Games that focused more on making decisions were once limited to visual novels. These games lacked game play and didn’t appeal to everyone. The number of video games with story based moral choices are increasing. Though some good and bad decisions are black and white, developers are adding more gray areas. These gray areas are pulling in gamers to feel as though their choices matter.
Developers are striving to create more realistic experiences. Since video games first targeted younger gamers, developers to make positive decisions. Unless you’re playing a video game where bad choices are rewarded, developers want gamers to play a hero instead of an enemy. The range of consequences will vary, depending on the game. In games that emphasize action instead of story, your consequences will often lead to getting attacked by a large group of friendly players and getting a game over. In story-heavy games, some good and bad actions have a lasting effect on the game. Decisions must be thought over carefully because it could lead to mass casualties.
Not every game has to be a devastating experience. Since being bad in a game rarely affects real life, people want to misbehave in a game. Sometimes seeing how far you can go before getting punished for your actions is part of the fun. Just be prepared for the eventual fallout. We’ve compiled a list of games that will punish you for being a jerk. Just be warned that this list contains massive spoilers.
15 These Space Cows Didn’t Do Anything To You
Space cows are four legged, two armed creatures that are peaceful. They enjoy grazing in herds in both Mass Effect 1 and 2. They don’t bother Shepard and are not aggressive. In Mass Effect 2’s Overlord DLC, you have the opportunity to be a jerk to these peaceful creatures. While driving the Hammerhead VI, you can ram into them or shoot them with missiles. The Hammerhead will comment that these animals are defenseless against missiles. The more you attack the Space Cows, the more the Hammerhead will post comments on your screen, mocking you for thinking humans are better than the local wildlife. With statements such as “The Galactic Humane Society reminds you that animals are people too,” you’ll think twice if it’s worth attacking these defenseless creatures.
14 If You’re Killing Kids, That’s Probably Your Own Fault
Game developers have almost mastered making realistic adults, but their children still need work. Children are often annoying and unhelpful. The Fallout series has been a prime example of annoying children. Children are obviously important for the future survival of humans after the mass destruction of a nuclear war. Before children were made to be unkillable in Fallout 3 and 4, they could be slain in Fallout 1 and 2. Killing one child will grant you the “Child Killer” title which has the description “You have killed children, the youth of the wasteland. This is considered to be a really bad thing. You evil, evil person.” Other residents will also start referring to you by your new title. Even worse, bounty hunters will begin targeting you on your adventures.
13 Maybe You Should Have Signed A Pre-Nup
In The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, your main goal is to stop the dragons. When the Dragonborn isn’t tackling dragons or helping villagers with tedious sidequests, they can also fall in love and get married. Your fighting companion is often a marriage candidate. Not only do you equip them with powerful armor and weapons, but you can also use them as an additional backpack. If you decide to cheat on them or treat them poorly, they won’t stick around. Your companion will pack up and leave you. But, don’t expect them to give back all the gear and items you’ve asked them to hold. Once your companion takes off, they take everything you’ve given them. Your property becomes their property for good, and you won’t get those items back.
12 Dishonor On You, Dishonor On Your Cow…
The 1990s had several new, creative IPs that haven’t made it to the twentieth century. Bushido Blade was a sword fighting game, but it didn’t focus on mercilessly attacking your opponent until you won. The fighting game emphasized the honorable code of Bushido. It was meant to bring some realism to the fighting game genre. Fighting with dishonor would end your playthrough. These dishonorable acts included attacking before both participants bow to each other before the start of the fight, striking an opponent from behind, or throwing sand in your opponent’s eyes. Fighting dirty would end your game quickly. Not only would you be unable to continue your adventure, but a message would be displayed on-screen, criticizing you for your poor behavior.
11 You’ve Messed With The Wrong Cucco
Cuccos are small, white birds similar to chickens. They are peaceful, docile creatures. If Link decides to attack one for a quick meal in The Legend of Zelda series, the Cucco will become angry. Instead of taking the attack, the Cucco will start to crow loudly. The cries will be heard from all over the area, and its friends will flock from every direction. What was first one Cucco will soon become a large gang of the white birds. Cuccos may seem like an easy kill, but if you make them angry, they become powerful and will not stop attacking Link until his hearts have been depleted. They will attempt to peck Link to death unless he escapes. Link can also climb onto his horse Epona to get away.
10 Really, I Don’t Know What Else You Expected For Cheating
The Rune Factory games combine the farming aspects of Harvest Moon with fighting. You also have the opportunity to get married to different bachelorettes. Sometimes, the decision on who to settle down with gets tough. In Rune Factory: Frontier, you may be tempted to try to seduce everyone. After marriage, if you attempt to cheat on your wife, she will not accept your deceptive ways. If you try to propose to another bachelorette, your wife will storm down to your present location and give you a beating. When it’s over, you’ll be left with 1 HP and 0RP, which works as stamina. Your wife’s friendship and love points will also reset to zero. You’ll have to romance her all over again, which is tough if her favorite items are rare and hard to find.
9 Friendly Fire Goes Too Far
In Resident Evil 4, Leon S. Kennedy is on a mission to rescue the President’s daughter, Ashley Graham. He meets Luis Sera, a former researcher for Osmund Saddler, leader of Los Iluminados. Though the two men will exchange words and part ways, they will become trapped in a cabin. Together, they’ll protect Ashley and defend themselves from the onslaught of Los Iluminados. Luis will not only fight back but toss Leon health items and flash grenades, which are used to instantly kill Los Iluminados who have their plaga infections exposed. If you decide you want Luis to die, you can shoot him. But Luis won’t put up with getting shot. Shoot him twice, and a short Game Over cutscene will play. Luis will shoot and instantly kill Leon.
