10 Gaming Plot Twists We All Saw Coming

Incorporating unexpected turns in a video game storyline can be highly engagingby subtly hinting at future events through foreshadowing, these plot twists can leave players astonished with surprising disclosures that often prompt multiple playthroughs to spot the clues.

Regardless of how skillfully crafted these narratives may be, some unexpected turns in the storyline don’t seem as impactful as they were intended to be. Perhaps our increased familiarity with storytelling methods has made us more adept at spotting when a plot twist is imminent.

Although predictability may not be the most detrimental aspect for a game’s storyline, it could potentially forgo the chance to shock players profoundly due to the repercussions stemming from their in-game character’s decisions.

Despite featuring a plot twist that many anticipated, these games remained entertaining due to the fact that even though the twists were predictable, they didn’t diminish the overall enjoyment of the games.

Warning: Major Story Spoilers!

10. Horizon Zero Dawn

Whether He Wanted It Or Not

In Horizon Zero Dawn, there’s a rich backstory and mythology that unfolds prior to the main narrative. This backdrop is about an advanced AI named GAIA who orchestrated the rejuvenation of Earth following the devastating Faro Plague, resulting in a world where machines have evolved into living creatures.

In her journey through stunning landscapes as she seeks truth about her past and combats the Eclipse cultists who murdered her foster father, Aloy encounters Sylens, a shrewd and mysterious Banuk individual. He recruits her assistance in discovering the fate of the ancient world. [Lance Reddick’s character RIP]

As a gamer, I can say that throughout our adventure, Sylens kept me guessing about the secrets he held close. But it wasn’t until we embarked on “The Mountain That Fell” mission that he finally spilled the beans. You see, he was the one who orchestrated the creation of the Eclipse cult under HADES’ instructions.

Moreover, he admitted to being the one who unearthed the AI and brought it back to life in his quest for knowledge. Quite a revelation, wasn’t it?

It’s not too shocking to gamers when they first meet Sylens, as it becomes clear that despite assisting Aloy, he was merely acting in alignment with his own interests. Despite expressing remorse and attempting redemption, Sylens remains accountable for initiating the chain of events that ultimately ignited a violent conflict.

9. Yakuza: Like A Dragon

Ichiban’s Origins

Ichiban Kasuga might be an ideal continuation of the Yakuza series, gracefully following in the footsteps of the legendary Kazuma Kiryu. First appearing in the seventh mainline game titled “Yakuza: Like A Dragon”, Ichiban’s narrative shares striking similarities with Kiryu’s, as he serves time for a murder he did not commit.

As a faithful servant to the Arakawa Family, Ichiban diligently serves Masumi and Masato Arakawa, who happen to share the same birthday with him. Despite Ichiban being imprisoned for 18 years after taking the blame, the family head continues to send warm letters, expressing his deep longing for Ichiban.

In the tight-knit world of organized crime families, like the yakuza, loyalty and family ties are highly valued. However, it might raise eyebrows that Arakawa seems so affectionate towards Ichiban, given his position as a yakuza leader. One may wonder why such a hardened criminal would be so tender-hearted towards one of his underlings.

It’s disclosed later that Ichiban’s true father turns out to be Masumi Arakawa, while Masato is the biological child of yakuza leader Jo Sawashiro. As newborns, they were stored in coin lockers, with Ichiban being placed in 0101 and Masato in 0099.

By an unexpected sequence of events, Masumi Arakawa unknowingly took care of the child from 0099 as if he were his own offspring, while Ichiban was nurtured and brought up by Jiro Kasuga, proprietor of Shangri-La, a bathhouse establishment.

It’s quite predictable how the plot unfolds due to the strong bond between Ichiban and Arakawa, yet it doesn’t diminish the sorrow that Arakawa passes away without discovering that Ichiban was his true offspring.

8. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

Played Us Like A Damn Fiddle

In one of the top open-world stealth games, Phantom Pain, it’s disappointing to note that while it’s a great game overall, the plot twist it presents doesn’t live up to the hype and hasn’t sparked a significant fan theory as one might expect.

The narrative of Phantom Pain unfolds nine years following the annihilation of MSF at Ground Zeroes, with “Big Boss” emerging from a coma, assuming the alias ‘Punished Venom’ Snake, in pursuit of those accountable for the events.

In the narrative, it’s revealed later on, using flashbacks and taped messages, that Venom Snake is not actually Big Boss. Instead, he turns out to be the medic who saved Big Boss from Paz’s explosion at the conclusion of Ground Zeroes.

Through cosmetic procedures and hypnosis, Venom Snake was altered to become a stand-in for Big Boss, allowing the genuine Big Boss to pursue his personal objectives separately.

