Ars Technica - Does a game have to fail to have an ending?
"It seems every game you play ends by pointing at a sequel, with story threads left hanging, characters left floating in the depths of space, or wars left unwon. When was the last time you finished a game and felt completely satisfied by the experience? With Tabula Rasa, at least the ending has come for everyone; there will be no final call from the governor, no last-minute angel investor. The war is going to come to an end, and by all accounts humanity didn't win, and the game ended with quite the bang. Sure, it was a down note, but the game failed, and a happy ending would be somewhat inappropriate for fans."