12 Awesome Video Game Alternate Endings

9. Meryl Dies, Stealth Camo Unlocked - Metal Gear Solid

The pivotal decider about which ending you get in Hideo Kojima's PS1 masterpiece depends on whether or not you give into Revolver Ocelot's torture after being captured.

The Actual Ending: If you manage to withstand the torture chamber by tapping Circle like your life depends on it, then Meryl and Snake ride off into the sunset at the end of the game, with the player receiving a bandanna, providing them with infinite ammo for future playthroughs. Given the plot of the later MGS games, this is clearly the canon and happy ending.

The Alternate Ending: If you succumb to Ocelot's torture, however, Meryl is found dead at the end of the game, leading to Snake and Otacon riding off at the end (without the same romantic inference, of course). Colonel Campbell also confesses that Meryl was actually his daughter rather than his niece, which Kojima has since confirmed as canon, even though the canon ending doesn't mention it. And finally, players are then rewarded with the stealth camouflage, allowing them to appear invisible to most non-boss enemies throughout the game.

Why It's Awesome: Though it's sad to see Meryl bite the bullet and this creates a paradox for future games, unlocking the camo is such an awesome reward compared to the bandanna. Being able to run through the game without a care in the world, harassing the guards, is so insanely fun, and well worth chickening out of the torture chamber sequence for.