The Most Painful Video Game Betrayals

Summary

Haytham Kenway flipped the script in Assassin’s Creed 3, revealing an unexpected allegiance.
Lucy Stillman’s betrayal in Assassin’s Creed Revelations was a shocking act of deception.
Micah Bell’s slow betrayal in Red Dead Redemption 2 left players reeling with its emotional impact.

In the realm of video games, betrayals carry a unique sting. It’s one thing to be outmaneuvered by an adversary at a distance, but it’s quite another when someone you thought was an ally turns their gun on you from the shadows. These aren’t merely plot twists; they’re emotional jabs that leave you reeling, causing you to pause, let go of the controller, and exclaim, “Hold up. Did that really just happen?

Regardless of whether they were gradual deceits or sudden blows, these betrayals were not only agonizing; they were deeply personal, and for some, the impact lingered so heavily that they struggled to regain their footing afterwards.

7. Haytham Kenway’s Identity

Assassin’s Creed 3

Encountering Haytham in the beginning of Assassin’s Creed 3 feels like returning to a familiar setting. The game starts with a captivating British aristocrat performing all the traditional Assassin acts—hidden blades, free-running, secret signs. Everything seems fitting. However, it soon becomes something else.

The stunning truth that Haytham is secretly a top-tier Templar unfolds like a stealth attack from a hidden enemy. Players, oblivious to it, had spent hours strategizing what they thought was the foundation of the next grand Assassin dynasty. Yet, it’s not so. In fact, Haytham has been loyal all along to the very Order that the Assassins have been battling since the first game.

The deception doesn’t stop; instead, it’s Connor’s complex bond with Haytham that forms the heart of the narrative. Unlike a stereotypical villain with a twirling mustache, Haytham is a calculated man who sincerely believes in the Templars’ cause. This makes his betrayal all the more challenging to refute, as it stems not from malice but from deep-rooted conviction.

6. Lucy Stillman’s Double Game

Assassin’s Creed Revelations

Lucy wasn’t simply one more non-player character (NPC) in Desmond’s story; rather, she served as the anchor. Starting from the moment he escaped Abstergo, she remained with him, providing guidance during Animus sessions and offering players someone to rely on amidst a sea of corporate deception.

Instead of Assassin’s Creed Revelations, this game significantly altered the narrative. In a shocking turn of events, Desmond, under the control of an entity from the First Civilization, fatally stabs Lucy – an action that leaves players in disbelief and searching for explanations. It is later uncovered that Lucy had been planning to betray the Assassins and hand over Desmond to Abstergo. All her actions were part of a well-executed plan, a convincing act skillfully portrayed.

It’s incredibly distressing how everything remains unanswered. Desmond doesn’t receive closure, and neither do the players. All they are left with is a deceased friend, a bloody hand, and an uneasy suspicion that perhaps Subject 16 was justified in his paranoia.

5. Atlas Was Never Your Friend

BioShock

Did you happen to find ‘Would you kindly’ the most spine-chilling phrase in gaming? Initially, it seemed like a courteous Irish guide helping players traverse Rapture, but it evolved into an art of manipulation. At first glance, Atlas appeared as a desperate father trying to rescue his family. However, he was none other than Frank Fontaine—a criminal mastermind who used mind control to transform Jack into his personal weapon.

The betrayal is exceptionally damaging as it often goes unnoticed. Each time Jack complies, players believe they’re exercising free will. However, they’re mistaken. They’re merely being manipulated, step-by-step, via seemingly polite instructions subtly embedded with conditioning.

What hurts even more than the deceit is discovering that our control over the characters was merely an illusion. Fontaine didn’t just deceive Jack; he deceived us, right before our eyes for hours on end. That’s what makes it so memorable. It’s not just a clever narrative twist; it’s a breach of trust in the most self-referential manner possible.

4. Edgar Ross’s Ruthless Manipulation

Red Dead Redemption

At the culmination of the game “Red Dead Redemption“, John Marston completed every task assigned to him. He tracked down his former associates, ended the lives of his dearest companions, and navigated the fine line between existence and absolution—all for a brighter future for his loved ones. However, even after all that, Edgar Ross dispatched a firing squad to his residence.

Ross didn’t merely deceive John; he manipulated him. He offered John the illusion of freedom as a temptation, only to take it away once John served his purpose. The confrontation at the barn was not solely about gunfire; it symbolized values. John walked into that situation aware he would not survive, but he desired his sacrifice to hold significance.

Meanwhile, Ross strolled off with a smile on his face, having received a promotion. He even had his picture taken while angling. However, this act of his, the betrayal, is particularly despicable. It wasn’t a matter of personal feelings for him; it was merely a bureaucratic task, a loose end to be neatly tied up before noon.

3. Micah Bell’s Backstab

Red Dead Redemption 2

From the instant he started speaking, Micah Bell seemed out of place. His greasy handlebar mustache, his affection for disorder, his unusual fascination with brutality – it all pointed towards trouble. Yet Dutch chose to keep him close, and for a time, spectators presumed there had to be a motive. In reality, none existed.

Micah consistently manipulated Dutch throughout their adventures, secretly passing harmful advice to him while simultaneously providing information to the authorities without others knowing. Gradually, he betrayed the Van der Linde gang bit by bit, orchestrating traps and amassing wealth for his own gain. The betrayal is particularly painful because it has been ongoing for so long. It’s not just one act of deceit, but a persistent erosion of everything Arthur held dear.

Ultimately, the Dutch realized what had happened, but unfortunately, it was all over by then. The gang, including Arthur, had disappeared. All that remained were Micah and the chaos he contributed to.

2. General Shephard’s Bullet

Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

In Modern Warfare 2, combatants were seen storming through war-torn landscapes with guns ablaze, but the moment of greatest impact didn’t occur during battle—it transpired amidst a friendly greeting. Following one of the game’s toughest missions, “Loose Ends,” players anticipated a triumphant celebration. However, General Shepherd pulled off a shocking act by shooting Ghost and Roach, then setting their bodies alight.

The betrayal was harsh, not merely because of what transpired, but due to the underlying reasons. Shepherd aspired to rewrite history, casting himself as the protagonist. To him, Soap and Task Force 141 were mere pieces in a narrative he crafted through deceit, atrocities, and unintentional harm.

Betrayal by a villain is unfortunate, but betrayal from the one who issued commands is a different kind of hurt. Trust in Shepherd was never fully regained – neither in subsequent stories, nor in revamped versions, nor even in internet jokes.

1. Big Smoke’s Greed Over Brotherhood

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

As a devoted fan, I never anticipated Big Smoke’s downfall because everyone was convinced he was an unwavering ally. He was the jovial, flamboyant figure in our Grove Street gang, the one who added humor to our missions with his outlandish banter and colossal fast food demands. However, amidst the fast-food feasts and gunfire, Smoke seemed to lose his way.

It appears he wasn’t faithful to the group in the slightest. He traded Grove Street for power, narcotics, and a lavish crack den fortified like Fort Knox. The most painful aspect? He didn’t even attempt to defend his actions. “I was swept away by the money, the power… I don’t care!” That hurt more than any surprise attack. His deception wasn’t strategic—it was personal. CJ didn’t just lose a comrade; he lost his closest friend to the very enemies they were battling against.

Additionally, we should remember that Tenpenny played a significant role as well. While Smoke may have pulled the trigger at Grove Street, it was the corrupt nature of Los Santos that supplied him with the weapon.

2025-07-05 05:34