10 Video Game Cliffhangers That Will NEVER Get Resolved
“Mother 3” (2006)
The infamous and continually beloved SNES title Earthbound, was the English version of the japanese game Mother 2. Mother 3 was the sequel to this brilliant title that began a new story unconnected to the previous 2 entries, and unfortunately for English speaking fans it has only been officially released in Japan for the Game Boy Advance. Fans should breathe a sigh of relief as this limited release might be somewhat fortunate, considering the game concludes with a cliffhanger, undoubtedly leaving Japanese fans in a state of pure rage. The developers left the resolution of the story's heart-wrenching finale, which leaves Lucas's fate uncertain, open to interpretation by players. OH WE LOVE PLAYER INTERPRETATIONS, DON’T WE? Despite the unresolved ending, the absence of another Mother game to follow has resulted in a prolonged cliffhanger for arguably the most compelling plot within the entire series.
“Shenmue 3” (2019)
The long-awaited continuation of Ryo Hazuki's journey takes place in Shenmue 3, but that long wait is nothing compared to what players will be doing for Shenmue 4. In Shenmue 3, players confront a cliffhanger ending that leaves numerous story threads unresolved. Ryo's quest for vengeance against his father's killer remains incomplete, as does his search for the legendary Phoenix Mirror. Additionally, the fate of several key characters, including Shenhua and Lan Di, hangs in the balance. The game ends with a sense of uncertainty, and although there appears to be a Shenmue prequel in development, that doesn’t help us one damn bit.
“Psy Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy” (2004)
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In Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy, players encounter a cliffhanger that branches out into a bunch of plots that have no resolution, so it’s like a cliffhanger on steroids. Protagonist Nick Scryer's quest to thwart the malevolent organization, The Movement, and unravel the truth about his forgotten past reaches a critical juncture. The game concludes with a startling revelation regarding the true identity of one of the key characters, Sara Blake, and the emergence of a formidable new threat. With unresolved conflicts and unanswered questions lingering, players are left eagerly anticipating a potential sequel to provide closure and further exploration of the game's intricate narrative... So far, nothing.
“The Order: 1886” (2015)
The Order: 1886 concludes with a significant cliffhanger as protagonist Sir Galahad, revealed to be a half-breed, confronts the treacherous Lord Hastings. The game ends abruptly as Galahad's fate hangs in the balance following a pretty epic confrontation. The enigmatic nature of the game's conclusion leaves players grappling with unanswered questions regarding the fate of Galahad, the ongoing conflict with the half-breeds, and the broader implications for the alternate history world of the game. And yes, I’m proud of myself for correctly using the word “enigmatic”.
“Days Gone” (2019)
Days Gone’s post credits scene leaves one of the most underappreciated games of all time with an opening for a sequel that would have added an epic twist to the zombie genre. At the end of the game, Deacon encounters O'Brian once more. O'Brian reveals his infected state after removing his hazmat mask, showing an unusual deformity distinct from typical Freakers. He warns Deacon of a startling development - the infected are evolving, retaining their mental faculties while gaining superhuman strength. O'Brian warns us that NERO is aware of this evolution and warns Deacon of the impending threat posed by these advanced infected. This transformation sets the stage for a potential sequel where Deacon faces faster, stronger, and smarter zombies, which sounds like an absolute nightmare.
“Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain” (2015)
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Describing The Phantom Pain is no easy task. While it excels mechanically, the narrative remains incomplete, likely due to the same conflicts that derailed Silent Hills *cough cough* Konami *cough cough* clipping Kojima's wings. The plot centers on the Diamond Dogs' confrontation with Metal Gear Sahelanthropus, later stolen by a group of children led by Eli, aka young Liquid Snake. These children, under a prodigious leader, now control a formidable weapon, setting up an intriguing premise. Regrettably, their story fades abruptly after their departure. Concept art and partial cutscenes from a potential mission on Eli's island are included in the collector's edition, offering glimpses of what could have been. Yet for some reason, we don’t see anything in the actual game or future DLC’s.
“Sly Cooper: Thieves In Time” (2013)
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In a game featuring time-traveling protagonists, the conclusion could have taken various directions, preferably a good one, but beggars can’t be choosers. Opting for a cliffhanger, where Sly fades out aboard a failing blimp, seemed to hint at a sequel, although it left many feeling unresolved. Gathering all trophies unlocks an additional scene where Sly awakens in the desert, reassuring players of his well-being and offering a potential entry point for a follow-up. However, developers have confirmed no plans for a sequel, leaving players feeling misled rather than fulfilled by the ambiguous ending.
“Dead Space 3” (2013)
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It's widely acknowledged that Dead Space stands out as one of the finest single-player horror games ever made. The sequels, however, veered away from the franchise's roots, favoring a more action-oriented approach. Dead Space 2's fast-paced gameplay and reliance on uninspired jump scares disappointed many fans, while Dead Space 3's exaggerated action sequences and convoluted storyline was borderline s**t. However, Dead Space 3 did offer a redeeming aspect in its lesser-known story DLC, Awakened, which delivered an unprecedented cliffhanger featuring a moon-sized alien species ominously encircling Earth. Unfortunately, we’ll never get to see what these aliens are, and how the heck they can be destroyed.
“The Punisher” (2005)
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Despite the financial success of the 2004 video game "The Punisher," fans have yet to witness a sequel come to fruition. Although one was announced, subsequent silence ensued after the promise of beloved characters' appearances. A post-credits scene reinforced this disappointment, depicting a furious Kingpin vowing retribution against The Punisher. Perhaps the prospect of securing involvement from Marvel's stars became daunting, with producers fearing potential backlash. Furthermore, given the shifting landscape of Marvel game licenses since the 2000s, any unfinished game series from that era is likely to remain unresolved indefinitely.
“Half-Life 2” (2004)
The "Half-Life 3 confirmed" meme has become widely known among gamers in 2022, fueled by the immense anticipation surrounding the franchise. The acclaimed Half-Life 2: Episode Two, a standout among Valve's mid-2000s releases, contributes to this fervor. However, it's not solely the game's quality and the potential scope of its sequel that drives the desire for the next installment. Primarily, it's the unresolved cliffhanger ending of Half-Life 2 that continues to linger in the minds of players, leaving them eagerly awaiting closure and further exploration of the series' narrative. Add in the time-bending perspective of Half-Life: Alyx and we’re in for a story that needs resolution.
