Video games are one of the most immersive entertainment mediums of all time. Players are directly in control of most events in the game, making each moment all the more special and memorable as a result. This is especially true in the case of tense moments, where you can potentially be on the edge of your seat if the game wishes for this to be the case.
Some games are masters of building up tension and letting people know that things are going to be anything but okay. They do so masterfully, becoming immortalized in the process due to just how memorable these sequences have become in video gaming. Keeping this in mind, here are some iconic moments in video gaming where you know that everything was going to go haywire.
Needless to say, there will be spoilers for the titles mentioned in the list to follow.
10 Leaving The Holding Cell In Shinra Headquarters (Final Fantasy 7)
Near the final stretch of the Midgar position, the heroes get captured and taken into a holding cell by Shinra guards. However, after some time, the doors unlock of their own accord, and you witness the carnage that lies outside.
A trail of blood, a massive influx of recovery items, and some foreboding music makes this moment one of the most chilling parts of Final Fantasy 7. It finally reveals that Shinra is but a cog in the machine and players need to be wary of the real threat in the game — Sephiroth.
9 The Chilling Nature Of The Game's Opening (Dead Space)
Dead Space is a game that doesn't mince words when it comes to the massive threat of the Necromorphs. The beginning itself sees players land in the desolate halls of the USG Ishimura, which is already pretty foreboding as is.
After Isaac heads out for a routine checkup, the doors are locked and the Necromorphs finally make their appearance. Watching Isaac's crew being ripped apart and having to run away from these massive foes makes for one of the scariest moments in the game and sets the tone for the events to come.
8 How The Flood Is Introduced (Halo: Combat Evolved)
Halo: Combat Evolved seems like a pretty fun sci-fi first-person shooter where the Covenant seems like the only threat that stands in the way of Earth's survival. However, it's only until much later that players realize that there are way more threats in the universe that Earth needs to get ready for.
The entire level that introduces the Flood is easily one of the most brilliant moments in Halo: Combat Evolved. The level starts off on a rather tense note with many foreboding sequences, before outright turning into a horror game after this enemy is introduced.
7 Realizing That Lee Got Bit (Telltale's The Walking Dead)
Telltale's stature as a popular video game studio was mainly cemented with the release of The Walking Dead. This episodic adventure was an absolute phenomenon that had players hooked all the way to the very end.
A horrifying moment comes in the final episode, where Lee fights off some walkers hiding near their place of refuge... only to find out that he got bit during the altercation. Whatever happens during the chapter, the idea that Lee is going to turn or pass away looms over you and makes events all the more saddening.
6 Heading The Wrong Way From Goodsprings (Fallout: New Vegas)
Fallout: New Vegas is one of the greatest role-playing games ever made. It's also extremely challenging if you don't know what you're doing, especially if you head the wrong way from Goodsprings.
The robot Victor himself comes to say that you might be out of your depth here, but he can be ignored as you venture further into hostile territory. Of course, you won't be able to roam around for long, with the poisonous Cazadors making quick work of you before you have the chance to escape.
5 Venturing Outside Cyseal Without Preparing Beforehand (Divinity: Original Sin)
Divinity: Original Sin is a brilliant CRPG where each and every level matters. If you decide to fight against enemies that are well above your level, then be prepared to endure a slow and torturous demise.
This is something that the game is quite aware of, and actively warns you if you try to leave the city of Cyseal without gaining some levels first. Without adequate preparation, most players will witness a game over screen a few seconds after encountering their first batch of enemies.
4 Watching Helplessly As Agro Falls To His Death (Shadow Of The Colossus)
At first glance, Shadow of the Colossus seems like a rather simple journey for the protagonist, who is trying to defeat sixteen massive colossi to revive the woman he has brought with him. However, over the course of the game, it becomes clear that something's not right about the entire ordeal.
This becomes painfully apparent when Wander is visibly being corrupted with each Colossus' death. Easily the worst moment in the game comes when Agro seemingly falls to his death and Wander is forced to tackle the final Colossus on foot, which is easily one of the most foreboding encounters in the entire game.
While Agro turns out to be alive all along, this doesn't make the ending of Shadow of the Colossus any easier to digest.
3 Witnessing The Hidden Amygdalas For The First Time (Bloodborne)
Bloodborne is a game that truly horrifies players with its themes and imagery. This is especially prominent after you defeat Rom, the Vacuous Spider.
The player is transported outside the area of Yahar'gul, where they witness the Amygdalas that were present all over the map all this time. It's a chilling moment, and something you can unlock beforehand if you gather a total of 40 Insight.
2 Seeing Walker's Sanity Visibly And Audibly Deteriorating (Spec Ops: The Line)
Spec Ops: The Line seems like nothing more than a run-of-the-mill military shooter, before the game finally reveals its true colors. The horrors of war are depicted brilliantly in the game... even though the gameplay was pretty generic regardless.
The game truly goes off the rails after Walker's deteriorating sanity is put front and center for everyone to see. His remarks in battle become more animalistic, with the loading screens also taunting the player in a manner unlike anything seen in a video game. It's a brilliant way to show just how terrible war is and how deriving enjoyment from it in modern video games is nothing more than a farce.
1 Arthur Getting Tuberculosis And Slowly Wasting Away Over Time (Red Dead Redemption 2)
Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the greatest video games ever made, with Arthur Morgan serving as this game's memorable protagonist. His devotion to Dutch's ideals slowly wears away over time after he realizes that the man had truly gone off the deep end.
However, Arthur fails to get a shot at a different life after being told he has tuberculosis and realizing that his time in the world is limited. His ailing health eventually gets the better of him when a fight against Micah leads to his demise, although players with high honor can still give him the send-off he deserves by letting him witness the rising sun for one last time.