Horror Games With Surprisingly Wholesome Endings That Still Feel Disturbing

Horror stories – whether they’re books, movies, TV shows, or video games – usually finish with a bleak or unsettling conclusion. That’s just how the genre works – skilled creators often leave audiences wanting more. While happy or truly satisfying endings are uncommon in horror, there are some exceptions, particularly in the world of video games.

Even though these games have happy endings, things aren’t always perfect for the characters. Despite the generally positive outcomes, there are still unsettling elements, like character deaths or strange occurrences, that add a creepy edge to otherwise heartwarming conclusions.

There will be spoilers, as the endings of each of these games will be explored in detail.

The Last Of Us

A Little White Lie

The story of The Last of Us begins with Joel experiencing the tragic loss of his daughter during a devastating outbreak. This loss deeply affects him for years to come. When he’s tasked with protecting a young girl named Ellie, he’s initially indifferent. But as they travel together, a strong bond develops, and they share heartwarming moments. Their mission is to reach a hospital in Seattle, where a group called the Fireflies believe Ellie’s immunity could be the key to a cure. However, Joel and Ellie aren’t aware that the cure requires Ellie to sacrifice her life, and even then, success isn’t certain. Unable to lose another daughter, Joel violently fights his way through the Fireflies while Ellie is unconscious, ensuring her survival.

When Ellie wakes up far from Seattle, Joel tells her the Fireflies failed to find a cure. She immediately knows he’s lying. Joel’s actions were a difficult paradox – while morally wrong, any father would want to save his child, even at the cost of a potential cure for humanity. However, he also killed many innocent people in Seattle to do so. Though the ending allows the characters players care about to survive, it sets up negative consequences for the next game, all stemming from this deception towards Ellie.

Resident Evil: Revelations 2 (Good Ending)

A Family Reunited

As a big Resident Evil fan, I was really surprised by Resident Evil: Revelations 2 because it actually has different endings that really change things! While they’re all pretty fun, you definitely want to go for the good one. The game is split into two stories each episode. You play as Claire Redfield and Moira Burton, trying to escape from this island they’re trapped on, and then on the other side, you’re playing as Moira’s dad, Barry, who’s searching for her and ends up meeting a strange girl named Natalia.

If Claire and Moira get a happy ending, they’ll be rescued by Barry and Natalia. During the escape, Barry and Moira reconcile after a period of distance, and Barry offers Natalia a place to live with them. Moira, now happily reconciled with her family, is excited to be Natalia’s sister. However, the story takes a darker turn in the bad ending, where Natalia’s past is revealed and she exhibits unsettling behavior reminiscent of the movie The Omen. Although this bad ending isn’t considered the official story, Moira still possesses latent powers that could resurface in the future.

The Evil Within 2

Goodbye, Mommy

In The Evil Within 2, Sebastian finds himself trapped in another terrifying dream world. This time, his daughter, Lily, has been taken there, forcing him to re-enter the nightmare. As he navigates this twisted reality, he’s relentlessly pursued by the ghost of his wife, Myra, who seems to be behind everything. While other enemies appear, the central conflict revolves around Sebastian’s struggle against Myra, leading to a powerful and memorable final showdown.

Myra’s monster appearance is similar to the Female Titan from the anime Attack on Titan, but she’s more like a slimy, fluid creature in The Evil Within 2. Once Sebastian defeats her, he’s able to save Lily, and they both escape the simulation – a positive outcome. Just as they’re about to leave through a mirror portal, Sebastian briefly sees his wife as she truly is, and understands everything. Myra intentionally stayed trapped in the simulation to ensure Sebastian and Lily could find happiness. Though Lily’s rescue is a good thing, Sebastian is left heartbroken knowing he couldn’t also save his wife, which will be incredibly difficult for him.

BioShock 2 (Good Ending)

Goodbye, Daddy

BioShock 2 offers different endings based on your choices throughout the game. Similar to the original, you can decide whether to save the Little Sisters or exploit them for ADAM, which is used to gain new powers. The story starts before the city of Rapture falls apart, focusing on Delta, an early version of a Big Daddy, and his Little Sister, Eleanor. After a mysterious event, Delta is deactivated for ten years, then reactivated with a new mission in a severely damaged Rapture.

Choosing to save the Little Sisters results in Delta escaping with Eleanor, now an adult and the Big Sister. While Delta ultimately dies, his sacrifice allows Eleanor to survive using his ADAM, and she continues to care for the rescued Little Sisters. It’s a poignant ending, with Delta watching the sunset before passing away. However, it leaves a question: how will Eleanor and the Little Sisters escape Rapture, a city submerged in the ocean, now that returning underwater isn’t an option?

Parasite Eve

The Cycle Begins Anew

Originally released for the PlayStation, Parasite Eve is a now-overlooked gem set in New York City. Players take on the role of Detective Aya Brea as she and her partner, Daniel, investigate a strange and dangerous individual named Eve. They team up with a scientist, Maeda, who reveals Eve is able to control people’s cells, turning them into monstrous creatures. The game culminates in a final battle aboard a ship, where Aya must defeat a powerful being created by Eve, ultimately destroying the ship in an explosion. The story concludes with a flash-forward, showing Aya revisiting the theater where the game began.

Aya is attending the play with her boyfriend Daniel, his son Ben, and Maeda, forming a close-knit group. While watching, Aya experiences a powerful emotional shift, indicated by her reddening eyes, mirroring the audience. Though no dramatic physical transformation occurs, it strongly suggests Aya has been selected for a significant, perhaps divine, role – like a new Eve. The ending is deliberately ambiguous and isn’t explored further in the next game, but it implies she doesn’t immediately become violent. Overall, it’s a disturbing but satisfying conclusion to a Square Enix game that fans are eager to revisit.

2025-11-21 14:36