Great stories have a plot twist. In video games, betrayal is particularly gut-wrenching when it comes from a trusted friend. The players are left in disbelief, making things more emotional. From a shocking betrayal by your best friend to the craziest twists ever, we’re breaking it down with the ten most painful betrayals in games.
Eric’s Treachery in Tony Hawk’s Underground
A game like skateboarding might not seem like a good setting for plot twists but Tony Hawk’s Underground proved otherwise. As players level up with their buddy Eric, he goes from being just a goober to causing them to lose games. The breaking point takes place in Moscow, where Eric steals and wrecks a tank and blames the whole thing on the player. After having reconciled earlier, this betrayal results in him being arrested and thrown off the skating team. In addition, he then embarks on a personal mission to win back his honour and prove Eric’s mediocrity on the board.
Wesker’s Sudden Turn in Resident Evil
In Resident Evil, it’s hard to trust anyone because of the situation. But soon enough, players think that the S.T.A.R.S. unit is playing as one against the zombie threat. The illusion is shattered when Albert Wesker, a member of the squad, is shown to work with Umbrella Corporation. Wesker arrives in the last act after the player brings back allies and reveals his true allegiance and a powerful monster. His betrayal changes the story, making him the most important villain in the series’ legacy.
The Loyalists’ Poisonous Ambition in Dishonored
Corvo Atano in the start of Dishonored having wrongfully accused of killing the Empress. The so-called supporters of justice, the Loyalists save him and give him missions to undo the treachery. After fulfilling their purpose, they poison Corvo to take control through the daughter of the Empress. Fortunately, a reluctant friend gives Corvo only half of the dose so he can stay alive long enough to get his final revenge. The twist shows how ambition can corrupt even those with noble exteriors.
Kendra’s Hidden Agenda in Dead Space
Dead Space is all about isolation and horror, and in the chaos, Kendra Daniels is your one source of help. While Isaac fights against the Necromorphs and hopes to save his girlfriend Nicole. Kendra gives you a trustworthy feeling. But when she reveals she manipulated Isaac to get the Marker for EarthGov, the game reaches its end. Worse still, Nicole turns out to be a hallucination. Kendra’s betrayal, right before she meets her own grisly fate, is both savage and chilling.
Big Smoke’s Two Sides in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
This is a fresh content wherein Big Smoke approaches CJ and convinces him to rebuild his gang. As the gang battles for turf, Big Smoke rises to the occasion. Your sentence is already well paraphrased. However, here is a slightly modified version:
“However, in the background, he allies with rival gangs and corrupt police to gain power.” We later learn he was involved in the death of CJ’s mother, which caused CJ to come back. The revelation destroys bonds and exposes Smoke’s earlier relationship as calculated.
Sam’s Trick in Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
Sam Drake, Nate’s long-lost brother, claims he was freed from prison by Hector Alcazar, a dangerous criminal. In Uncharted 4, we are introduced to Sam. The urgency of this escape forces Nate back into treasure hunting. Sam’s dramatic saga of prison escape and made-up threats is entirely false, as Rafe—a former associate of Sam—merely releases him. He hid that information so Nate would help him find the treasure. The story that Sam betrayed his brother only resonates more in the game that’s steeped in themes of trust and family.
General Shepherd’s Ambush in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Even people who are not familiar with Call of Duty will know this name; General Shepherd. He is depicted as an idealist and the captain of Task Force 141, which means he can be trusted completely until he kills ghost and Roach. The motivation? Vengeance. Shepherd orchestrating a new conflict due to his bitterness over the loss of thousands of his soldiers. The whole time, the one posing as a hero was the villain, but that has changed now.
Wheatley’s Rise in Portal 2
At the onset of Portal 2, Wheatley is a friendly character who guides you through your puzzles. After the menace of GLaDOS, his innocent nature is a comforting presence. But soon Wheatley takes over the facility, and the power corrupts him instantly. He takes on a new role as an antagonist who puts the player’s life at risk through test due to his position. The story begins as a humorous anecdote but takes a surprising turn into malevolent treachery that alludes to the danger of unchecked power.
Vincent’s Secret Identity in A Way Out
A Way Out gameplay is built on trust. You and your partner work together as Vincent and Leo who escape prison and try to get back at Harvey. As the story goes on, the characters seem to connect with each other due to mutual interests. But after Harvey’s loss, the FBI stepped in and revealed Vincent as a cop. Vincent had a mission of revenge and justice because on the orders of Harvey, his brother, who was also an agent, was murdered. The cooperative foundation on which the game is constructed is thrown into question by this twist.
Atlas’s Hidden Control in BioShock
Few plot twists are as iconic as Atlas’s in BioShock. The player is being helped by Atlas. He seems pretty nice and helpful. His intentions are to keep you alive and fight against Andrew Ryan. I have a new SCP object to add to your collection. But in a shocking revelation, we see that Atlas is actually Frank Fontaine, Ryan’s competition, who’s fake death. What’s more troubling is the fact that what the player did was not their choice, controlled by the phrase “Would you kindly?”, planted as a psychological trigger. This betrayal changes the experience not just for the characters in the game, but also the player.
The stories of these games changed. Now, all your allies will become your enemies. Expectations changed. Twists that were emotional, political, or psychological—each one had an impact on the gaming community and changed how we recall these games.
Discover more guides.