(spoilers!) Ending

[dubesor]

I am pretty disappointed by the ending. I went with Robespierre and got $1 and kicked out of job and the club. Major seems samey. None of the stuff I did though seemed to matter? We don't see any screen with stats, like stuff for corruption (I never sold anything via mafia and never did shoddy/corporate tasks), no stats for crime solve/fail rate. Used to be visible before deputy got killed. The whole Sand/Vargas thing was meaningless too since one just takes over the spot of the other. Money also doesn't seem to matter. I had $640k by the end without/minimal corruption but none of it is resolved/included in the end. All the gang eliminations and solved cases just vanish. Nothing you did matters. Pretty disappointed.

[atan1357]

Originally posted by mazricoth:

I think that Lana is explained at the end, with Robespierre's letter. He apologizes for Lana, and is very vague about why. It fits with everything that's happened with her, she ran away with a young wealthy business man, he could easily have bought out the detective, he has plenty of minions who could be told to attack him when he was going to meet Lana at the restaurant. It all points to him being behind it in order to put stress on the police chief, making him more liable to manipulation.

Not quite sure about Martin Stett, but one of the people that you talk to when you go to assault Robespierre calims to hear a person trapped inside the walls of the house. Seeing as he's found murdered after the assault (no matter which way you do it), I'm guessing he was down there, too.

Really dissapointed in this game's ending, too. Does anyone know what happens if you finish without the $500,000?

I think you confused Laura (Jack's ex-wife) for Lana (Jack's young friend and soon-to-be prosecutor). Laura runs off with a younger man, but Lana just kind of disappears after threatening to put Jack in jail. Chaffee said she died, but I don't remember that at all. Can anyone help me out there? Also the papers on the very last day say that Stett was found mutilated, but there isn't a real explanation into it.

Also I took care of the Sands earlier in the game, but it sounds to me like they just kind of disappear even if you don't do anything? Can anyone confirm that they beat the game without busting either the Vargas or Sand gang and nothing really happens with them?

[jpj22]

Originally posted by atan1357:

I think you confused Laura (Jack's ex-wife) for Lana (Jack's young friend and soon-to-be prosecutor). Laura runs off with a younger man, but Lana just kind of disappears after threatening to put Jack in jail. Chaffee said she died, but I don't remember that at all. Can anyone help me out there? Also the papers on the very last day say that Stett was found mutilated, but there isn't a real explanation into it.

Also I took care of the Sands earlier in the game, but it sounds to me like they just kind of disappear even if you don't do anything? Can anyone confirm that they beat the game without busting either the Vargas or Sand gang and nothing really happens with them?

Chaffee's letter to you implies he had Lana killed, and that you knew since Lana vanished from the story and you never asked/confronted Chaffee about it. Presumably for the same reason you never asked him about Stett.

The Sands disappeared for me in Act 3 even though I never took them down. Supposedly Chaffee takes them down but I don't remember that being mentioned at all.

[baconspirator]

Interesting interpretation. I'd never considered the possibility of Lana being dead. I had assumed Chaffee's apology in his letter refers to ratting out Jack's corruption, and Lana had ended communication with him after finding out. The city prosecutor doesn't die until Day 180, so Lana would not have official capacity to take down Jack until after endgame.

I'm also kind of confused why people feel no closure with Laura or the money. Jack was hanging on to an obscure, ancient memory of their half-million conversation, hoping that having the cash would change Laura's view/feelings about him and possibly bring them back together. In contrast, Laura has no recollection of this memory. She has no desire to have any further connection to Jack, and just wants to move on with her life. Jack never wanted it for himself, so now the money really has no meaning. [This feels pretty cut and dry for me. Don't know what else people are wanting out of this.]

I am sort of clueless who knocked out Jack, but I had assumed it was Rogers behind it, since he was all too eager to replace him with that other guy.

[Kerensky]

After just finishing the game, I am forced to agree with the general sentiments posted here.

Fantastic game, so much going on with so many characters, but the ending lets it all down with the abrupt wrap up and unanswered questions.

Still, the journey was worth it, and I think players can 'fill in the blanks' from the experience of the journey. Things like realizing, whichever horse you back (Sand/Vargas or Rogers/Chaffee) it makes no difference. They're all corrupt and have their own horrible tendencies and ways of getting power. Picking the lesser of two evils, you're still ending up with evil. More things change, the more they stay the same.

And sometimes there's nothing you can do to change someone's mind, no matter how much you care about them (Jack's Wife and then the new interest in Lana).

But still, it's a wonderful experience to sit back and enjoy all that stuff fleshed out in dialogue and cutscenes and actual different ending influenced by player actions because it is a game afterall!

[DragomirKingsman]

Originally posted by Kerensky:

After just finishing the game, I am forced to agree with the general sentiments posted here.

Fantastic game, so much going on with so many characters, but the ending lets it all down with the abrupt wrap up and unanswered questions.

