While it’s all well and good that video game stories have made leaps and bounds over the years, it’s undeniable that some have gone to pretty dark places. For proof, look no further than our roundup of nine video game stories that are super depressing.
*Warning: Spoilers Ahead*
The Last of Us
The Last of Us is not the kind of game anyone should play if they want to feel happy.
Starting with main character Joel’s daughter getting shot by soldiers and declining in positivity from there, the game revels in putting the darker, bleaker reality of how a world-ending infection would affect people.
Some do their best to survive, only to lose all hope when their loved ones perish; others give in to their darker desires, stealing from and violating any they come across; and others still do whatever it takes to survive and do right by them and theirs.
To be sure, it’s all brilliantly written and portrayed. As dark, depraved and violent as these moments can be, the deftness with which they’re delivered is captivating and created a new standard for video game storytelling.
At the same time though, it’s hard to glean much hope, if any from the experiences one goes through via the game, and players wouldn’t be blamed if they were left in a sullen funk by the time they watched the credits roll.