Throughout the game, there has been a lingering doubt about the player character’s true identity as Big Boss. Interestingly, at the start of the game, you get the chance to personalize the visage of a renowned Metal Gear figure; however, this eventually transforms into Big Boss’s face for the entire duration of the game.

It’s fascinating how the clues hint towards Venom Snake’s hidden past: Even though the finale might have been a bit underwhelming, the connection it creates among all the games in the series is undeniably intriguing. Fans who pay close attention will spot the discrepancies between Venom Snake and the genuine Big Boss, which are quite apparent.

In Ground Zeroes, there’s a scene where I catch Kiefer Sutherland’s voice, playing both Big Boss and the medic. It’s these kinds of discrepancies that make me suspect there’s a twist coming. For instance, Venom Snake doesn’t puff real cigars, he’s not fluent in Russian, and some characters who should recognize Big Boss don’t seem to know me.

7. Baldur’s Gate 3

Don’t Trust Your Dream Guardian

In the second act of Baldur’s Gate 3, it’s revealed that the Dream Guardian you’ve likely spent a considerable amount of time personalizing, alongside your character, is actually Emperor Orm, a mind flayer. This emperor has been covertly utilizing the power of Githyanki Prince Orpheus to impede your transformation into an Illithid.

Despite appearing trustworthy due to his openness, his Illithid background subtly influences him to mislead you into bolstering your own parasite. Reflecting on his actions and the characteristics of mind flayers, it becomes increasingly difficult not to discern that he’s been skillfully manipulating the situation to protect himself from being consumed by the Nether Brain.

Regardless of the strength of your alliance with the Emperor, there’s often an unsettling feeling that his actions are not entirely transparent. For instance, you discover that he had deceitfully exploited Duke Stelmane for personal gain and ruthlessly slayed his cherished friend, dragon Ansur. This undercurrent of secrecy surrounding him makes one wonder if he can truly be trusted with all the cards concealed so tightly.

No matter what path you take with the Emperor, it’s important to understand that he acts primarily for his own survival rather than to aid others. If you decide to release Prince Orpheus at the peak of the tale, be aware that the Emperor retreats out of fear of being killed by Orpheus and positions himself as your adversary during the ultimate confrontation with the Netherbrain.

The Emperor’s actions are mainly driven by self-preservation rather than altruism. If you help Prince Orpheus, the Emperor will turn against you due to fear of being harmed and become your enemy in the final battle with the Netherbrain.

In this tale, since the result heavily relies on the actions of the player, it’s hardly unexpected that the Emperor might deceive you if you don’t follow his instructions to the letter. After all, he’s a character who manipulates others to achieve his ambitions.

6. Devil May Cry 5

Daddy Issues

Regardless of the renowned reputation earned by the Devil May Cry series due to its groundbreaking action gameplay, it is not typically associated with complex narratives or thought-provoking ideas. Yet, this lack doesn’t detract from its appeal.

As a gamer, I’ve got to say, Devil May Cry 5 didn’t mince words when it came to V and Urizen being halves of Vergil. But when it comes to the bond between him and Nero? They were downright obvious! And guess what? We eventually discover that Nero is none other than his son.

Players of Devil May Cry 4 will undoubtedly recall the moment when character Nero unleashed his Devil Trigger for the very first time, using Vergil’s sword, Yamato.

Although their reasons might vary, it is evident that Nero harbors a similar fervor for power as his father, as they have both uttered identical phrases.

The surprising disclosure in Devil May Cry 5 that Nero is Vergil’s son feels surprisingly foreseeable, and this also implies that Vergil has been an absentee father. It seems about time for Vergil to start fulfilling his parental responsibilities, perhaps even paying overdue child support.

5. Resident Evil Village

Why Won’t You Die?

In the realm of video game heroes, Ethan Winters stands out for his remarkable resilience, managing to stay alive even after enduring numerous life-threatening injuries in both Resident Evil 7 and Resident Evil Village. The indomitable Chris Redfield and Leon Kennedy have some stiff competition now.

In both games, you can play as the character who quickly recovers from wounds by applying a restorative fluid. On occasion, Ethan even undergoes the extraordinary feat of reattaching an amputated limb and carrying on walking.

As a dedicated fan, I must admit that one could chalk it up to traditional video game mechanics. However, Resident Evil Village provides an intriguing in-game explanation for why our protagonist, Ethan, appears to be invincible.

It turns out that Ethan has been deceased since the time when Jack Baker attacked him in RE7. However, his body was later inhabited by a powerful fungus known as megamycete, which miraculously brought him back to life. This is the reason for his extraordinary healing abilities displayed throughout the games.

