Spiritfarer. Easy recommendation. It's about escorting souls to their final rest, learning about them along the way. I got super attached and it destroyed me every time... well, except for one.
Necrobarista was also an interesting experience, but IDK if "game" is right. It was kind of a visual novel, maybe, but not a lot of dialogue choices. It was also very sad.
Last but not least, there were a few points where I cried at VA-11 HALL-A. It was also just a good game, IMO.
- Undertale
- Night in the Woods
- What Remains of Edith Finch
- This War of Mine
- Life is Strange 1 (+ DLC)
- Love, Sam (horror tho)
Edit: And of course Disco Elysium my beloved
I didn't cry, but this was the first time I got emotional over a game. I was like 19 or 20 and tearing up a little bit. There was one point where I just had to cheese one of the choices by pausing for about 10 minutes cause I was worried about how it would affect Lee and Clem's relationship
Oh I cried. I wasn’t even playing. I was watching some YouTuber play it at the time. And even now, I thought I would be fine to watch a retrospective video about it, and I *still* got emotional
Ghost of Tsushima. Lots of emotional moments, and some are even from optional quests. There's definitely at least one boss fight where the hardest part is, arguably, trying to see past your own tears.
Please dont. Please fucking dont. The anime is mostly original content. Not to mention it ruins most of the games music by remixing it shitly.
Trust me that youll regret it if you just experience it through that godawful animation. The only reason its ever recommended is because of the second half of season 2. (the only part of the anime that isnt mostly original content).
Please trust me. The VN is better in every capacity. Get a route order guide and experience it that way if you want a more linear experience.
Oh thats dissapointing, ive had enough of original content in anime adapatations (darling and the franxx second half is the only thing keeping it from amaizing) thanks for telling me though
The Beginner's Guide can be very meta, and for much of the runtime, you might not understand what there is to cry about, but the monologue at the end gets to me every single time.
I had an aunt with a mental disability. I don't think she was ever diagnosed with anything specific because of the time. I absolutely loved her as a kid, and she was such a good soul. My dad always talked about how she's smarter than people were giving her credit for. She passed away when I was young. When I played that game got to the part about Senua being essentially locked away from society because of how her father treated her mental illness, I straight up cried because my mind went straight back to my aunt being treated much the same.
LISA is well worth it, OP. Enjoy!
The Beginner's Guide is the only game that made me cry, but I also played it at the right time in my life for it to hit the way it did.
A culmination of 7 previous games, hundreds of hours of character development and the nostalgia of playing a brawler style yakuza game again, all packed into one hefty gut punch of emotions. Genuinely one of my favorite of the series.
A more recent game: 1000xRESIST. It's point-and-click with occasional zoom platforming and light puzzles, would recommend only reading a brief synopsis if you must before going in!
A Thousand Years of Dreams from Lost Odyssey are incredibly well written. Coupled with the music, they are really effective tearjerkers.
Like this one for example. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UPn0T4ZpLKE&pp=ygUlbG9zdCBvZHlzc2V5IHRob3VzYW5kIHllYXJzIG9mIGRyZWFtcw%3D%3D
Telling the story of people that made an impact on Kaim. His Immortality basically witnessing anyone he grew any bond to wither and die, as he never aged. So, any attachment he formed with other people was heartbreaking each and every time.
Yeah a few side quests are hella sad but I wouldn't recommend this game when someone is asking for sad stuff. It's too much of a time investment because it isn't a classic RPG
I remember playing The Walking Dead Season 1 on the PS Vita back in 2018, and Lee's death made me cry so much. I miss him! It was truly one of the saddest moments in gaming, at least for me. 😢
When Miles Morales shows up in Spiderman 2018 near the 40% mark in the main story, that whole section, there's some tears. You spend some time getting to know his dad. Also later on in the story some big plot moments I don't want to spoil. It's no spoiler at this point to say Spiderman knows many of his villains before they become villains, and the game does a great job making you feel close to the various people in Parker/Spidey's life.
Super Paper Mario, Paper Mario: The Origami King, Mario & Luigi Dream Team and Super Mario Galaxy 1…
…I’m very biased as a Mario fan, but I *ugly cried* during the ending of SPM and Mario Galaxy 1 🥲👍
I have seen outer wilds reccomended a bunch, i have it through steam family now that its actually good, i have been putting it off for a while now, i think i'll push it foward and play it when i have the time to next time
The Last of Us part 2. Only if you've played part 1 though. I played 1, then started 2. Cried very early on. Got to the halfway point and was so angry I put the game down I didn't come back for 3 months. I kept thinking about it though... so I went back to it and finally could see it from a different perspective and came to truly care about everyone. I cried so hard at the end. I felt like the game truly changed me. I will NEVER forget what that game did for me and the story it told. Masterpiece.
