Highlights

• Some video games have the ability to evoke deep emotional attachment and can leave players wiping tears from their eyes.
• Games like Life is Strange and Final Fantasy 15 have narratives that are emotional rollercoasters, making players feel sadness and melancholy.
• Titles like BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea and Bloodborne deliver moments of hopelessness and sadness, leaving players with a heavy heart.

The idea that a video game can make players grow emotionally attached to the characters involved in its story is incredible on its own. They have an uncanny ability to punch fans in the gut with a story so overwhelmingly depressing and meaningful that gamers can't help but wipe a tear from their eye. Still, they enjoy the journey every step of the way. While some games have their share of depressing aspects, others genuinely get more and more upsetting the longer one thinks about them.

Given how many games include a wealth of stories for players to get lost in, it takes something truly special in terms of narrative design to get players hooked on a story to the point where tears are freely flowing down their cheeks. These games are emotional rollercoasters and make for poignant, melancholic experiences that fans will remember long after finishing these amazing titles.

Beware of spoilers.

Updated on January 15, 2024 by Ritwik Mitra: There was a time when all video games needed was a simple and compelling gameplay loop to keep players invested. Now, as gaming has evolved, so has the need for titles to keep players invested with emotional stories, varied gameplay, and a wealth of memorable characters. Storytelling in gaming has evolved to the point where some narratives can make players shed a tear because of how emotional and riveting their storylines are.

26 Life Is Strange

An Interactive Drama That Forces Players To Make Some Tough Choices

Don't Nod has made a name for itself in the video game industry with a bevy of engaging titles, but it's Life is Strange that has become one of their most popular IPs to date. The game's emotional narrative and endearing characters were a huge hit with players who resonated with the game's compelling story.

The story of Max as she uses her time-travelling powers to save her hometown from being obliterated by a mysterious disaster is a riveting one. The game's episodic narrative ends in an emotional climax where players must either make the ultimate sacrifice and let Chloe die or let this natural disaster destroy the town of Arcadia.

25 Final Fantasy 15

A Heartbreaking Narrative With Numerous Emotional Moments

Final Fantasy 15 is a game that many fans are fans of despite its troubled development cycle. The game's story may be fragmented, but players who were invested in the multimedia storytelling of this game were more than invested in a story that was rife with sad moments every step of the way.

The ending of this game is bound to make people shed a tear, with players forming an unbreakable bond with Noctis' comrades along the way. Despite its problems, Final Fantasy 15's emotional narrative is bound to hit a note with players who were glad to see the series make a triumphant return after staying dormant for the longest time.

24 BioShock Infinite: Burial At Sea

A Story-Heavy DLC With Shocking Moments And A Morose Ending

The original BioShock Infinite could've been a contender for one of the saddest video games around as well. However, its post-credits scene provides a glimmer of hope for players who might be feeling melancholic after this epic adventure. However, BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea pulls no punches when it comes to evoking a sense of sadness and hopelessness in the player.

After Booker's death, the player takes control of Elizabeth as she roams the haunting halls of Rapture. Unfortunately, all her efforts are for naught as she's beaten to death near the end of the DLC, right before Jack makes his fated appearance in the city. It's a sad way to end a DLC that boasted some excellent narrative chops.

23 Bloodborne

In Typical FromSoftware Fashion, The World Is Dark, Depressing, And Doesn't Feature A Single Objectively Good Ending

Hidetaka Miyazaki is an expert when it comes to crafting a bleak setting where players need to fight against overwhelming odds to grasp a sliver of hope. However, in the case of Bloodborne, all three endings end up saddening the player no matter what... which is par on the course with a FromSoftware game.

Submitting to Gerhman means that the player will be released from the night of the Hunt, but this is easily the most unsatisfying ending of the lot. The other two endings involve the player either taking Gerhman's spot in the Hunter's Dream or becoming an Old One. Regardless of the outcome, the lore and journey that players undertake through the world are going to be so morose that both these endings just feel like one of the many emotional punches in the gut that Bloodborne is especially fond of giving.

22 Heavy Rain

The Emotionally-Packed Journey Of A Man Trying His Hardest To Save His Son

Regardless of one's personal opinions when it comes to David Cage and his writing, one can't deny that Heavy Rain was still a masterful narrative-rich gaming experience. It perfectly showed the plight of a father who would do anything to save his son. Some gamers might argue that this struggle was a bit too realistic, with some of the scenes being a tad too painful to watch at times.

Players who end up getting the bad ending even after all these struggles are bound to kick themselves for bearing all these saddening scenes without any proper end product. It's heartbreaking to see a worn-down Ethan lose all his love for life after his beloved Shaun ends up dying at the hands of the twisted Origami Killer.