8 That Should Teach You Not To Kill Your Friends
Everyone has a job to do in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. Samus works as a bounty hunter, and her team assists her. There are additional workers who maintain the equipment and soldiers who assist by fighting enemies. Usually, they all take on their tasks and only interact if needed. If Samus decides to attack the other hardworking employees, she will be punished. After an initial warning, the ship’s AI will tell you to stop. Shooting more will make an aggressive turret drop down and attack you. After taking it out, another turret will drop down that is more powerful than the first. The third turret is even stronger. One hit will instantly kill Samus, and the attack cannot be dodged. Samus won’t even have the opportunity to fight back.
7 I Guess They Didn’t Take A Vow Of Peace
Lara Croft’s adventures take her all over the world. In Tomb Raider II, she visits the peaceful Barkhang Monastery. The Tibetan monks walk around and try not to get in Lara’s way. Though Lara is more interested in finding relics, she could choose to attack these monks instead. The monks will reveal that they are warrior monks who are skilled in hand-to-hand fighting. Attacking one monk will make every monk in the monastery aggressive. Luckily, fighting a small group of them is easy for Lara. It’s only when they start attacking in large groups that their attacks become an issue. It’s easy to get overcome by a large amount of the monks. They won’t stop attacking Lara until she’s dead.
6 I Guess Chore Simulators Could Be Fun…
Bully puts you in the shoes of Jimmy Hopkins as he works his way to stop the bullies plaguing Bullworth Academy. Not only does he try to stop the violence, but he can also become respected within different peer groups, such as the Jocks, Nerds, and Preppies. Jimmy also has to attend class. Though Jimmy tries to do well, he can commit too many rule violations and get sent to detention. The punishments in detention cannot be skipped. Detention consists of mini-games. You will have to mow the school lawn in the Spring, Summer, and Fall. In the Winter, Jimmy must shovel piles of snow in front of the Library. There are no rewards for finishing detention and failing the side quest means you must start over from the beginning.
5 One Teamkill Will Be Master Chief’s Last
In Halo: Combat Evolved, you have the opportunity to turn rogue in the first mission “The Pillar of Autumn.” If you kill Captain Keyes or a bridge crewman, it will be the last person you kill. The bridge’s exit doors will be locked down, and you will not be able to escape. Cortana will alert staff by stating that Master Chief has “gone rampant.” A squad of invincible Marines will storm the bridge and mercilessly attack Master Chief until he eventually dies. If you think that you can kill the invincible Marines, you have no chance. There are no ammo respawns and you’ll eventually run out. Even if you try to avoid getting trapped on the bridge and kill an ally, you will be transported to the bridge anyway. Bungie added this feature on purpose so Master Chief cannot avoid his fate.
4 Understandably, Shopkeepers Don’t Take Kindly To Thieves
Like most Pokémon games, in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon you will have to earn Poké, which is the currency used to purchase goods from shops. While visiting an in-dungeon store, you can try to steal items and escape. You will immediately get caught. You’ll have to fight the shopkeeper, which turns out to be one of the most difficult battles you’ll face. He has an extremely high HP bar and can make two turns instead of one. He also has attacks that can quickly knock out any high-level Pokémon. If you manage to beat him, another shopkeeper will respawn every six steps you take. After your defeat, you will respawn back at your home base. Half of your money will be missing, along with half your items. The items you stole will be turned into Plain Seeds, which only restore 5 Belly and worth 1 Poké.
3 Lesson: You Should Always Apologize To Women
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty stars the blonde soldier Raiden. He uses his Codec to communicate with his intelligent girlfriend Rose on missions. Raiden spends most of his time sneaking around enemies and trying not to get caught. But Raiden has the option to do more devious things. Shooting innocent seagulls prompts an angry call from both the Colonel and Rose, telling him to stop hurting innocent animals. Rose also gets upset if Raiden flirts with Emma or tries to sneak around the women’s bathroom. Make Rose angry enough, and she will refuse to save your game until you apologize. If you’re familiar with the series, you know how important saving is. Losing your progress could cost you hours of hard work, so apologize as soon as possible.
2 It’s The End Of The World As We Know It…
In Undertale, you control a young child who falls into the Underground. After losing a war with humans, monsters were banished to live forever within the Underground. Undertale can be completed in different ways, from not fighting a single monster for the Pacifist route, to the complete opposite. Killing every monster and being a rude child will eventually lead to having to kill the main characters, including Sans and Toriel. Going on a killing spree will lead to the Genocide route. Being evil will make you miss out on important story content, such as learning the main character’s real name. Chara, the last human child to enter the Underground, will ask you to join them in destroying the universe. You have no choice but to agree and your decision will affect all future Pacifist and Genocide play routes unless you alter your save file.
1 Forever Alone (But It’s Your Own Fault)
The Witcher series forces Geralt to make several choices. Though he claims Witchers are neutral, he has more of an effect on those around him than he thinks. The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt has the most damaging decision effects. In the third game, Geralt is searching for his adoptive daughter, Ciri. When the two finally reunite, there are pivotal points where Geralt can show his fatherly devotion to her. Bringing Ciri to Velen and accepting the reward for her recovery will make Ciri think you only searched for her to get paid. Geralt must help Ciri become a strong adult. Mistreating Ciri will result in her death in the White Frost. If Geralt tries to be selfish and romance both Triss and Yennefer, both will reject him. Geralt, alone and grieving Ciri, will sit in the Crone’s home. Necrophages close in on him, and he waits for his death.
