10 Saddest Video Game Endings Of All Time
3. The Walking Dead (Season 1)
Lee is the pseudo-father-figure to season 1 Clementine who proves to be both a leader and voice of wisdom for the fellow survivors, but more importantly, is Clem's protector.
This makes it all the more heartbreaking when Lee gets bitten. From this moment we know it is the beginning of the end for Lee, but we have to soldier on and find the now missing Clementine. After tracking her down and learning that some of our earlier actions had further reaching consequences than we had hoped, the ever-weakening Lee helps Clementine to safety.
As Lee collapses, clinging to life and barely able to keep his eyes open, he remains the strong guardian to Clem he had promised he would be, offering the tearful girl reassurances that she is ready and capable to survive without him. Her coming of age is reflected as we finally take control of Clementine instead of Lee, with our brutal first decision to be whether or not we kill the man that protected us throughout the entire game.
Whether the player shoots or leaves Lee to become a walker, the parting is poignant and lasting.