Okay I'll admit it, I've definitely shed some tears during certain video game scenes. There's something about emotional gaming moments that hit different compared to movies or books. Maybe it's because you're actively participating in the story?
For me, the ending of Red Dead Redemption 2 absolutely destroyed me. I won't spoil it for anyone who hasn't played, but man... that was rough. Also some moments in Life is Strange really got to me.
What about you guys? Any game endings that made you cry or scenes that just emotionally wrecked you?
Oh man, the ending of Telltale's The Walking Dead Season 1. That final choice with Lee and Clementine... I was actually sobbing. The character development in games like that where you spend so much time with characters makes those emotional gaming moments hit so much harder.
Also in To the Moon. That game is basically designed to make you cry, and it succeeds spectacularly. The way it handles memory and regret is just beautiful.
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons. I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't played, but there's a moment near the end that uses the controller in a way I've never experienced before. It's not just watching something sad happen - you're physically experiencing it through the controls. That was a game-changing moment in video games for me in terms of how gameplay can enhance emotional impact.
Also the funeral scene in Final Fantasy VII. You know the one. First game that ever made me cry.
The opening of The Last of Us. I know everyone mentions it, but there's a reason - it's one of the most powerful openings in any medium. The way it establishes Joel's character and trauma in such a short time is masterful storytelling.
Also, weirdly enough, the ending of Portal 2. When Wheatley is floating off into space singing... it's funny but also kind of sad? The game soundtrack emotional impact in that moment is perfect.
What Remains of Edith Finch. The entire game is basically a series of emotional gut punches, but the bathtub scene... I had to put the controller down for a while after that. The way it uses gameplay to tell that particular story is brilliant and heartbreaking.
Also in Night in the Woods, there's a conversation between Mae and her mom near the end that really got to me. It deals with mental health in such a raw, honest way.
The ending of Metal Gear Solid 3. That final boss fight where you have to pull the trigger... and then the cemetery scene afterwards. I was not prepared for how emotional that would be. The way it recontextualizes the entire game you just played is incredible.
Also in Celeste, the conversation with Badeline in Chapter 6. As someone who struggles with anxiety, that representation of internal conflict really resonated with me.