Summary
Like any other art form, video games undergo constant reviews and filtering before hitting store shelves. They continually shift and evolve throughout development; not all features make the cut. Unfortunately, whether due to time constraints ordevelopment woes, most passionate developers lack the time or workforce necessary to deliver on all the planned features.
Whether it’s unsettling levels that entirely shift the genreor mechanics that significantly alter gameplay, fans are always interested in looking at cut content and wondering what could have been. For those looking to learn more about their favorite games, take a peek behind the development curtain to see what could’ve made the cut. Here’s some of the most transformative cut content in video games.
Early footage ofRed Dead Redemption 2’s development cycle suggests that players would’ve been able to explore parts of Mexico and that certain story moments would have seenThe Van Der Linde gangback in the sandy threshold.
Players can still enter Mexico in-game through glitching, but it’s evidently not supposed to be a location that’s accessible to players. It’s entirely barren and devoid of NPCs and filled with half-rendered mountain rangers and a singular fort. It’s weird to think what could have been, and though there are many theories out there as to why it’s still in the game itself - players can’t help but wonder just what Rockstar had in store forthis gunslinging adventure.
The original ending toBungie’s all-time classic,Halo 2,was originally going to be an ending to the series as a whole. The ending would’ve been entirely different,with Master Chief and The Arbiter directly taking on the recurring villain, Truth.
After the fight, Truth would lie dead - and the Ark would begin to collapse, leading to a gameplay segment whereMaster Chiefwould have to shoot his way out. In the end, players would’ve seen Master Chief outside his iconic Mjolnir armor, looking down onto Earth as the Covenant led to Earth. A post-credits scene would then reveal a human skeleton in a sarcophagus, revealing that humans were direct ancestors of the Forerunners. It was a more definitive and bittersweet ending, but it still left some questions unanswered.
Though as a feature, the War Table may not exactly bring up the most positive memories for fans ofBioWare’scritically acclaimed entry into their RPG franchise - it was initially planned to be far more expansive.
The War Table would’ve seen players actually taking part in the missions that they embarked on, persuading merchants and battling on the front lines - but as is the case with allDragon Ageentries, time constraints led to the core of this feature on the cutting room floor, leaving gamers with just the surface level aspects of the mechanic.
A central figure inThe Witcher 2who was entirely cut from the sequel would’ve had a significant role throughout the events ofThe Wild Hunt. Iorveth would’ve been a recurring character and had an entire questline dedicated to his elven leadership.
This character has an exceedingly dedicated fanbase who were more than upset about the character’s exclusion from the sequel - but development speedbumps made it a relatively complex situation. There’s no shortage of cut content given the massive size ofCD Projekt Red’s GOTY-winningRPG, but this is one storyline that fans would’ve been ecstatic to see.
Originally, this portion of the game would’ve been set between the Depot and City 17 wars, elongating the experience’s timeframe from three days to four. It was set on one of the Combine’s plethora of Air Exchanges, which significantly modify Earth’s atmosphere for, well, reasons.
No one’s too sure why the Combine transforms Earth’s atmosphere. Theories range from adjusting the Planet’s atmosphere to make it more habitable for the Combine to great portals siphoning the very lifeforce of Earth. This level likely would’ve seen the player going all the way from deep underground to the very top of the Air Exchange - subsequently demolishing it. Small pieces are still leftover in the full release - but this would likely be a complete game-changerfor the iconicHalf-Life 2.
The iconic platforming plumber’sNintendo 64 debutwas initially planned to be much larger in size. Whether it was from time restraints or hardware limitations, however - the game was eventually cut down to just fifteen.
There’s not much known about the unreleased levels, but they were stated to have almost quadrupled the game’s length - leaving many fans pondering just what could have been for this beloved entry in the legendary franchise. However, this hasn’tstopped creators from making their own levels.
The much beloved Ocarina of Timewas initially planned to have two expansion disks after the game’s release. One of them wasZelda Gaiden,which would’ve seen more complex dungeons, a completely separate overworld, and an entirely new storyline to complete.
This one was mainly cut due to the failure ofNintendo’s 64DDsystem. This system was an extension port for thereveredNintendo 64that could either expand or completely rewrite game data. But a mixture of underwhelming sales and less than favorable critical reception meant that, sadly, Nintendo would drop all planned projects for the system.There’s not all that much known aboutZelda Gaiden, but it was eventually adapted into the franchise entry:Zelda: Majora’s Mask.
Skyrim’s sidequest, based around the evolving war between the Stormcloaks and Imperials, is all too familiar to seasonedElder Scrollsplayers. However, it was originally meant to have a much greater impact on the environment and how the Dovahkiin explored the world.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrimallows players to choose their side in the war, and originally, the “Civil War” cut content allowed player choice to impact the ongoing war significantly. Players were originally capable of losing the war, which is a feature that wound up getting axed. In the full release, whatever side the player chooses to back automatically wins - no matter their performance. There would be large-scale skirmishes that would’ve seen the legendary Dovahkiin fighting in the frontlines to ensure their side’s victory. Quests would see players going from assassinating commanding officers to stealing war plans. This is content that truly would’ve transformed the game, and probably made the Civil War questline stand out far more than it did.
