10 Video Game Reveals That Stopped You DEAD

2. Shady Shepherd - Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

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Activision

There’s no denying that 2009’s Modern Warfare 2 has one of the best campaigns in the series, with lots of varied locations, intriguing plot points, and trademark over-the-top set pieces keeping you enthralled across its short but sweet duration.

Of course, it also houses perhaps the most stunning – if not generation-defining – reveal in any of the titles.

It turns out that your boss in Task Force 141, General Shepherd, helped Russian terrorist Vladimir Makarov fulfill his mission of attacking the U.S. and Europe to instigate World War III.

Upon arriving at the Georgia-Russian border, your character (Sergeant Gary “Roach” Sanderson) and Simon “Ghost” Riley, hand Shepherd the DSM. Rather than congratulate them, Shepherd shoots both men and leaves them for dead. Backed by a sorrowful orchestral soundtrack, it’s a harrowing and infuriating scene.

At the same time, Captains John Price and John “Soap” MacTavish are betrayed by Shepherd’s men in Afghanistan. Understandably, they hunt him down, with Soap ultimately killing Shepherd by throwing a knife at him while he fights Price.

Rarely has revenge felt so good.

Contributor
Contributor

Hey there! Outside of WhatCulture, I'm a former editor at PopMatters and a contributor to Kerrang!, Consequence, PROG, Metal Injection, Loudwire, and more. I've written books about Jethro Tull, Opeth, and Dream Theater and I run a creative arts journal called The Bookends Review. Oh, and I live in Philadelphia and teach academic/creative writing courses at a few colleges/universities.