Cliffhangers are among the oldest narrative devices in storytelling, often leaving audiences in suspense and craving resolution. This technique typically entails unresolved plot points or the drastic fate of characters hanging in the balance, sometimes culminating in abrupt cuts to credits while characters find themselves precariously positioned.
Video games, as a medium, are not immune to this trope. Many titles conclude their narratives with cliffhangers that tease future developments. Some of these dangling threads are tied up within a year or two through sequels or updates, while others may linger unresolved for much longer, sometimes even a decade or more.
10 Doom (2016)
Oops, All Argent
In the 2016 revival of Doom, Dr. Samuel Hayden establishes a belief that Argent energy sourced from Hell could be the key to addressing humanity’s struggles. After the Slayer’s fierce battle and victory over the twisted Olivia Pierce, Hayden seizes the Crucible—an artifact that generates Argent energy. He then uses the Slayer’s tether to launch him into the vastness of space to prioritize his research.
This cliffhanger is addressed in the sequel, Doom Eternal, where the Slayer reappears aboard a floating space fortress. While the specifics of how he obtained this castle remain unclear, its existence signifies continued adventure.
9 Halo 2
A Fight That Needed Finishing
Cliffhangers are a defining feature of the Halo series. In Halo 2, the narrative culminates in a particularly desperate situation: Cortana is held by the Flood Gravemind, and the future of the Halo rings is uncertain due to remote activation sequences triggered by unknown parties.
Master Chief finds himself on the ship of Prophet of Truth, faced with cryptic queries from Admiral Hood. His iconic reply, “finishing this fight,” cleverly sets up the anticipation for Halo 3, which boasted the tagline, “Finish the Fight,” thereby amplifying excitement for the conclusion of this epic saga.
8 Mega Man Legends 2
We’re Diggers On The Moon
The conclusion of Mega Man Legends 2 sees Mega Man Volnutt triumph against Sera, persuading her to terminate the Carbon Reinitialization Program with assistance from Gatz and Yuna. Yet, an unexpected twist leaves them stranded aboard Elysium following Gatz’s demise during the conflict.
The game wraps up with Roll devising plans to create a rocket for Mega Man’s rescue, but despite much fan enthusiasm for a sequel, the fate of Mega Man remains uncertain, rendering him a spacebound enigma.
7 Alan Wake 2
Resolved In A Patch
In Alan Wake 2, the dramatic climax plunges both Alan and Saga into the depths of the Dark Place, where the malicious Mr. Scratch exploits Casey’s form. Saga, following Alan’s manuscript, manages to free Casey and inadvertently harms Alan with a Bullet of Light.
The abrupt cut to black raises questions about the aftermath, a mystery intriguingly resolved in a subsequent patch. The Final Draft update endows players with a new understanding: Alan has mastered the Dark Place, while Saga’s daughter remains unharmed.
6 Half-Life 2: Episode 2
Still Memed On To This Day
The immense fanfare surrounding the elusive Half-Life 3 is rooted in the shocking conclusion of Half-Life 2: Episode 2. After successfully thwarting the Combine’s attempts to disrupt a critical rocket launch, Gordon Freeman and Alyx Vance prepare to leave the battlefield. However, they are ambushed, leading to Eli Vance’s tragic demise.
With Eli’s untimely death preventing him from divulging crucial information about the Black Mesa incident, fans are left yearning for more context and continuity in the series’ narrative.
5 Shenmue 3
Three Cliffhangers In A Row
The Shenmue franchise is a narrative arc that follows Ryo’s relentless pursuit of Lan Di, who is responsible for his father’s murder. However, each installment perpetuates this storyline without offering closure. After an extended hiatus, Shenmue 3 featured Ryo finally facing Lan Di, only to be swiftly overpowered, leaving fans anxiously awaiting the outcome.
4 Sly Cooper: Thieves In Time
Stuck In Ancient Egypt
Contrasting with the original Sly Cooper trilogy’s clear resolutions, Thieves In Time introduces significant uncertainty. In his battle against Le Paradox, Sly navigates a fragmented timeline, ultimately managing to safeguard his comrades but becoming lost in an unknown period.
Post-credits, Sly finds himself crash-landed in ancient Egypt, a cliffhanger that remains unresolved, leaving fans questioning when they might see the beloved characters reunite.
3 God Of War 2
More Of A Cliff-Climber Than A Cliffhanger
The climactic finale of God Of War 2 presents Kratos, empowered with the Blade of Olympus, riding atop Gaia as he leads a campaign against the gods. The tension mounts as Zeus reassures the Olympians of their safety, only to witness the Titans, led by Kratos, steadily ascending the cliff.
This cliffhanger was promptly addressed in God of War 3, which continues the narrative’s momentum and directly follows the Titans’ assault.
2 Kingdom Hearts 3
Sora in Shibuya
The Kingdom Hearts series is notorious for its cliffhangers, especially within the main narrative. In Kingdom Hearts 3, as Sora uses the Power of Waking to restore Kairi’s heart—at great personal risk—he mysteriously disappears afterward.
The subsequent secret ending hints at his whereabouts in a Shibuya-like realm known as Quadratum. The reveal of Sora’s fate is eagerly anticipated by fans, with Kingdom Hearts 4 expected to pave the way for answers.
1 Psychonauts
Took Sixteen Years To Resolve
Initially, the conclusion of Psychonauts seemed promising, with Raz helping Coach Oleander confront his inner demons. However, the departure from camp introduces a stark twist related to the kidnapping of Truman Zanotto, the Grand Head of the Psychonauts.
This narrative thread remained unresolved for an extended period, finally seeing completion with the release of Psychonauts in The Rhombus of Ruin in 2017, followed by a satisfying conclusion in Psychonauts 2 in 2021.
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