Additionally, this provides an understanding as to why Rose eventually acquires fungal abilities; it’s due to her origin being rooted in Ethan’s altered biological makeup.

4. Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom

A Heroic Sacrifice

As Link journeys across the realm of Hyrule in “Breath of the Wild”, he comes face to face with three serene dragons soaring above the kingdom, symbolizing different elements of the Triforce.

In “Tears of the Kingdom,” there appears a fourth Light Dragon, shrouded in mystery. Its golden mane gives a striking resemblance to someone familiar. This dragon soars at great heights and leaves behind tears that fall across Hyrule. Interestingly, it doesn’t seem to react when you remove its sword.

If you gather all 11 symbols from the geoglyphs, it will reveal that Princess Zelda was hurled back 10,000 years ago in time. In an effort to rescue Link and thwart Ganondorf, she decides to ingest her sacred gemstone, transforming herself into the Divine Dragon, thereby empowering the Master Sword with divine energy for Link to wield.

In the aftermath of these events in Breath of the Wild, it’s heartbreaking to see Zelda awaken from her century-long slumber, only to discover that she has been transformed into a dragon for an extended period of 10,000 years.

3. Life Is Strange

Have You Seen This Girl?

As a devoted fan, I’ve always found Rachel Amber to be an enigmatic character woven into the fabric of Life is Strange. The individuals I encounter at Blackwell Academy and Arcadia Bay seem captivated by her, but it’s Chloe who is relentless in her pursuit to unravel the mystery surrounding Rachel’s disappearance.

In the original game, Life is Strange, Rachel was shrouded in a sense of mystery, as if she were a mythical figure. You often find yourself pondering where she could be and why Chloe appears to be so enamored with her. However, this enigma was only lifted when the prequel Before the Storm was released.

Based on hearsay, everything we have about Rachel is known, but there’s no doubt that she was adored and cherished by everyone who encountered her. If someone is so widely admired yet absent from the narrative, it’s often because they are no longer with us.

It turns out, in episode 4, Max and Chloe unearth Rachel’s body from a grave hidden beneath their old hangout spot – the junkyard. Shockingly, it appears that Rachel had fallen victim to the sinister alliance between serial killer Mark Jefferson and arrogant Nathan Prescott.

Though Rachel may have met a tragic end, Max eventually gets some justice for her.

2. Bayonetta

The Resemblance Is Uncanny

In the initial Bayonetta adventure, I found myself pursued relentlessly by the forces of Paradiso due to my possession of half a set of enigmatic gems called the “World’s Eyes.

As she journeys in search of the missing piece, she encounters an assortment of individuals, such as another Jeanne, a fellow Umbra Witch, Luka – a man who believes her to be his father’s adversary, and Cereza, a child who looks remarkably like Bayonetta herself.

Initially unwilling to aid the young girl who persistently addresses her as “mommy,” an action that displeases Bayonetta greatly; it turns out, surprisingly, that Cereza is none other than a younger version of Bayonetta. The question then arises: how can there be two Bayonettas existing simultaneously?

It is revealed that Bayonetta’s father, Balder, had become insane and sought to bring forth a potent deity in order to re-create the universe. To achieve this, he needed to take away young Cereza, which would in turn awaken Bayonetta’s forgotten memories, thus activating the Eyes of the World.

1. Red Dead Redemption 2

Healthcare Sucks, Partner

In a natural and easy-to-read manner: Red Dead Redemption 2 aims to draw you into the gritty, authentic setting of America towards the end of the 1800s. With lifelike aspects such as hunting, fishing, and meticulous attention to detail, this game offers a rich experience. It also tackles themes like terminal illnesses.

Towards the final moments of the game set in Beaver Hollow, Arthur experiences a severe bout of coughing that almost causes him to faint. A kind stranger assists him in finding a physician who ultimately diagnoses Arthur with tuberculosis.

Although tuberculosis can be managed in today’s world, Arthur Morgan’s time is limited, and we know for certain how his story ends in the game. Despite any choices made by the player regarding Arthur’s honor, or whether it was high or low, he inevitably succumbs to tuberculosis.

Before his official diagnosis, there were indications that Arthur was showing symptoms of tuberculosis. These included occasional coughing fits, and a strong hint that he had contracted TB came during the early stages of the game when he collected a debt for Strauss from Thomas Downes.

In the face of my own mortality as I battle tuberculosis, I’ve come to realize the importance of every moment and the impact I can make. I understand now that there’s still time for me to make a difference in the lives of those who need me most, before my journey takes its inevitable course.

2025-03-23 19:10