10 Video Games That Punish You For Making The Ethical Choice

8. Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic II

Often when we talk about being a good guy or a bad guy in video games the obvious references are Mass Effect’s paragon and renegade options, and Star Wars’ light side and dark side. It stands to reason, then, that being an ethical goodie-two-shoes in Star Wars is just a matter of aiding the downtrodden, being nice to everybody, and giving to the poor.

Not so in the case of Knights of the Old Republic II where murder granny Kreia gives you a talking to on the dangers of blind altruism.

A refugee in Nar Shadaa asks for a few credits and you do so because it’s only five credits, after all.

Immediately Kreia tells you giving him what he’s not earned is like pouring sand into his hands and a scene plays out where the very same refugee is beaten and robbed due to having the money you just gave him. She concludes with, “Be careful of charity and kindness, lest you do more harm with open hands than with a clenched fist.”

Kreia also spends the whole game having a go at you and you’ll lose influence with her for undue charity so if you want to be a good guy, I hope you like lectures.