Video games have always been a medium for escapism. It lets players dive into different fantasies, disconnect from the real world, and just have some fun. But sometimes, a game can flip the script and make you question your actions, making you feel terrible for playing it.
Whether it’s because of the morally questionable decisions you’re forced to make or the brutal realities of the story, these experiences stick with you long after the credits roll. Here are five games that made players feel terrible for just being part of the narrative.
5. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
In Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, you play as Naked Snake, a character who is tasked with an incredibly difficult and morally grey mission. As the game progresses, you’re required to take down several members of The Fox Unit, a few of whom aren’t even all that bad.
The mission becomes even more heart-wrenching when you’re forced to face off against The Boss at the end, Snake’s mentor and close friend, in a final and emotional battle. This climactic fight is brutal because you’re aware that she was not only like a mother figure to Snake but also a patriot who sacrificed everything for her country.
This part of the game makes you feel awful as you’re put in the shoes of a soldier who must do terrible things in the name of duty and is forced to pull the trigger on her.
4. BioShock
BioShock is a game that takes the concept of free will and turns it on its head, making you question everything you’ve done up to a certain point. The twist in the game, where you discover that you’ve been mindlessly following orders through the phrase “Would you kindly?” is a shocking revelation that forces you to reconsider your entire role in the story.
All the violent actions you’ve taken, all the people you’ve killed, and all the decisions you thought were yours, suddenly feel hollow and manipulated. This twist makes players feel as though they were just puppets in a much larger, more sinister game, and it leaves a sour taste in your mouth knowing that your sense of authority was just an illusion.
3. Grand Theft Auto 5
Grand Theft Auto 5 is known for pushing the boundaries of what’s acceptable in video games, but there’s one scene in particular that goes too far for many players. During one mission, you take control of Trevor and are forced to torture an innocent person to gain information.
The scene is graphic, uncomfortable, and entirely unnecessary to an extent, making players feel terrible for their participation. Even though the game has its share of dark humor and over-the-top moments, this scene might be a bit too much.
2. Spec Ops: The Line
Spec Ops: The Line is a game that doesn’t shy away from making players feel the heavy burden of their decisions in a war-torn setting. The infamous White Phosphorus scene is one of the most disturbing moments in gaming history, where you’re forced to use a weapon that causes unimaginable suffering to both enemy combatants and innocent civilians.
The game doesn’t pull any punches in showing you the devastating aftermath of your actions, and it’s a moment that sticks with players long after they’ve put the controller down. This scene, and the game as a whole, is a well-done reminder of the horrors of war and how easy it is to lose your humanity as a soldier forced to commit certain actions.
1. The Last of Us Part 2
The Last of Us Part 2 is another game that’s designed to make you feel terrible from start to finish. After the shocking death of Joel, you’re forced to play as Abby, the character responsible for his brutal death, making you experience the story from her perspective.
Many players found it difficult to sympathize with and play as, Abby, especially after spending the first game and a half growing attached to Joel and Ellie. Even when you play as Ellie for the first half, the game doesn’t let up, forcing you to kill Abby’s friends in a quest for revenge that only leaves you feeling hollow and miserable.
The game’s harrowing ending, where no one truly wins, is the final gut punch, making you feel pretty depressed for a long time after the game ends. It might just be one of the most impactful and dreadful gaming experiences ever.
Which of these games do you agree with? Are there any that you would’ve added to the list? Let us know in the comments below.
