10 Video Games Where You Unexpectedly Swap Characters

2. Red Dead Redemption

Red Dead Redemption John Jack
Rockstar Games

Red Dead Redemption's last-minute character swap remains one of the best-executed that gaming has ever seen.

The action-western masterpiece of course climaxes with gun-slinging protagonist John Marston being brutally murdered by Bureau of Investigation stuffed-shirt Edgar Ross.

But things don't quite end there, as an epilogue set three years later shifts control over to John's young son Jack, now bearing a considerable resemblance to his late father.

With both of his parents now dead, Jack decides to track down a retired Ross, leading to a thrilling final confrontation in which Jack - and the player - exacts sweet revenge by peppering him full of bullets.

In an uncommon and satisfying move, you're also able to keep playing as Jack after killing Ross, exploring the frontier to your heart's content.

Rockstar repeated a similar trick with their recent prequel, which shifted the perspective from deceased protagonist Arthur Morgan to none other than John Marston himself, covering the lead-up to the events of the original game. Granted, this time around a lot of fans saw it coming.

But ahead of our #1 pick, know that MAJOR SPOILERS will follow for The Last of Us Part II if you haven't had a chance to beat it yet...

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Contributor

Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.