10 Shocking Video Game Twists You Never Saw Coming

8. Half Life 2: Episode 2 - Death Of A Friend

Half Life 2 is one of the greatest games ever made, period. Bandwagoner or not, nearly everyone agrees that it stands as the pinnacle of achievement for video games in the 21st century. Valve was able to craft a game that combined deep characterization with a penetrating sense of loneliness. Sure, protagonist Gordon Freeman has friends with distinct personalities and relationships, but when it comes to getting the job done, Freeman is on his own. One of Gordon's oldest friends is Eli Vance, who still loves Gordon like a brother, despite the fact that Freeman basically opened a wormhole and allowed an entire alien civilization to take over earth while being kept in some otherworldly stasis for more than twenty years.

Eli and his feisty, attractive daughter Alyx are in constant contact with Gordon, providing him with support whenever they can. Unfortunately, the magical power of friendship isn't enough to prevent ol' Eli from getting violently lobotomized in front of Gordon and Alyx at the end of Half Life 2: Episode 2. The game ends with Alyx sobbing over her father's body as the screen fades out and the credits roll. It's a powerful and shocking moment, and it reminds players that even your closest friend can be a casualty in a trans-dimensional war against aliens.

...That sounded more eloquent in my head.