Top 10 Saddest Deaths in Video Games

Spoiler Alert!!!

This is a selection of the saddest deaths in gaming. Which had you crying the most? Please be sure to include the name of the game in which the death occurs.
The Top Ten
1 Lee Everett - The Walking Dead Video Game Lee Everett is the main character of the first season of The Walking Dead video game. He is the player character in the first season, appearing in all five episodes.

In the first episode, Lee stumbles across a little girl named Clementine, whom he then takes on the task of protecting... read more

I know this game is fairly recent, and it's incredibly underrated, but after developing as a character, you know Lee was amazing, who'd do anything to protect the 8-year-old Clementine. So, when he was bitten, I thought that if you cut off the arm, then he wouldn't die (just like Rick Grimes in the comic series). Unfortunately, it didn't work out like that. So, with just you and Clementine, and Lee half zombified, you have the decision of whether to let Clemmy shoot you or leave you. Either way, it's a deeply saddening scene, in which many YouTubers who played the game cried, like myself. Not bad for the game of the year.

2 John Marston - Red Dead Redemption John Marston is a central character and the main protagonist of Red Dead Redemption and Undead Nightmare. He is portrayed by Rob Wiethoff.

This game probably has the best story of any video game, the best voice acting, and the best dialogue. The story in this game is way better than in Grand Theft Auto 5. Due to Red Dead's great characterization, it was devastating when John Marston died. He went from "bad guy" to "good guy" and also to a good father. This was also exemplified by all the previous experiences and all that John went through. After he's dead, you're left with his son and wife, but soon after, his wife dies too. And after that, you kind of feel really lonely. Awesome game. It by far has my favorite story.

3 Sarah - The Last of Us

Everything from Troy Baker's and Hana Hayes' performances to the visual design, the soundtrack, and the script pulls this scene together perfectly. Joel's mourning had a quietness to it. He doesn't scream or yell. He holds his daughter, pleading, before he breaks out in tears. That simplicity makes this death extremely effective.

Then there's the way she died. She was shot for virtually no reason other than caution and the military not wanting to take any risks. Even the man who pulled the trigger was extremely reluctant to do so. Joel gets up after Tommy shoots the soldier, and they hear sobbing. They, and by extension, we know exactly what it is. Sarah is in pain, more pain than a lot of us can imagine.

A lot of characters who get shot either survive or die strong, with no tears, maybe a grunt here or there. But Sarah is a child, and we are reminded of that fact when we hear her sobbing. And when everything goes quiet, we can't help but weep with Joel. It's easily one of the most heartbreaking deaths in video game history.

4 Dominic Santiago - Gears of War 3

The fact that Soap ranks higher than Dom on this list confuses me. I don't know anyone who cried when Soap died. I don't even know anyone who cried when John Marston died. My best friend still gets sad when you mention Dom in Gears of War. He had to stop playing when Dom died because he started crying. John died because he was a criminal. Soap died because he was betrayed. Dom, on the other hand, died as a soldier tired of fighting an endless war. He saw no end in sight and had no reason left to continue fighting after his wife's death. So, Dom sacrificed himself in the hope that maybe his best friend could make it out alive.

5 Soap MacTavish - Modern Warfare 3

I was jumping out of my chair in rage and tears. The man that you have played with and fought with throughout three of the most epic games in history finally bites the proverbial bullet that he should have been killed by countless battles ago. Nobody who has ever played this game and witnessed this tragic death will ever forget the reaction that his loyal comrade, mentor, and badass, Capt. Price, had after he watched this hero bleed out on a table in front of his eyes. Soap, you are the epitome of amazing.

6 Ghost - Modern Warfare 2

It's been a while since I played the game, but he was with you the whole time, covering you, saving your life. Then we get to that helicopter and I get shot. My face was full of hatred and betrayal. Funny thing is, though, Ghost reacted like 3 seconds later. I think he could've moved a bit faster than that. I freaked out when the gasoline was poured on me. Killing Shepard was my only priority after that.

No words to say... It made me speechless... Whenever I recollect the last scene from this game... It's very emotional... It shows us the truth of life... Teaches great values... To never give up, even if the situations are against you... You can't run from it... If you have to live... You have to fight!

7 Aerith - Final Fantasy VII

The thing about Aerith's death in Final Fantasy VII is that you know it's coming, so you make sure to use Aerith and interact with her as much as you can before she dies. Then, when the time comes, despite knowing it's coming, it's absolutely heartbreaking because you spent so much time with her. Complete with a gut-wrenching stab right through her torso and the emotional "Aerith's Theme" playing in the background, you have the saddest video game death ever.