Still, the journey was worth it, and I think players can 'fill in the blanks' from the experience of the journey. Things like realizing, whichever horse you back (Sand/Vargas or Rogers/Chaffee) it makes no difference. They're all corrupt and have their own horrible tendencies and ways of getting power. Picking the lesser of two evils, you're still ending up with evil. More things change, the more they stay the same.

And sometimes there's nothing you can do to change someone's mind, no matter how much you care about them (Jack's Wife and then the new interest in Lana).

But still, it's a wonderful experience to sit back and enjoy all that stuff fleshed out in dialogue and cutscenes and actual different ending influenced by player actions because it is a game afterall!

I backed Sand.
I did a ton of things. My reasoning is, Vicus Varga is new. If he won, there would be more war trying to transition from the Sands (who would then be dead) to work with Varga. If Varga loses, it's game over. No more problems.

[Lycarion]

I don't really give a ♥♥♥♥ that the ending's not "happy", the game's a tragedy anyway, and, hell, I don't even give a ♥♥♥♥ that none of my choices mattered; It furthers the point this game is trying to make.
What absolutely pisses me off are the massive plot holes. My deputy, for example, went missing after Jack's first coma. I mean, what in the ♥♥♥♥? Did he just run away? Did he get killed? I'm fine with how things ended between Jack and Laura, because it makes sense, and is a completed story - she runs away with a younger man. But what about Lana?? She threatens to send Jack to jail, he goes into a(nother) coma, and..? Nothing. She just disappears. I've read a couple of times that Robespierre had her killed, but I don't rember that from my playthrough, perhaps because I sided with Rogers... And who in ♥♥♥♥♥ name attacked Jack?? Who'd have anything aginst him seeing his ex-wife? Her new boyfriend? All I know from the story is that it's never investigated, and there are no further hints as to whodunnit. One can but speculate.

In conclusion, I'd say This is the Police is a game with an amazing story, but no real ending, as too much is left unrevealed, or is hastily closed off, without any real effect on Boyd.

[|>_|3lade]

Originally posted by jpj22:

Chaffee's letter to you implies he had Lana killed, and that you knew since Lana vanished from the story and you never asked/confronted Chaffee about it. Presumably for the same reason you never asked him about Stett.[...]

I thought the letter implied that Chaffee is sorry, since he is the one who leaked the information to Lana which made her break up with Jack.

However, I read somewhere that Lana got a heart-attack (as seen on the title of some newspaper), but I never saw that.

[IndigoAK]

I think the game in general is a case of wasted potential.

There's the possibility of a great game somewhere in here, but its let down by shallow mechanics and plot threads that are never fully realized before the end of the game.

[Drewsko]

such is life - Ned Kelly , Australian Bushwacker.

[WeltonCitan]

Honestly guys, the game's ending explained almost everything, just in vague ways. I will try to brighten up to you based on my perception.

1. Lana the prosecutor is DEAD. In the end of "Phase 2 of the game", Chaffee knew Boyd has a new ally within the law system which can helps him keeps his position. Chaffee don't want that as all (obviously he planned Boyd to get out of his sight at the end), so he sent all the documents to Lana for her to break up with him.

But Lana is a self-righteous one. The instance she has those files, she tried to arrest Boyd even though they was friend. This was not in Chaffee's calculation, as of now he needed Boyd where he is. So when Jack wanted to escape it all in a overdosed, Chaffee took care of Lana.

The one had a heart attack isn't Lana. She was the one who gave Lana her position.

Jack Boyd knew.

2. The deputy is killed... because of his misplaced trust in Boyd. After several times Boyd showed him he can still fight and need him, Stett decided to helped Boyd. He even went as far as contacted a good lawyer to help Boyd keeps his position.

But Boyd just has to get into a coma. Without the protection of Boyd, Roger/Chaffee took care of the poor deputy.

Jack Boyd knew.

3. Your wife Laura was blackmailed and kidnapped, by who is not explained or I didn't have enough perception points, either Chaffee or Roger, but I lean on Roger. When Boyd was busy playing police chief, something bad happened to Laura. My wild guess is she was raped.

She wanted to talk to Boyd about it, but the first time Boyd thought she was just annoying by something so he didn't tried to talk but instead run out to buy pills. The wife lost Boyd's support, she looks as Boyd drove away, so she broke the tivi instead.

Obviously her mom is a compliance to the culprit, to prevent she might break and told her husband, the culprit moved her out of the house and kept her somewhere. The mom tried to kept Boyd down, told him it's will be okay, his wife just have a short burst of love for younger guys so don't do anything rash, just let her talk to her daughter. Boyd at that time is weak-willed, so he complied.

But he didn't gave up. So her mom arranged a meeting in a middle of somewhere and took care of Boyd.

The second time, Laura finally in contact with Boyd, but instead of asking where she is, is she okay, or why she left, even told her he loves her, he just... had to ask if she remember about half a million promise. Obviously that's a desperate attempt to bring her back because he has no idea. But hearing that, Laura broke down, saying like "What? All this time and that's all you have to said?".

Her mom knew they was talking, fearing Laura might told him, she escaped, while calling to see if Boyd wants revenge, but he "don't care anymore".

Jack Boyd knew.

