5 Most Devastating Deaths in RPGs That Fans Still Haven’t Gotten Over

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Role-playing games, or RPGs, are incredibly popular, and a big reason why is their ability to tell amazing stories. Whether it’s creating a detailed character you can really connect with, or exploring a vast and immersive world, RPGs truly shine when they make you feel like you’re in the story. For many players, that means a powerful narrative with moments that really hit you emotionally – and sometimes, that even includes the shock and sadness of losing a beloved character.

RPGs sometimes feature incredible characters that players genuinely connect with, only for those characters to tragically die. When handled effectively, these deaths can be deeply upsetting and stay with fans for a long time. Some players even avoid finishing games like Final Fantasy 7 because they know what’s coming and aren’t prepared for the emotional impact. Here are 5 of the most memorable and heartbreaking character deaths in RPGs that we’re still thinking about. Be warned: major spoilers ahead, so proceed with caution.

5) Tidus in Final Fantasy 10

It’s debatable whether what happens to the character truly counts as death, but the ending of Final Fantasy 10 is undeniably powerful. Seeing Tidus or Yuna always brings back the strong feeling of shock and disappointment I felt when I first finished the game.

Playing through the entire game with Tidus as the main character, only to discover he wasn’t truly real, is a huge surprise for many players. Once Sin is defeated, Tidus disappears, and it’s a moment that’s stuck with gamers ever since.

4) Gustave in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

I’m still reeling from the latest character death in my RPG list, and honestly, I’m not sure if it’ll hit me as hard as some of the others have over time. But with how popular Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is, a lot of us gamers went through that heartbreaking moment recently, and many of us are still trying to process it!

Considering the dark and tragic nature of Clair Obscur, characters are expected to die. However, Gustave’s sacrifice still feels especially impactful, even with all the other sad moments in the game. The story revolves around trying to escape death from the Paintress, so when Gustave dies sooner than anticipated by giving his life, it’s a particularly emotional blow.

3) John in Red Dead Redemption 2

John Marston is a central character in the Red Dead Redemption series, which is primarily an action-adventure game. However, because the games include role-playing elements, many players classify them as RPGs. This means John’s heartbreaking death in Red Dead Redemption 2 is relevant to our discussion.

As a long-time fan, John’s death really hit me hard. He was the character we played as in the first game, so it was a total shock to see him go – we just don’t expect that for the main character! What made it even more impactful was that he sacrificed himself to protect the people he cared about. It’s a classic trope, but done really well, and because he was such a central figure in the series, a lot of us are still upset about it, even now.

2) Jackie in Cyberpunk 2077

I’m a huge fan of RPGs where your choices really matter, so when a character death happens, it really hits hard. That’s what happened with Jackie in Cyberpunk 2077. So many of us tried desperately to make all the right decisions, hoping to save him, but it turns out it was unavoidable. It’s a bummer, honestly. While what you do after his death changes a little bit, the fact that he dies is just… set in stone. It’s tragic, but it really drives home how impactful those moments can be in a game like that.

Jackie is a key character you meet at the beginning of the game and quickly becomes a close companion. While he’s with you for many of the initial missions, his death comes as a shock relatively early on. This moment has a lasting emotional impact throughout the game, particularly if you feel like you could have saved him.

1) Aerith in Final Fantasy 7 (And Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth)

Man, even after all these years, Aerith’s death in Final Fantasy 7 still gets to me. The game really makes you care about her and her connection with Cloud, so when it happens, it just hits hard. Honestly, I think it’s the most famous and impactful death in gaming history – it’s something I’ll probably never forget.

Aerith adds a welcome sense of joy and lightness to the city of Midgar, particularly in the expanded remakes of the game. Because we spend so much more time with her and grow to care for her deeply in these longer versions, her eventual death feels even more heartbreaking. Knowing what’s coming makes it difficult for me to even continue playing Rebirth.

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2026-05-23 21:11