Game endings come in many forms. Sometimes they wrap up with a happy ending for the main character, defeating evil and bringing peace. Other times, they’re heartbreaking, taking players through a rollercoaster of emotions as they connect deeply with the characters. Here are the top 5 bittersweet game endings that, while hopeful, leave players reflecting long after the credits roll.
Batman: Arkham City
At the end of Arkham City, both Batman and Joker are poisoned. Batman has the antidote and heals himself, then struggles with whether to give the remaining dose to his arch-nemesis.
Before Batman can decide, Joker attacks him, accidentally breaking the vial of antidote. Joker dies laughing at Batman’s attempt to save him. Batman’s choice to save Joker only to watch him die is a deeply painful moment. The game ends with Batman handing Joker’s body over to the police. It’s a happy ending in that the villain is gone, but it leaves players with a heavy feeling.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Arthur Morgan dies after a battle with Micah Bell, paving the way for John Marston to take center stage. John tries to live his own life but hopes to one day avenge Arthur, who protected him and his family. After tracking down Micah, John and friends confront him, ending the feud.
Even after revenge, John feels no peace because Arthur can’t come back. Plus, the vendetta draws the Pinkertons’ attention, who eventually kill John (as seen in the first Red Dead Redemption). So, this ending is bittersweet, revenge is achieved, but at a great cost.
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
At the end of the prologue, The Boss, Naked Snake’s mentor, appears to betray her country and joins Colonel Volgin’s forces. Snake’s mission includes eliminating The Boss.
Snake completes his mission and is hailed as a hero. But he soon learns The Boss never truly betrayed her country. Her goal was to infiltrate Volgin’s forces, but after a research center was destroyed, her plan changed. She sacrificed herself to prevent war. This ending is both hopeful and tragic: war is averted, The Boss remains a hero in Snake’s eyes, but Snake is the one who had to kill his mentor.
The Last of Us
The Last of Us is full of drama, challenging players to question Joel’s morality. Joel knows the Fireflies can create a cure for the fungal infection destroying civilization, but it requires sacrificing Ellie through surgery. Grieving his lost daughter and loving Ellie, Joel refuses and chooses to save her instead, even if it means dooming the world. He kills any Fireflies who get in his way.
This isn’t a hero’s story. Joel’s choice is selfish from a global perspective, sacrificing many to save one. But from Joel and Ellie’s point of view, it’s a happy ending, they survive and stay together, at least through the first game.
Life is Strange
Life is Strange is a journey full of tough choices. After a devastating storm hits the town at the end, Max realizes it’s caused by her time-rewinding powers disrupting the timeline. The only way to stop the disaster is to go back before she ever used her powers. Ironically, her first use was to save her best friend Chloe.
If Max chooses to save the town, she must let Chloe die. Both endings are painful, but letting Chloe go is especially heartbreaking since she’s the series’ standout character. On the bright side, many others survive, just none as important to Max as Chloe.
Source: GVN360