21 Brothers: A Tale Of Two Sons

A Unique Puzzle-Focused Video Game With A Shocking Twist At The End

The unique gameplay of Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons makes it a must-play for any fan of puzzle games. However, keep in mind that there's an extremely heart-wrenching moment near the end of the game that makes for a massive downer. For the sake of spoilers, no mention of this moment will be made here.

However, the impact of this scene is so prominent that the entire game becomes a melancholic state of affairs near the end, turning Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons into one of the saddest video games around. It's easy to see why Josef Fares became such a prominent figure in the gaming industry, with this unique title being a joy to play through the first time around.

20 Red Dead Redemption 2

One Of The Best Rockstar Narratives With Great Emotion And Character

Red Dead Redemption 2 is easily one of the greatest open-world games of all time. However, the ending of Arthur's tale is so dismal that most players won't be faulted for crying their hearts out. Again, for the sake of spoilers, no details will be divulged about said ending. That being said, players who've gone through the entirety of Red Dead Redemption 2 understand why it's being classified as a sad video game.

While playing as John Marston in the epilogue does make for a great treat, even his story has a tragic ending that fans of the original game are familiar with. Thankfully, fans who missed out on this title can finally enjoy it on modern platforms with Rockstar's release of Red Dead Redemption, even if the lack of any upgrades does rub some players the wrong way.

19 Spiritfarer

A Cozy Simulation Game That Deals With Some Heavy Themes Tastefully

What at first seems like a chill art game turns out to be an emotional rollercoaster about coping with loss. The most notable feature is the gorgeous art style and visuals that make Spiritfarer feel like playing a painting at times. However, the stories found are enough to bring many to tears, although in the best way possible: cathartic rainfalls from relieved eyes.

One takes the role of a ferryman who collects and looks after lost souls so that they may pass on to the afterlife properly. Players can upgrade their boat in a numerous variety of ways as well as fish, craft, and mine to their heart's content while they care for these lost souls, which makes for diverse and interesting gameplay. Each lost soul must pass on, however, so be sure to let them know that they matter while they're around.

18 Fallout 4

The Story Of A Parent Seeking Out His Child Has Some Emotional Highs

Most Fallout games start with some sort of catalyzing event, though Fallout 4 does so with a tragic one. Immediately after creating their character, the player witnesses the atomic devastation that turns the world into a post-apocalyptic wasteland, the death of their spouse, and the abduction of their child.

The player's life isn't the only one to change for the worst, however, as the decline of the United States due to immense radiation poisoning of the land has left nothing unscathed. In quests across The Commonwealth, the Sole Survivor will encounter those who fall prey to bandits, organized faiths, and even nature itself.

17 Dark Souls 3

Exploring A Dying Realm With Tragic Characters Makes For A Melancholic End To The Dark Souls Trilogy

Steeped in an ominous tone laden with themes of death, despair, and darkness, the climactic conclusion to the Dark Souls trilogy leaves a lasting impression like a mental burn from many embers upon the minds of players. The Ashen One must go forth and return the Lords of Cinder to their thrones, one way or another.

The decline of the world can be found through the tremendous amount of tombstones and mostly empty cities. This realm is dying, which will become apparent when Dark Souls 3 players reach the Kiln of the First Flame or visit certain desolate, ash-drowned landscapes in The Ringed City DLC.

16 Middle Earth: Shadow Of Mordor

The Game Starts With The Heartless Murder Of Talion And His Family

A game featuring a nearly slain ranger and an elf-become-wraith would inevitably be full of doom-laced tones. Talion, the player's human stand-in, witnesses the forces of Sauron butchering his family before his eyes. Celebrimbor, the player's other half in the form of an elf-wraith, faced a similar demise at the hands of the dark lord, though he also lost his life.

Throughout Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor, the player enacts brutal vengeance upon Sauron's forces, aiming to cripple his army in any and every way possible. From guerilla tactics to open warfare, Talion and Celebrimbor together bring a wave of despair to the orcs, trolls, and other foul fiends of the eastern burning wastes.

15 Cyberpunk 2077

V Loses Everything In A Quest To Try And Regain Control Of His Body After A Heist Gone Wrong

Cyberpunk 2077 endured a pretty rocky launch before a string of updates and renewed interest in the title salvaged its reputation quite a bit. The story of V as he tries to regain control over his own body while dealing with the invasive personality of Johnny Silverhand makes for a riveting tale that is rife with tragedy.

V and the people around him have to deal with the many atrocities that take place in Night City. After all of V's struggles, all the ending paths in the game are pretty saddening and will leave players with a heavy heart as they finish this title.

