Most Heartbreaking Betrayals In Open-World Games

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Warning! Spoilers Ahead!

As a gamer, I often find myself immersed in open-world games where the storyline is a significant draw, compelling me to explore every nook and cranny of this vast sandbox. Sometimes, it’s about advancing the story, but other times, it’s about getting lost in the multitude of side quests or hidden treasures that catch my eye. The narratives can be captivating, especially when they throw unexpected twists at you, keeping me on my toes and making every moment exciting.

Unexpected betrayals, often from those we trust the most, are part of this scenario. Certain open-world video games are renowned for their profoundly moving scenes of betrayal, leaving a lasting impact on fans.

8. Ryuzo Betraying The People Of Tsushima Island To The Mongols

Jin Couldn’t Believe The Path His Childhood Friend Took

In “Ghost of Tsushima,” some may find flaws in the narrative, but many adore Jin’s struggles upholding his code of honor while relentlessly battling the Mongols using whatever means at his disposal. He reconnects with his old comrade, Ryuzo, and enlists the help of his band of Ronin, the Straw Hat, in an attempt to expel the Mongols from Tsushima.

Yet, Ryuzo finds himself in dire straits as he struggles to provide for his followers. In a move that leaves Jin stunned, Ryuzo forms an alliance with Khotun Khan to acquire the necessary resources. The friendship between them is ultimately shattered when a fierce duel ensues, ending with Jin emerging victorious and taking Ryuzo’s life.

7. Dexter DeShawn Shooting V To Get The Heat Off His Back

Added To The Protagonist’s Trauma After They Already Lost Their Best Friend

Prior to this act of betrayal, there were some distressing events. V grew close to Jackie, but their friendship was shattered following a failed heist. This left V deeply hurt and emotionally scarred. Upon returning to Dex, the fixer declined to take on the heat of an Arasaka family member’s assassination, further adding to V’s already tumultuous state.

This results in a heartbreaking act of deception as Dex fires at V, striking them fatally and abandoning them, seemingly for good. Fortunately, Takemura locates him and extracts him from the trash dump he was discarded into, initiating the primary storyline where V endeavors to reclaim ownership of their body following the influence of Johnny Silverhand’s consciousness.

6. Lance Vance Going Against Tommy And Siding With Sonny

Tommy’s Close Friend Becomes Too Ambitious For His Own Good

In the world of GTA, there’s no lack of heart-wrenching betrayals, and Vice City is no different. The alliance between Lance and Tommy seems strong at first, but it later turns sour when Lance begins to grow complacent while Tommy remains driven by his aspirations.

As a gamer, I found myself growing more isolated within our group, and in a twist of fate, I chose to align with the one who put Tommy behind bars – Sonny. This decision was driven by the fact that my partner would’ve outshone me in the hierarchy had things continued as they were. Tommy, filled with loathing for my actions, made sure to take me down first before exacting his revenge on Sonny, avenging all those years he lost due to being imprisoned.

5. The Sole Survivor Having To Go Against Their Son

Unless Players Side With The Institute, They’ll Have To Betray Shaun

In Fallout 4, the narrative has its ups and downs occasionally, yet enthusiasts can’t help but acknowledge that the quest to find Shaun gains significant traction as players delve deeper into the Institute. Along the way, fans encounter an imposter of Shaun, setting the stage for a plot twist that was subtly foreshadowed earlier in the game.

It was discovered that the Sole Survivor had spent an excessive amount of time in the cryo pod, resulting in Shaun maturing into an elderly man who governed the Institute when players encountered their son for the first time. Choosing to align with the Institute is generally perceived as a poor decision, leading most gameplay experiences to conclude with Shaun being deceived by his parent, lying on his deathbed and expressing regret over his guardian’s choice moments before passing away.

4. Hanako Arasaka Discarding V After Using Them

It Was Expected, Although It Did Make For Two Sad Ending Sequences

  • Cyberpunk 2077

As players progress through the storyline of Cyberpunk 2077, they will find themselves in a desperate situation where character V yearns to regain control over their own body. If certain optional missions haven’t been tackled, it becomes essential for V to have faith in Hanako, trusting her to manage their body and prevent its demise.

Ultimately, her goal was to reclaim authority over the Arasaka family while abandoning V in the vastness of space for further experimental treatments. It seems she had anticipated that the protagonist would have no chance of success from the moment they appeared dead at the game’s outset, as their body was already resistant to its own psyche, embracing Johnny as the dominant persona instead.

3. CJ Finding Out That Big Smoke And Ryder Are Working With C.R.A.S.H.

Both Him And The Players Couldn’t Believe What They Were Seeing

San Andreas” is renowned as one of the greatest open-world games ever made, with a captivating narrative that follows CJ’s return to Grove Street after losing his mother. He endeavors to rectify his absence, but finds himself ensnared in a vicious betrayal, which eventually surfaces.

Cesar shares shocking news with CJ regarding the Green Sabre case – a significant event being that the Green Sabre had fired at CJ’s house, resulting in the death of CJ’s mother. The surprising revelation is that Big Smoke and Ryder have been secretly cooperating with the corrupt police group, C.R.A.S.H. This painful act of betrayal makes Cesar believe Sweet might be walking into a trap, prompting an urgent mission for CJ to save his brother as quickly as possible, no matter what it takes.

2. Micah Bell Ruining The Gang’s Dynamic

This Heinous Act Turned Him Into One Of The Most Hated Video Game Characters Of All Time

Micah Bell stands among the most despicable video game characters ever created. To some extent, the narrative crafted by Rockstar deserves recognition for making it effortless to develop a strong dislike towards this treacherous outlaw.

He functioned as an undercover agent for the Pinkerton agency, planting discord among them which eventually caused the group to split apart. This eventuality ultimately resulted in numerous unfortunate deaths, leading Marston and his allies to seek revenge for Arthur’s demise and eliminate Micah permanently.

1. Franklin Betraying One Of His Friends In The Non-Canon Endings

Both Sequences Are Very Sad, And Fans Are Glad That The Death Wish Ending Is Canon

The narrative in Grand Theft Auto 5 warrants critique due to its tendency towards overly convenient plot points, however, it occasionally delivers poignant emotional moments. An instance of this occurs right at the end, when Franklin faces a tough decision: whether to eliminate either Trevor or Michael.

Both incidents are heart-wrenching, and Michael’s demise stands out as emotionally intense because he was deceived by someone he had nurtured like a son following an unexpected meeting. Michael’s passing prompts Franklin to phone Lamar, echoing something Michael had said in the past, indicating that his mentor’s death significantly impacted him, despite the necessity of taking this path.

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2025-06-07 05:54