Video games often cast players in the role of a hero destined to save the world, conquer evil, or achieve greatness. However, not every journey ends in triumph. Sometimes, the hero’s failure is an integral part of the narrative, adding depth and emotion to the experience. Here are 20 memorable instances where the hero fails in games.
Final Fantasy VII
Platform | PlayStation, PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One |
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Publisher | Square Enix |
Genre | Turn-Based RPG |
Release Date | 01/31/1997 |
Story
Final Fantasy VII is renowned for its complex narrative and unforgettable characters. The game follows Cloud Strife and his allies as they attempt to stop the megacorporation Shinra and the villain Sephiroth. Despite their efforts, the group experiences a devastating failure when Aerith Gainsborough is killed by Sephiroth, a moment that leaves a lasting impact on players and the story.
Gameplay
The gameplay combines turn-based combat with exploration and character development. This pivotal moment doesn’t change the mechanics but significantly alters the emotional engagement, driving the player to continue the fight against Sephiroth.
Graphics and Sound
Released in 1997, the game was groundbreaking for its time with its pre-rendered backgrounds and 3D models. The music, composed by Nobuo Uematsu, enhances the emotional weight of Aerith’s death, particularly through the haunting “Aerith’s Theme.”
Legacy and Reception
Final Fantasy VII is often cited as one of the greatest RPGs of all time. Aerith’s death remains one of the most iconic and emotional moments in gaming history, exemplifying how failure can enrich a game’s narrative.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Platform | Nintendo 64 |
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Publisher | Nintendo |
Genre | Action-Adventure |
Release Date | 11/21/1998 |
Story
In The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Link attempts to stop Ganondorf from obtaining the Triforce. However, his efforts inadvertently allow Ganondorf to seize power, transforming Hyrule into a dystopian world. This failure sets the stage for Link’s journey into adulthood and his eventual quest to rectify his mistake.
Gameplay
The game innovatively blends action and puzzle-solving with time travel mechanics. Link’s initial failure adds urgency and motivation to explore the transformed world and seek redemption.
Graphics and Sound
The game was a visual triumph on the Nintendo 64, with its expansive 3D environments and memorable character designs. Koji Kondo’s score complements the gameplay and enhances the atmosphere, particularly in the darker future timeline.
Legacy and Reception
Ocarina of Time is frequently hailed as one of the best games ever made. Link’s failure and subsequent redemption arc contribute to its rich storytelling, cementing its legacy in gaming history.
Mass Effect 3
Platform | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii U, PC |
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Publisher | Electronic Arts |
Genre | Action RPG |
Release Date | 03/06/2012 |
Story
Mass Effect 3 concludes the epic trilogy with Commander Shepard’s battle against the Reapers. Despite the player’s choices throughout the series, the game’s ending sees Shepard making a grim sacrifice, leading to the destruction, control, or synthesis with the Reapers. The bittersweet conclusion highlights the hero’s ultimate failure to save everyone.
Gameplay
The game combines action RPG elements with decision-making, impacting the narrative’s progression. The player’s choices influence the final outcome, but the inevitability of Shepard’s sacrifice remains a poignant moment of failure.
Graphics and Sound
Mass Effect 3 features advanced graphics for its time, with detailed character models and expansive environments. The soundtrack, composed by Clint Mansell and others, underscores the emotional weight of the story.
Legacy and Reception
The game’s ending sparked controversy among fans but is praised for its ambitious storytelling. The failure and sacrifice of Shepard have become a significant part of the series’ legacy.
Halo: Reach
Platform | Xbox 360, PC |
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Publisher | Microsoft Game Studios |
Genre | First-Person Shooter |
Release Date | 09/14/2010 |
Story
Halo: Reach tells the story of Noble Team’s defense of the planet Reach against the Covenant. Despite their valiant efforts, the team ultimately fails, and Reach falls. This tragic outcome sets the stage for the events of the original Halo trilogy.
Gameplay
The game features first-person shooter mechanics with a focus on teamwork and strategy. The inevitable failure adds a layer of tension as players fight to delay the Covenant’s advance as long as possible.
