Open-World Games Where Some Choices Will Haunt You Forever

Key Takeaways

Open-world games feature morally complex choices, leading to haunting quest outcomes that torment players for years.
Skyrim, Fallout, Dragon Age, The Witcher, KOTOR, and Baldur’s Gate offer traumatic quests with devastating consequences.
Hard decisions about who to sacrifice in quests spark questions about morality, humanity, and the consequences of player actions.

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I can’t help but marvel at the intricate narratives and moral dilemmas woven into these digital masterpieces. The first one that comes to mind is the heart-wrenching choice in The Witcher 3 – Save Anna or the children? It’s a no-brainer, right? But alas, each decision leads to an unavoidable tragedy. If we save Anna, the Crones feast on the innocent children. If we save the children, Anna transforms into a Swamp Hag and meets her untimely end. It’s enough to make one question the very fabric of the universe!

As a passionate gamer, I can’t help but be captivated by the intricate moral dilemmas presented in open-world games. These choices, some of which linger in our minds long after we’ve put down the controller, can transform us into characters who commit morally questionable acts or even become the antagonists of the story. Developers have masterfully crafted scenarios where the line between good and evil becomes perilously thin, leaving us to ponder if our decisions were truly just.

But no matter the results, we know it’s fiction, and as such, we are in a safe place to make those morally complex choices. This, of course, doesn’t exempt us from suffering some traumatic experiences when things get out of control. In this list, we explore some of the games with the most traumatic quest outcomes, some of which can torment players even for years. Trigger warning: Readers should proceed at their own discretion.

Warning, spoilers, and traumatic content ahead.

8 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

It Has One Of The Worst Possible Outcomes In A Sub-Quest

Among numerous games, Skyrim stands out for its high level of player autonomy. Although not all decisions lead to recurring, terrifying consequences that linger in our nightmares, one decision has haunted players’ dreams for over a decade: the “Mourning Never Comes” Dark Brotherhood Quest. In this quest, the Dragonborn-turned-Assassin is tasked with journeying to Windhelm and eliminating Alain Dufont, a former lover of his who has taken refuge in a bandit lair nearby.

In addition to the main task, the client might request that you eliminate Nilsine Shatter-Shield. If you’re not well-versed in Windhelm’s history, you may overlook the sorrowful tale of the Shatter-Shield clan, who fell into poverty, lost numerous family members, and even their Thane status. The matriarch of the family, Tova, is frequently spotted in the market bargaining over every item and tenaciously arguing with other residents for each Septim she has left. Her older daughter, Friga, was also brutally killed by an unknown serial killer, and if you choose to kill Nilsine as well, Tova will choose to take her own life, adding another tragic layer to the story that can touch even those playing a malevolent character.

7 Fallout: New Vegas

Hard Luck Blues Hands Down Most Traumatic Quest

A significant number of fans of the Fallout series have been able to watch the show on Amazon Prime, and there’s an iconic scene in the program that recreates one of the most infamous quests from Fallout: New Vegas, a quest known as The Hard Luck Blues. This mission puts the player in a position where they must decide between the inhabitants of a struggling town who urgently need a Power Core. However, by taking it from a nearby Vault, they effectively condemn the entire population of that Vault to death.

In the game, The Courier often holds the fate of numerous non-player characters, yet this particular quest stands out as a crucial distinction between ordinary wasteland travelers and actual human beings. Some argue that Vault Dwellers should face their consequences, with the option to evacuate and live on the surface like others; however, others believe Bethesda could have included an additional choice in the quest (there are abundant Power Cores available for this purpose). Regardless of one’s perspective, this decision has left a deep impact on fans of this open-world game.

6 Fallout 4

To Be Or Not To Be Human

During my playthrough of Fallout 4, I’ve found myself crossing paths with numerous factions, some of which are bitter rivals. However, there’s one faction that stands out – the Steel Brotherhood, akin to space marines in Fallout lore. In this world, I’ve encountered a character named Danse, a Paladin of the Brotherhood who can be quite ruthless and harbors prejudice towards other sub-species, particularly Super Mutants.

