The saddest open-world games, ranked

Key points

  • Some open world games focus on emotional, dark storytelling instead of typical gameplay loops.
  • Games like The Long Dark and Death Stranding offer players a lonely and tragic experience.
  • Titles like Shadow of the Colossus and Red Dead Redemption 2 offer deep narratives with sad, bittersweet endings.



Many open world games focus on gameplay loops such as combat, exploration, and questing. But not all open world games focus completely on these activities. In some open world games, these mechanics are used as part of an overall narrative experience, and not all stories are fun or have a happy ending.

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There are some open-world sandbox-style games that manage to drag the player along a traumatic, desperate and often sad plot, resulting in an equally tragic ending to the game. Themes such as loss, remorse, and loneliness become the backdrop to the main plot, leading to a gaming experience that, while fun and entertaining, also leaves the player with food for thought.


6 Ghost of Tsushima

That poor horse


Systems

PC-1 PlayStation-1

Released
July 17, 2020

OpenCritic rating
Powerful

Set in feudal Japan, Ghost of Tsushima is an action-adventure game that puts the player in the role of samurai warrior Jin Sakai. The game is notable for its incredibly detailed and visually stunning open world and fluid combat system. Players embark on a mission to liberate their homeland, and this journey is driven by the fantastic story arc.

There are some really sad moments Ghost of Tsushimamost notably the death of the players' horse in the latter part of the game. Several NPCs that the player interacts with closely also die in the game. The only reason why Ghost of Tsushima takes the last place on this list is that the actual setting of the game isn't as dark and disturbing as some of the others mentioned here.

5 The long dark

Lonely and sad


Released
August 1, 2017

Developer(s).
Study of the hinterland

OpenCritic rating
Strong

In the world of survival games, few have managed to capture the emotional essence of having to survive, alone, in a harsh and unforgiving environment. The long dark. Unlike many survival games, The long dark it doesn't wrap the survival game mechanics into a larger scenario, like fighting zombies. Everything the player has to do The long dark is to survive.

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However, this is a game that makes survival difficult, as the environment is extremely dangerous. The dangers range from freezing to death to being eaten by wild animals. The game world is desolate and disturbing, and players are always aware that they are completely alone. Survival is about a lonely, desperate battle against everyday life.

4 Stranded Death

Rebuilding society in a desolate world


Systems

PC-1 PlayStation-1

Released
November 8, 2019

OpenCritic rating
Strong

Taking on the role of Sam Porter, the player takes on the task of delivering packages across the United States following a catastrophic event that has led to monsters destroying much of the earth. This action game manages to demonstrate how important human connections would be in a true post-apocalyptic world.

While Stranded Death It's a fun game to play, it has some melancholy undertones. The landscape is destroyed and there is a constant threat of death. And as Sam Porter, the player takes responsibility for humanity's survival, trying to forge bonds between segmented groups and factions of survivors.

3 The shadow of the colossus

A growing sense of fear


  • Platforms: PlayStation 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3
  • Released: October 18, 2005
  • Developer: Team Ico, Sony Interactive Entertainment
  • Type: Action-adventure game, Platform game, Puzzle game, Fighting game, Shooting game

The shadow of the Colossus is an action-adventure game set in an eerily silent world. In the role of Wander, a young man on a mission to save a girl named Mono, the player must kill sixteen colossi. The massive open world map is often unsettling, as the game hunts down every target.

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The sadness inside The shadow of the Colossus comes from the morally challenging choices the player must make. On the one hand, Wander is on a dangerous and heroic mission to save his love. On the other hand, to do so, they must destroy ancient creatures. As the game progresses, it becomes clear that the player's actions could come at a high cost.


2 NieR: Automata

Androids fight aliens

Released
March 7, 2017

OpenCritic rating
Powerful

The game is set in a post-apocalyptic world, which has seen alien machines invade Earth. In NieR: Automatathe heroes who defend the Earth are androids. Known for its fast-paced gameplay, the game has surprisingly deep and disturbing subtexts. The androids question their own identity and also the often pointless way in which the war has raged.

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Many of the game's characters struggle with fundamental questions about their existence, and the main plot is peppered with heartbreaking moments. All multiple endings lead the player to realize that no matter what they do, the result will be some level of tragedy.


1 Red Dead Redemption 2

Almost like losing a family

Released
October 26, 2018

OpenCritic rating
Powerful

Red Dead Redemption 2 is set in a fictional time when the Wild West was slowly giving way to a more civilized form of government and administration. This in itself is quite sad, as the days of the cowboy are numbered. However, it is Arthur Morgan's troubles that are the most exciting in this game.

Arthur's personal journey in the game is traumatic at times, as he faces betrayal and loss, though there is redemption at the end. Arthur slowly declines throughout the game, becoming more and more desperate. There is also sadness in the way his gang, which is his surrogate family, slowly falls apart. The bittersweet ending is often lauded as one of the saddest endings to a game ever.

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