Graphics and Sound
Halo: Reach showcases impressive graphics for its time, with detailed environments and realistic lighting. The soundtrack, composed by Martin O’Donnell and Michael Salvatori, enhances the emotional impact of the narrative.
Legacy and Reception
Halo: Reach is celebrated for its compelling story and intense gameplay. The hero’s failure and sacrifice are key elements that resonate with fans, cementing the game’s place in the franchise’s history.
Shadow of the Colossus
Platform | PlayStation 2 |
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Publisher | Sony Computer Entertainment |
Genre | Action-Adventure |
Release Date | 10/18/2005 |
Story
Shadow of the Colossus follows Wander, who seeks to revive a girl named Mono by defeating sixteen colossi. As he defeats each colossus, Wander’s appearance becomes increasingly corrupted. In the end, he fails to save Mono and is transformed into a colossus himself, a tragic twist that underscores his ultimate failure.
Gameplay
The game focuses on exploration and puzzle-based battles against the colossi. Each victory feels bittersweet, contributing to the narrative of failure as Wander becomes more corrupted.
Graphics and Sound
Renowned for its artistic visuals and atmospheric design, Shadow of the Colossus offers breathtaking landscapes and majestic colossi. The music, composed by Kow Otani, enhances the emotional depth of the story.
Legacy and Reception
Shadow of the Colossus is often praised for its innovative design and emotional storytelling. Wander’s failure adds a tragic dimension to the narrative, making it a timeless classic.
Dark Souls
Platform | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC |
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Publisher | Bandai Namco Entertainment |
Genre | Action RPG |
Release Date | 09/22/2011 |
Story
Dark Souls is known for its cryptic storytelling and unforgiving world. The player, as the Chosen Undead, seeks to link the fire and prolong the Age of Fire. However, the cycle of light and dark continues regardless of the player’s actions, highlighting the futility and failure inherent in the world.
Gameplay
The game is infamous for its challenging combat and punishing difficulty. Death and failure are integral to the experience, teaching players through trial and error.
Graphics and Sound
Dark Souls features dark, atmospheric visuals that enhance the oppressive mood. The soundtrack, composed by Motoi Sakuraba, complements the game’s somber tone.
Legacy and Reception
Dark Souls revolutionized the action RPG genre with its challenging gameplay and deep lore. The theme of failure resonates with players and contributes to its enduring legacy.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Platform | PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch |
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Publisher | CD Projekt Red |
Genre | Action RPG |
Release Date | 05/19/2015 |
Story
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt follows Geralt of Rivia on a quest to find his adopted daughter Ciri. Despite his efforts, one potential ending sees Ciri sacrificing herself to stop the White Frost, a catastrophic event. This outcome underscores Geralt’s failure to protect her, adding emotional weight to the narrative.
Gameplay
The game offers a rich open world with complex storytelling and decision-making. The player’s choices influence the narrative, leading to various endings, including the bittersweet failure of losing Ciri.
Graphics and Sound
The Witcher 3 features stunning visuals and detailed environments. The soundtrack, composed by Marcin Przybyłowicz, enhances the game’s emotional depth and epic scope.
Legacy and Reception
The Witcher 3 is lauded for its storytelling and immersive world. The potential failure to save Ciri is a poignant aspect of the game’s narrative, contributing to its critical acclaim.
Bioshock Infinite
Platform | PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 |
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Publisher | 2K Games |
Genre | First-Person Shooter |
Release Date | 03/26/2013 |
Story
Bioshock Infinite follows Booker DeWitt as he attempts to rescue Elizabeth from the floating city of Columbia. Ultimately, Booker learns that he is Comstock, Columbia’s tyrant, in alternate timelines. To prevent Comstock’s rise, Elizabeth drowns Booker, leading to a tragic failure in his quest.
Gameplay
The game combines first-person shooter mechanics with exploration and storytelling. The twist ending recontextualizes the player’s actions, turning Booker’s failure into a central theme.
Graphics and Sound
Bioshock Infinite features vibrant art design and detailed environments. The soundtrack, composed by Garry Schyman, enhances the game’s emotional and narrative depth.
