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Over the years, we’ve seen a huge upswing in storytelling with video games. Whether it involves well-known characters or newcomers appearing for the first time, some emotional moments revolving around these heroes and villains are hard to shake, mainly due to the significant of what’s happening – or already happened – to them.
That said, we put together a list of the 50 most emotional moments in games. Some are complete shocks (like with Metal Gear Solid and Dead Space), while others provide great joy and/or sorrow. Regardless, these moments will give you all the feels.
Let’s get started with numbers 50-41!
Warning: SPOILERS!
50. When you finally beat Mike Tyson (Mike Tyson’s Punch Out!!)
Remember when you finally made it to the “dream fight” in this NES classic, only to get knocked into the middle of next Tuesday by the mega-quick “Iron” Mike Tyson? He almost made it seem like he was impossible to beat. However, devoted gamers finally figured out a way to get around his offense, laying him out and becoming champion. Once that happens, you really feel an overwhelming sense of accomplishment – and then get to do it all over again. Yay!
49. Watching Lara Croft become a full-fledged killer (Tomb Raider)
When you first meet Lara Croft in Crystal Dynamics’ Tomb Raider reboot, she simply wants to explore the world. However, due to cruel circumstances that unfold within the game, she’s forced to do something far more drastic – kill any enemies that cross her path. After a shocking escape that leaves a couple of foes dead, Lara’s true moment arrives when she finds herself killing a deer to eat. From there, it quickly goes downhill, with many firefights and skirmishes that leave enemies dead. It’s a shocking transformation, but one that becomes truly essential for her character.
48. When Psycho Mantis reads your save file (Metal Gear Solid)
Psycho Mantis is easily one of the Metal Gear franchise’s most memorable characters, if only because of all the freaky stuff he does throughout. Nothing, though, was as surprising as when he began reading your PS One memory card, then asking you if you liked Castlevania. To some, this was a real throw-off moment, leaving some people wondering, “Wait, how did he know?” It’s still great today.
47. The great space descent (Lego City Undercover)
For the most part, Lego City Undercover for the Wii U is an easygoing game, one that’s filled with plenty of chuckles and stuff to find. However, near its conclusion, you find yourself on a stunning free-fall through space, trying to dodge debris and making your way to a colleague as fast as you can before time runs out. Between the splendid visuals and the moving music that plays in the background, this is a triumphant moment, and a truly startling one for a Lego game. Check it out if you don’t believe us.
46. Getting your head replaced (Dead Space)
This isn’t so much an impactful scene as it is a “what the hell just happened?” sort of moment. Easily one of Dead Space’s most memorable deaths, you’ll see a Divider come crawling towards you and attempt to give you a hug. If you aren’t quick enough with tapping buttons, it’ll easily rip off your character’s head, killing you instantly. For good measure, it’ll then attach itself to your body and take it over completely. Yeah, try sleeping after going through something like that.
45. Samus is a woman (Metroid)
Taking down the vile Mother Brain and saving the universe is certainly an accomplishment in itself, but Metroid on the NES delivered one mother of a moment at its conclusion, when the game revealed that the mighty Samus Aran is – gasp! – a girl. Yep, after all this time, you’ve been playing one of the biggest female bad-asses in gaming history. This move would later inspire others to give lady heroines a chance, and to this very day, they’re still holding their own.
44. “It’s an ocean.” (Alan Wake)
By the time Remedy Entertainment’s outstanding adventure reaches its conclusion, Alan Wake will have managed to save his girlfriend from a dark fate, but can’t quite save himself. Still, he’s determined to write his way out, only to come to a haunting realization contained in the game’s final piece of dialogue: “It’s not a lake, it’s an ocean.”
43. The fellow horsemen emerge (Darksiders)
War has his hands full by the time Darksiders comes to an end, as he frees himself from control of the Council and manages to put Abaddon through a grisly end. He is then warned that heaven and hell will combine forces to chase after him, and he’ll have to take them on alone. War then reveals, with a point of his finger, that he isn’t alone, and three more sparks – the fellow Horsemen – appear in the distance. It’ll be interesting to see what comes of this in Darksiders III…that is, whenever we see it.
42. Max finally finds peace (Max Payne 3)
Poor Max Payne. For years he’s been haunted by the loss of his loved ones, and fought back the horror with tons of painkillers while killing every known armed assailant under the sun. By the time Max Payne 3, the latest chapter in the series, comes to an end, we expected Max to succumb after finally stopping the bad guys. However, he manages to come out of it in one piece, and by the game’s conclusion, walks off to begin a new, quiet life. Well deserved, Max. Well deserved.
41. The end of the Joker (Batman: Arkham City)
After intending to “end the show” on Batman with a little help from Clayface, the Joker eventually finds himself at the mercy of the Dark Knight after being defeated. However, his injuries prove too much to bear, and he passes the same way he lived most of his criminal life, with one last laugh. Rather than leaving him behind for the police to find, Batman carries The Joker out of the gates of Arkham City, triumphant, and yet in some ways, a little defeated. You won’t find a better moment in comic book video games.
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