Best Happy Endings In Horror Games

Key Takeaways

Some horror games like Koudelka and Resident Evil Village have surprisingly happy and satisfying endings.
Games like The Evil Within 2 and Sweet Home offer bittersweet conclusions with elements of hope and closure.
Titles such as Parasite Eve and Amnesia: The Dark Descent provide redemption and light after psychological horror.

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that these three games have left a profound impact on me – especially when it comes to storytelling and character development.

As a devoted horror game enthusiast, I can’t help but notice that when I dive into a chilling game like Dead By Daylight, there are moments when other bone-chilling games might slip under my radar. It’s easy to get caught up in the thrill of this terrifying survival game, where even the most feared killers seem impossible to vanquish. But as a connoisseur of horror, I understand that sometimes, these seemingly indestructible monsters aren’t truly unkillable; they just need to be outmaneuvered effectively. However, for the hardcore horror aficionados among us, we might discern that this isn’t always the case, especially in games with an exceptionally unique narrative.

Indeed, you’ll find a number of horror video games with unexpectedly joyful conclusions, which might take players by surprise, particularly when they are immersed in games that carry a very grim or frightening narrative.

11 Koudelka

A Bitter-Sweet Ending That Is More Happy Than Sad

As a devoted fan, I’d say that Koudelka stands out, even among the peculiarities of 90s JRPGs. This captivating adventure takes place in the chilling atmosphere of late 19th-century Wales, where we delve into the mysteries of a foreboding mansion teeming with horrors. While it undeniably shares many JRPG elements in its narrative and style, Koudelka is primarily a haunting journey through fear. In other words, it’s a rather somber ride, but there’s always hope to be found amidst the darkness.

Regrettably, one of our protagonists, James, doesn’t live to see the finale, but his valiant act of self-sacrifice certainly earns him a noble conclusion. Contrastingly, Edward and Koudelka manage to survive. Although they part ways at the end, there are hints that imply they might reunite someday. Interestingly, it’s the Nemeton mansion that experiences the most positive outcome. The vengeful spirits haunting it have been pacified, and their restless souls found peace. Unlike many other stories, where a final twist sets up sequels, Koudelka‘s ending is definitive yet hopeful.

10 The Evil Within 2

Daughter Saved, Fears Confronted, And Everyone Lives Happily Ever After

It’s fortunate that The Evil Within 2 provided a satisfactory conclusion for fans since it appears another sequel might never happen, which is disappointing. While both games in the series were quite dark, the sequel tied up loose ends nicely. Rather than resorting to common tropes like “it was all a dream” or a humorous twist to undermine the happy ending, the writers chose not to, making it more impactful.

Initially, Sebastian manages to accomplish his main objective: reconnecting with his daughter, Lily, and rescuing her from the STEM system. He also makes peace with his former spouse, Myra. Tragically, Myra gives up her life to annihilate Mobius, the series’ main antagonist, but Sebastian finds solace in the resolution. The last scene depicts Sebastian and Lily joyfully driving away as the sun sets, indicating that, despite the terrifying experiences they’ve been through, they can begin anew. Crucially, the game concludes with Sebastian confronting and overcoming the “inner darkness” that has plagued him throughout both games. Sebastian not only saves the day but also emerges from these events a changed man for the better. The only downside is a post-credits scene implying that STEM could be reactivated, but this shouldn’t detract from an otherwise uplifting ending.

9 Resident Evil Village

Ethan Finishes What He Set Out To Do

In a rather grim opening, Resident Evil Village finds Ethan in a dire situation. Not only does he mourn the loss of his wife, but also the abduction of their child. He’s then mysteriously transported to a secluded European village, where he encounters monstrous creatures. His mission becomes clear: to gather pieces of his kidnapped daughter, in hopes of miraculously reviving her. Along the way, he battles werewolves, zombies, and vampires who revel in causing him excruciating pain.

