Almost every close relationship comes with its share of bittersweet moments, which is why many games explore this theme. They take players through emotional highs and lows that hit just as hard as any movie scene.
Throughout the history of the gaming industry, there have been countless heartbreaking stories that touched the hearts of many players. In the previous part, we covered 5 games that brought many gamers to tears. Now, let’s continue with more.
Final Fantasy VII, A Love That Blossomed and Withered
Final Fantasy VII is a legendary RPG that’s stood the test of time. You play as Cloud Strife joining the Avalanche group to fight the Shinra Corporation. Along the way, you meet memorable characters like Barret, Vincent Valentine, and Tifa, but none stand out quite like Aerith Gainsborough.
Throughout the journey, you feel the bond growing between Cloud and Aerith as they uncover each other’s secrets. Later, Sephiroth tries to manipulate Cloud into killing Aerith but fails. Then Sephiroth stabs Aerith with his long sword, a scene that brought many players to tears and fueled Cloud’s determination to defeat Sephiroth.
Starcraft, A Fate That Tears Lovers Apart
Starcraft might not be as popular today, but it still draws a big player base. Besides being a top-tier strategy game, its story is deeply engaging. The most notable relationship is between Jim Raynor and Sarah Kerrigan. While serving in the military, Jim and Sarah fall in love, and their relationship lasts through the Terran Great War. Jim is a soldier, Sarah a strategist.
In a key moment, Sarah is betrayed by General Arcturus Mengsk and captured by enemies. She’s ravaged by the Zerg and is no longer the woman she once was. Now the Queen of Blades, she commands the Zerg swarm. Despite this transformation, Sarah and Jim still share a connection, and their complicated story continues through Starcraft 2’s trilogy. Ultimately, both accept they can’t go back to how things were.
Though saved in Wings of Liberty, Sarah returns as Queen of Blades in Heart of the Swarm and Legacy of the Void. This emotional storyline helped Blizzard win even more love from gamers.
InFamous, Every Ending Sparks a New Tragedy
Before Ghost of Tsushima (2020), Sucker Punch was known for the InFamous series. You play as superhero Cole McGrath, choosing between good and evil paths. The first game is set in a ruined Empire City after an explosion that grants Cole electric powers. Initially, Cole plans to escape the city with Trish and Zeke but soon uncovers dark secrets behind the blast.
Throughout the game, Cole faces off against the villain Kessler. The most tragic moment comes at the end when Trish is kidnapped and left hanging on a rooftop with her colleagues. Cole must choose to save either Trish or many others. No matter what you pick, Trish dies.
Whether the ending is tragic or bittersweet, Trish’s death is part of Kessler’s plan, setting up a major twist at the game’s conclusion.
Gears of War 2, Killing the One You Love
This series is not only iconic for Xbox but also has a deeply emotional story about humanity’s survival on planet Sera. Gears of War 2 takes it further by focusing on Dom Santiago’s heartfelt story. In the first game, Dom mentions searching for a missing woman, later revealed to be his wife, Maria.
In the second half of Gears of War 2, Delta Squad finds Maria imprisoned by the Locust Horde. When Dom sees her, he’s overjoyed but soon realizes it’s just an illusion. Maria has been tortured and starved to the brink of death. After months of searching, Dom tearfully ends her suffering by ending her life himself.
This emotional climax adds a new layer to Gears of War 2, highlighting the harsh realities of survival.
Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne, Utter Despair
Though it wasn’t widely praised or a big seller, this game has one of the most touching stories. Continuing the revenge plot from the first game, The Fall of Max Payne focuses on Max’s relationship with Mona Sax. Together, they hunt Vladimir Lem and fall in love.
The game features intimate moments between them, like when you follow Mona infiltrating an abandoned amusement park, then switch to Max providing sniper support. Max even kills his superior officer to prevent Mona from going to jail.
At the end of Max Payne 2, Mona refuses to kill Max because she loves him but is killed in a shootout. This shatters Max emotionally. Though short, the game pulls players into Max and Mona’s tragic love story, ending with Max broken and in deep pain.
Source: What Culture, translated by gearvn