"This can't be real!"
"Aeris will no longer talk, no longer laugh, cry, or get angry."

There were some extremely long, epic games, but the masterpiece that FF7 is gives you the ability to attach to characters and then rips it away, just as death is actually experienced. Aeris' childhood, her time with Cloud, Cloud's reaction, Sephiroth's smug face, and your hatred for him are all integral. This is all followed up by the most lackadaisical boss fights I've ever limped through. Watching this sequence brings back that feeling I once had.

8 Claus - Mother 3

Mother 3 has a lesson to tell and does so in the most sorrowful way possible. It's not so much the deaths themselves, but the meaning surrounding them. Flint's reaction to Hinawa's death is sure to wrench at your gut. And if you battle your way to the very end, you're greeted with an incredibly climactic and emotional battle with your own brother.

The developer was clearly relentless because even after the longest battle in the game, your brother still ends up dead, and you're faced with a decision to either give the world fresh life or simply end it. Then the world ends. Do you really want to know why Mother 3 isn't available in English? The translators couldn't see the text through their own tears.

9 Joker - Batman: Arkham City

When I saw Joker die, I wasn't in tears exactly. I was in more than tears. I was in pain at the sight of seeing one of the best villains in history dying and that night I couldn't sleep at all, seeing my favorite villain die. I wanted to cry that night, but I guess it was just the shock.

I have known Joker since the first time he was publicly shown as the "Crown Prince of Crime," and I never really expected him to die. But still, him, of all people, is going to be the one I'll remember to look out for when you're about to laugh.

10 Mordin Solus - Mass Effect 3

The scene where he died is just gut-wrenching. As he hums, shielding himself from the explosions, the slight smile he gets when he finishes the fix and releases the cure, then a look of sadness that passes over him right before he dies, and then the peace and tranquility of the cure falling over Tuchanka. Just such a perfect scene to make things get a little misty.

You got so attached to Mordin by playing ME2, and he gave his life as an act of heroism to make amends for his mistake, as he finally realizes the Genophage was wrong. He was one of the best characters in Mass Effect, and I think it's safe to say that whoever played this at heart shed a couple of tears when this guy died.

The Contenders
11 Noble 6 - Halo Reach

No video game scene has ever made me cry. But this came closest. When I began Halo Reach, I assumed it would end with the Covenant retreating and Reach surviving. But when I saw Noble 5 die, and the Covenant armada come out of slipspace, I knew it was the beginning of the end. And then death after death occurred. Then I played Pillar Of Autumn, when Noble 6 stayed behind, I could not prepare myself for what came next. Lone Wolf. The first cutscene, Reach in ruins, the Covenant everywhere, and Noble 6 looking out over everything. I could not finish the game the first time. "Spartans never die, they are just missing in action."

12 Piers Nivans - Resident Evil 6

Piers Nivans was supposed to take over for Chris as the leader. Unfortunately, fate had other plans. Out of the selflessness of his heart, he allowed Chris to escape, choosing to remain behind. R.I.P Piers.

Piers is about to kill himself for Chris's life, and all Chris wants to do is scream at Piers.

Saddest scene in the whole Resident Evil series. I cried a lot. Piers's sacrifice for Chris...

13 Arthur Morgan - Red Dead Redemption 2 Arthur Morgan is the central character and main protagonist of Red Dead Redemption 2. He is portrayed by Roger Clark.

Arthur Morgan's death is probably the saddest death in gaming history, yet it feels good in a way since Arthur dies honorably, saving and helping John and his family escape for a better life. Let's be honest here, the good ending is unquestionably the best one, and ultimately obtaining redemption for his criminal past. What makes it even sadder is seeing Arthur, after finding out that he only had a few months to live, try to help others around him and do good things however he could to right his past wrongs before his passing.

14 Tidus - Final Fantasy X Tidus is the main protagonist of Final Fantasy X, a role-playing video game developed by Square Enix.

Final Fantasy X is the only game to have ever made me cry. Tidus had gone from being some angsty, cocky, spoiled celebrity to someone who gave up his life for the greater good. I had developed an emotional bond with him, I had seen him transform into the man he became, and when I saw him disappear, I couldn't help but cry.

15 Zack Fair - Crisis Core Zack Fair is a fictional character first introduced as a non-player character in the 1997 role-playing video game Final Fantasy VII by Square Enix, and subsequently expanded upon in the metaseries Compilation of Final Fantasy VII.