The dilemma fans call “The Paladin Danse Dilemma” unfolds when the lone survivor undertakes a mission titled “Blind Betrayal.” This task’s conclusion reveals that Danse, as we know him, is not who he claims. He is actually a synthetic being created by the Institute. Upon learning about his artificial origin, Danse experiences deep distress and turmoil. The player must then grapple with two options: End his life out of mercy, or allow him to live while challenging the Brotherhood’s hierarchy. This quest, brimming with moral complexity, makes players question: What truly defines being human?

5 Dragon Age: Inquisition

Abandoning An Old Friend In The Fade

During your thrilling pursuit of the Venatori across Thedas while seeking out Corypheus, and at times unwittingly taking the lives of peaceful High Dragons, players will encounter a particularly challenging decision within the game. This choice might prove to be the most daunting they’ve ever faced in the entire Dragon Age series. Throughout this captivating series, the consequences of your decisions have shaped the course of each game, and we’ve grown attached to many unforgettable characters who hold a special place in our hearts.

In a twist of events in Dragon Age: Inquisition, players face a heart-wrenching decision where they must either sacrifice Alistair, a Grey Warden tied to the Origins game, or Hawke, the main character from Dragon Age 2. Both characters are required to give up their lives for the greater good – one to save the party, and the other to help prevent a catastrophic destruction of the world. The agonizing decision that players must make is a difficult one, as it leaves an indelible mark on their gaming experience.

4 The Witcher 3

Save Anna Or The Children?

CD Projekt Red skillfully captured Sapkowski’s knack for grim conclusions and challenging moral dilemmas in The Witcher 3, especially in the questline given by the Bloody Baron. After Geralt (the Player) delves into the sorrowful history of the Baron’s family, including his destructive habits of alcoholism and violence that nearly tore his family apart, the story culminates in a heart-wrenching predicament: Geralt must choose between rescuing Anna or saving all the missing children from nearby villages who have fallen victim to the Crones.

If the player chooses the first option (which seems most sensible as Geralt requires Anna alive to locate Ciri), the wicked witches will consume the children cruelly. However, if the players opt to save the children, there will be a heart-wrenching consequence too. Anna will transform into a Swamp Hag, and eventually perish at Geralt’s hands, causing Tamara immense grief and leading her to vow never to see her father again. After some time, the Baron will commit suicide, worsening matters significantly in Gors Velen as without his oversight, the once loyal sworn bannermen of the Baron will resort to plundering, violence, or even worse acts.

3 Star Wars Knights of The Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords

Spare a Cred For a Beggar, Face The Consequences Forever

Bioware often creates situations that make players feel guilty, even when they choose the Light Side in Force-wielding roles. In the game KOTOR 2, upon arriving at the risky city of Nar Shaddaa, the Exile encounters a man pleading for a few credits to feed his family. If the player decides to help this destitute individual, character Kreia scolds the player, explaining how every decision impacts others, and then shows a scene where we witness the unfortunate man getting mugged and murdered by thugs.

It’s clear that if players choose this option, they will eventually stumble upon two children and a woman in a lower part of the city who appear to have lost their home because the man couldn’t return with the promised credits. Kreia’s teachings will tug at the players’ heartstrings, perhaps making them hesitate before being altruistic. The saying that comes to mind is: “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

2 Baldur’s Gate 3

Fighting Against Squirrels Is Wrong

For those who have ventured into open-world games before, they may recognize situations where events can spiral rapidly, often following a questionable choice. However, Larian Studios elevates this concept to an extraordinary level in Baldur’s Gate 3, as players find themselves engaged in combat – even against a seemingly innocent squirrel during daylight hours. If the player possesses the ability to Communicate with Animals or consumes a potion that bestows this skill, they might experience a sense of unease encountering such a hostile creature.

Be it as it may, the players can also assert their two-legged supremacy over the poor creature by propelling it with a rough kick. This will quickly turn into a carnage scene that is hard to forget, and even those playing the evil run must feel something afterward. A hard reminder that actions have consequences, in the most gruesome form. To top it off, if any of the Duirds in the Grove ends up witnessing this, the whole place will become hostile to the players, which will lead to further bad decisions. So, don’t kick the squirrel, there’s nothing to gain from it.

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2024-11-06 21:06