This list contains spoilers!
Given how multi-faceted video games have become, it's easy to see why these titles find it easy to manipulate a player's heartstrings. The death of a beloved character is an easy way to shock players, especially if the moment comes out of nowhere.
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These games do a great job of ensuring that fans sit through some of the most unexpected video game deaths without it feeling cheap. Their demise is hard to fathom to this day, with many fans dreading these deaths on repeat playthroughs.
Sean MacGuire
His Sudden Death Marks The Downfall Of The Gang
Red Dead Redemption 2
- Released
- October 26, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
Despite the botched Blackwater heist, the gang's spirits were still high when they were camped in Horseshoe Overlook. Players manage to save Sean MacGuire from being hanged, with his return leading to a party for the gang.
However, no one expected this character to be one of the first major gang members to die. Seeing his head get blasted in Rhodes is hard to watch and makes it clear that Dutch's plans are far from foolproof, although the other members of the gang were too loyal to see just how damaging and selfish his anarchist views were.
Tali'Zorah nar Rayya
Some Wrong Choices Lead To A Surprising And Traumatizing Suicide
Mass Effect 3
- Released
- March 6, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
Tali is one of the most iconic video game characters of all time and a party member players love to bring on missions in the Mass Effect series. However, if players mess up while trying to mediate the conflict between the Quarians and the Geth, they'll be treated to one of the most shocking scenes in the series.
If the Quarians end up being wiped out during this assault, Tali loses all hope and willingly falls to her death. It's a horrifying moment that will make fans rue the decisions that led to such a traumatic and surprising moment.
Aerith Gainsborough
Before This Became Gaming's Most Popular Spoiler, Fans Were Genuinely Shocked By Her Demise
Final Fantasy 7
- Released
- January 31, 1997
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood, Fantasy Violence, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Aerith's death may be one of the most well-known spoilers in gaming history, but fans need to put themselves in the shoes of a starry-eyed gamer who fell in love with Final Fantasy 7 and wasn't aware that such permanent deaths could happen. So, when Aerith is stabbed by Sephiroth, fans can't believe what they're looking at.
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To see a permanent party member die was shocking and turned this into yet another moment that makes Final Fantasy 7 iconic in the eyes of many. All the equipment and materia on her is gone, hammering in just how much of a pivotal moment this is.
Crono
It's Genuinely Surprising To See The Main Character Die At Lavos' Hands
Chrono Trigger
- Released
- March 11, 1995
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Chrono Trigger is one of the greatest JRPGs ever made and features a death that no one sees coming. After being forced into a premature confrontation with Lavos, Crono sacrifices himself to save his friends in a heroic sacrifice.
While players can choose not to revive Crono and complete the story, it's in their best interests to go back in time and replace his body with a doll to ensure that he survives without breaking the timeline continuity. It's an ingenious way to bring this character back after a demise that no one wanted to accept.
Brok
No One Expected Sindri's Partner To Be Killed
God of War Ragnarok
- Released
- November 9, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
God of War Ragnarok's plot is as epic as they come, with the heroes saving Tyr and making him a part of a plan to take down Odin. What no one realizes is that Odin has been masquerading as Tyr all this time, with Brok picking up on one of his slip-ups.
This angers Odin, who stabs and kills Brok. It breaks Sindri's heart, who becomes far more savage than fans have ever seen him, with his ruthless execution of Odin making it clear just how angry he was for losing his closest friend.
Joel Miller
People Who Weren't Spoiled Were Left Shocked By His Brutal Demise
The Last of Us Part 2
- Released
- June 19, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
The Last of Us Part 2 was spoiled for many people, which led to the game being review-bombed. Thankfully, a lot of people didn't know about these spoilers, which led to them experiencing one of the most gruesome video game deaths of all time.
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The horrifying manner in which Joel was executed is hard to fathom to this day. It highlighted the dark tone of The Last of Us Part 2 and why Ellie's quest for revenge burned everything in her path.
Cole Phelps
Just When Fans Thought Everything Was Fine, The Protagonist Was Suddenly Swept Away
L.A. Noire
- Released
- May 17, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
L.A. Noire is an excellent detective game that was way ahead of its time in terms of visuals and motion capture technology. While its exaggerated facial expressions may be laughed at right now, the story was excellent and kept players on the edge of their seats for each case.
The finale sees Cole and Jack Kelso take out an arsonist who was a part of Cole's squad during the war. During a major storm, Cole and his allies try to escape a tunnel that is filling up with water, but Cole is unable to escape in time and bids farewell to his friends before a sudden death that was hard to process for fans.
John Marston
Died Just When He Was About To Be Redeemed
Red Dead Redemption
- Released
- May 18, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Adventure
Red Dead Redemption sees John Marston become a tool of the Pinkertons after they kidnap his family. He's tasked with hunting down the former members of his outlaw gang — namely, Bill Williamson, Javier Escuella, and Dutch van der Linde.
After accomplishing this task and living a normal life with his family, things come crashing down when the Pinkertons arrive to kill off the final loose thread. No matter how hard he tried, John couldn't escape his past. He helped his family escape before engaging in one final standoff where he tries to shoot down as many of the Pinkertons as he can before getting riddled with bullets in one of the most shocking video game deaths of all time.
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