Summary
In the video game world, narratives often revolve around a plucky player character triumphing against all odds and saving the world from evil. Yet, this is not the case for all games, as some subvert this convention by’killing off' the main characters,often to the shock of players.
Xboxtitles are known for their immersive storytelling, and they do not shy away from exploring such dark and harrowing themes. From heartbreaking sacrifices to tragic endings, the following games offer players a unique and emotionally resonant experience which will stick with them long after they have seen the game’s credits.
Fable 2is an action role-playing game in which players shape the main character’s destiny through a series of moral choices and actions. They can evenmake the main character a villain, which results in gradual physical changes to the main character. Interestingly, players of this game can choose whether to let the main character die or not.
If they choose “The Needs of the Many” at the end of the game’s main storyline, the hero will sacrifice himself for the greater good, saving the world’s inhabitants from a malevolent force known as the Spire. It’s one of the few games that has ever given players the option to sacrifice their own main character.
Released back in 2010,Halo Reachserves as a prequel to the acclaimedHaloseries. The player assumes the role ofNoble Six, a member of an elite team of soldiers: the Noble Team. Set against the dramatic background of humanity’s desperate struggle against the menacing Covenant aliens,Halo Reachfollows the Noble Team’s perilous journey and last stand on the planet Reach.
Throughout the game, the player witnesses Noble Team’s valiant efforts to defend Reach at all costs. However, tragically, the team is ultimately unable to conquer the Covenant forces, resulting in the planet falling victim to the enemy. The saddest part of the game is at the very end, where the player controls Noble Six in his futile attempt to hold off the attackers once all other members of the team have died. Eventually,Six sacrifices himselfin a poignant and emotionally charged scene. The finale ofHalo Reachteaches players that heroes don’t always win, as they come to the somber realization that Noble Team’s mission ends in tragedy despite their noble efforts to save their planet. Gamers all over the world, whetherHalofans or not, agree that Noble Six’s death is one of the most tragic moments in gaming.
Another shooter, this one in third person,Gears of War 3is the conclusion to the acclaimedGears of Wartrilogy. On the surface, the game appears to be a typical action shooter. Yet, the game has a lot more heart than expected. The characters are not one-dimensional heroes; they are likable and have great depth to them, unlike most others in the genre.Gears of War 3also teaches players the dark realities of war, as it does not shy away from killing off a huge number of characters.
A playable character in co-op,Dom Santiagois one of the main characters inGears of War 3, as well asone of the most beloved. The childhood friend of the series' protagonist, Marcus Fenix, Dom plays a crucial role in the plot. After his wife Maria’s tragic death in the previous game, Dom is not the same as he once was, cracking fewer jokes in the third game. Despite his depression and grief, Dom admirably continues to fight with the Coalition of Ordered Governments Army. While in Mercy, Dom and his friends find themselves surrounded by hostile Lambent troops with seemingly no escape.
However, Dom comes up with a plan, which involves driving a truck into some fuel tanks and causing a huge explosion. He goes through with this plan,sacrificing himself but saving his teammates. Ultimately, Dom is one of gaming’s most tragic characters, having lost his whole family, including his wife and children, and finally losing his own life.
Originally an Xbox exclusive and based on Dmitry Glukhovsky’s novel of the same name,Metro 2033takes placeafter a nuclear war, where survivors have taken refuge in the Metro tunnels of Moscow. In thispost-apocalyptic shooter, the main character, Artyom, faces a number of challenges that come with a nuclear apocalypse, including mutated creatures and hostile factions. As Artyom, players must navigate these obstacles while traveling through the dark metro tunnels in search of a solution to the threat of the mysterious enemy known as the ‘Dark Ones’.
While Artyom manages to survive this grueling world by the skin of his teeth, other major characters in the game die in the main storyline, including Bourbon, who is stabbed by a bandit leader. Overall,Metro 2033emphasizes stealth; avoiding death through strategic gameplay is crucial for survival, especially when bullets are the game’s only currency.
1Operation Darkness
Potential Major Character Deaths
Thisrather obscure tactical role-playing gamefollows a squad of SAS soldiers fighting Nazis across Europe in World War 2. The storyline covers some real history, while simultaneously adding fantasy elements like undead Nazi soldiers and some main characters' abilities to transform into werewolves. Other fantasy aspects include supernatural enemies such as magic spells and even vampires.
InOperation Darkness, several main characters have the potential to die, depending on the player’s choices throughout the RPG. One such character is Edward Kyle, the protagonist and player character. His death results in a game over, as his presence is essential to continuing the storyline. Other important characters include Cordelia Blake and Jude Lancelot, friends of Kyle whose deaths can potentially lead to mission failures or bad outcomes. The player’s decisions during Operation Darkness consistently influence the survival of the major characters.
