10 Video Games That Immediately DEVASTATE You

8. Until Dawn

The Last of Us
Supermassive Games

Until Dawn is a game with an emphasis on story and choices. Why do so many games in that vein have such shocking beginnings?

In typical horror movie fashion, the story starts as a group of teenagers arrive at a snow covered lodge in the middle of the woods and conspire to prank a girl by the name of Hannah. As she runs off into the night, players take control of Hannah’s sister, Beth.

What makes the next sequence so harrowing is that you’d assume you’re acting as a principal player in the game’s events, especially as Until Dawn uses this time to teach the player its basics. As they chase Hannah out into the snow, you learn how to use the flashlight, pick-up collectibles and of course make the all important quick-time choices.

However, upon finding Hannah, the two are chased by a mysterious figure and wind up going over a cliff-edge. Disturbingly, the player gets a choice whether they let Hannah plummet to her doom and try to save themselves or just let go altogether. Either way, the sisters’ deaths are very sudden, realistic and painful to watch.

Of course, this is just a prologue and a taste of what’s to come but Until Dawn’s directing is stylish and pitch perfect for the teen slasher so it’s hard not to feel it in the pit of your stomach.

Contributor
Contributor

The Red Mage of WhatCulture. Very long hair. She/they.