10 Touching Video Game Moments You Probably Missed

4. Tobi's Death - Okami

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDS0o3em9mI Okami has the dubious reputation of being one of the worst-selling critically-acclaimed games of all time. It's a beautifully presented adventure that was the PS2's answer to Zelda in all but reputation. You'd think it'd be hard to feel much sadness over the demise of what is essentially a demonic piece of paper, but its timing and presentation really strike an emotional chord. Tobi and the protagonists' relationship is kind of antagonistic throughout the game, but eventually a real warmth develops between them and he becomes a likeable, crucial ally. Tobi dies after losing a race with the white-wolf protagonist Amaterasu, because he had to abandon his sacrosanct gatekeeper duties to take part. You feel a tad guilty for getting Tobi killed over the fact that you just wanted to play with him, but he insists he's happy to die doing the thing he loved. He floats gently to the ground for the last time, then upon landing turns into a single white flower. The whole scene feels so understated, and the death is presented so abstractly that it almost doesn't feel like mere death, but a beautifully choreographed ritual in which Tobi is the willing sacrifice. It's this moment that gives Okami the will to push on for the final boss showdown in the game.