Why Bioshock's Ending Kinda Sucks [Possible Spoilers in Discussion]

[ouba]

===YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED===


Although the ending was very clever and had an unexpected twist that came out of nowhere to smack you in the face, I felt that a bit too much was sacrificed to deliver that one twist.

I felt the link that the ending held with the beginning was fairly week. For example, the only things that tie together the ending with the start of the game were a few vaguely ominous phrases: 'Bring us the girl, wipe away the debt', the name 'Anna', the phrase 'Will the Circle be Broken' and the idea that Elizabeth might come from a different dimension/world.

Although the ending cleverly links together every single one of these mildy ominous phrases together in one go, I feel that there seriously was not enough solid information delivered in the events leading up to the ending to make it 100% solid. The majority of the information that really gave the ending meaning [BIG SPOILERS AHEAD], such as the fact that Booker sold his own daughter, Booker was an alternate version of Comstock and the realisation that Elizabeth was his daughter were all rapidly thrown in your face in the last thirty odd minutes.

Another major gripe I have with the ending is how when Elizabeth gains full control of all her powers from the destruction of the siphon, she immediately assumes this God-like all knowing persona. There is very few trace of her personality demonstrated throughout the game left in with the grand speech where she makes an 'explanation'. The ending completely disregards the Booker-Elizabeth relationship/dynamic that was built up throughout the game in exchange for all the impact and relevations need for the 'wow-factor' that was the twist.

Even though both Elizabeth and Booker have clearly built up a strong relationship over the game and obviously care for one another, there is not a single goodbye, apology or even talk with one another before Booker's head is pushed down underneath the water. Elizabeth, (or the army of Elizabeths for that matter) show absolutely no emotion as they drown booker. Elizabeth, who should have now realised Booker is actually her father, would have at least been thankful that Booker had come for her (even if his reasons were selfish at the start), and been glad that she had been able to spend with her father.

Now, for me to ♥♥♥♥♥.
I feel insulted that out of the 17 hours I spent playing through the game, the 14-16 hours of character development for both Booker and Elizabeth that I had so happily lapped up, are pretty much COMPLETELY discarded and forgotten for the sake of a couple of 'SHOCKING RELEVATIONS'. What the hell happened to the relationship that Booker had with Elizabeth? Why the hell does the army of Elizabeths - who from their respective universes may hateor love booker - show no emotion at the end and turn into a pack of bloody zombies!?. If the game had managed to tie together a more emotional factor along with the the huge twist, it would have had FAR more impact and be FAR more satisfying.

Now, before you lot go ape-♥♥♥♥ on my post, I would like to disclaim a few things.
I am not saying the ending was not clever.
I am not saying the ending was not well-written in it's final state.
I am not saying the ending was terrible either.
What I AM saying is that the ending lacks an emotional factor and dosn't properly bring a logical conclusion relationship between Booker and Elizabeth.

What do you guys think?

(no flame plz ._.)

[Jack]

You're right, nuff said

[P O U N A S H]

I completely agree on the sudden personality shift.

[ouba]

I also didn't like how none fo the choices you made affected the ending. You could've gone around shooting civilians and stealing everything and basically being the biggest ♥♥♥♥ on the planet and it wouldn't have mattered.

[Zekh]

This ending is ♥♥♥♥♥♥ (honestly)

[Nomeck]

The ending actually sort of pissed me off because they throw all that in your face, when you're going through the aslyum elizibeth says she loves booker, made me think they coulda had a thing then BAM, shes your daughter. I get that elizabeth is comstocks daughte,r you find that out way before the end. But to find out that booker died and elizabith is his daughter is like "da fuq?" To much of a wow factor and not enough linking of the story together and then all of a suden elizabeth is emotionless and all knowing at the end, what gives?

[ouba]

Originally posted by Nomeck:

The ending actually sort of pissed me off because they throw all that in your face, when you're going through the aslyum elizibeth says she loves booker, made me think they coulda had a thing then BAM, shes your daughter. I get that elizabeth is comstocks daughte,r you find that out way before the end. But to find out that booker died and elizabith is his daughter is like "da fuq?" To much of a wow factor and not enough linking of the story together and then all of a suden elizabeth is emotionless and all knowing at the end, what gives?

