Top 10 Video Game Choices that Ended the Game Early
Script written by Ty Richardson
#10: No Deal, Igor!
“Persona 5” (2017)
Dealing with contracts can be stressful even under the best of circumstances, but when the terms are being outlined to you by someone as obviously sketchy as Igor, it’s another matter entirely. Upon starting a new game of "Persona 5", Igor explains to you the typical disclaimer you see in entertainment - it's all fiction, nothing is real, yadda yadda yadda… However, you must agree to the disclaimer if you want to play the game. Say no, and Igor will deny you access before sending you back to the title screen. Sorry, man! If you want in on this awesome game, you gotta play by his rules!
#9: Jump Down the Drain
“The Neverhood” (1996)
Look, when, in a video game, we’re presented with signs that say "Danger! This can kill you!", we can't help testing the waters and seeing what happens. So, when we played "The Neverhood" and found the drain, what do you think we did? Well, we totally didn't NOT jump down the drain that would totally kill us! Turns out the game wasn't kidding. We died, the game said "The End", and the credits started rolling. We suppose that's what we get for testing the developers and doing the obviously stupid thing. And we'd do it again, too!
#8: Let the World End
“Golden Sun” (2001)
There have been a handful of games that allow us to witness the end of the world, but those cataclysmic game overs are usually the result of failure (...or morbid curiosity). "Golden Sun", on the other hand, practically gives you the power to end the world at the start of the game. Before beginning your quest, you can decline taking on your heroic duties and leave the sanctum. Now, join the cast as you see before you the eradication of your home, your friends, and your world!! ...Okay, it's actually just a text box that says how the world “began drifting towards its fated destruction". Not as horrific, but still a bit chilling.
#7: Fighting Ganon Immediately
“The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” (2017)
One of the coolest things about "Breath of the Wild" is how you're given the option to fight Ganon whenever you feel you are ready. Upon hearing this, one can't help but wonder how anyone could possibly defeat Ganon without the maximum health, weapons, and tools. You'd be right in questioning a challenger's sanity, but it has been done before. It IS possible to beat Ganon without doing anything else in Hyrule. However, it requires a crap ton of patience and mastery of the game's controls. The fight will feel long, yes, but those who have achieved this feat and ended the game early have truly conquered it.
#6: More Fish in the Sea
“Shadow Complex” (2009)
Most of us would like to believe that, should an occasion arise, we’d step up at the first sign of trouble and fight for what’s right. Jason, the protagonist of "Shadow Complex", is not like most people. After Claire is taken away by a helicopter, a special ending waits for you back at the start of the level. Simply make your way back to the Jeep, press B, and you'll discover an alternate ending where Jason drives off and utters "Eh, there's plenty more fish in the sea." Clearly, he was not about to go and risk his life to save another. Don't be like Jason.
#5: He Chooses His Own Path!
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“The Stanley Parable” (2013)
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"The Stanley Parable" is known for its multiple hilarious endings, ranging from the absurd to the existential to, of course, the quickest. Two endings certainly came to mind when assembling this list. One occurs after Stanley defies the narrator's instructions and steps off a lift during the narrator's lecture. Another sees Stanley closing his office door and remaining there until the narrator speaks up and resets the game. Oh, and we can’t forget about the broom closet gag early in the game. Hopefully we'll get even more quick and bizarre endings when the "Ultra Deluxe" version releases!
#4: No Adventure Today
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“Super Paper Mario” (2007)
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Nintendo's mustachioed icon has been on a lot of adventures over the decades. Between rescuing princesses and saving worlds, does Mario get any time for himself? Is there any quest that allows him to say no and refuse the heroic duties imposed on him? Well, actually, there is an option in "Super Paper Mario". At the start of the game, Merlon will explain the situation and ask Mario if he will help save Flipside. If Mario says no, the old man will panic and ask you a second time. Say no once more, and he will accept Flipside's fate. All you're left with is "Game Over". In hindsight, they could've just asked Luigi to help instead.
#3: Dinner With Pagan
“Far Cry 4” (2014)
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It's arguably one of the more famous examples of choices that ended games early. When Pagan leaves, you're supposed to make your daring escape. Although, you can stay at the table and wait for him to come back. Most games would typically kill you off for not following the story. "Far Cry 4", on the other hand, treats you with an alternate ending where Pagan helps you place your mother's ashes, and the two of you prepare to wreak havoc. "Far Cry 5" pulled a similar stunt. The player can choose to wait out Joseph Seed's arrest, allowing the Sheriff to realize that trying to capture the cult leader with so many of his supporters around is a bad idea. (Um...you think?)
#2: Leaving
“One Night Stand” (2016)
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If you aren't familiar with this slice-of-life gem, “One Night Stand” sees you waking up in a young lady's apartment and having no recollection of the previous night's events. You do have the option to leave, and it can go a few different ways. Leave with your clothes on and find the key in time, and you'll walk out unnoticed. Leave without your clothes, and your ending will describe how you had to sneak back to your place nude. Fail to find the key, and you'll be confronted. One thing they all have in common? How empty and shameful you'll feel after leaving so quickly.
#1: Multiple Endings
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“NieR: Automata” (2017)
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"NieR: Automata" is a remarkable game for a number of reasons, including the many ways the story can end. There are so many, in fact, that finding them all is a whole other challenge itself, and there are plenty of paths that can end the game super early! For example, you can achieve Ending W if you die by the laser at the start of the game. Ending G can be easily obtained by walking to the crane and refusing to do the mission. As for Ending T, all you have to do is remove the OS Chip, sending the game into a "fatal error". That's only a FEW of the endings there, and there are plenty more to experience and keep you busy!
