Summary
Most people assume that video games place a hero front-and-center as they help out those in need and take out an evil power hell-bent on destroying the world, taking over it, or fulfilling any variety of nefarious needs. After all, it’s easy to sympathize with the hero, and players would obviously want to play a game where the fate of the entire world hinges on their actions since it addsa level of urgencyto the story that is much needed.
However, while this structure was pretty popular for most titles, this scenario isn’t absolute for every game. In fact, there are several games where players can actually end up fighting the hero at the end for a variety of reasons.
Updated on July 27, 2025, by Ritwik Mitra:Video games have evolved to the point where simple gameplay loops and threadbare content simply won’t cut it. Modern gamers demand a lot from their games, showcasing a pressing need to enjoy everything from compelling systems to riveting stories that keep players engaged till the very end. Sometimes, these stories can throw a curveball at players, forcing them to accept certain developments that can be hard to stomach, especially if they’ve grown attached to the protagonist they control only to be forced to face off against the very person they developed a connection with, either in obvious or convoluted ways.
11Chaos Rings 3
The Main Character Transforms Into A Heinous Monster That His Friends Must Rescue
TheChaos Ringsseries is undoubtedly one of the most underrated JRPG trilogies of all time, with the first two games being a blast to engage with. WhileChaos Rings 3may not have hit the ground running and came out somewhat unfinished, there are still a lot of things to love about this title as long as players are willing to accept the changes.
Instead of exploring in pairs and participating in a twisted game, players are thrust into a story that’s more jovial and hitsfamiliar notes for JRPG fans. So, it’s rather sickening to see the main character transform into a horrible monstrosity that the main party must defeat to reach the game’s ending. The sequence is pretty hard-hitting, so many fans were disappointed to witness an ending that didn’t really wrap up all the loose ends of the franchise.
Persona 3is the game that implemented a winning formula for the series that players absolutely adore to this day.Persona 3 Reloadhas allowed players to check out this classic tale with a fresh coat of paint, and theEpisode Aigis: The AnswerDLC remakes the epilogue to the story, where Aigis gets the Wild Card and a new android joins the party.
While a lot of fans weren’t stoked about this addition toPersona 3 Reload, there’s no denying that gamers will love playing through this DLC just to see what transpires afterthe main character’s sacrificeat the end of the game. What most people aren’t aware of is that a fight near the end of the series is against the sealed form of the main character, which is bound to break many hearts during the DLC.
After struggling in the gaming industry for quite some time, Yoko Taro finally receivedthe praise he deservedfollowing the release ofNieR: Automata. This amazing title focuses on the story of an android named 2B who explores a desolate world, slowly experiencing human feelings that make her question her very existence.
What follows is a heart-wrenching tale with numerous endings that make the narrative experience quite unique, including some endings where the game’s two playable protagonists must duke it out against each other. There’s a different ending reserved for each character’s victory, meaning that players will have to break their hearts twice to enjoy more of the game’s conclusions as they make their way to the true ending.
Braidis one of the most unique platformers of the early two-thousands, sparking thewave of indie gamesthat have become all the rage now. This title combines side-scrolling platforming with the mechanic of rewinding time to make for some unique gameplay challenges.
The gut punch of this story comes at the end, with it being revealed that the protagonist, Tim, was actually the monster that the princess was avoiding all along. The Knight who seemed like the villain was actually the true hero of the story.
A Way Outis one of the many great co-op experiences that players can check out from Hazelight Studios. The game depicts two people who become friends and escape from prison together, only for a major plot twist to complicate things later on.
It turns out that Vincent was actuallya double agentwho was participating in a sting operation to get the valuable Black Orlov. The game ends with a confrontation between the two, with only one person being able to survive.
Injustice 2is a sequel to one of the best superhero fighting games in recent memory, with the original story of both games being a joy to uncover. Players love beating up other heroes inInjustice 2, and the final fight shows just how engaging the narrative really is.
By the end of this story, players can choose to eitherplay as Superman or Batman, with the former being more of a villainous figure. As a result, if players decide to control Superman and fight against the hero of the tale, the world can be plunged down a pretty dark path indeed.
Infamousis an excellent open-world superhero title that needs a remaster sooner rather than later. The title’s fun parkour and electricity powers made for a great time as players bombarded the enemy with a host of shocking abilities.
The protagonist, Cole McGrath, ends up fightinga mysterious Conduit called Kesslerby the end of the first game. It’s only after defeating this antagonist that players realize his true identity. Kessler was actually Cole from the future who tried to save the world from its doomed fate.
Omoriis an absolute tearjerker, with this psychological horror not showing its cards until the very end of the experience. After going through his fair share of trauma,Sunny decides to fight backagainst the manifestation of hate and self-loathing that he used to retreat into all the time: Omori himself.
Fighting Omori is a harrowing affair, and players can’t even win against its imposing might and influence. It’s only when the player refuses to give in and completes his duet with Mari that this hateful force inside of him vanishes once and for all.
Grand Theft Auto 5is one of the most ambitious sandbox games ever made, withthe switch to three unique protagonistsbeing received quite warmly by the fanbase. After a roller-coaster ride full of thrills and twists, Franklin is seemingly forced to choose whether to kill either Michael or Trevor.
Making one of these two choices leads to Frankin either taking out the eccentric man who has a history with Michael or the man who essentially served as a mentor of sorts. Of course, seasonedGTA 5players know that the canon ending is Death Wish, where all three protagonists team up to take out their enemies.
Prototype 2is a great open-world title where players can go on a destructive rampage as they take over the identities of other people and use their morphing powers to great effect. One of the most memorable things aboutPrototype 2is that its antagonist is actually thehero of the first game, Alex Mercer.
Of course, Alex Mercer was far from being a typical hero, but seeing him take on this massive heel turn is still quite jarring. Suffice it to say, this character serves as the final boss of the game, with his hate for humanity causing him to go down a dark path.