Despite the game having an unexpectedly joyful yet poignant conclusion, Ethan emerges victorious, albeit at the cost of his own life. He is reunited with both his wife Mia and daughter Rose, defeats Mother Miranda, and destroys the Megamycete. Ethan, who was relatively ordinary in ‘Resident Evil 7’, experiences a fulfilling conclusion in ‘Village’. Starting as an everyday man, he ends his life as a hero. The chain of torment finally breaks, allowing Ethan to find peace (it’s revealed that he has been deceased for some time), and the future looks brighter with Rose’s newfound powers. In summary, it’s one of the best endings in the series due to its thoughtful execution.

8 The Legend Of Zelda: Majora’s Mask

The Franchise’s First Foray Into Horror Territory

In a nutshell, “The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask” is an adventure game that some enthusiasts consider one of the darkest in the “Zelda” series, with undertones of horror. The narrative unfolds as Link, our protagonist, finds himself in Terminus, a realm mirroring Hyrule. His mission involves using magical masks to prevent the Moon from colliding with the world and causing its destruction. Time is severely limited here, as Link has just three days to complete his task. Each failed attempt resets the cycle back to day one.

Despite being trapped in an endless cycle reminiscent of purgatory, Link triumphantly breaks free by eliminating four ominous curses that had long tormented the realm. It’s later uncovered that the infamous Majora’s Mask is the wellspring of all darkness in Termina, with Link eventually emerging from what appears to be a dreamlike slumber within a forest.

7 Haunting Ground

Unlocking The Game’s “True” Ending Is Worth The Effort

Haunting Ground is often recognized as the spiritual sequel to the Clock Tower series, where the protagonist, Fiona Belli, finds herself stranded in a mysterious castle following a car crash with her parents. As she navigates her way out, she forms an alliance with a canine companion named Hewie who plays a significant role in the game. Throughout the narrative, Fiona learns that she possesses the alchemical element Azoth, which the game’s villain, Riccardo, desires to seize for eternal life.

Throughout the game, she encounters various castle officials including Debilitas, who gradually transforms into an adversary of sorts in the narrative. Despite her hardships, Fiona and Hewie’s bond enables them to eventually depart from the castle peacefully as the game concludes – a departure that contrasts with many survival horror games where survivors are typically left alive but at a cost. Interestingly, sparing Debilitas could have facilitated their escape, and in a second playthrough, he might even assist them in escaping earlier on.

6 Parasite Eve

Teaches Players About Mitochondria And Coping With Grief (Kind Of)

The running gag that “the Mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell” becomes a part of the terrifying reality in Parasite Eve, as the game involves NYPD rookie Aya Brea in her quest to stop a being known only as Mitochondria Eve, an entity capable of controlling Neo-Mitochondrial Creatures or lifeforms spawned out of evolved mitochondria. She aims to create a “perfect world” with herself as its ruler, something Aya and her newly-found Parasite Energy want to stop.

At the close of the game, Aya triumphantly overcomes Eve in her form as the “Ultimate Being.” She maintains her mitochondrial abilities which she later employs to rescue the world on two more occasions in the sequels. In New Game Plus, Aya experiences a heart-wrenching reunion with her long-lost twin sister, Maya, who had perished two decades earlier. In the game’s continuation, “the Original Eve,” Aya finds herself battling this resurrected version of Maya. However, Maya’s consciousness resists and eliminates the Eve persona, sacrificing their own lives in the process. This act strips Aya of her powers, but it is a noble price to pay given that it allowed her to confront and accept the loss of her sister at last.

5 Sweet Home

A Horror Movie Tie-In And Classic Ghost Story

In spite of its relatively basic visuals, the chilling narrative and engrossing gameplay of Sweet Home have led many gamers to argue that it paved the way for survival horror. The story commences when a group of five documentarians venture into an isolated mansion in search of paintings by artist Ichiro Mamiya. However, they soon discover that their exploration turns into a struggle for survival when they find themselves trapped within the mansion alongside a vengeful spirit and monstrous entities intent on their demise.

During the course of the game, it becomes clear that the ghost haunting the team is none other than Lady Mamiya, the mourning wife of Ichiro Mamiya, who tragically lost their son. After a long and intense final confrontation, the team successfully soothes her spirit and assists her in finding peace, mere moments before rescuers arrive to free them from the perilous mansion as it begins to collapse.

