20 Video Game Side Quests That BROKE You
1. Releasing Howard’s Pigeons (Spider-Man 2)
Oh gosh, who knew a fetch quest could make you sob?
Howard is an NPC you'll encounter in each Insomniac Spider-Man game, asking both Friendly Neighbourhood Spider-Men to help him relocate his missing pigeons. This sweet, endearing man has very little left in his life after losing his job, house, and wife, so these birds mean everything to him. As such, helping to retrieve them is a pleasure.
His app request in Spider-Man 2, however, goes in a very different direction.
In this mission, you'll find Howard sitting at the docks, taking in the scenery and talking about his desire to go on a new adventure. He then asks you to relocate his birds so they can see the world. So, you take them on a journey up north, and then come back to let Howard know. Unfortunately, upon returning, you find an ambulance and paramedics who inform you that Howard has passed away. It's a gut-wrenching moment, but you find comfort in the fact that Howard was "at peace," and can be with his wife again.
This, this right here, is what Spider-Man is all about. It's bittersweet, but it shows how Spideys acts of kindness make a huge difference.