Legacy and Reception
Bioshock Infinite is praised for its story and world-building. The hero’s failure and the complex narrative elevate it as a standout title in the Bioshock series.
Spec Ops: The Line
Platform | PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 |
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Publisher | 2K Games |
Genre | Third-Person Shooter |
Release Date | 06/26/2012 |
Story
Spec Ops: The Line follows Captain Martin Walker as he leads a team into a sandstorm-ravaged Dubai. As the story unfolds, Walker’s decisions lead to catastrophic failures, culminating in a haunting revelation about his own actions and sanity.
Gameplay
The game features third-person shooter mechanics with a focus on narrative choices. Walker’s failures are integral to the plot, forcing players to confront the consequences of their actions.
Graphics and Sound
Spec Ops: The Line presents a gritty, realistic depiction of a war-torn environment. The soundtrack, composed by Elia Cmíral, complements the intense and unsettling atmosphere.
Legacy and Reception
The game is acclaimed for its thought-provoking narrative and psychological depth. Walker’s failures challenge traditional hero narratives, contributing to its impact as a critical examination of war and morality.
The Last of Us
Platform | PlayStation 3 |
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Publisher | Sony Computer Entertainment |
Genre | Action-Adventure |
Release Date | 06/14/2013 |
Story
The Last of Us follows Joel and Ellie as they navigate a post-apocalyptic world. Despite reaching their destination, Joel ultimately fails humanity by choosing to save Ellie at the cost of a potential cure for the infection, highlighting a personal triumph but a moral failure.
Gameplay
The game combines survival horror and action-adventure elements. The narrative-driven gameplay emphasizes the emotional and ethical dilemmas faced by the characters.
Graphics and Sound
The Last of Us features stunning graphics and realistic character animations. The soundtrack, composed by Gustavo Santaolalla, enhances the game’s emotional impact.
Legacy and Reception
The Last of Us is celebrated for its storytelling and character development. Joel’s failure adds complexity to the narrative, making it a landmark title in the action-adventure genre.
Chrono Trigger
Platform | Super Nintendo Entertainment System |
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Publisher | Square |
Genre | JRPG |
Release Date | 03/11/1995 |
Story
Chrono Trigger follows a group of adventurers traveling through time to prevent a global catastrophe. Despite their efforts, one timeline sees the characters witnessing the world-ending event caused by Lavos. This failure drives the narrative, emphasizing the urgency of their mission.
Gameplay
The game features turn-based combat and time travel mechanics. The potential failure adds depth to the branching storyline, encouraging multiple playthroughs.
Graphics and Sound
Chrono Trigger is renowned for its vibrant pixel art and character designs by Akira Toriyama. The soundtrack, composed by Yasunori Mitsuda and Nobuo Uematsu, is celebrated for its memorable themes.
Legacy and Reception
Chrono Trigger is often hailed as one of the greatest RPGs of all time. The possibility of failure adds tension and replayability, contributing to its enduring legacy.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Platform | PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC |
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Publisher | Rockstar Games |
Genre | Action-Adventure |
Release Date | 10/26/2018 |
Story
Red Dead Redemption 2 follows Arthur Morgan, a member of the Van der Linde gang. Despite his efforts to help his gang survive, Arthur’s story ends in failure as the gang disintegrates, and he succumbs to illness, leaving a legacy of redemption but personal defeat.
Gameplay
The game offers an open-world experience with detailed mechanics and character interactions. Arthur’s personal failures add depth to the narrative, influencing player choices and outcomes.
Graphics and Sound
Red Dead Redemption 2 features stunning visuals and a dynamic world. The soundtrack, composed by Woody Jackson, enhances the game’s emotional and narrative depth.
Legacy and Reception
The game is praised for its storytelling and character development. Arthur’s failure and quest for redemption are key aspects of its critical acclaim.
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Platform | PlayStation 2 |
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Publisher | Konami |
Genre | Action-Adventure |
Release Date | 11/17/2004 |
Story
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater follows Naked Snake on a mission to eliminate his former mentor, The Boss. Despite completing his mission, Snake realizes he was manipulated, leading to a personal and moral failure that haunts him.
