Games with Multiple Endings - when is too many endings too many?

Hi all,

want to open a debate on single playergames with multiple story arcs and multiple endings. I am not sure i actually find them satisfying as a gaming experience and wondered what the gamespot community thought about this in general. The game that brought this most to my attention was Fallout New Vegas. Admittedly this is an extreme example, but it highlights a trend - and i wondereddo we actually enjoy a game that can have about 40 different plot pathways andpossible endings?For me, endless plot pathways can detract from the immersion and enjoyment of a story - not enhance it.

It's fine unless you are ADD and need to try every ending.

I played thru NV exactly one time.

Maybe in the future I'll do another playthru, but not for the ending.

139 endings, no more.

Any more than 3 and it will just become a chore. Apparently Heavy Rain has about 10 endings

42 if there is more then that the world will implodeKalDurenik

This guy knows what's up.

Any more than 3 and it will just become a chore. Apparently Heavy Rain has about 10 endings

kingkarl123

I say the more the merrier. Look at Chrono trigger. Great game. Although some of the endings really should not be considered endings. For the most part, though, it worked and added to the replay value alot.

I think 3 would probably be plenty. Most developers have a hard enough time delivering ONE good ending - unless a developer is incredibly talented when it comes to writing stories, anything more than 3 different endings would probably be a waste of time.

[QUOTE="kingkarl123"]

Any more than 3 and it will just become a chore. Apparently Heavy Rain has about 10 endings

Dracula68

Which is what I accomplished long after I completed the game on my playthrough and you know what? It was worth it. The game is a blast...best role-playing game ever, IMO!

As long as the story is good a game can have as many endings as possible, if the story is bad 1 ending is sometimes too many :P

I never like multiple ending. If the game is good then there will be one set after and they will just pick one ending.

Also if the different ending is base on what you pick then it is a sell out since most multiple ending only happen after the game play is over and does not affect the game play.

It's not all about the ending. I could slam down all sorts of sayings here like "it's better to travel then arrive" but I'm sure you get it. A proper ending is nice, but it's not the whole reason you play a game, otherwise we will all be gathered around U-Tube watching game endings instead of playing the actual games.

It's not all about the ending. I could slam down all sorts of sayings here like "it's better to travel then arrive" but I'm sure you get it. A proper ending is nice, but it's not the whole reason you play a game, otherwise we will all be gathered around U-Tube watching game endings instead of playing the actual games.

Evil_Saluki

Hi all,

want to open a debate on single playergames with multiple story arcs and multiple endings. I am not sure i actually find them satisfying as a gaming experience and wondered what the gamespot community thought about this in general. The game that brought this most to my attention was Fallout New Vegas. Admittedly this is an extreme example, but it highlights a trend - and i wondereddo we actually enjoy a game that can have about 40 different plot pathways andpossible endings?For me, endless plot pathways can detract from the immersion and enjoyment of a story - not enhance it.

mickyplankon

i loved how new vegas did it, 4 main endings and some supplemental stuff based on side quests.

Mass effect 2also did a simpler but great ending

I'd like to see 2-4 different endings for my rpg's

[QUOTE="Evil_Saluki"]

It's not all about the ending. I could slam down all sorts of sayings here like "it's better to travel then arrive" but I'm sure you get it. A proper ending is nice, but it's not the whole reason you play a game, otherwise we will all be gathered around U-Tube watching game endings instead of playing the actual games.

LoG-Sacrament

[QUOTE="LoG-Sacrament"][QUOTE="Evil_Saluki"]

It's not all about the ending. I could slam down all sorts of sayings here like "it's better to travel then arrive" but I'm sure you get it. A proper ending is nice, but it's not the whole reason you play a game, otherwise we will all be gathered around U-Tube watching game endings instead of playing the actual games.

Black_Knight_00

When each playthrough takes more than 40 hours, and there are another 5 or 6 endings to go. I'm a completionist and an achievements whore, thus I will not rest until I have experienced/unlocked every possible ending there is.

If each playthough is short and sweet (10-15 hours each - generally for action games), then I don't mind having 7 or 8 endings. In fighting games, something like BlazBlue: CT would be good: 3-4 endings for each character, with each ending taking about20-30 minutes to unlock. But any longer (like in RPGs and lifestyle simulators), and I would have to say 3 or 4 endings are more than enough to fulfil the basics (True End, Good End, Neutral/Bad End, Worst End).

Also, this might be a little off-topic, but it is of my opinion that if any game were to have multiple endings, it had better have a Theater/Album Mode (like the one in 'Record of Agarest War') so I can re-watch them without having to play the game.

[QUOTE="LoG-Sacrament"][QUOTE="Evil_Saluki"]

It's not all about the ending. I could slam down all sorts of sayings here like "it's better to travel then arrive" but I'm sure you get it. A proper ending is nice, but it's not the whole reason you play a game, otherwise we will all be gathered around U-Tube watching game endings instead of playing the actual games.

Black_Knight_00

I agree. It can be an awesome story that just keeps getting better and better, only to have an ending that literally kills it. I've only seen that happen in a few games though.

you can never have too many endings i say!

[QUOTE="LoG-Sacrament"][QUOTE="Black_Knight_00"] On the other hand, a great story can be overshadowed by a lame ending. She's right when she says traveling is better than arriving, but it really depends on where you arrive at. A pleasant trip is ruined if your destination is a smelly dumpBlack_Knight_00

Apparently Heavy Rain has about 10 endings

kingkarl123

i think any amount of endings are good.

except 2. bcus generally itll be a good ending and an evil ending and that really bothers me when thats the only 2 possibilitys

It becomes too many endings, when they become mediocre endings. I would rather have 1 great ending than 5 okay endings.

More is better, in my opinion. I like having branching story lines. I'm very goal oriented in my gaming, and an alternate ending is a great way for me to continue playing a game. Without a goal to work towards, I get the feeling that there's nothing worth doing still - not withstanding mini-games or online multiplayer that have their own inclusive goals.

I am 100% oppposed to multiple endings. I absolutely despise them. I believe any more than one ending is too many. They do nothing to help make the story memorable. I feel that a story should have an ending, just as it had a beginning. There is no point to a story if there is no definite conclusion.

It really depends on 3 things for me: 1. How good the game is, 2. How long it is, and the biggest factor for me, 3. How relevent it is to the events. In regards to 3, if your different ending means playing the exact same game but getting a different final cutscene, then I'll pass. Also, if your game was barely good enough for a single playthrough, you're out the door as well.

The more endings the better, I want a different experience every time I play the same game!

I'm guessing no one likes Dead Rising, which I find the Multiple Endings great, even though I already beat the game and Overtime mode.

Yeah,

interesting opinions, i guess a lot of it depends on what floats your boat - gameplay wise.

Portal 2 is a recent example for me that is almost totally linear yet is a fantastically immersive game with a really enjoyable story. Older games like Vice City had great main story arcs, but digestible side stories that didnt pull the player away from the main story for too long. New Vegas for me was too much - and it didnt help that it probably massively added to all the bugs and glitches.