Summary
Every now and then, you come across an amazing protagonist who instantly sucks you into their story. You can’t help but sink in those hours to finish their story and get them the best ending possible.
The reality is that not all games were meant to have fairytale endings. While this can be a great narrative device, it still stings to do everything “right” and then have no choice but to close the chapter on a grim note. Here are the protagonists whose fates could have gone to worse characters.
Spoilers ahead! Though you may already expect this from the title, this article discusses the fate of various video game protagonists.
10Elizabeth
BioShock Infinite: Burial At Sea
Elizabeth spends her whole life trapped in a gilded cage until Booker frees her during the events ofBioShock Infinite. Many trials and tribulations later, she masters her ability to create and manipulate rifts. It’s the freedom she finally deserves for a life she didn’t ask for.
In the expansion Burial At Sea - Episode 2, Elizabeth spends her entire journey trying to save a little girl named Sally from becoming a Little Sister. This still comes to pass, and she loses her powers because she has gone to a timeline where she has already died. Eventually, Elizabeth is killed as she finds out the key trigger for the events that would come to pass in the first BioShock.
It’s a cool way to tie in the whole universe, but it comes at the expense of completely erasing her original happy ending.
9Thomasina Bateman
The Excavation Of Hob’s Barrow
When you look at Thomasina Bateman, she seems to be the wittier and slightly more ethical version of Lara Croft. Instead of guns and climbing gear, she simply finds her way around the world through politeness, audacity, and clever sleight of hand.
Her passion for uncovering barrows is something passed on from her bedridden father, whose legacy she has tried to honor her whole life. Seriously, just let this woman write her book in peace! Instead, she becomes the victim of a manipulative cult and ends up wasting away in prison gaslit and blamed for murder.
Point-and-click horror gamesrarely end well, but for a moment it seemed like Thomasina might actually get to finish her work.
8Bayek Of Siwa
Assassin’s Creed: Origins
Bayek’s goals are noble and understandable, even when much of them are rooted in vengeance. After losing his beloved son, Bayek also ends up separating from his wife Aya. By the end of his tale (at least where you get to see), the Order of Ancients is still out there. He must continue on his quest for retribution.
He is also the co-founder of the Hidden Ones, and a crucial proponent in the creation of theAssassin’s Creed. That’s no small feat and a legacy worth remembering, and yet his work went forgotten through centuries until the discovery of his remains in 2017. And as if the erasure of his impact wasn’t bad enough, it’s in his personal dealings that Bayek seemed doomed to carry on alone.
7Lee Everett
There are plenty of small variations in how Lee’s story ends. None of these variations include him making it out alive. Lee didn’t take his second chance lightly when the walkers upended society. Instead, he took on a leadership role and always showed up for everyone who needed his help.
Sure, he can potentially have a temper (based on player choice), but his character will always be rooted in protectiveness and kindness. His last act is to save Clementine before succumbing to the infection. Whether he is mercy-killed by Clem or left to turn, it can’t get sadder than this.
6Hugo And Amicia
A Plague Tale: Requiem
ThePlague Taleseries hinges on the classic gaming trick ofgiving you a little brotherto care about. If you’re not getting a reliable comic relief character, there’s a high chance of heartbreak somewhere down the line.
Requiem sees siblings Amicia and Hugo facing the aftermath of the first game. They are trying to get back into normal life and get the Macula under control. Even if they make plenty of mistakes that endanger the world around them, they are just kids at the end of the day. No child deserves to be hunted down, cursed with an apocalyptic disease that can kill you, or forced to bury your younger sibling before you’ve even turned 18.
5V
Cyberpunk 2077
Night City is not for the softhearted, and it’s a rollicking ride from start to finish. V’s tale can end in vastly diverse ways, ranging from devastating to bittersweet.
V’s story is met with death at every turn, so it feels fitting that their ultimate fate is still intertwined with it. Every path has its pros and cons, but they mostly lead to V’s death, living on as a copy of themselves, or giving way to Johnny’s consciousness. Even the one ending where you are cured completely sees all your skills and abilities gone for good.
4Makoto Yuki
Persona 3 Reload
Makato Yuki undeniably has one of the most tragic fates to befall a protagonist, all because he happened to be near a huge Shadow event as a baby. The bad ending has Makoto dying along with the rest of the world.
The good ending still has Makoto peacing out but with the rest of the world saved. The only way he is able to beat Nyx is to seal it away within him. The weight of this burden ultimately proves too taxing for his body, and Makoto dies just as his closest friends are about to reach him. Defeating death by taking it with you to the afterlife is undoubtedly badass, but it’s extremely depressing that he can’t even grow up.
3Karlach Cliffgate
Baldur’s Gate 3
Well, if it isn’t everyone’s favorite Tiefling from Avernus. Karlach’s story is one of perseverance and positivity in the face of doom. Her unrelenting appreciation of the world around her is infectious, and you’re able to’t help but want only the best for her.
Sadly, she carries a bomb for a heart that was forced upon her in her youth. If she doesn’t end up dying because of it, she has to return to the Hells that have tormented her so just to try and find a cure. While there is a shred of hope there, it still isn’t certain whether she will finally get the happy life she wants in Baldur’s Gate. It’s a cruel choice for a character who is not only a great companion but is one of themost in-depth Origin characters to play.
2Subject Delta
BioShock 2
Big Daddies are iconic parts of Rapture, but their creation is nothing short of torturous. Subject Delta is a pioneer, being the first Big Daddy successfully bonded to their Little Sister. Before he became an imposing hunk of metal, Delta was a diver known as Johnny Topside.
BioShock 2 sees Delta reborn, having been forced to kill himself previously. With his resurrection, he reassumes his bond with Eleanor Lamb acting as her “father.” After facing off against countless enemies to reunite with and protect her, his bond is broken. As a Big Daddy, this means Delta will die no matter what. The only choice left is to determine Eleanor’s fate and what she does with his consciousness.
1Arthur Morgan
Arthur Morgan, whether you play as a High Honor or Low Honor version of him, is a man of his word. His journey has had many ups and downs, but his goals never faltered. In the end, he’s the kind of antihero you can’t help but hold close to your heart.
This is what makes it a real shame that his story ends with either a gunshot, stabbing, or succumbing to tuberculosis. John Marston eventually avenges him, but it’s still a gutting finale for an outlaw who tried to do right by his crew. “Guess we’re just about done, my friend.”