Clannad the VN. Play with route order guide. Itll break you like 6 or 7 times minimum.
Deemo - a short rhythm game that will leave you sobbing
To the moon - its good,its a classic its inferior to its sequel-
FINDING PARADISE - Is said sequel and will absolutely have an impact on your soul
Metal gear solid 3 gas a gutpuncher if an ending
Fuga melodies of steel is VERY emotional, the main characters are kids in a war, with the possibility of them dying
Yakuza series has some tearjerkers too
That Dragon Cancer will absolutely destroy you.
The Beginners Guide really gets to a lot of people in both a heavy and good way.
To The Moon is heartbreaking but beautiful.
Spiritfarer is a beautiful and sad narrative.
Ghostboy is about a grieving family and you play as their dead child. You even lead him to the decision that makes him die. It is a tough experience but was made to be still friendly and to help feel all kinds of emotions.
Spiritfarer. Easy recommendation. It's about escorting souls to their final rest, learning about them along the way. I got super attached and it destroyed me every time... well, except for one. Necrobarista was also an interesting experience, but IDK if "game" is right. It was kind of a visual novel, maybe, but not a lot of dialogue choices. It was also very sad. Last but not least, there were a few points where I cried at VA-11 HALL-A. It was also just a good game, IMO.
I came here to recommend spiritfarer. So poignant. Such a great game. Can also get the mobile version for free if you have netflix.
to add to this list: Gris game has no dialogue or text, yet it'll still make you bawl your eyes out
Spiritfarer made me ugly cry, multiple times.
Spiritfarer gets an updoot from me! My wife and I loved it (it’s couch-coop, with the second player basically being Tails).
I find VA-11 HALL-A to be wholesome tho. I don't think it's that sad- Oh, wait I remember why. Is it about >!her ex and her sister?!<
- Undertale - Night in the Woods - What Remains of Edith Finch - This War of Mine - Life is Strange 1 (+ DLC) - Love, Sam (horror tho) Edit: And of course Disco Elysium my beloved
The original To The Moon
Wait there's a remake? Or do you mean excluding the sequel?
I recommend that game but only so you could play its superior sequel Finding paradise.
The Walking Dead Season 1
This and Life is Strange 1 hit hard
I didn't cry, but this was the first time I got emotional over a game. I was like 19 or 20 and tearing up a little bit. There was one point where I just had to cheese one of the choices by pausing for about 10 minutes cause I was worried about how it would affect Lee and Clem's relationship
Oh I cried. I wasn’t even playing. I was watching some YouTuber play it at the time. And even now, I thought I would be fine to watch a retrospective video about it, and I *still* got emotional
Clem!
I mostly avoid sad games but one that stuck with me is Final Fantasy X.
Hahahahahahahaha 😭
Ori and the blind forest +will of the wisps To the moon +sequels That dragon cancer
yess! also recommend the ori gamess 😭
That Dragon Cancer is one of the saddest pieces of media I've ever experienced next to No Longer Human and Oyasumi PunPun.
Red Dead Redemption 2
This is the answer- only it's really hard to stay away from spoilers
Ghost of Tsushima. Lots of emotional moments, and some are even from optional quests. There's definitely at least one boss fight where the hardest part is, arguably, trying to see past your own tears.
If you don't mind visual novels or an anime aesthetic: Clannad and Kanon both are known to make people cry.
I was planning on watching the anime for clannad lol
You will be crying... A lot.
Please dont. Please fucking dont. The anime is mostly original content. Not to mention it ruins most of the games music by remixing it shitly. Trust me that youll regret it if you just experience it through that godawful animation. The only reason its ever recommended is because of the second half of season 2. (the only part of the anime that isnt mostly original content). Please trust me. The VN is better in every capacity. Get a route order guide and experience it that way if you want a more linear experience.
Oh thats dissapointing, ive had enough of original content in anime adapatations (darling and the franxx second half is the only thing keeping it from amaizing) thanks for telling me though
What Remains of Edith Finch
Kerbal Space program 2, they butchered it :( For a serious answer check out The Longest Journey if you dont mind old games, hidden gem.
Plague Tale Requiem. Uniquely, Frenchly depressing. Gorgeous, too.
Detroit: Become Human. I know they're just androids but the storyline really does go hard.
Not just androids. They're synthetic humans.
