Top 10 Heartbreaking Companion Deaths in Video Games
Top 10 Companion Deaths in Video Games
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Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top 10 Companion Deaths in Video Games. For this list, we’ll be looking at the saddest and most impactful deaths of video game companions. There are some major spoilers ahead, so be advised. Did your favorite video game companion make the cut? Sound off in the comments.
#10: Berri
“Conker’s Bad Fur Day” (2001)
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Rare’s raunchy, profanity-laden platformer is remembered first and foremost for its inappropriate humor. But that doesn’t mean it didn’t take one character’s death seriously. The entire plot revolves around Conker trying to get home to his girlfriend after a night of heavy drinking. But along the way, he’s sidetracked by exceedingly ridiculous characters. Everything from evil teddy bears to zombified squirrels leads him further from Berri. When Conker finally reunites with her for a Matrix-like bank heist, it seems he’ll have a tough companion for the rest of the game. Sadly, Panther King has other plans. By his command, Weaso guns berri down right in front of Conker. Harsh.
#9: Roman Bellic or Kate McReary
“Grand Theft Auto IV” (2008)
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Which of these two characters dies depends on a vital decision made by the player. Whatever path you choose, however, the results are heartbreaking. Roman is protagonist Nico’s lovable black sheep of a cousin while Kate is a hard-to-impress romance option. Towards the end of the game, the player is presented with either conducting a deal with antagonist Dimitri Rascalov or seeking revenge on him. If Nico makes a deal as Roman urges him to, Roman will be gunned down at his own wedding, leaving behind a pregnant widow. If Nico sides with Kate and chooses revenge, she’ll be gunned down instead, with Roman’s unborn child being named after her in respect. Either way, Nico loses someone important to bullets that were meant for him.
#8: Chloe Price
“Life Is Strange” (2015)
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Dontnod Entertainment’s episodic, choice-heavy adventure follows Max, a teenager who can reverse time. She discovers this ability after witnessing the death of her childhood friend, Chloe Price, who she retroactively saves. Together, the two girls then work together to untangle the mystery behind their missing friend, Rachel. Chloe’s struggles to overcome her father’s death and resilience to find her missing friend make her the story’s strongest driving force. Unfortunately, it turns out that she’s also at the very heart of the conflict. In the game’s climax, it’s revealed that saving her leads to the destruction of the entire town of Arcadia Bay. By this point, players have really come to care for Chloe, which makes this final decision an incredibly painful one.
#7: Simon “Ghost” Riley
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“Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2” (2009)
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Continuing the narrative of the first “Modern Warfare,” this second installment follows members of Task Force 141as they hunt down the terrorist Vladimir Makarov. One NPC member of the outfit is Ghost, a British special forces operator. Named for his iconic skull balaclava. Ghost’s overall design and British phrases quickly established him as a fan favorite character. Towards the end of the game, Ghost accompanies player character Roach to raid one of Makarov’s safehouses. Ghost’s valiant efforts to save a wounded Roach during the mission only made us like him more. Though successful, they’re betrayed by General Shepherd, who shoots them both at point blank range. The suddenness of Ghost’s death at the hands of an ally was shocking to say the least.
#6: Mordin Solus
“Mass Effect 3” (2012)
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The high stakes nature of this sci-fi epic means losing many close allies over the course of the series. Even so, the death of Mordin Solus stands out. This salarian geneticist was among those responsible for the genophage against the krogans, which sterilized the vast majority of their population. Defined by the guilt he carries with him, however, the morally complex character has devoted the rest of his life to helping others. Sadly, that life is cut short. While he attempts to finish the cure for genophage, players can choose to shoot him. If not, he’ll sacrifice himself in an explosion to dispense the cure at the Shroud Tower.
#5: Dominic Santiago
“Gears of War 3” (2011)
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The world of Sera has been utterly ravaged, both by war and nightmarish Locust Horde. As such, there aren’t many happy moments to be had, but knowing that fact doesn’t make losing the player character’s best friend any easier. Dom Santiago has a harder time than most, having been forced to mercy kill his own wife in the second game. But he earns a hero’s death during a particularly tense mission in “Gears of War 3.” While Marcus and the rest of his team are pinned down, Dom drives a truck into a fuel tank to save them. His fierce loyalty to his friend made him instantly likable. A final line to his wife and an instrumental version of Gary Jules’ “Mad World” make his sacrifice all the more poignant.
#4: Cortana
“Halo 4” (2012)
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Cortana is an AI companion who aids Master Chief throughout the “Halo” franchise. Like with all advanced AI in this world, Cortana begins to develop rampancy, a condition that will essentially cause her to think herself to death. Saying goodbye to Cortana was never going to be easy; her sarcastic wit and unwavering allegiance to the player made her an invaluable ally. Seeing her mind deteriorate as the moment grew closer was torturous. As her last act, Cortana split herself into fragments to sabotage the Didact’s ship and save Master Chief. But not before the two shared one final moment together. Though she returns in “Halo 5,” her villainous turn after entering the Domain only reaffirmed that the Cortana we once knew is gone.
#3: Henry & Sam
“The Last of Us” (2013)
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It’s best not to get attached to your companions in this game. It’s a lesson we learned the hard way from Tess. But when characters are this well-developed, it’s impossible NOT to care. Joel and Ellie come across brothers Henry and Sam in Pittsburgh, spending more time with them than any other characters. The group goes through several harrowing experiences against despicable Hunters and swarms of Infected, strengthening their bond. The brothers dream of joining the Fireflies as they still believe in a cause for good. That dream is sadly snuffed out, however, when Sam is bitten and turns in the night. Henry shoots Sam before turning the gun on himself and leaving Joel, Ellie, and the player to process the unspeakable tragedy.
#2: Vesemir
“The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt” (2015)
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The battle-hardened Vesemir is the oldest Witcher alive, having survived the brutal assault at Kaer Morhen. He’s not quite as nimble as Geralt, but Vesemir holds his own, acting as a father figure who is always ready to offer advice or help take down a destructive beast. Vesemir is mostly absent while the player takes Geralt on various quests. But he pays the ultimate price when the Wild Hunt finally arrives at the home of the Witchers. With almost everyone frozen by magic, Vesemir is the only one left to defend Ciri against the evil specters. Before she can surrender herself, he stabs General Imlerith, who snaps his neck in retaliation. Ciri gets no final words with her savior, but his sacrifice speaks volumes.
#1: Aerith Gainsborough
Saddest Video Game Death of All Time - Aerith
“Final Fantasy VII” (1997)
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It’s been over two decades, but Aerith’s death still hurts. The cheerful flower shop girl immediately captured the hearts of gamers everywhere in 1997. Though her high magical stats and ability to heal your party also made her a valuable asset. As the last member of the spiritual Cetra race, she feels she is the only one who can truly stop the evil Sephiroth. While praying for an incredibly powerful spell to stop him, Aerith is impaled by Sephiroth in one of gaming’s biggest gut punch scenes. It traumatized so many gamers that multiple rumors on how to save or revive her spread online for years.
