Saddest Moments In FromSoftware Games

Summary

FromSoftware games are renowned for tragic, sad narratives that evoke intense emotions in players.
Many memorable characters in FromSoftware games face bitter fates, emphasizing the theme of tragic nobility.
FromSoftware excels at creating emotional moments with sad outcomes, resonating with players through powerful storytelling.

FromSoftware is renowned for crafting rich, immersive realms brimming with captivating tales waiting to be unraveled instead of being explicitly revealed. Yet, it’s equally famous for weaving narratives that tend to be heart-wrenchingly tragic, dismal, and above all, tinged with melancholy.

In FromSoftware games, you’ll find a multitude of heart-wrenching scenes – from the fall of once proud rulers to battles against adversaries that seemed unavoidable. This ranking focuses solely on the level of emotional impact these moments have.

8. Vendrick Revealed – Dark Souls 2

The Tired Old King

In the realm of Drangleic, from the game Dark Souls 2, decay is rampant. Buildings and landscapes are deteriorating and collapsing, in stark contrast to attempts made by numerous characters to halt the chain of events that keeps the fire linked, a cosmic curse central to the Dark Souls series.

The saddest character we encounter is Vendrick, a former righteous king who, upon discovering Nashandra’s deception, chose seclusion in an attempt to postpone his fate. By the time the player meets him, this once wise and powerful king has succumbed to the very transformation he feared – becoming a hollow. This heart-wrenching scene underscores the inevitability of decay in the world of Dark Souls, making Vendrick one of its most memorable characters.

7. Shaman Village – Elden Ring

The Final Truth

Among the enigmatic characters found in Elden Ring, none hold as much allure and significance as Marika, the Queen-God of The Lands Between, whose intentions remain clouded with uncertainty. However, the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC from FromSoftware has shed some light on Marika’s past.

Marika hails from a group of individuals known as Shamans, who tragically suffered massacre and mutilation at the hands of the Hornsent people. In response to this horrific event, Marika took revenge by initiating a genocide against all Hornsent later on. Towards the end of the game, players can discover a serene, untouched Shaman Village hidden away, which is believed to be where Marika was born. This peaceful setting serves as a poignant reminder of what Marika might have become had there been no violence.

6. The Death Of Artorias – Dark Souls

Putting Down The Abyss

Softworks often creates characters who choose to face their destiny bravely instead of retreating, even if it means sharing their fate with the very thing they aim to defeat. Artorias, a noble knight from Anor Londo, is a prime example of such a character. Despite his valiant efforts, he ultimately succumbed to the darkness he sought to vanquish – the Abyss, due to a mix of overconfidence and courage.

In Oolacile, when the players encounter Artorias, he is but a shadow of his once powerful self. Battling Artorias isn’t about defeating him, rather, it’s about granting him the compassionate end he deserves after years of torment by darkness. It’s a heartbreakingly sad scene that underscores the futility of nobility in the world of Dark Souls, yet it provides an exceptional boss fight.

5. Killing Kuro – Sekiro

The Only Way Out

In the realm of Ashina, as depicted in the game Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, a unique trait known as Dragon Heritage taints the landscape with resurrection and undeath. This special quality belongs to Kuro, the young prince of the domain. Not only does it spiritually contaminate the land, but it also corrodes the ethical standards of numerous grown-ups who aim to manipulate Kuro for their selfish purposes.

In many of the game’s conclusions, Kuro often chooses the rational course of action, determining that the only means to end the conflict is by sacrificing himself and vanquishing the Dragon Heritage along with him. His foster father and faithful shinobi, Wolf, carries out this command in a heart-wrenching scene where an innocent life is lost. Fortunately, another ending may offer Kuro a possible reprieve from death.

4. Melina’s Sacrifice – Elden Ring

The Final Finger Maiden

Appeared in Elden Ring.

One common character archetype often used by FromSoftware is the “level-up figure”, typically a woman who serves as a place for players to enhance their abilities. In the game Elden Ring, this role is filled by Melina, a finger maiden who, for reasons unexplained, selects the player and plays an essential part in their journey to become the Elden Lord.

For the player to become Elden Lord, they must ignite the Erdtree, a task that requires a Finger Maiden’s sacrifice. However, instead of seeking another maiden, Melina selflessly offers her life, enabling the player to rejuvenate the decaying world into a fresh and improved one.

3. The Gascoigne Clan – Bloodborne

The Doomed Family

Upon reaching Yharnam, the city serving as the main setting for Bloodborne, it has descended from a once grand citadel of knowledge and enlightenment into a gloomy landscape of blood, viscera, and misery. The town harbors numerous tales, yet none more heartbreaking than that of the Gascoine family.

In this scenario, adventurers meet a young girl at a window who was left behind by her parents. Unfortunately, one of her parents, known as Father Gascoigne, has succumbed to the affliction. Upon learning this from the players, the girl sets out on a journey in search of her mother. Tragically, she is slain by a massive boar en route, leaving the entire Gascoigne family deceased. This grim fate for the family is solely a consequence of the malevolent nature of the curse.

2. Fighting Sif – Dark Souls

Good Dog

First appeared in Dark Souls.

In video games like Dark Souls, players often encounter unexpected challenges, such as fighting against a friendly canine character named Sif. While dogs are typically symbols of loyalty and respect, Sif poses a challenge for the player trying to navigate the Abyss. Killing him is emotionally difficult, especially as his health dwindles and he starts limping, adding an extra layer of difficulty to the encounter. This situation becomes even more challenging over time.

It appears that Sif is present because she witnessed the Abyss corrupting Artorias, and she fights the player as a means to prevent the same destiny from befalling another. After many ages have passed since Artorias’s downfall, his faithful hound continues her duty, carrying Artorias’s sword in her mouth. This moment is undeniably one of the saddest scenes in any FromSoftware game.

1. Solaire Consumed – Dark Souls

The Herald Won Over

First appeared in Dark Souls.

Solaire personifies the goodness that persists amidst the rotten, crumbling realm of Dark Souls. He openly reveres the sun and advocates for camaraderie and shared joy among all. He’s a nomadic soul, an optimist, and a pursuer, embodying the finest aspects of knighthood, and he is undeniably one of the most adored characters in the fandom community.

Although he was determined to locate a sun, Solaire ultimately succumbed to the influence of a Sun Maggot, a deceitful parasite that exploited his altruistic nature and led to his demise. This outcome is heartbreaking given Solaire’s pursuit of hope and radiance. However, astute players can avoid this fate by eliminating the maggots prior to Solaire’s arrival. It’s unfortunate that many players don’t discover this option until their subsequent playthroughs.

2025-07-06 05:54