6. The Walking Dead
Based on the world of the comics and not the frustrating TV show, The Walking Dead is one of the most successful video game adaptations of a pre-existing source to date. The story follows Lee, a convicted murder who gets a second chance at freedom and redemption in the zombie apocalypse. Over the course of his adventure, Lee meets plenty of other well-rounded characters, most of whom die violently. But one companion means more to Lee than anything else. Clementine isnt just a little girl that the player has to protect and escort throughout the game. She becomes a beacon of hope for Lee, the one innocent thing left in this dark and dangerous world. Lee is inspired by her childlike purity, and hes willing to do anything to preserve it. The player feels it too. Every in-game decision you make, youre not thinking of Lees best interests. Youre thinking of Clem. Thats why that final scene is so heartbreaking. Lee has been bitten and theres no way to save him, and worst of all, Clementine is most definitely getting emotionally damaged. Her new father figure either dies by her hand, or turns into a zombie, and its up to the player to decide which choice she makes. Personally, I always elect to have Clem shoot Lee. It seems cruel, but its also quite poetic, as it was Lee who taught her how to handle a gun in the first place. Furthermore, I just couldnt see Clem being comfortable with letting Lee become a walker. Personal preferences aside, its a beautiful ending either way, one that will bring a tear to the eye of even the most macho zombie.