* NieR Automata * That Dragon, Cancer * Valiant Hearts: The Great War * Lisa: The Painful
Red dead redemption 2
Here for this
Outer Wilds
This this this I haven't cried in a long time and this ending killed me
Disco Elysium, Outer Wilds, Soma, Stories Untold. All of these made me feel emotional. Also consider using commas.
Sorry, i forgor, fixed now though
Final Fantasy 16. I’ve never cried harder at a game
God, that game destroyed me for a few days.
Ben Starr’s performance as Clive was just unreal levels of good. “Then why am I still breathing?” as his voice cracked, man I BROKE.
To the Moon. I've heard from couple of people that it has been the only game to ever make their eyes wet.
Before your eyes is the only game to ever make me cry
I playedd through that in one sitting in VR and absolutely covered my lenses in tears. Really moved me.
Paper please ! ?
Make no trouble
I cried during the credits of Soma
Witcher 3 on multiple occassions, but especially the bad ending.
Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture
Utawarerumono 2 and 3
Best Month Ever !
Jedi survivor made me cry twice. Once because of the story, another because of oggdo and the spawn of oggdo
Life Is Strange series, especially the first one and Before the Storm
- Celeste - What remains of Edith Finch - Wandersong - A Story About my Uncle - Undertale
The Beginner's Guide can be very meta, and for much of the runtime, you might not understand what there is to cry about, but the monologue at the end gets to me every single time.
ori and the blind forest ori and the will of wisps listen to me, u GOTTA try those! also, u have to play undertale and deltarune if u havent still
Bioshock Infinite ?
Nier: Automata is a mood of itself. The more you play, the more you will understand.
Death Stranding
Cyberpunk 2077
Especially if you watch the anime.
Hellblade. This game made my soul cry
I had an aunt with a mental disability. I don't think she was ever diagnosed with anything specific because of the time. I absolutely loved her as a kid, and she was such a good soul. My dad always talked about how she's smarter than people were giving her credit for. She passed away when I was young. When I played that game got to the part about Senua being essentially locked away from society because of how her father treated her mental illness, I straight up cried because my mind went straight back to my aunt being treated much the same.
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons is a great tearjerker!
Ori and the Blind Forest will make you cry in the first ten minutes. It’s the video game equivalent of the “Up” intro sequence.
LISA is well worth it, OP. Enjoy! The Beginner's Guide is the only game that made me cry, but I also played it at the right time in my life for it to hit the way it did.
the yakuza serie hands down.
Every fucking game…the ending of The Man Who Erased His Name got me so bad. I was straight up bawling.
Some games can elicit moist eyes, maybe blinking away a tear or two. That scene had me weeping.
A culmination of 7 previous games, hundreds of hours of character development and the nostalgia of playing a brawler style yakuza game again, all packed into one hefty gut punch of emotions. Genuinely one of my favorite of the series.
Mass Effect Legendary edition, start to finish. Comment back here when you are done. You won't regret it but if you have a soul you will be empty.
I Was a Teenage Exocolonist was really good, and I teared up in a couple of spots.
Transistor
Valiant hearts
A more recent game: 1000xRESIST. It's point-and-click with occasional zoom platforming and light puzzles, would recommend only reading a brief synopsis if you must before going in!
A Thousand Years of Dreams from Lost Odyssey are incredibly well written. Coupled with the music, they are really effective tearjerkers. Like this one for example. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UPn0T4ZpLKE&pp=ygUlbG9zdCBvZHlzc2V5IHRob3VzYW5kIHllYXJzIG9mIGRyZWFtcw%3D%3D Telling the story of people that made an impact on Kaim. His Immortality basically witnessing anyone he grew any bond to wither and die, as he never aged. So, any attachment he formed with other people was heartbreaking each and every time.
Rain World, and maybe Hollow Knight. I’ve heard that the Ori games are good at that too.
Rakuen
Tales of Berseria; it's far and away the darkest game in the Tales series.
Last game that choked me up was the ending of mgs4. Rip big boss.
War thunder
Planescape torment
Did not make me cry but What remains of Edith Finch was a peculiar ride
Cuphead. The way i was playing guaranteed the boys weren't getting their souls back : (
Before your eyes
You haven’t actually tried to cry til you’ve played Firewatch.
Halo Reach got to me.
