End of evangelion was made after nge, but i dont subscribe to the ide that it was done just because people didnt like nge. On a first watch, alot of people say it's extremely depressing/tragic, but the main message of the anime is one of hope and of persisting through ones' struggles and bettering themselves. Imo it is a very dark anime, but it is also very hopeful in the end. If you want i can do a full analysis of the anime to explain why i think that ^^

(also nge ending happens during eoe fyi they are both canon)