Top 20 Video Games That Will Make You CRY

Certain games stay with us because they explore powerful themes like loss, love, and sacrifice in ways that demand our full attention. They don’t just tell stories; they connect narrative to gameplay, making our choices, actions, and even how we see the world amplify the emotional impact. While some of these games are known for their strong writing and acting, others rely on music and visual design to create moving moments. Below, we’ll look at what each game is about, who created it, and where it delivers its most impactful scenes.

The Last of Us Part I

I first played The Last of Us back when it came out in 2013, and it completely blew me away. It’s an action-packed adventure where you follow Joel and Ellie as they travel across a United States that’s been ravaged by a terrible pandemic. What really got to me was how their relationship developed – it felt so real, watching them build trust through all the challenges they faced. There are some parts I’ll never forget, like the incredibly tense winter section, and the ending… wow, the choice you make at the end really changes everything for both Joel and Ellie. It won so many awards that year, and it’s awesome they updated the graphics for the newer PlayStation consoles so even more people can experience this amazing story.

The Last of Us Part II

Naughty Dog’s 2020 game explores how violence repeats itself by telling the story from two different points of view. Players experience the game as both Ellie and another main character, whose story offers a new understanding of what happened before. The game uses incredibly realistic facial expressions and lots of flashbacks to make the characters and their connections feel more real. It sparked a lot of conversation about its story and won awards for its acting and features that make it playable for everyone.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Released in 2018, Red Dead Redemption 2 is an expansive western adventure that takes place before the original Red Dead Redemption. Players experience life as Arthur Morgan, a member of a gang, and their decisions impact his honor and the game’s ending. The game is known for its well-developed characters, detailed journals, and realistic camp interactions, all of which create a strong emotional connection. Critics particularly praised the game’s realistic character animations and the powerful music used during important, emotional moments.

Life is Strange

Dontnod’s 2015 adventure game puts you in the role of Max Caulfield, who gains the ability to turn back time. Throughout five episodes, your choices impact Max’s relationships with Chloe and other students. The game features licensed music and a photography mechanic that highlights important moments. The story has multiple endings, all determined by your decisions, and players have spent a lot of time discussing them.

Life is Strange Before the Storm

Developed by Deck Nine, this 2017 game tells the story of Chloe Price and her relationship with Rachel Amber. Unlike the original, it doesn’t feature time manipulation, instead focusing on conversations and a ‘Backtalk’ system to resolve conflicts. The game explores difficult topics like family problems and the consequences of honesty. A special extra episode brings back the original voice actors for a final, touching scene that connects to the first game.

Life is Strange True Colors

Life is Strange: True Colors, released in 2021 by Deck Nine, follows Alex Chen, a character with the ability to feel and manipulate the emotions of others. The game takes place in the town of Haven Springs, where your choices impact Alex’s relationships and potential romances. Through a memorable performance chapter and a key reveal, Alex learns to accept themself. The game also features a special soundtrack designed to be safe for streamers without sacrificing the game’s atmosphere.

To the Moon

Released in 2011, this indie adventure game from Freebird Games features a nostalgic, retro style. It follows two doctors as they journey through a patient’s memories to help them fulfill a last wish. The game’s emotional scenes are powerfully enhanced by music from Kan R Gao and Laura Shigihara, and tell the story of a lifelong connection. There’s no fighting in the game; it all culminates in a moving final montage at a lighthouse.

Finding Paradise

This 2017 game, a sequel from Freebird Games, continues to explore memories with the same doctors as before. The story focuses on a patient struggling with inner conflicts, which are resolved by making careful changes to their recollections. Throughout the game, recurring piano melodies emphasize important moments. While it connects to the previous game, it’s also perfectly enjoyable for newcomers.

Brothers A Tale of Two Sons

In 2013, Starbreeze Studios launched this adventure game, directed by Josef Fares. What makes it unique is that players control two siblings at the same time, using a single controller – a mechanic that’s crucial to the game’s ending. Instead of relying on subtitles, the game communicates through a made-up language and the details of its world. The unusual control scheme even becomes a powerful emotional moment during the game’s later stages, especially when navigating challenging areas.