Didn't mind too much that there wasn't an Elizabeth/Booker romance (though I did hope there was :P). But yeah, the writing for the ending was pretty messed up.

[nickwithtea]

Ending they gave us : garbage

Ending I would have given you : They leave together for paris happily = amazing

[namDa]

It's not that elizabeth all of a sudden has that all knowing personality. Do a second playthrough, you can tell elizabeth knows what is going on at many points during the game.

[ouba]

Originally posted by namDa:

It's not that elizabeth all of a sudden has that all knowing personality. Do a second playthrough, you can tell elizabeth knows what is going on at many points during the game.

Um... I can't remember any part where she figured out she was Booker's daughter, Comstock was the same as Booker... or any part where she figured out how to 'Break the Circle'. Well, at least before the last 30 minutes.

[uber]

Yeah, the ending was such a shock. They throw a HEAP of information in your face, and expect you to be satisfied with the ending? Just telling from personal experience, I had to watch the last 'chapter' two times to fully comprehend what was going on. That aside, the ending when fully understood, is quite elaborate and unique.

[AzurathArts]

Okay I personally was fine with the daughter thing, but what pissed me off was the no alternitive endings. I'm a HUGE fan of Bioshock. I have the first and second (of which i played many times) and now will play more on my PC. You know why? Because of the alternitive endings. Yes in Bioshock 2 you die no matter what, but you can still get a heart felt felling of satifaction if you wish. At the end of this game I was beyond pissed because all that happed was I got murdered. Nothing else. I die, then credits. What happen to choices in Bioshock? What happen to being able to choose our future? Is this how the next Bioshock will be..? Well, if there is going to be a fourth one. All I'm saying is that the ending pissed me off, and should have been better. Bioshock games are known for alternative endings so the third one should too.

[ouba]

Originally posted by Turtle-Chips:

Okay I personally was fine with the daughter thing, but what pissed me off was the no alternitive endings. I'm a HUGE fan of Bioshock. I have the first and second (of which i played many times) and now will play more on my PC. You know why? Because of the alternitive endings. Yes in Bioshock 2 you die no matter what, but you can still get a heart felt felling of satifaction if you wish. At the end of this game I was beyond pissed because all that happed was I got murdered. Nothing else. I die, then credits. What happen to choices in Bioshock? What happen to being able to choose our future? Is this how the next Bioshock will be..? Well, if there is going to be a fourth one. All I'm saying is that the ending pissed me off, and should have been better. Bioshock games are known for alternative endings so the third one should too.

They should've done something like a 'Take Responsibility' or 'Escape Responsibility' themed endings.

[Roflmaou]

the ending you're looking for is in another DLCastle

[AzurathArts]

Originally posted by The Firelinist (Sn0o):

Originally posted by Turtle-Chips:

Okay I personally was fine with the daughter thing, but what pissed me off was the no alternitive endings. I'm a HUGE fan of Bioshock. I have the first and second (of which i played many times) and now will play more on my PC. You know why? Because of the alternitive endings. Yes in Bioshock 2 you die no matter what, but you can still get a heart felt felling of satifaction if you wish. At the end of this game I was beyond pissed because all that happed was I got murdered. Nothing else. I die, then credits. What happen to choices in Bioshock? What happen to being able to choose our future? Is this how the next Bioshock will be..? Well, if there is going to be a fourth one. All I'm saying is that the ending pissed me off, and should have been better. Bioshock games are known for alternative endings so the third one should too.

They should've done something like a 'Take Responsibility' or 'Escape Responsibility' themed endings.

Well I was thinking of something like 'You protected me and tried to change so I wont kill your and I forgive you' kind choice to a 'wow you're just a bad man so I'll kill you' kinda end. Like in Bioshock one if you're good you take all the little sisters and become their father. It ends with them at your death bed and I love it. Makes me want to play the game a million times! But not this one.

[THRILLHO]

I was fine with the ending. If you stayed past the credits you had another little bit of info. Booker and elizabeth were reunited in the end. Elizabeth got the father she never really had and booker got his daughter back and the cycle was broken. Everything was wrapped up quite nicely in my opinion.