn't have looked at the comments... I really need to watch the third season of Doctor Who... :p
wilbo's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/09/2008 07:55
wilbo
doctor who ftw!
falinter's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/09/2008 09:27
falinter
I don't care who is with the doctor as long as hes back. damn its been so long.
Android8675's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/09/2008 10:14
Android8675
Shame Doctor Who never caught on in the states til now, had a lot of good memories of late night Doctor Who marathons and MIDI Maze ST.

Nerd central.
Cheerios WRATH's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/09/2008 15:52
Cheerios WRATH
I don’t care about the $25 keep it. I only have 3 questions I would like answered.

1. As a gamer do you ever feel that you devote to much time to games?
2. Do you let your heath and priorities come second?
3. Does your so called better half bitch during gamming?

Love the show!
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