10 Terrifying True Endings In Video Games
2. Silent Hill 2
*Trigger warning for suicide and self-harm*
Silent Hill 2 is a game many developers can learn from, and if they're looking for a lesson in multiple endings, they can't skip this class.
The iconic Konami game contains multiple conclusions, ranging from tragic to hilarious. It runs the gambit from the protagonist (James Sunderland) escaping the titular town but restarting the cycle of tragedy to a Shiba dog being revealed as the mastermind behind everything. Still, there is one ending that is undoubtedly the most depressing. Take a wild guess which one is often considered canon.
The "In Water" ending, as it is known, follows James as the guilt of killing his wife consumes him. His punishment in Silent Hill isn't enough for him, and so he drives his car into Toluca Lake, ending his life.
It's a truly horrifying conclusion that abandons any semblance of hope and delves into pure nihilism. When this ending lines up with the heartfelt reading of Mary's letter, not even the most stone-hearted player can keep the tears in.
This bleak finale gets its canonized credentials from multiple developers who have openly proclaimed it as the "true ending." Additionally, the novel adaptation from Sadamu Yamashita also officially picks it out as the final note.