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The thrill of heading your own investigation into a mystifying murder is a one-of-a-kind experience and there are video games that do just that, from the enigmatic Sherlock Holmes franchise to Rockstar's L.A. Noire. These take you through the process of investigating and focus on the solving of mysteries. However, there are murder-mystery questlines in many other games that stand out all on their own, on par with any lone detective game.
With shocking twists and multiple endings, these mysteries will keep you on your toes and urge you to hone all your senses to catch the culprit. For those who love to read the last page of a book first, we take a look at some of the most shocking murder-mysteries in gaming - both from stand alone games and as part of broader titles - and find out who actually did it.
Warning: Major Spoilers Ahead
10 The Witcher 3 - Carnal Sins
In The Witcher 3, a violent serial killer stalks the streets of Oxenfurt. This eerie quest starts when Dandelion comes to Geralt with the news that Priscilla has been attacked. A woman by the name of Sweet Nettie is discovered to be the next victim - what happens next could decide if you're going to catch the actual killer.
It's easy to feel overcome about Sweet Nettie's plight and kill her torturer out of rage, but hearing his story will reveal that he is not the killer. In fact, it was the shady coroner, Hubert, who is the culprit and is actually a vampire in disguise. Who saw that coming?
9 Sherlock Holmes: Crimes And Punishments - Blood Bath
All-time favourite detective Sherlock Holmes and his trusty sidekick Dr Watson return to solve a murder at the Roman Baths in London. The victim is famed archaeologist Rodney Bentcliffe, who was killed while enjoying a bath with three of his colleagues. With three witnesses (and suspects), it should be easy to pinpoint who the culprit is, yet it isn't.
The murder centres on a bombshell archaeological discovery of the Golden Knife of Mithras. Fellow archaeologist Percival Blinkhorn killed Bentcliffe for taking credit for his life's work. Whether you decide to absolve Blinkhorn or not, crafting the murder weapon using dissolvable materials was pretty clever.
8 L.A. Noire - The Quarter Moon Murders
This follow-up quest sees Detective Phelps and his partner Galloway follow the trail left behind by the elusive Black Dahlia serial killer. The killer taunts the LAPD for their incompetence since they've arrested innocent people instead of them. Phelps retrieves all the clues hidden in popular landmarks around Los Angeles, eventually uncovering the killer.
It turns out the bartender, Garrett Mason, was the killer all along. He stakes out his victims through his job at multiple clubs, targeting and killing vulnerable women. Sadly, Mason will never see justice as he happens to be related to some extremely powerful people in Los Angeles. It's a pretty sour end to the case.
7 The Council - Who Killed Elizabeth Adams?
In this masterpiece of a mystery game, Louis de Richet meets Elizabeth Adams at Lord Mortimer's island in his quest to find his mother. Your choices hinge on whether Elizabeth lives or dies and she will be stabbed to death if you end up choosing wrong.
But the puzzling question is who exactly killed Elizabeth? Elizabeth is terrified of Louis's mother; Elizabeth was almost beaten violently by French revolutionary Jacques Peru. The beauty of this game is that you are never really sure who you're dealing with since everyone has their own agenda and your choices will change the course of the story.
6 Elder Scrolls 5 Skyrim - Blood On The Ice
In the Skyrim quest Blood On The Ice, a serial killer dubbed 'The Butcher' has been senselessly murdering the women of Windlhelm and its citizens are at their wits' end. None but the powerful Dragonborn him/herself could tackle this monster.
After a series of interrogations and routine detective work, the Dragonborn hones in on their prey. Calixto Corrium reveals himself as the dastardly killer when he moves to attack his next victim. The rabid Imperial's reign of terror is brought to an end by the hand of the Dragonborn.
5 Detroit Become Human - The Eden Club
In Detroit: Become Human, the android Connor and his partner Hank Anderson are called in to investigate a murder at the Eden Club. The club is basically an elite brothel where androids of diverse gender and appearance are rented out to customers. Early on, it's clear that a blue-haired Traci robot killed her client over him damaging a fellow Traci.
It's up to Connor and Hank to track down this rogue Traci before she escapes. They find the blue-haired Traci about to flee with her lover, another Traci. She tells her story, showing Connor that androids are capable of love, and possibly deepening the change within the RK800 android.
4 Assassin's Creed Syndicate - The Whitechapel Murders
Assassin's Creed: Syndicate's Jack the Ripper DLC sees an older Evie Frye take the helm to find her missing brother Jacob, who was kidnapped by the famed serial killer. Jacob was Jack's mentor, but Jack became disillusioned and overthrew Jacob to take over the Rooks.
Jack the Ripper goes on a murder spree of Jacob's Assassin Initiates and Evie pursues him. A cat-and-mouse chase ensues, but it's hard to tell who's the cat and who's the mouse. What's most refreshing is the chance to actually play as the infamous Jack the Ripper and see the way he views the world.
3 Murdered: Soul Suspect
In Square Enix's utterly creepy game, the ghost of deceased detective Ronan O'Connor is on the hunt for the Bell Killer, the one responsible for killing him.
Set in Salem, Ronan cannot rest and reunite with his wife until he solves his own murder. In a shocking twist, a ghost girl named Abigail has been possessing the bodies of countless men to perform the killings - even Ronan's own. Ultimately, Ronan banishes Abigail's ghost and is now able to find peace.
2 The Vanishing Of Ethan Carter
This mystery horror game follows the tracks of Paul Prospero and his investigations into the missing Ethan Carter. Initially, he believed a violent spirit called the Sleeper was responsible for the Carter family's deaths, but the truth is so much darker.
In a shocking yet tragic twist, Prospero is revealed to be nothing more than Ethan's imagination. Stuck in an abusive family, Ethan created Prospero to seek comfort in his final moments as the fire caused by his mother consumes him.
1 Dragon Age 2 - Prime Suspect & All That Remains
In Dragon Age 2, a Templar named Emeric desperately seeks the help of Hawke and their band of merry companions. He asserts that a serial killer is loose in Kirkwall and that he suspects Gascard DuPuis to have killed the women.
Hawke eventually meets Gascard, who says that the killer's MO is to send his victims white lilies before killing them. To Hawke's horror, their mother has been sent such lilies and is now missing. It turns out a blood mage named Quentin was the culprit, senselessly murdering women over his grief of losing his wife.