Games can evoke many emotions, from joy and excitement to sadness and despair. One of the most memorable happy moments in gaming is the reunion between Joel and Ellie in The Last of Us. The intense journey they undertake together and the bond they form are heartwarming and touching. Another great example is the joy of finally beating a difficult boss in Dark Souls, which elicits a feeling of pride and satisfaction.
However, games also have their share of devastatingly sad scenes that can leave a lasting impact on the player. For instance, the death of Aerith in Final Fantasy 7 is considered one of the most painful moments in gaming history. The player's attachment to the character, combined with the emotional impact of the death, makes for a truly heart-wrenching experience. That said, not every game showcases someone’s passing to invoke sad emotions. Here are a few titles that break players’ hearts and make them gasp.
10 God of War - Ambiguous Prophetic Illustration
God of War (2018) is an action-adventure game that follows the journey of Kratos, the Ghost of Sparta, as he tries to connect with his son Atreus while battling mythical creatures in ancient Norway. The game features stunning visuals and a visceral combat system and received widespread critical acclaim.
The game's ending is particularly poignant, as Kratos, after a long and arduous journey, finally reaches the highest peak in Norway and spreads his wife's ashes. While doing so, he sees a prophetic illustration that foretells something ambiguous. This moment, combined with the emotional journey Kratos has been on throughout the game, left many players devastated and moved.
9 The Last of Us Part II - Finale
The Last of Us Part 2 is a critically acclaimed action-adventure game developed by Naughty Dog. The game follows Ellie, a teenage girl, on her journey through a post-apocalyptic world filled with danger. The game's ending is particularly heartbreaking as Ellie, a talented guitarist, realizes she lost two fingers in the final brutal encounter.
This loss physically hinders her and emotionally devastates her as she can no longer play the guitar, a source of comfort and joy. The ending leaves a lasting impact on players, as it highlights the results of revenge and the fragility of life.
8 Firewatch - Henry Part Ways With Delilah
Firewatch is a first-person single-player adventure game set in the Wyoming wilderness in 1989. The player takes on the role of Henry, a fire lookout, who communicates with his supervisor Delilah via radio. As the story unfolds, the player experiences the growing bond between Henry and Delilah, making the game's ending, where they part ways, particularly poignant.
The final moments of the game leave players with a feeling of sadness as they say goodbye to two characters they have grown to care about. The bittersweet ending is a testament to the strong writing and character development that makes Firewatch a memorable gaming experience.
7 Life is Strange - Max’s Realization
Life is Strange is a narrative-driven video game that follows the journey of teenager Maxine Caulfield, who discovers she has the power to rewind time. The game focuses on the moral dilemma faced by Max as she tries to balance her relationships and solve the mystery of a disappearing student while grappling with the consequences of her newfound abilities.
The impact of Max's powers and the decisions she makes result in uncomfortable realizations for the player, as they experience the butterfly effect of their actions and are forced to confront the fact that every choice has consequences. This game creates an intense emotional journey for the player, challenging them to consider the ethics and responsibilities of power.
6 Dark Souls - Solaire’s Descent Into Madness
Dark Souls is an action role-playing video game known for its challenging gameplay, atmospheric world, and deep lore. One character, Solaire of Astora, is a fan-favorite due to his upbeat personality and desire to find his own "sun" in the game's dark world.
However, as players progress through the game, they can encounter Solaire in a state of madness caused by infection. Watching Solaire's descent into madness is a devastating experience as it highlights the game's themes of despair, loss, and the toll that obsession can take on a person.
5 The Walking Dead - Lee Gets Bitten
The Walking Dead Season 1 game, developed by Telltale Games, is a point-and-click adventure game based on the popular comic book series of the same name. The game follows the story of Lee Everett, a convicted criminal, as he tries to survive in a world overrun by zombies.
The scene where Lee gets bitten by a zombie is particularly devastating, as players have grown attached to the character throughout the game. This moment is even more poignant because Lee must continue his journey to save little Clementine even after being infected with the zombie virus leading to a heartbreaking ending.
4 Inside - The Obscure Ending
Inside is a 2016 puzzle-platformer video game developed by Playdead. The game follows a young boy in a monochromatic world filled with dangers and puzzles as he tries to reach a mysterious destination. The game has received critical acclaim for its haunting atmosphere and thought-provoking narrative.
However, the ending of Inside is open to interpretation and has been described as both mysterious and sad. It leaves many questions unanswered and is open to different interpretations. Despite this, it has only added to the game's allure, with fans debating and theorizing about the ending's meaning.
3 Bioshock Infinite - Booker’s Truth
BioShock Infinite is a first-person shooter game set in the floating city of Columbia. Players control Booker DeWitt, a former Pinkerton agent tasked with rescuing a young woman named Elizabeth. Booker and Elizabeth form a strong bond throughout the game as they uncover the truth about Columbia and its citizens.
The moment players learn Booker's truth is poignant, revealing that Booker is actually a version of himself from an alternate universe. This realization is sad as it highlights the futility of Booker's actions and the devastating consequences they have on those around him. It is a haunting moment that stays with players long after they have finished the game.
2 God of War: Chains Of Olympus - Kratos Pushes Away His Daughter
God of War: Chains of Olympus is an action-adventure game developed by Sony Santa Monica and released in 2008. The game is set in ancient Greece and follows the protagonist, Kratos, as he embarks on a journey to rescue the goddess of the underworld, Persephone.
One of the saddest moments in the game occurs when Kratos has to push his daughter Calliope away to save her from the wrath of the gods. The scene is poignant because it shows the depth of Kratos' love for his daughter and his struggle to protect her, even if it means pushing her away. The emotional soundtrack further intensifies the scene, making it one of the most memorable moments in the game.
1 Titanfall 2 - BT’s Sacrifice
Titanfall 2 is a first-person shooter video game developed by Respawn Entertainment. The game is set in a futuristic world where players control Pilots who have the ability to control giant robots known as Titans. One of the most memorable moments in the game is the sacrifice of BT-7274, the player's trusty Titan companion.
Throughout the game, the player and BT form a strong bond, and the Titan's sacrifice to save the player is a devastating and emotional moment. It highlights the theme of friendship and sacrifice in the game and is a testament to the high level of storytelling and character development in Titanfall 2.