Gameplay
The game combines stealth mechanics with action and survival elements. Snake’s failure adds complexity to the narrative, influencing his development in the series.
Graphics and Sound
The game features impressive graphics for its time, with detailed environments and character models. The soundtrack, composed by Harry Gregson-Williams and Norihiko Hibino, enhances the game’s atmosphere.
Legacy and Reception
Metal Gear Solid 3 is celebrated for its storytelling and innovative gameplay. Snake’s failure and its impact on his character are key aspects of its legacy.
Persona 3
Platform | PlayStation 2, PSP |
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Publisher | Atlus |
Genre | Turn-Based RPG |
Release Date | 07/13/2006 |
Story
Persona 3 follows a group of students fighting against supernatural forces. Despite their efforts, the protagonist sacrifices himself to prevent the apocalypse, leading to a bittersweet ending that highlights personal failure and heroism.
Gameplay
The game combines turn-based combat with social simulation elements. The protagonist’s failure adds emotional weight to the story, affecting character relationships and narrative outcomes.
Graphics and Sound
Persona 3 features a unique art style and character designs. The soundtrack, composed by Shoji Meguro, is praised for its eclectic and memorable tracks.
Legacy and Reception
Persona 3 is acclaimed for its storytelling and character development. The protagonist’s failure and sacrifice are central to its emotional impact and legacy.
Assassin's Creed Odyssey
Platform | PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC |
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Publisher | Ubisoft |
Genre | Action RPG |
Release Date | 10/05/2018 |
Story
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey follows Kassandra or Alexios on a journey through Ancient Greece. Despite their efforts to prevent the cult’s rise, one potential ending sees their family torn apart, emphasizing personal failure amid historical events.
Gameplay
The game offers an open-world experience with RPG elements and decision-making. The player’s choices influence the narrative, leading to various outcomes, including potential failures.
Graphics and Sound
The game features detailed environments and character models, capturing the beauty of Ancient Greece. The soundtrack enhances the game’s epic scope and emotional depth.
Legacy and Reception
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is praised for its expansive world and engaging gameplay. The potential for failure adds complexity to the narrative, contributing to its critical acclaim.
Silent Hill 2
Platform | PlayStation 2 |
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Publisher | Konami |
Genre | Survival Horror |
Release Date | 09/24/2001 |
Story
Silent Hill 2 follows James Sunderland as he searches for his deceased wife in the eerie town of Silent Hill. The game explores themes of grief and guilt, with James ultimately confronting his own failures and the truth behind his wife’s death.
Gameplay
The game combines survival horror elements with psychological storytelling. James’s personal failures add depth to the narrative, influencing the player’s perception of the story.
Graphics and Sound
Silent Hill 2 features atmospheric visuals and haunting environments. The soundtrack, composed by Akira Yamaoka, enhances the game’s unsettling mood.
Legacy and Reception
Silent Hill 2 is acclaimed for its psychological depth and storytelling. James’s failure and its impact on the narrative are key aspects of its enduring legacy.
Undertale
Platform | PC, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch |
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Publisher | Toby Fox |
Genre | RPG |
Release Date | 09/15/2015 |
Story
Undertale follows a human child who falls into the Underground, a realm of monsters. Depending on the player’s choices, the child can fail to achieve a peaceful resolution, leading to a tragic or bittersweet outcome that highlights the consequences of their actions.
Gameplay
The game combines RPG mechanics with unique combat and decision-making elements. The potential for failure adds depth to the narrative, encouraging players to consider their choices carefully.
Graphics and Sound
Undertale features charming pixel art and character designs. The soundtrack, composed by Toby Fox, is celebrated for its memorable and emotional tracks.
Legacy and Reception
Undertale is praised for its innovative gameplay and storytelling. The potential for failure and its impact on the narrative contribute to its critical acclaim.
The moments where heroes fail in video games often lead to some of the most memorable and emotionally resonant experiences. These failures add depth to the characters and their stories, reminding players that not every journey ends in victory, but every failure brings its own lessons and growth.