It’s all about the endgame. Some billionaire philanthropist playboy once said that, but it’s absolutely true. When we boot up a new game, from the very start, we anticipate that climatic end to it all. We expect something epic and challenging, an experience that perfectly caps off the journey we’re finishing. The final boss is a crucial part of action-packed gaming, and yet some games completely flub that ending bout.
The following five games represent an extensive library of titles that end on the most disappointing notes imaginable. Whether it’s a complete failure to deliver on an engaging boss fight or an engagement that doesn’t fit the rest of the game’s pacing, flow, and aesthetic, these following end encounters failed to deliver what was expected.
Nihilanth (Half-Life)
Half-Life throws a lot at players very early on. What starts as headcrabs and headcrab zombies evolves into all manner of interdimensional beings. Gordon Freeman has little difficulty cleaning up after Black Mesa’s failed experiment, so one would expect the end fight to be a suitable challenge for the scientist-turned-action hero. Unfortunately, the floating menace Nihilanth is anything but.
While Nihilanth is a little bit of a threat, the real pain point is the forced platforming to keep up with the floating being. Even Nihilanth’s giant form is a disappointment, as it’s entirely too easy to avoid its incoming attacks by using the level design.
The weirdness of it all fits the general concept behind Half-Life, but the boss just doesn’t have the same impact as some of the game’s most frightening threats. Maybe it’s unfair to think it would have been easy to match the rogue’s gallery of villains Freeman squares off against, but the forced platforming really drives home the lameness of this encounter.
Lambant Brumak (Gears of War 2)
Throughout Gears of War 2, Marcus and company find themselves struggling to gain any headway against the Locust. Then enter the Lambent, an explosive variant of the subterranean beings that add yet another threat that the protectors of Sera must overcome. There are many high moments throughout the game, where Locust of all varieties pose a significant threat, which is why the final boss is quite disappointing.
After manning a Brumak and blasting through hoards of baddies, Marcus and Dom are picked up by a King Raven. Their escape is impeded by the presence of a lumbering block—a lambent Brumak that’s about ready to pop. Rather than force any semblance of strategy and bring the battle to the ground level, Gears of War 2 has Marcus duke it out with the Brumak from the safety of a helicopter.
For a game that has no problem pitting humans against monsters umpteen times their size in a ground battle, this was not the expected final fight. It seems way too easy and requires very little skill to complete. Even on harder difficulties, getting the Brumak to do much damage is somehow harder than completing the fight itself.
Alduin (The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim)
For much of Skyrim, you’re gearing up for one fight—what could very well be your final fight against the menacing dragon Alduin. While it may take a long time to get to that final boss, you’re likely building out what you believe to be the right approach to surviving against the infamous dragon.
As it turns out, Alduin is really no different than its brethren. And you just spent an entire game carving through the dragon bloodline. This fight is so disappointing because it doesn’t separate itself from anything you’ve already done in Skyrim. A dragon fight is a dragon fight, as it would seem, so Alduin’s sheer force and size don’t differentiate it from any of the others.
By the time you even reach Alduin, you’re likely equipped to the nines with all manner of dragon-slaying toys, making this bout against Skyrim’s biggest threat a simple task.
Arkham Knight (Batman: Arkham Knight)
There was a lot to be wary of in the concluding chapter of the Batman: Arkham series. Arkham Knight didn’t make nearly as many fans as its predecessors thanks to clunky and unresponsive vehicular segments and a generally weaker story. Rounding out the least favourite entry of the series is a boss fight that tries to be clever. All it winds up doing is neutering The Dark Knight and robbing players of something epic.
Batman and Arkham Knight have a lot in common, including their hand-to-hand proficiency. We could have been treated to an epic struggle between mentor and student. Instead, the final boss adopts the game’s stealth mechanics and prevents players from having any fun. Sneak, punch, zip away is the rhythm to defeat Arkham Knight and enter the endgame.
Some may argue that Arkham Knight wasn’t the final boss, as there’s plenty of game left after, but it’s the last high-stakes fight as you round the corner to the finish.
Eredin (The Witcher III: Wild Hunt)
You spend an entire game battling some truly memorable fiends, meeting fascinating people, and learning expanded lore behind Geralt of Rivia. It’s a shame all of it culminates in the last fight against Eredin, the last-standing member of the Wild Hunt. Geralt has since proven himself a skilled warrior, so clearly this would shape up to be the most notable fight in the game. Right?
Admittedly, Eredin had a lot to live up to. There are over a dozen bosses throughout Wild Hunt, and they all bring something unique to the table. Eredin fails to do so, instead coming across as a more generic sub-boss before the big baddie strolls onto the scene. Unfortunately, that moment never comes, and the quick and near effortless fight against Eredin is how this incredible game comes to a conclusion.
Even on higher difficulties when Eredin puts up a bit of a fight, his characterization and connection to Geralt are so weak and forgettable it’s easy to overlook that he’s meant to be among the game’s most important villains.
Conclusion:
All of the games above had something in common. They’re incredible, memorable titles. So it’s a wonder that they end on such a flat note. But, luckily, the final boss doesn’t need to define the entire experience, and it’s possible to return to the world of Sera, the streets of Arkham City, or the expansive lands of Skyrim and still get the most out of your time with them.
Just remember to enjoy the experience leading up to that final bout, because there’s nothing of substance waiting for you at the end. If you have yet to experience these games, make sure to get a PSN Gift Card from OffGamers here and buy them!
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