For several years, I refused to look at the game because I already knew what was going to happen, as I had played the original since I was a kid. Eventually, I gave in and watched the walkthroughs on YouTube. Seeing how great Zack's personality was made me feel sad just looking at him, and I dreaded the ending more than I had earlier.

And then the ending came. I cried, and still cry just thinking about it. I first saw it about five years ago, and I was finally able to get the game earlier this year. But I stopped once I got to Aerith's church because I felt like I was going through everything too fast. The ending is drawing near once again, and the further I go, the heavier the weight in my chest becomes.

16 Lunafreya Nox Fleuret - Final Fantasy XV
17 The Boss - Metal Gear Solid 3

I have never felt worse about killing a character in a video game. The strength of the relationship between Snake and The Boss is discussed constantly throughout the game, a combination of a relationship between two comrades, and a (figurative) mother and son. The fact that the game forces you to pull the trigger yourself when she's lying on the ground, almost comforting Snake, makes it worse.

Even before the final twist, which makes the gut punch even worse, it would still top the list.

I admit, Big Boss's death is sad, but he died normally. Well, almost normally, because of that virus. But I think in the original MGS3, you were forced to shoot The Boss. At the end of MGS3 HD, it was kinda like Fox's death, I couldn't shoot her. In fact, her death is one of the few that made me tear up. She was a true patriot, even though she is considered a traitor and a monster.

18 Detective David Tapp - Saw: The Video Game
19 Luis Sera - Resident Evil 4

Even though he didn't appear that much, he was still an important character, and his sudden death was so unexpected that it brought tears to my eyes.

I posted this when it was below 106. Now I found it on 37 when I came back to this site. Thank you, fans of Resident Evil 4, and welcome.

He and Leon were best friends, and unfortunately, he had to say goodbye to him.

20 Jack - BioShock

But he didn't die... except in the ending where all the Little Sisters you bring to the surface are all at your deathbed.

21 Commander Shepard - Mass Effect 3 Commander Shepard is the player character in BioWare's Mass Effect game series: Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2, and Mass Effect 3.

He/she has the saddest death ever. Not just because Shepard was dead, but because I would never find out if they ever got to have little blue children with Liara. Putting in well over 100 hours with all these characters made the story seem real, and with Shepard's death, it was over. Watching Shepard sacrifice himself, while in his last moments thinking of all the people near to him, just gave me so many feels.

After playing through countless hours across three games, you become Commander Shepard. When he dies, a part of you dies with him (or her). This is the only time I have ever come close to crying at the end of a game. This is way too low on the charts, number 1 in my mind.

22 Xion - Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days

Xion is the saddest character in all of Kingdom Hearts because she's the only one that's completely forgotten. Only Roxas and Axel know about her, and once Roxas and Xion are gone, everyone remembers Roxas but forgets Xion. She sacrifices her life to wake up Sora and no one remembers her. Her fate is definitely the worst one of everyone. Also, her theme is my absolute favorite!

I cried HARD not only for the death, but the fact that Roxas had to kill one of his only best friends. His sadness is one of the huge things that really struck me. With the "fact" that Nobodies have no emotion, I cried more when Roxas started to cry. But I can admit, Xion's death was a beautiful death because she died in the arms of her best friend and she faded into light.

23 Agro - Shadow of the Colossus

The deaths on this list are so sad because, by the end, you really begin to love the characters. However, I had to choose Agro, who made me cry. The scene is set with a calm 10-minute journey, a huge gate opens with your sword, and then you're powerless and completely unprepared for what happens next. When you realize what's occurring, a beautiful, sad music plays. This horse, who always wanted to help, now motivates you to continue. But it's no longer just for your girl. It's for your horse. You feel as though nothing is left of your hero's soul after this. Agro was your only companion and friend, the one who kept you from losing your mind. And then he is gone. Now, as you look up at the last Colossus, there's only one thought: He will pay for this.

24 Papyrus - Undertale Papyrus is a character from the 2015 game Undertale, made by Toby Fox. He is the Younger brother of Sans the skeleton, royal guard in training, and a sentry in the town of Snowdin. Opposite to his brother, papyrus is active, loud, and full of himself; but in an endearing way. Papyrus means to become... read more

Not really a sad death if you go the Genocide route, but it is sad to see how he believed in you until his very end.

Well, that's not what I expected, but you can do a little better! I believe in you!

If you kill Papyrus, you are a monster.

25 Nicole Brennan - Dead Space

It must really suck to be Isaac Clarke, surviving being torn to pieces by Necromorphs only to learn your girlfriend has been dead the whole time.

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