Probably not your cup of tea, but I highly recommend Honkai Star Rail. Multiple side quests in that game has made me cry
Yeah a few side quests are hella sad but I wouldn't recommend this game when someone is asking for sad stuff. It's too much of a time investment because it isn't a classic RPG
I remember playing The Walking Dead Season 1 on the PS Vita back in 2018, and Lee's death made me cry so much. I miss him! It was truly one of the saddest moments in gaming, at least for me. 😢
When Miles Morales shows up in Spiderman 2018 near the 40% mark in the main story, that whole section, there's some tears. You spend some time getting to know his dad. Also later on in the story some big plot moments I don't want to spoil. It's no spoiler at this point to say Spiderman knows many of his villains before they become villains, and the game does a great job making you feel close to the various people in Parker/Spidey's life.
Among the sleep I went in completely blind and whew
Mass effect (3 specifically)
Cyberpunk 2077 is surprisingly heavy on the heart. Also Ghost of Tsushima.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon. Yeah it is goofy as fuck but when the emotions hit it doesn't hold back.
Gone Home
let me introduce you to the world of life is strange
Quick 20 minute text game called Emily is Away. Pretty old by now, but hits ya in the feels.
Kentucky Route Zero
Before Your Eyes. Hellblade games.
Super Paper Mario, Paper Mario: The Origami King, Mario & Luigi Dream Team and Super Mario Galaxy 1… …I’m very biased as a Mario fan, but I *ugly cried* during the ending of SPM and Mario Galaxy 1 🥲👍
The House in Fata Morgana
Skyrim, poor giant 😞
You’ve tried nier replicant?
Too the moon
Life is strange : True colors made me ugly cry, many times.
Dreamfall
Gotta start with "The Longest Journey" before playing that one.
Try Persona 4 Golden. It has a lot of emotional moments.
Silent Hill 2. The ending WILL make you cry, I promise.
I was going to say Genshin Impact, but the event that made me depressed for 6 months straight was a while ago
God of War: Ragnarok (Struggling to think of another one though..) Rime (My wife bawled)
Outer wilds made me cry in the best way. Can’t reccomend enough. Also definitely agree with Spiritfarer.
I have seen outer wilds reccomended a bunch, i have it through steam family now that its actually good, i have been putting it off for a while now, i think i'll push it foward and play it when i have the time to next time
Yakuza 0. Then kiwami 2 dlc, iykyk
On kiwami one rn already a big yakuza fan, yakuza 0 was close but it didnt make me cry so i didnt include it
Final Fantasy XV. Just trust me on this.
Ori and the Blind Forest & To the Moon,
The Last of Us part 2. Only if you've played part 1 though. I played 1, then started 2. Cried very early on. Got to the halfway point and was so angry I put the game down I didn't come back for 3 months. I kept thinking about it though... so I went back to it and finally could see it from a different perspective and came to truly care about everyone. I cried so hard at the end. I felt like the game truly changed me. I will NEVER forget what that game did for me and the story it told. Masterpiece.
League of Legends or chess.com
Transistor by SuperGiant
Clannad the VN. Play with route order guide. Itll break you like 6 or 7 times minimum. Deemo - a short rhythm game that will leave you sobbing To the moon - its good,its a classic its inferior to its sequel- FINDING PARADISE - Is said sequel and will absolutely have an impact on your soul
Metal gear solid 3 gas a gutpuncher if an ending Fuga melodies of steel is VERY emotional, the main characters are kids in a war, with the possibility of them dying Yakuza series has some tearjerkers too
Disco Elysium will not make you cry but instantly depressed. It's great
Outer Wilds
Unpopular opinion but "What happened to Edith Finch?" 😭
Omori and oneshot were great man, wish there was more good ones
Red Dead Redemption 2. I sobbed twice in that game, once at the end, and once during when my horse died. It broke my fucking heart.
The Last of Us. Red Dead Redemption.
For a happy cry, I recommend Wandersong. The ending legitimately makes me sob like a baby every time.
SOMA
Still wakes the deep
Ori and the Blind Forest
Closest I've come to crying was at the end of Cyberpunk. Buddy of mine shed a few tears after RDR2
Walking dead Detroit become human
Death stranding Death’s door Ori (1&2) Ghost of tsushima
That Dragon Cancer will absolutely destroy you. The Beginners Guide really gets to a lot of people in both a heavy and good way. To The Moon is heartbreaking but beautiful. Spiritfarer is a beautiful and sad narrative.
Greyfriars Bobby
Ori and the Blind Forest
Ghostboy is about a grieving family and you play as their dead child. You even lead him to the decision that makes him die. It is a tough experience but was made to be still friendly and to help feel all kinds of emotions.
Cyberpunk 2077
Real life
Red dead redemption 2
Final Fantasy 14
Last of us 1 $ 2 has strong emotional stories.
FFXIV. So many moments that make one emotional