10 Devastating Video Game Deaths That Came Out Of Nowhere

5. Sarah - The Last Of Us

Yes I know, it's another list about deaths that prominently features The Last of Us, but it's not my fault the game is so good it demands to be mentioned every single time this topic pops up.

The opening to Naughty Dog's opus is one of the most instantly affecting in gaming history, as it initially subverts expectations by putting you in control of Joel's daughter Sarah, rather than Joel himself. From there, you experience the beginning of an apocalypse from a child's perspective before control eventually switches to the father, as he carries Sarah to (what we hope is) safety.

Of course, it's not to be, and despite shielding her from incoming gunfire, Joel's daughter is shot dead in the opening prologue. You expect tragedy to strike, but just how visceral the scene is, and how there's hope that Joel might have done enough to save her, makes it a real shock to the system that keeps you on edge for the next 15 hours.