5 Heartbreaking Deaths In Games

Discover the 5 most heartbreaking deaths in games that left fans in tears, denial, and depression with our list.

Aerith Gainsborough has been a fan favorite for many years (Image via Square Enix)
Aerith Gainsborough has been a fan favorite for many years (Image via Square Enix)

There have been many games where developers decided to rip everyone’s hearts out by killing a fan-favorite character. These deaths left fans in tears, and they still remember these characters fondly even decades after the game’s release.

So, in our list, we will mention the 5 most heartbreaking deaths in games that absolutely crushed everyone emotionally.

1. Aerith Gainsborough

5 Heartbreaking Deaths In Games
Aerith (Image via Square Enix)

The death of Aerith in Final Fantasy 7 is the most iconic and memorable death in gaming history. Players spent hours upon hours leveling Aerith and bonding with her as a character. They experienced many adventures with her throughout Midgar and overcame so many obstacles together. However, all of this is torn away when Sephiroth descends and ends Aerith’s life, breaking the hearts of so many players all around the globe.

It left such an impact on players that this death is still remembered vividly to this day.

2. Lee Everett

Lee
Death of Lee Everett (image via Telltale)

Lee Everett took the role of Clementine’s adoptive father in The Walking Dead. Over time, they grew closer and had a very wholesome father-daughter dynamic that many fans adored. It is for this reason that Lee Everett’s death hit fans so hard. Lee asked Clementine to end his life before he turned into a walker and constantly encouraged her to be strong and live on. This scene brought many fans to tears, including PewDiePie, who cried while he played the game on YouTube.

3. John Marston

5 Heartbreaking Deaths In Games
Official Art of John Marston (Image via Rockstar)

John Marston’s last stand is one of the most heartbreaking moments in gaming. After his betrayal at the hands of Ross, he sacrifices his life to allow his family enough time to escape. His death is so tragic because of how John lost all his friends, and just when he tried to make amends and live an honest life, he was killed by Ross. Fans still remember John’s death to this day and admire his character even more because of it.

4. Aunt May

5 Heartbreaking Deaths In Games
Aunt May’s Death (Image via Sony Interactive Entertainment)

Insomniac’s Spider-Man features one of the most heartbreaking versions of Aunty May’s death. She is afflicted with the Devil’s Breath virus and is on the verge of death. Spider-Man only has one vial that can save her. But giving the vial to May means that it won’t be replicated as a vaccine, leading to the death of many others. So, Peter decides to sacrifice Aunt May for the greater good.

The scene is incredibly emotional, as May knows about Spider-Man’s true identity. They have one final conversation as Peter takes off his mask and comes clean.

5. Zack Fair

Zack
Official Art of Zack Fair (Image via Square Enix)

Zack Fair’s death is the second most heartbreaking death in the Final Fantasy series, just behind Aerith’s. His last stand against the SHINRA troops after escaping from Hojo left many fans in tears. They constantly struggled to find any way to make Zack live but to no avail. Players spend the entire game bonding with Zack Fair, as he is the main character. So, his death is all the more crushing.

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