10 Seriously Dark Video Game Endings

4. Red Dead Redemption

Red Dead Redemption 2’s ending, especially the bad one, but even the good one, is pretty bloody depressing, but in terms of downer Western finales I think we have to give the cake to Red Dead Redemption.

Poor John Marston. You spend the whole damn game trying to be a good person and create a new life for your family, all the while essentially being blackmailed by the government.

In the end, though, John gets screwed over. His farm is surrounded by lawmen, among them Edgar Ross, the person who used John the whole way through to do his dirty work. John sends his family to safety and is gunned down. It’s up to you if you accept John’s fate or take as many of the goons out as you can before you’re inevitably overwhelmed.

The game then flashes forward to focus on Jack, John’s son, who duels and defeats Ross. This is badass, but it’s not the life John wanted for Jack and we know that. So it feels like the cycle continues and what lies ahead for Jack remains unknown.