10 Shocking Video Game Twists You Never Saw Coming

2. Final Fantasy VII - Aeris' Fate

You didn't think you'd get through this list without seeing good ol' Aeris, would you? No, of course you didn't. I remember this twist better than any other twist on this twist-list, but not because it made me cry or write a Shakespearean sonnet about how amazing Final Fantasy VII is. I remember it because it made me really freakin' angry! For Pete's sake, I spent hours beefing Aeris up to the point where she was basically carrying the entire party. I meticulously uncovered all the best armor and staffs (or staves, or stooves, or stoms) and gathered all of her Limit Breaks (the last one of which was so devilishly hidden that I still can't believe people found it without help from GameFAQS).

Finally, after I'd spent more time souping up Aeris than a frat boy would spend souping up a Mitsubishi Lancer, Sephiroth drops from the rafters and perforates her midsection with his 12-foot long sword, killing her in a single blow. Sigh. Like everyone, I was shocked and totally bummed out. Aeris was a wonderful character, and her death resonated throughout the gaming community. Since then, Square(soft)'s storytelling has really fallen off, but whenever aging fans reflect upon the glory days of the company, Final Fantasy VII and the death of Aeris is still fresh in the minds of all who experienced it.