The concept of a bad ending is an intriguing trope within the gaming industry. As interactive narratives evolve, players often encounter multiple conclusions influenced by their decisions throughout the gameplay. Interestingly, while many games reserve the bad ending for those who rush or overlook critical choices, certain titles can lead players to undesirable conclusions surprisingly and without clear warning. This jarring revelation can lead to substantial introspection about the decisions made during play.
This article explores various games notorious for their seemingly unavoidable bad endings. Please be aware that spoilers about these endings will be included.
10 The Witcher 3
You Don’t Know What’s Best
Renowned for its immersive storytelling, The Witcher 3 features three distinct endings influenced by players’ choices. However, a notably grim ending occurs when Geralt kills the Crone Weavess and inadvertently succumbs to a horde of monsters afterward. To reach this conclusion, players must continuously make detrimental choices regarding Ciri, impairing her confidence against the looming threat of The White Frost and resulting in her untimely demise.
This path to the bad ending is deceptive; choices that may seem inconsequential—like allowing Ciri to destroy a lab or engaging in a snowball fight during a critical moment—can lead to dire consequences. Players often misinterpret these choices, believing they reflect rational decision-making rather than nurturing Ciri’s character.
9 Cyberpunk 2077
There is No Good Ending
Cyberpunk 2077 thrives in moral ambiguity, offering players varied outcomes that often reflect gray areas of morality. A particularly bleak outcome arises when players accept Hanako’s deal, resulting in V being imprisoned in a space station for experimentation. This ending caught many by surprise, as it isn’t always clearly indicated that trusting Arasaka was a poor choice.
In an attempt to ensure V’s survival, players may mistakenly align with questionable allies, leading to harrowing consequences. My own experience reflected this when I ensured V’s safety by opting for a seemingly rational choice, which ultimately backfired. The nature of this game complicates choices, as consequences are not always transparently laid out beforehand.
8 Mass Effect 3
If You Only Follow the Main Story, You’re Screwed
The infamous ending of Mass Effect 3 has drawn both ridicule and debate among fans, particularly regarding its disregard for players’ past actions. However, achieving a bad ending is surprisingly easy if players confine themselves to the main storyline and neglect essential side quests.
Every side quest strengthens Commander Shepard’s final battle capability against the Reapers. Thus, bypassing these missions not only weakens the protagonist but also drastically limits potential endings. The result? A singular path leading to an unfavorable resolution—marked by a choice tagged as the bad ending—though its classification is itself up for discussion.
7 Lies of P
Don’t You Want To Be a Real Boy?
Lies of P stands out as an intricate narrative experience featuring multiple endings, with the unfavorable one easily reached. Players must enter the final confrontation with a humanity level below five to unlock the bad ending, ultimately forfeiting their heart to Gepetto.
This scenario reflects how playing normally can tragically lead to regret, as accumulating humanity through side quests or meaningful interactions is crucial. Ignoring these elements often results in missing the chance for a more favorable outcome, leaving players with feelings of confusion and disappointment over their choices.
6 Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Your Father or Your Lord?
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice offers a range of endings influenced by obscure player choices, with the bad ending being particularly easy to unlock unintentionally. The deciding moment arrives at a critical dialogue with Kuro, where players confront their allegiance.
Choosing Owl Father leads players to an abrupt finale where they assume the role of Shura, signifying a descent into a chaotic existence dictated by war. This represents a swift and confounding conclusion that players might not anticipate, emphasizing the weight of player choice in an intricate narrative.
5 Undertale
Killing is Bad
Undertale subverts conventional RPG mechanics, presenting multiple endings shaped by player behavior throughout the game. The annihilation ending—easily achieved through relentless aggression—highlights a profound thematic contrast.
Players typically engage enemies in RPGs, yet Undertale entices players to forsake that instinct, reframing combat within a context of morality. By disregarding this guidance and staying true to classic RPG conventions, players may find themselves branded as the ultimate villain, leading to a grim ending.
4 Spec Ops: The Line
Lost Behind the Lines
In Spec Ops: The Line, the experience is haunting, emphasizing moral ambiguity and psychological desolation. The game lacks a traditional good ending; however, the final moments present a bad ending that reflects the player’s choices throughout the narrative.
As Walker grapples with the consequences of his actions, players face decisions—surrender, fight, or confront their own demons. The bad ending arises precisely from the relentless will to survive, transforming Walker into a tragic figure reminiscent of the enemy he sought to defeat, thus forcing players to reckon with their own moral compass.
3 NieR Automata
Where Does Your Loyalty Lie?
NieR Automata presents an expansive world with numerous endings tied closely to player reactions throughout the game. The worst ending, identified as ending D, can be achieved by selecting the character 9S in a climactic moment, despite the character’s descent into madness.
This decision leads to a tragic outcome, completing a full character arc marred by chaos and loss. Players, drawn to the narrative of 9S, may find this choice equally heart-wrenching and frustrating, emphasizing the depth of emotional investment inherent in this title.
2 Dragon Age: Origins
Quality Time in the Medieval Apocalypse
Dragon Age: Origins offers an array of endings influenced by player interactions with allies, with potentially devastating results. The worst outcome comes when players lose all companions, culminating in a lonely and stark confrontation against the final bosses.
This can occur unexpectedly, often due to players neglecting the relationship dynamics within the party. Inattention to companion interactions and moral choices can lead to betrayal or abandonment, leaving the player isolated during the climactic battle against overwhelming odds.
1 Bioshock
You Took Too Much ADAM
Bioshock may not immediately appear to accommodate multiple endings, yet it enigmatically bases them on a critical player choice regarding Little Sisters. Harvesting these children provides significant power, offering an enticing but morally fraught shortcut throughout the game.
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