Shadow of the Colossus

In Team Ico’s 2005 adventure game, players battle sixteen massive titans across a desolate landscape. The game uses very little dialogue and a beautiful, sad soundtrack to create a powerful emotional experience with each defeated enemy. Players navigate between battles using a central shrine as a hub and with the help of their horse, Agro. A 2018 remake by Bluepoint Games improved the game’s graphics and how smoothly it runs, while staying true to the original’s artistic vision.

Undertale

Toby Fox’s 2015 role-playing game lets you win battles not just by fighting, but by showing mercy. Your choices about who to spare or defeat change the story and lead to different endings. The game balances funny moments and challenging battles with surprisingly emotional scenes, and the music ties everything together, referencing earlier events in a final, meaningful sequence.

Omori

Omocat’s 2020 RPG seamlessly switches between a fantastical dream world and realistic daytime settings. Battles are turn-based, but your characters’ emotions play a key role, affecting their abilities and how you approach each fight. The game delves into themes of memory and guilt with a story that changes based on your choices, and surprising twists are revealed as you progress. Visual and audio cues help you understand shifts in the story, which can even change how you view events that have already happened.

Valiant Hearts The Great War

Developed by Ubisoft Montpellier and released in 2014, this game is a puzzle adventure set during World War I. Players experience the war through the eyes of civilians and their faithful dog as they journey across the Western Front. As you play, you’ll unlock historical information. The game features a beautiful hand-drawn art style and gentle puzzles, focusing on themes of loss and finding your way back to loved ones. The story culminates in a powerful ending that connects your actions to a heartfelt, narrated letter.

That Dragon Cancer

Numinous Games created this interactive story in 2016, based on a family’s experience with a child battling cancer. It uses short, evocative scenes set in both real hospital environments and imaginative spaces to portray feelings of fear and hope. The story feels authentic thanks to the inclusion of actual recordings from parents and doctors. Originally created as a personal project, it was later shared with a larger audience through crowdfunding.

Spiritfarer

In 2020, Thunder Lotus created a unique adventure game where you manage a spirit ferry, guiding souls to the afterlife. As players, you build and customize a boat while fulfilling the last wishes of each passenger. The game features beautiful hand-drawn animation, simple platforming, and heartfelt stories that explore themes of memory and letting go. Each spirit’s journey concludes at the Everdoor after their story is complete.

Journey

In 2012, thatgamecompany created a beautiful exploration game where players journey towards a faraway mountain. A unique online feature connects you with other players—you explore together in silence, helping each other navigate. The game’s music, composed by Austin Wintory, builds in intensity alongside your progress. The challenging snow and slow movement create a memorable final experience for many players.

Final Fantasy X

I still remember when Final Fantasy X first came out for PlayStation 2 in 2001! It completely sucked me in with the story of Tidus and Yuna’s journey across Spira to defeat Sin. What I really loved was how your characters grew – the Sphere Grid was so unique, and the turn-based battles gave you time to strategize between all the amazing cutscenes. And the music? Incredible! It really made certain moments, like that famous scene by the lake, and the emotional goodbye at the end, even more powerful.

The Walking Dead Season One

Telltale Games released this story in 2012, inspired by a popular comic book series. Players take on the role of Lee Everett, who becomes a protector for a young girl named Clementine throughout the five parts of the game. Conversations and fast-paced decisions change who stays with the group. The story reaches its climax in a single, important room and concludes with a crucial final task.

NieR Automata

PlatinumGames launched this action RPG in 2017, created by Yoko Taro. Playing through the game multiple times unlocks new story chapters and different viewpoints as you follow the struggles of androids caught in a repeating conflict. The exciting battles are interwoven with calmer side quests that flesh out the details of a devastated world. Achieving all the endings requires players to use resources strategically and recognizes assistance from others.

Gris

Nomada Studio’s 2018 game uses color as a powerful way to represent the different stages of grief. As you play, you’ll gain new movement abilities that bring color back to a decaying world. The game boasts beautiful watercolor graphics and a dynamic soundtrack by Berlinist, both of which evolve as you advance. The environmental puzzles build to a satisfying conclusion that ties together earlier themes.

Share the games that moved you the most in the comments and tell us which moments stayed with you.

2025-11-16 18:49