The Lost Art of Epilogues: Why Games Need Proper Endings

So, you finished the game. Congratulations! But what now?

Modern gaming, in its infinite wisdom, has largely abandoned the epilogue. We’re left dangling, wondering what became of our pixelated pals. Let’s resurrect the epilogue, shall we?

The Crime of Omission: Why Epilogues Matter

Remember epilogues? Those quaint little segments that told you what happened after the final boss bit the dust? Apparently, narrative closure is now a luxury, not a necessity.

Instead, we’re offered abrupt endings or, worse, “the story continues in DLC!” This is, of course, a blatant cash grab disguised as artistic expression.

Games used to care about providing a satisfying conclusion. Now, they only care about your credit card details.

Consider Mass Effect 3. The original ending sparked outrage. It wasn’t just bad (though it was).

It offered no real closure. Players had invested hundreds of hours.

They deserved more than a technicolor fever dream. The Extended Cut DLC improved things.

However, it only highlighted the initial failure.

Contrast this with Chrono Trigger. Its multiple endings provided a sense of finality. They ranged from bittersweet to silly.

You felt like you’d completed something. That feeling is increasingly rare.

The DLC Deception: Trading Closure for Coin

“But DLC provides more content!” Sure, it does. But it’s often fragmented and overpriced.

Worse, it doesn’t address the core issue. That core issue being the lack of a satisfying ending in the base game.

Imagine building a house. Now being told you must pay extra for the roof.

That’s DLC. It’s not expanding the experience.

It’s completing it.

Furthermore, DLC often introduces power creep. It can also bring narrative inconsistencies.

The carefully crafted balance is thrown out the window. This happens in favor of shiny new toys.

The Borderlands series is a prime offender. The sheer volume of DLC rendered the original game almost irrelevant.

Reclaiming the Epilogue: A Call to Action

How do we bring back the epilogue? We demand it!

Stop pre-ordering games that promise endless content. Demand a half-baked ending no longer.

Developers, listen up. Create epilogues that are meaningful and engaging.

Provide a sense of closure. Let players see the consequences of their actions.

Show us the world they helped to shape.

Step 1: Acknowledge the Problem. Admit that abrupt endings are detrimental. DLC-driven narratives are, too.

They diminish player satisfaction.

Step 2: Allocate Resources. Dedicate time and budget to crafting an epilogue. It’s not an afterthought.

It’s an integral part of the storytelling.

Step 3: Offer Meaningful Choices. Let player decisions impact the epilogue. Show the consequences.

Consequences of their actions, both good and bad.

Step 4: Resist the Urge to Monetize. The epilogue should be part of the base game. Don’t lock it behind a paywall.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Developers often stumble when creating epilogues. Here are some common mistakes.

And how to avoid them.

Pitfall 1: The “Everything is Awesome” Ending. Avoid sugarcoating the ending. Acknowledge the sacrifices and losses.

They occurred along the way.

Solution: Embrace ambiguity. Not every problem needs to be solved perfectly.

A bittersweet ending can be more impactful. More impactful than a perfectly happy one.

Pitfall 2: The “Teaser” Ending. Don’t use the epilogue to set up a sequel. Don’t do this with DLC, either.

This feels manipulative and cheap.

Solution: Focus on concluding the current story. Leave some threads dangling.

However, provide a sense of finality.

Pitfall 3: The “Talking Heads” Epilogue. Don’t just show characters standing around. Don’t explain what happened in that manner.

Show, don’t tell.

Solution: Use gameplay segments. Use cutscenes and environmental storytelling.

Convey the aftermath with these.

Case Study: Red Dead Redemption 2

Red Dead Redemption 2 technically has an epilogue. But does it truly satisfy?

It allows players to continue exploring the world. They do so as John Marston.

However, it feels more like an extended fetch quest. It lacks the emotional punch of the main story.

The epilogue focuses on building a house. This contrasts sharply with the outlaw life Arthur Morgan led.

While visually stunning, it misses an opportunity. An opportunity to provide meaningful character development.

A better epilogue would have explored John’s internal struggles. His attempts to reconcile his past with his desire for a peaceful life.

It could have delved into the impact of Arthur’s legacy. And how it shaped John’s future.

The Future of Epilogues: A Hopeful Outlook?

Perhaps, just perhaps, we can convince developers. Convince them to value narrative closure.

Value it over short-term profits. By demanding more from our games, we can help.

Help revive the lost art of the epilogue.

Let’s make games that leave us feeling satisfied. Not exploited.

Imagine a Cyberpunk 2077 epilogue. One where V actually deals with the consequences of their choice.

Instead of a phone call and a fade to black.

Or a Final Fantasy XV epilogue. One where the surviving characters rebuild the world.

Show them coping with loss and forging a new future.

In conclusion, bring back the epilogue! Games need them.

Players deserve them. My sanity depends on them.

The end… for now.

The fight continues! Let us raise our voices and demand proper endings.

Endings that respect our time and investment. Endings that provide closure.

Endings that leave us satisfied, not empty. No more abrupt endings!

No more DLC cliffhangers! Give us the epilogues we deserve!

Let the era of incomplete narratives end. Let the revival of the epilogue begin!

This is not just a request. It is a demand! A demand for better storytelling.

A demand for respect. A demand for closure.

Stand with me, fellow gamers. Let’s reclaim the epilogue! </content>