The 10 WORST Video Game Deaths of the Decade So Far (2020-25)
Maria
Silent Hill 2 (2024)
Seeing the blond bombshell be cut down back in 2001 was one thing, but here, thanks to the luscious graphics courtesy of Bloober Teams remake, it will make you shudder. Regardless of her intentions and what she symbolizes, the various deaths Maria suffers throughout our dismal journey across Silent Hill still hits hard, especially when it involves getting speared by the likes of Pyramid Head. The cycle of punishment that Silent Hill represents is made all too clear when were forced to witness her meeting one bloody end after another.
Lea
Lies of P: Overture (2025)
This DLC didnt just give us a menagerie of new weapons to try out and puppets to kill, but also crucial backstory on some of the games key players. One of which was Lea. After being sent back in time, Pinocchio meets the legendary puppet slayer, who also served as the mentor figure to both Carlo and Romeo. Given that Carlo was the human Pinocchio was based on, their relationship is already tinged in melancholy. Fighting together to save Romeo from the murderous puppet Arlecchino, by the time we reach the games end weve truly built a bond with Lea. Only for things to get turned on their head after Pinocchio is sent back to the present. Not a second later, we see Geppetto approach before everything cuts to black, indicating that he was the one who turned Romeo into a puppet and killed Lea in his misguided attempt to bring Carlo back from the dead, despite knowing how important they were to him. Worst. Dad. Ever.
Hugo
A Plague Tale: Requiem (2022)
As the carrier of the generic disease known as the Prima Macula, young Hugos fate had always been explicitly tied to the plague destroying Europe namely in the form of a tidal wave of rats. While it offered him limited control of the rodents, the ancient infection eventually consumed him to the point he became a world-ending threat. Unfortunately, the responsibility for stopping him falls to his sister Amicia, who for the last two games has risked life and limb countless times to keep him safe. So, to be forced to no-scope her beloved brother with a slingshot, an action were forced to perform to get the good ending is all kinds of messed up!
Brok
God of War Ragnarök (2022)
Brash, blunt and beloved by all, Brok was the dwarfiest dwarf you could ever hope to meet, not to mention one hell of a blacksmith. Despite appearing one coal short of a full furnace, Brok turned out to be far more insightful than anyone gave him credit foron account he was able to sniff out that there was something wrong with Tyr. Turns out he was right on the money, as the Norse God of War turned out to be Odin in disguise. Who promptly stabbed Brok after getting his cover blown. We dont have time to let the shock settle before were forced to say goodbye to one of our favourite side characters, forever splintering Kratos and Atreus merry band as a result.
Jackie
Cyberpunk 2077 (2020)
Our ride or die throughout our time in Night City, Jackie was the choom that we always knew we could rely on. Or at least, that was how it was supposed to be. After the Arasaka theft goes awry, V and Jackie barely escape with their livesonly for Jackie to succumb to his wounds on the drive back. All things considered, bleeding out in the back of a taxi is a peaceful way to go by Cyberpunk standards, but it doesnt take away the sting of knowing we have to face the perils of Night City without our bestie. At least, until Keanu showed up.
Gustave
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (2025)
This one still hurts. With his boyish charm, unyielding determination, and immense skill with both blades and firearms, Gustave painted himself as a leading man who by sheer will alone could lead the survivors of Expedition 33 in their mission to destroy the Paintress. In such a short space of time we got to see how deeply he cared for his adopted sister, how broken he was when the Gommage claimed his old flame, as well as the cracks in his armor when he was tempted to give up the mission after seeing all his friends die. Yet he still pressed onat least until the end of Act 1 where he was killed by Renoir. Its one of modern gamings biggest rug pulls, paving the way for Versos arrival. RIP mon ami.
Midra
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree (2024)
Mutilated bodies and gory transformations are nothing new to Soulsborne games, even extending to some of the bosses during their second phase reveals. Among them, nobody had it worse than Midra. Condemned to agony in order to keep the Frenzied Flame within his own body, Midra certainly got the raw end of the deal. By the time the Tarnished shows up, hes decided that hes had more than enough, and so puts an end to his own torment once and for all by removing the blade buried in his bodywhich forcibly rips off his own head in the process. The gruesomeness of the act is only slightly offset by the Frenzied Flame being released, kicking off one of the DLCs most intense boss fights!
Aerith
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
We knew it was coming. We knew what to expect. And yet somehow, Aeriths second demise at Sephiroths hand still ended up destroying us. It certainly doesnt have the same impact as the original, obviously, but given how the Remake games had been teasing a change in the canon and timelines, there was a slim hope that events could be changed this time. No such luck. Shes run through, becomes one with the lifestream, and were forced to endure a second helping of watching Clouds world crumble. Yaaaay
Cutie
It Takes Two (2021)
Well never be able to look at plushies ever again. In a backwards attempt to make their daughter cry under the assumption it will lift the spell that turned them into dolls, both Cody and May try to dethrone the adorable Queen Cutiepermanently. What follows is a wholly uncomfortable sequence where the poor elephant is pushed off the edge to her supposed end, losing a few stuffed ligaments along the way. You will feel like an absolute villain throughout this entire segment, as you should!.
Joel
The Last of Us Part 2 (2020)
The crash out caused by the death of everyones favourite morally gray father figure cannot be understated. Willing to doom the world by preventing Ellie from becoming a sacrificial lamb in the hopes of creating a cure, Joel was as nuanced and flawed as it got, and we couldnt wait to see his character further unravel in the sequel. That is, until he was beaten to death by the vengeful Abby within the first couple of hours. The abrupt and violent ending paired with the games attempts to humanise Abbys actions broke hearts everywhere, as well as led to a wave of outrage that has yet to be matched.
Which video game death affected you the most? Let us know in the comments!
