Video games have proved to be another medium for some compelling storytelling. From horror games that send shivers down our spines to heartrending games that make us cry, there's nothing more harrowing than the final stands of your favorite characters.

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These displays of ultimate selflessness and sacrifice make for one of the greatest moments in gaming. In some rare cases, these last stands have a happy ending. But most of the time, be prepared for some absolute tear-jerkers.

9 Red Dead Redemption: John Marston

Red Dead Redemption's main protagonist John Marston takes the cake for one of the best and most unforgettable last stands in gaming history. In the final main quest of the game 'The Last Enemy That Shall Be Destroyed', John's past has finally caught up with him.

He knew there was no way out, and after battling continuous waves of soldiers and losing Uncle, John sends his family away to face the music himself. John is able to take a few of them out before being riddled with bullets, sacrificing himself to give time for his family to escape.

8 Dragon Age Inquisition: Leliana

Along the way in your journey as the Inquisitor, you'll be confronted with which side to choose to help close the Breach: Templars or Mages. If you choose the latter, you'll end up in an alternate world where the Inquisitor failed his/her duties in stopping Corypheus.

In this dystopian future, the Inquisitor (and Dorian) reunites with allies to return to his/her time. But with Corypheus at the door, Leliana steps up to buy them time. The battle-hardened rogue had become even more jaded during her time in the 'bad future', but she does not disappoint, readily sacrificing her life in an utterly badass manner to ensure a better world.

7 Mass Effect 3: Grunt

Mass Effect 3's krogan super soldier Grunt displays courage and determination in his last stand against the Reapers in Utukku. You see him deftly killing rachni Reapers left and right, vanquishing enemies with sheer strength and ammo, before launching himself and his enemy over the edge.

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It might seem like the end for Grunt, and if you didn't do his loyalty mission then yes, he'll die. But if you did, then Grunt will emerge from the Utukku tunnels, drenched in blood yet alive. The latter is indeed heartwarming, but having Grunt actually die really resonates a lot more.

6 Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice

Senua's torturous tale brings her through the depths of Helheim to retrieve her lover. But all is not as it seems the longer you play the game, only to realize that it's the result of her mentally fragmented mind.

Near the end of the game, Senua comes face-to-face with Hela, goddess of the Underworld. Senua's last stand against the forces of darkness results in a fast-paced, intense fight against her endless legions of undead soldiers. Ultimately, she is overwhelmed, but alive, emerging to understand the truth concerning herself, accepting loss and the grief that comes with it.

5 Gears Of War 3: Dominic Santiago

One of the saddest moments in the Gears of War series, Dominic's last stand for the sake of his teammates is a definite tear-jerker. Already a tormented character after losing his entire family, Dom's trajectory does not seem to entail a happy ending.

During the 'Mission To Mercy', Marcus and his squad quickly find themselves surrounded by Lambents and Locusts alike. Dom felt compelled to turn the tide of the battle, accepting his end as he drives his vehicle into a fuel tank, killing all their enemies and saving his teammates.

4 Halo Reach: Noble Six

Halo: Reach's protagonist Noble Six's last stand against a Covenant onslaught is both heart-wrenching and legendary. Noble Six really gave it their all even when the odds were against them.

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Despite proving that they were a one-person army, Noble Six is still outnumbered and was eventually overcome. In an intense, harrowing final scene as Noble Six, the struggling, heavily wounded soldier continues to fight to the bitter end, leaving behind their helmet on the Reach as a commemoration of their bravery.

3 Crisis Core - Final Fantasy 7: Zack

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7's Zack Fair and Cloud's attempt to flee the forces of Shinra ultimately boils down to Zack facing an entire army of Shinra soldiers by himself.

But it was only a matter of time before Zack is overwhelmed and too heavily injured to continue the fight. Thankfully, Zack still had a bit of life left in him as he passes his Buster Sword to Cloud, becoming the latter's iconic weapon.

2 The Witcher 3: Battle Of Kaer Morhen

The Witcher 3's Battle of Kaer Morhen sees The Wild Hunt hone in on Ciri, and they're bringing the whole cavalry with them. Geralt finds as many allies as he can recruit, but it doesn't seem to be enough in what may be the final battle of their lives.

Everyone had to use up all the tricks in their arsenal, wearing The Wild Hunt down through attrition. Yet their sheer numbers and the power of the White Frost froze everyone except Ciri and Vesemir; though they survived the battle with Ciri's help, Vesemir's death dampened the victory.

1 Assassin's Creed Odyssey: Leonidas And The 300

A recreation of a legendary historic battle, Ubisoft's take on Leonidas and his 300's heroic final stand against the Persians in Assassin's Creed: Odyssey is certainly a memorable opening scene.

Seeing Leonidas and a few of his men survive the first wave of Persians, only to be informed of a betrayal that'll surely doom them. But they are undaunted, and even when Leonidas remains the last Spartan on the battlefield, he still deals the last blow against the Persian commander before dying himself.

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