10 Most Heartbreaking Video Game Moments Of The Decade (So Far)

6. Executing Your Own Men In Metal Gear Solid V

The story of Metal Gear Solid V was decidedly a step down in quality when compared to other games in the series, but that didn't mean the title couldn't be any less emotionally harrowing when it needed to be.

One moment that captured the gravitas of the previous games in particular came when a virus broke out on Mother Base, and, to stop the infection from wiping out the entire facility, Big Boss was forced to go in and execute the quarantined men himself.

To make matters worse, for the entire game players had been told to capture enemies on the battlefield so they could be put to use as part of their own army. So when they're then forced to kill them, they're not only murdering their own men, but essentially also wiping away all the progress they've made so far.

Even without that added gameplay twist the scene itself would be soul destroying enough, with the atmospheric music and twisted visuals providing a harrowing context for the whole sequence.

Contributor

Josh has over 11 years of experience as a published writer, having worked nine of those years as a full-time content producer at WhatCulture. In that period he has created hundreds of articles, videos and podcast episodes for multiple WhatCulture channels, specialising in gaming, horror and film & TV. He now primarily works as a senior content producer and presenter on WhatCulture Gaming where he co-hosts the WhatCulture Gaming Podcast, a top 3 UK most listened to gaming podcast that he co-created in 2018. Over the years he has reviewed several high-profile gaming releases, covered industry events with on-site reporting, opined on breaking news, and even kicked off his interviewing career by chatting to childhood hero, Tommy Wiseau.