4. Jack Boyd is dead... by suicide. In a middle of a snowstorm, with nowhere to belong, he starts counting. That's a symbol of wanting to sleep, sleep forever, in snow.

Poor, poor Jack, try to control his fate, but ultimately failed.

[Chasp]

Also, something I really didn't understand, when Ms Markham arranges the meeting with Laura, and Jack goes and gets attacked, why exactly does he get attacked?

[j_saalbach]

You know it's really hard but not impossible to take down the largest griminal groups and one would expect that after eliminating some of the gamgs and major crime groups the police department would have cut scenes where life and moral is slowly comming back as they manage to take down the gangs controling the city.

[Garryck]

Well, we can safely assume that in Robespierre ending Jack will be killed soon after the final day - after all, as far as I know Chafee wrote that this 1$ will be enough for the rest of Boyd's life. And cutting the loose end is clearly Robespierre's style.

For myself, I've choosen Rogers ending without a hesitation. I predicted, that he wouldn't keep his part of bargain, but... Mayor is an rapist, corrupted, thieving bastard - but no more, and he is old, he won't last long. Chafee on the other hand is someone, who kidnaps and kills innocents for the greater good. We all know, what becomes of such rulers. And he is still young enough.

About conspiracy theories about Lana and everything else - I think, Lana's okay. More than that, I think she'll arrest Boyd if he survives the ending as she promised. She was Chafee's second plan for Boyd - it's clear, because everybody knew when exactly her boss will die.

Who attacked Boyd? We know that his wife is with someone rich, someone in charge of developing company. We know such character from the game and that he wouldn't mind to make such move.

Actually, I'm satisfied with the ending. It's noir, there are no happy-endings in this genre.

[TTV/GiantSweet]

I need therapy after the ending. I feel so sad, for real. I feel like I just went through a gruesome ordeal to just get slapped in the face at the end.

Originally posted by cowboyhaGVN:

Honestly guys, the game's ending explained almost everything, just in vague ways. I will try to brighten up to you based on my perception.

1. Lana the prosecutor is DEAD. In the end of "Phase 2 of the game", Chaffee knew Boyd has a new ally within the law system which can helps him keeps his position. Chaffee don't want that as all (obviously he planned Boyd to get out of his sight at the end), so he sent all the documents to Lana for her to break up with him.

But Lana is a self-righteous one. The instance she has those files, she tried to arrest Boyd even though they was friend. This was not in Chaffee's calculation, as of now he needed Boyd where he is. So when Jack wanted to escape it all in a overdosed, Chaffee took care of Lana.

The one had a heart attack isn't Lana. She was the one who gave Lana her position.

Jack Boyd knew.

2. The deputy is killed... because of his misplaced trust in Boyd. After several times Boyd showed him he can still fight and need him, Stett decided to helped Boyd. He even went as far as contacted a good lawyer to help Boyd keeps his position.

But Boyd just has to get into a coma. Without the protection of Boyd, Roger/Chaffee took care of the poor deputy.

Jack Boyd knew.

3. Your wife Laura was blackmailed and kidnapped, by who is not explained or I didn't have enough perception points, either Chaffee or Roger, but I lean on Roger. When Boyd was busy playing police chief, something bad happened to Laura. My wild guess is she was raped.

She wanted to talk to Boyd about it, but the first time Boyd thought she was just annoying by something so he didn't tried to talk but instead run out to buy pills. The wife lost Boyd's support, she looks as Boyd drove away, so she broke the tivi instead.

Obviously her mom is a compliance to the culprit, to prevent she might break and told her husband, the culprit moved her out of the house and kept her somewhere. The mom tried to kept Boyd down, told him it's will be okay, his wife just have a short burst of love for younger guys so don't do anything rash, just let her talk to her daughter. Boyd at that time is weak-willed, so he complied.

But he didn't gave up. So her mom arranged a meeting in a middle of somewhere and took care of Boyd.

The second time, Laura finally in contact with Boyd, but instead of asking where she is, is she okay, or why she left, even told her he loves her, he just... had to ask if she remember about half a million promise. Obviously that's a desperate attempt to bring her back because he has no idea. But hearing that, Laura broke down, saying like "What? All this time and that's all you have to said?".

Her mom knew they was talking, fearing Laura might told him, she escaped, while calling to see if Boyd wants revenge, but he "don't care anymore".

Jack Boyd knew.

4. Jack Boyd is dead... by suicide. In a middle of a snowstorm, with nowhere to belong, he starts counting. That's a symbol of wanting to sleep, sleep forever, in snow.

Poor, poor Jack, try to control his fate, but ultimately failed.

^^^^^^^^
And this is the reason i'll be crying all night.

[Chasp]

I don't think Jack is dead, Chaffee likes Boyd too much to kill him, I think the 1$ was more of a "♥♥♥♥ you" than a "you're going to die tomorrow" because if Chaffee were to kill Boyd he wouldn't tell him. He didn't die in a snow drift. Which brings me to something else, is there any reason Jack was removed from the Colony Club guest list? did Chaffee do that?