Open-World Games With The Most Heartbreaking Stories

Emotional storytelling has become quite popular in the realm of gaming as of late. With the open-world genre being so prominent, it’s easy to see why the biggest hitters in this genre boast incredible writing.

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Some open-world games are especially emotional and will leave countless players reaching for the tissues as they attempt to make progress while bawling their eyes out. These heartbreaking stories prove why the immersive medium of video games is perfect for such hard-hitting tales.

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Final Fantasy 15

Noctis And His Friends Undergo Many Trials & Tribulations Throughout Their Journey

There’s no denying that Final Fantasy 15 is a bit of a mess, but there’s a beauty within the chaos that many fans have come to appreciate. The journey of Noctis and his friends comes with some genuinely heartwarming moments that many gamers will appreciate despite the haphazard story structure.

All of this culminates in an emotional ending where Noctis must sacrifice both body and soul to take out both Ardyn and the threat of the Starscourge. The final moments of the game show a version of Noctis who is living happily in the afterlife with Lunafreya, and the post-credits scene features the most emotional camping scene in the entire game.

7

Yakuza Kiwami 2

The Ending Is A Bit Haphazard And Strikes An Emotional Chord With Fans

Another entry in a beloved long-running franchise that can be a bit of a mess, even the remake treatment couldn’t hide some of the flaws in Yakuza Kiwami 2‘s story. However, all of this can be forgiven, courtesy of some intense action and what might be the best villain in the series.

Ryuji Goda is an imposing antagonist who becomes even more memorable once his connection to Kaoru is revealed. However, he refuses to back down now, engaging in one final fight with Kiryu in one of the most emotional final bosses the series has ever seen.

6

Marvel’s Spider-Man

The Ending Of This Game Will Leave Many Players In Tears

Marvel’s Spider-Man wowed everyone with an amazing story that let players control the lovable webhead. In this tale, Spider-Man faces many powerful antagonists during his adventure, including Mister Negative and Doc Ock.

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Once Devil’s Breath spreads throughout New York City, Aunt May ends up being one of the unfortunate souls who is afflicted by this virus. Despite the cure being in his hand, Peter must make the bigger sacrifice and save the cure in order for it to be reproduced, which means he cannot use it on his aunt. This makes for a truly heartbreaking ending to one of the best superhero video games ever made.

5

Red Dead Redemption

After All The Things John Did, He Didn’t Deserve The Ending He Got

Red Dead Redemption is an open-world game that chronicles the journey of John Marston after his split from Dutch’s gang, only for him to be roped into a mission to hunt down his former comrades by the Pinkertons. He does what is asked of him in order to spend a regular life with his family, but it turns out that the Pinkertons wanted to deal with all loose ends, and this includes John.

Eventually, a lovely moment at the ranch turns into a nightmarish shootout as Uncle dies and John tells his family to flee. Here, he makes one final stand to save his wife and son, shooting down as many Pinkertons as he can before being gunned down in cold blood.

4

Cyberpunk 2077

V Embarks On A Doomed Quest To Save Their Body

After losing Jackie and succumbing to the Relic’s influence inside them, V partakes in a race against the clock as they try to figure out a way to regain control of their body. However, by the time players reach the final stretch of their journey, it’s already too late.

No matter what, V is bound to die in a few months, unless they give their body to Johnny (barring the conclusion unlocked by completing Phantom Liberty). This is explored in all of the game’s endings and makes for a grim and thought-provoking climax to a magical experience.

3

Grand Theft Auto 4

Niko Will Always Face A Tragedy In This Emotional GTA Game

One of the darker games in the series, Grand Theft Auto 4 sees Niko Bellic struggle to make a name for himself and earn some cash. He does so by using his skills as a war veteran to engage in criminal activities.

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By the end, Niko can choose to prioritize either his principles or money, but it doesn’t matter. The moments leading up to the game’s final mission will always start with a tragedy, as Niko either loses his girlfriend or his cousin. This culminates in a final mission to hunt down the perpetrator in a hollow act of revenge before the credits roll.

2

Disco Elysium

Despite The Game’s Goofiness, Harry’s Past With An Old Flame Is Always Emotional When It Takes Center Stage

As funny as Disco Elysium may be, it also has its emotional moments. It’s clear that Harry is hiding a deep trauma surrounding an old flame, and it’s clear that it always messes with his amnesiac brain and frail body whenever he starts remembering this chapter in his life.

From an emotional phone call that highlights just how hung up Harry is all the way to a beautiful moment toward the climax that sees his trauma laid bare, Disco Elysium‘s writing ensures that its emotional moments hit hard as players see Harry in a new light.

1

Red Dead Redemption 2

Arthur Morgan’s Story Is An Emotional Roller-Coaster Ride From Start To Finish

It would be impossible to talk about open-world games with emotional stories without mentioning Red Dead Redemption 2. If players pursue the path of high Honor, Arthur Morgan becomes an endearing protagonist who makes an active effort to amend his ways.

However, tuberculosis cuts this man’s life short, and it doesn’t help that both Dutch and Micah work against the interests of the gang. This eventually culminates in Arthur fighting for his life against Micah, and what follows is a truly heartbreaking scene, especially for those who kept Arthur on a noble path.

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