4 Amnesia: The Dark Descent

A Surprisingly Light Ending After Hours Of Psychological Torture

Reminiscent of Lovecraftian themes, many players consider “Amnesia: The Dark Descent” as one of the scariest games ever created. What makes it particularly chilling is its integration of exhaustion and fear mechanics, where the character Daniel (and the player) experience more delusions as they become increasingly frightened. This unfolds when Daniel regains consciousness in a deserted castle, unaware of his true identity or the events leading up to this moment.

In the heart of this adventure, I stumbled upon an enigmatic orb that unwittingly summoned a being known as the Shadow. This ominous figure was relentless in its pursuit, leaving nothing but destruction in its wake, taking the lives of everyone it encountered. Haunted by the weight of my actions in the name of self-preservation, I found myself compelled to erase my own memories, and thus began this harrowing game.

3 Silent Hill

Out Of 5 Possible Endings, The Happy Ending Is Canon

The Silent Hill series demonstrates that one’s own mind can be one’s most formidable adversary, particularly when confronted with vengeful spirits, a cult striving to create a malevolent deity, and a town that has the power to manifest nightmares. The narrative kicks off as Harry Mason embarks on a mission to locate his adopted daughter Cheryl, whom he lost contact with following a car accident on their way to the spa town of Silent Hill. Over the course of this odyssey, he occasionally finds himself in a chilling parallel realm known as the Otherworld, and encounters unforeseen companions like police officer Cybil Bennett along the way.

In the initial game, the pinnacle unfolds within the Otherworld, a realm where the wicked Order plans to offer Cheryl as a sacrifice to summon an evil deity. Contrary to this ominous scenario, Silent Hill 3 demonstrates that even in the darkest corners, there exists a glimmer of hope. This is evident as Heather Mason emerges as a reincarnation of Cheryl, making the favorable ending of Silent Hill a reality. Additionally, the Good+ ending ensures both Harry and Cybil make it through, offering Heather a strong female role model to emulate.

2 Alien Isolation

A Last Minute Twist Gives Ellen The Ending She Deserves

Among all games based on the Alien series, it’s likely that Alien: Isolation best encapsulated the raw terror that the films were known for. In this game, players assist Ellen Ripley’s daughter, Amanda Ripley, in her quest to retrieve the black box from Ellen’s ship, the Nostromo, which was abandoned at the Sevastopol Station. Tragically for Ellen, the only thing protecting her from a Xenomorph that has already claimed lives within the ship is this massive space station.

Without the game permitting players to actually destroy the Xenomorph, Ellen was forced to merely struggle to break free from its grasp. To prevent the Xenomorph from spreading its infection throughout humanity, she chose to make an unimaginable sacrifice: not only did she steer the spaceship into the atmosphere for destruction, but also killed the Xenomorph in the cold emptiness of space. When Ellen believed she was doomed to perish alone in the vastness of space, a beam of light shone on her, hinting at rescue.

1 Resident Evil 2 Remake

A Happy Ending If Players Ignore The Sequels

In 1998’s infamous Raccoon City Disaster retelling, the Resident Evil 2 Remake, players will take on the roles of Claire Redfield and Leon Kennedy, a police officer new to the force. Together, they struggle for survival in a city overrun by the undead. They encounter Sherry Birkin, the child of scientist William Birkin who unleashed the deadly G-Virus, and aid her during the inevitable missile attack that destroyed Raccoon City and its horde of zombies.

In contrast to the original Resident Evil 2 game where all characters make it through and part ways, the Remake introduces more humorous conversations among the trio during their journey. Upon finishing the game twice, players observe the group strolling along the city’s outskirts engaging in clever banter, hinting at the growing bond between Claire and Leon that becomes significant throughout the series. This playful dialogue effectively demonstrates their character development, as it is later revealed that Claire and Sherry take up anti-bioterrorism work, while Leon becomes a prominent bioterrorism agent in subsequent sequels.

2024-10-16 12:54