A community thread on Reddit explored the most moving video game moments, inviting players to share experiences that left a lasting emotional impression. The discussion quickly gained traction, drawing thousands of votes and a flood of responses as people opened up about titles that touched their hearts in unexpected ways.
One contributor singled out Red Dead Redemption 2, noting that the ending brought tears. The emotional resonance of Arthur Morgan’s final chapters became a touchstone for many readers, who described a mix of sorrow, reflection, and a sense of closure. The thread also highlighted how endings can reframe an entire story, prompting players to revisit earlier scenes and consider the character arc in a new light.
Alongside that choice, several other games were praised for their emotional heft. For some, To the Moon represents a watershed moment; the moment itself is likened to a piercing in the chest, an experience so vivid it stays with a person long after the screen goes dark. The comments reflect a shared understanding that certain scenes can unlock a deep, personal response that lingers well beyond gameplay.
SOMA earned its place in the conversation for an ending and post-credits sequence that left a lasting impression. Viewers described approaching the game with modest expectations, only to be surprised by a narrative and atmospheric payoff that lingered in memory, inviting reflection on what players value in storytelling and, more broadly, in interactive media.
Another pair of titles drew praise for the way their endings entwined with broader themes of memory, sacrifice, and resilience. Red Dead Redemption 2’s finale was celebrated for structuring a sorrowful but ultimately human conclusion to Arthur’s story. There were also moments in Ori that brought tears of joy, celebrated for their beauty, music, and the way visuals and sound design align to heighten emotional impact.
One participant recalled the first season of a well-known narrative adventure, noting its emotional weight and the sense of loss that follows when beloved characters are faced with irreversible outcomes. The thread underlines how games can mirror real-life experiences, offering catharsis and a space to process grief through virtual journeys.
Another contribution connected personal loss to a gaming moment, describing a journey alongside a character named Alice toward an eternal gateway. The narrative threads described speak to how storytelling, memory, and the act of saying goodbye can intersect within games, producing a feel of shared human experience across screens and players.
A different voice recalled that the original Red Dead Redemption delivered a moment that made them cry, with subsequent entries like Life is Strange and Cyberpunk 2077 also cited as capable of provoking strong emotional responses. The comments collectively emphasize that impactful endings often blend character development, choice, and a sense of consequence in ways that feel authentic and meaningful.
Other mentions included a line from a player calling out a moment from Titanfall 2 focused on protecting the Pilot, which highlighted how even small, well-timed gestures within a multiplayer framework can become emotionally resonant. A few readers highlighted a beloved scene in Marvel’s Spider-Man where Aunt May’s moment continues to move fans, illustrating how personal attachments to fictional families translate into powerful feelings during gameplay or cutscenes.
Additionally, some readers noted that the end of a survival-focused epic involved a stark, memorable ending, reinforcing the idea that endings can define the entire experience by rendering the journey as a whole more meaningful. The discourse shows that what counts most is not merely the climax but the way narrative threads weave together with character emotion and world-building to create a lasting impression.
Readers are invited to share which games touched them most in the comments, continuing a conversation that extends beyond individual play sessions. The overarching takeaway is that a well-crafted ending can redefine a game’s entire arc and leave players with a sense of closure, reverence, or even fresh questions about the world and the characters they have come to care about.
Earlier discussions that editors of notable gaming outlets compiled lists of influential PC games and milestones from the past decades illustrate how industry memory is shaped. The focus often extends beyond launches and patches to consider how games, platforms, and communities evolve together over time, highlighting moments that become touchstones in a broader cultural landscape.
A new release on Steam—a large-scale sandbox with 3D visuals reminiscent of beloved farming experiences—captured attention as a fresh example of how a sandbox approach can blend creative freedom with meaningful exploration, offering players a chance to craft their own stories within a rich virtual world.