14 Shadow Of The Colossus

The Tragic Nature Of Each Colossi's Death Weighs Heavily On The Player

When an open world is void of NPCs, common foes, and quests, it feels more like an empty-world game. Although, this is not necessarily a bad thing. Shadow of the Colossus puts a simple swordsman and his faithful steed up against colossal beasts of earth and stone. To slay each colossus, the player must climb them and find their weak points in which to stab for huge damage.

This is an oddly intimate and brutal way to slay a giant: getting to know their body before ending their life, usually with a stab to the head, back, or chest. All this to bring back the protagonist's dead lover using forbidden magic and making a pact with a supernatural force with ill intent.

13 Lisa: The Painful

A Dark Tale Where A Man's Tale To Redeem Himself Leads To The People Around Him Suffering

Lisa: The Painful is a hilarious indie RPG that loves to mess around with players while forcing them to make many tough decisions along the way. It may seem like a game rife with dark comedy, but Lisa: The Painful cranks up the seriousness for its sadder moments.

Players will experience a range of emotions while playing this title, with the ending being an especially hard gut punch. There aren't many games like Lisa: The Painful out there, so fans of unique RPGs should check it out.

12 To the Moon

Altering A Man's Memories To Help Him Reach The Moon Is Littered With Emotional Moments

To The Moon isn't necessarily a tear-jerker of a game. Instead, the sadness one feels is based on a much more personal level. In the story of a man named Johnny, it is the player's job to help alter his memories to allow him to feel as though he has accomplished his dream of going to the moon.

While the story is well developed, it's the interaction between the various characters and the brilliant soundtrack that carries the emotion on their shoulders. It is depressing, yes. However, it serves as a beautiful lesson about our dreams and how significant events in our lives connect us to them.

11 Firewatch

An Emotional Experience Brought To Life By The Game's Incredible Voice Acting

Offering some stunning visuals and a deep sense of isolation and mystery, Firewatch is a melancholic journey from start to finish. Players are placed into the shoes of Henry, a fire lookout in Wyoming who left behind his life due to his wife developing early-onset dementia.

As if that wasn't enough, Henry's only emotional outlet is a woman named Delilah, who keeps in contact with him from the other side of a handheld radio. The feeling of walking around the forest and having personal and often intimate conversations with Delilah makes the atmosphere grow more somber by the day.

10 Gris

A Unique Game That Deals With Themes Of Depressing And Grief

Gris is a great example of a game in which players are tasked with interpreting the meaning behind the art and gameplay themselves. Using carefully crafted color schemes and level design, along with a chilling soundtrack, we experience Gris' emotions as she loses herself and her voice.

Themes of depression, anxiety, and defeat wash over players as they follow Gris through her journey to get over her grief and work to reform herself. This is genuinely a game worth a playthrough, or two, or three.

9 This War Of Mine

Shows How Harrowing It Is To Survive In A War-Torn Landscape

Moral choices in games are something that has been shown to consistently darken the mood over the years. In This War of Mine, players control a group of civilians struggling to survive in a war zone. Each member of one's group has different backstories, skills, and moral alignments.

Some survivors refuse to do wrong to others, even if it means saving their lives or that of others, while others will turn a blind eye to such actions or commit them on their own. The balance between the day-to-day struggle to keep everyone alive, and thinking over the morality of one's actions is surely a gut punch every time.

8 Always Sometimes Monsters

A Depressive Narrative Documenting A Person's Journey During The Worst Time Of Their Life

Adulthood can sometimes be a disaster, and there is not a better game that lets players live out the feeling of hitting rock bottom quite like Always Sometimes Monsters. Gamers play as an ordinary person, simply going through a very tough time in life. It is a rollercoaster of emotions that players will find hard to come back from as if it were happening to them in their actual lives.

The way that the game mixes things up varies from putting the player through intense, dark choices that force players into feeling selfish, bitter, and guilty, to traveling back and forth between different periods in the character's life that ultimately affect the outcome.

7 Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice

Deals With Heavy Themes Of Trauma And Psychosis

Mental illness being a mechanic in video games is not a new concept, but the form that it takes on in Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is undoubtedly unmatched. A journey through the mind and heartache of protagonist Senua sees the player traveling across different landscapes coping with the loss of a loved one. Experiencing Senua's mental psychosis is completely harrowing.

There is no tutorial or menus, no upgradable items or loot, and no help for when players are stuck beside a persistent string of voices that echo within their headphones. Hardly anything is explained to the player, but all one ends up understanding is how quickly they fall to darkness after each death. Her story of suffering and search for purpose makes players burst out crying.