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Some open-world games, though, do just that. For their final missions, they combine consistently evolving gameplay and a satisfying story for a fantastic finish. Consider the prevalence of open-world titles in the current market, those that balance the freedom of the genre with a fulfilling tale are definitely worth celebrating.
10 The Witcher 3 – On Thin Ice
Geralt and company spend the entirety of The Witcher 3 running from the Wild Hunt, dodging the spectral killers while frantically preparing Ciri to face them. Needless to say, it feels good to turn the tables. Setting a trap for the villains also sets the stage for a dark fantasy bloodbath.
Many of Geralt’s allies show up to help, which is more than earned given the numerous hours of questing. More importantly, though, it forces both Geralt and Ciri to step up. Not only is this an important milestone for their characters, but switching between the two radically different playstyles makes the boss fights even more thrilling. What’s more, the ending differs drastically depending on the two witchers’ relationship. It’s everything one could want in a fantasy RPG of this scale.
9 Red Dead Redemption 2 – American Venom
In Red Dead Redemption 2, players’ love for protagonist Arthur Morgan is matched only by their hatred for turncoat Micah Bell. This makes it all the more satisfying when Sadie, Charles, and John locate the little weasel. Not only do players get a rush out of seeing the three most honorable outlaws reunite to avenge their fallen friend, but it sets a scene straight out of the best western films.
The group fights their way up a mountain until they reach the final showdown at the summit. The developers use the bleakly breathtaking environments to enhance the atmosphere, and the rush of gunfire (and electric guitar) infuses the battle with blood-pumping adrenaline. Gamers’ gunslinging skills must be sharp as they build to the crescendo of this Old West epic.
8 Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy of Goku II – The Cell Games
Few sequels improve on their predecessors as much as Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy of Goku II. Forgoing the stiff sluggishness of the first title, this follow-up places players in the wide world of Dragon Ball. The RPG-style progression, fluid beat-em-up gameplay, and whopping five playable characters make it a joy to explore, and it all comes to a head in the Cell Games.
Adapting one of the better arcs of the manga/show obviously benefits the story (especially with the improved presentation), but playing Cell’s twisted tournament lets all of the Z-fighters pitch in. Each character gets his time to shine, and players will be grateful for all that training they did. That sense of hard work overcoming tough opponents is essential to Dragon Ball, and it’s all condensed beautifully onto the Game Boy Advance.
7 Batman: Arkham Origins – Blackgate Prison
Although many consider it the black sheep of the series, Batman: Arkham Origins boasts certain aspects (such as the boss fights) that equal or even outshine those in the other games. Nowhere is that more prevalent than the climax. In the face of a mass riot at Blackgate, Batman must fight his way through the prison, brawl with Bane, ambush the ‘roided-out villain from the shadows, and finally take down the Joker.
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This sequence brilliantly combines everything players have learned thus far. Not only is it a supreme test of their reactions in the free-flow combat, but it also forces Batman to utilize precise stealth tactics against a physically superior opponent. Both are equally important to the Dark Knight, so it’s fitting that the same goes for this finale.
6 Mad Max – Showdown With Scrotus
Sadly, this game sees Mad Max lose his iconic V-8 Interceptor. What this does, though, is make way for the Magnum Opus, a scrapyard car that players build from the ground up. Players decide which upgrades to install, waging vehicular warfare their own way.
Once Max catches up to the baddie who stole his car, it leads to an epic escapade that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the films. It’s not a chase, but a rite of passage for Max’s four-wheeled baby. Couple this with flashes of a mother and child that the Road Warrior failed to save, and you have a finale that nails the Mad Max formula in every conceivable way.
5 The Pokemon League
If there’s one thing Nintendo games are undeniably good at, it’s making players excited to work toward a goal. The Legend of Zelda has Ganon, and Pokemon has the Elite Four. In each of these pocket monster adventures, gamers must journey across the land, battling countless creatures and earning eight gym badges using Pokemon that they’ve caught and trained.
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Once the player has conquered these challenges and reached the Pokemon League, they can’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment. Battling the Elite Four is a privilege afforded to few, and defeating them is equal parts tough and rewarding. To top it off, you get to smack the stuffing out of your rival one last time. What more could a Poke-fan ask for?
4 Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon – I Must Break You
In homage to action flicks of old, the finale of Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon offshoot is absolutely nuts. Rex Colt’s new toys make him feel as indestructible as one of those muscle-bound ’80s heroes he so brilliantly emulates. The Killstar and tank let players plow through resistance like it’s nothing, destroying every foe in their path. With the explosions, neon lights, and throbbing techno beats, it’s like the stylistic flair and blood-pumping cyberpunk power of the whole game is encompassed in this sequence.
Best of all, it ends with Rex killing the bad guy and avenging his friend. No deeper meaning or pseudo-intellectual commentary on the futility of war. Just bask in this well-earned victory.
3 Shadow of the Colossus – Malus, The Final Colossus
How do you convey any sense of escalation in Shadow of the Colossus, a game where you routinely topple giant monsters? It’s simple: combat a colossus bigger than any that came before. Stretching up the sky, Malus is a monster of biblical proportions, emphasized further when he rains down fire from the heavens.
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Climbing this creature will be longer and more arduous than any before encounter before. Once this is done, the player will be on top of the world (literally). Slaying this enemy is akin to toppling a titan. Unfortunately, the elation is quickly dashed when the player completes the dark mission and becomes a colossus, but that’s the tragic beauty of this game.
2 Jak II – Assault On The Metal Head Nest
Often called the hardest in this action platformer series, Jak II abandons the fantastical wonder the first entry. Instead, it traps the iconic duo in a merciless futuristic metropolis under constant threat from ancient creatures dubbed “Metal Heads.” It’s no surprise that everything boils over in the end.
The game’s final hour erupts into an all-out war. Metal Heads infiltrate the city, and Jak and Daxter must journey to the monsters’ next to take out their malevolent leader. Enemies come from every which way, building on the game’s difficulty and emphasizing that no one is safe. It all leads to a harrowing boss fight where players must make the most of the meager ammo they have left. The challenge is palpable, but it’s in line with the rest of the adventure and all the more rewarding to overcome. That’s to say nothing of the shocking story revelations, which brilliantly recontextualize both games. It’s Naughty Dog in its prime.
1 Sly Cooper 3 – Honor Among Thieves
Thieving has always been central to Sly Cooper, so it’s fitting that the last chapter is one big heist. The Cooper Gang’s assault on Kaine Island functions much like the operations in the other chapters, only on a much larger scale.
Every member has a part to play in taking down the island’s defenses, retrieving Sly’s cane, and infiltrating the Cooper Vault. No two sections are the same, meaning that players are always on their toes. However, it all culminates in a final collaboration between the three mainstay characters, falling back on tried-and-true gameplay and reaffirms their friendship in a corny yet poignant way. In that respect, this is the perfect finish for the original trilogy.
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