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BeerBaron
Since: Mar, 2012
2023-06-23 05:08:27
You Are Too Late seems fitting. Also Your Princess Is in Another Castle! which, despite the name, applies to any situation where you are expecting resolution but don't get it.
KD
Since: May, 2009
2023-06-23 06:46:01
Also You Can't Thwart Stage One — that is, often the villain reaches the cusp of victory instead of being stopped before he's even left his home base.

... and after a lot of puzzles, backtracking, and mini-bosses, you reach the boss room... only to find the Dragon instead, as the Big Bad is already at the sacred / cursed / dangerous weapon holding place he was looking for.
Edited by Ghajur