7 Saddest Death in Video Games that Still Hurts Fans

Video games are not just about winning fights or finishing missions. Sometimes, games tell deep stories that make us feel real emotions. In this, we laugh with characters and get very attached to them. That is why certain deaths in video games hurt so much. They feel personal, unfair, and impossible to forget. These deaths changed the story forever and broke the hearts of millions of fans around the world. Here are the 7 Saddest Deaths in Video Games that still hurt fans years later.

7 Saddest Deaths in Video Games

Game developers are very good at making us feel close to game characters. When those characters die, it can feel like losing a real friend. These moments stay with us because they are very emotional and surprising.

Sarah’s Death(The Last of Us)

The Last of Us game starts with a moment that hurts everyone to their core. Joel is just a normal father trying to protect his daughter, Sarah, as the world suddenly falls apart. His father carries her through dark streets, hoping to escape the chaos and find a safe place.

When they finally meet a soldier, it feels like help has arrived, and they will be safe. Instead, Sarah is shot by the soldier and dies in Joel’s arms. This moment hurts because it comes without warning. Players barely know Sarah before losing her, and that pain stays with you long after, making it part of 7 Saddest Deaths in Video Games. These moments often come from games that are celebrated for their storytelling, much like those featured in our Top 10 Best Video Game Stories list.

Lee's Death (The Walking Dead)

Lee Everett begins The Walking Dead as a man with so many mistakes in his past. Over time, he grows into a caring protector and a father figure for Clementine. Players help shape his choices and watch their bond slowly grow stronger. When Lee is bitten, everyone knows the end is near, but it still hurts deeply.

In his final moments, he focuses only on Clementine and her safety. The last choice is heartbreaking as she must either shoot him or walk away. This death hurts because Lee gives up everything so Clementine can survive and live on.

Aerith's Death (Final Fantasy VII)

Aerith is one of the most loved characters in Final Fantasy VII. While praying in the Forgotten City to save everyone, she is suddenly attacked. Sephiroth appears without warning and kills her in a single moment. The scene is quiet and shocking. The music slows as Cloud watches her slip away, unable to help.

This death hurt fans deeply because Aerith felt special and irreplaceable. It showed players that the story would not protect even the most gentle characters, leaving a lasting sadness that remains even today. These moments stay with us because they are emotional, surprising, and often tied to unforgettable villains and conflicts, similar to those discussed in our Top 10 Best Video Game Villains of All Time.

Arthur Morgan's Death (Red Dead Redemption 2)

Arthur Morgan starts as a hard and loyal fugitive in Red Dead Redemption 2. He follows the gang and never questions his violent life. After getting tuberculosis, Arthur knows he does not have much time left. He begins to think about his past and the wrong choices he made.

In the end, Arthur chooses to help John Marston escape instead of saving himself. He dies quietly while watching the sunrise. This death hurts because players grow close to Arthur.

Dom Santiago's Death (Gears of War 3)

Dom Santiago goes through endless pain in the Gears of War series. He loses his wife, his brother, and almost all of his hope with it, but he still keeps fighting for his team. In Gears of War 3, Dom makes a final choice to save his friends. Surrounded by enemies, he drives a fuel truck straight into them and sacrifices his life.

There are no long goodbyes, only fire and silence. Marcus, kneeling at the wreckage, says everything. Dom’s death hurts because he gave everything and never got a happy ending.

Vesemir's Death (The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt)

Vesemir is not just Geralt’s teacher in the game. He is family and the heart of Kaer Morhen. He stands for wisdom, safety, and the old ways of the Witchers. During the attack on Kaer Morhen, Vesemir fights without fear to protect Ciri. When he is killed in front of her, the moment feels sudden and cruel.

Ciri’s scream shows how strong their bond was. His death hurts because he always felt unbreakable. Losing him changes everything and pushes the story into a much darker place. Similar to the storytelling depth found in titles featured in Top 10 Best Stealth Video Games of All Time, where patience, immersion, and narrative tension play a major role.

Joel's Death (The Last of Us Part II)

Joel makes it through the first game and becomes one of the most emotional and complicated characters in gaming. Players may not agree with his choices, but they still care deeply about him. In The Last of Us Part II, his death comes suddenly and brutally when Abby kills him in front of Ellie.

There is no hero moment and no chance to say goodbye. That is what makes it so painful. His death feels harsh and real. It pushes the story into themes of revenge and loss, and remains one of the most talked-about moments in gaming, making it part of Video Games' Saddest Deaths.

These seven moments are remembered not just for sadness, but for how meaningful they were. They remind us why games are more than entertainment. They are stories that stay in our hearts.