8 Greatest Video Game Twists (With Zero Build-Up)

Back when the Call of Duty franchise still had the power to truly shock players, Modern Warfare 2 dropped a late-game plot twist that sucked the air out of any room the game was played in.

We're talking of course about General Shepherd's totally bonkers heel turn, when the supposedly unimpeachable American Hero drops his pretenses, shoots squadmates Roach and Ghost dead on the spot and sets their bodies on fire all while you, as Soap, are helpless to do anything but watch.

Turns out Shepherd has actually been operating behind-the-scenes to elongate the conflict between Russia and the U.S., orchestrating the infamous airport massacre earlier in the game while only planning to take terrorist Makarov down to position himself as a feted war hero.

As twists go, it comes way out of left field, and replaying the game, there's virtually no prior indication that Shepherd's actually a secret turncoat. 

All the same, given how effectively the game endears Shepherd to players, it's a genuine gut-punch when he shows his true colours, and probably the most full-throated "feel bad" moment from any Call of Duty installment.