15 Times Side Character Death Hit Really Hard

15. Maya in Borderlands 3

Maya died in Borderlands 3 trying to protect everyone, only to be taken out in a moment that felt frustratingly unfair. Her loss should’ve been a turning point, but instead, it’s overshadowed by how little the game lets anyone truly reckon with it. | © Gearbox Software

14. BT-7274 from Titanfall 2

BT-7274 died in Titanfall 2 after fighting side by side with you through every impossible mission. He wasn’t just a machine; he was a real partner, and saying goodbye felt like losing a true friend. | © Respawn Entertainment

13. Brok in God of War: Ragnarok

Brok died in God of War: Ragnarök, and everything changed after that. He was the soul of the group, and his death hit so hard that even Sindri, the gentlest of them all, was never the same again. | © Jetpack Interactive

12. Arthur Morgan's Horse from Red Dead Redemption 2

Arthur’s horse dying in Red Dead Redemption 2 hits hard because it’s not just a horse; it has been with you through everything. When Arthur stops, even in the middle of danger, to say goodbye, it’s one of the most emotional moments in the whole game. | © Rockstar Games

11. Aunt May from Marvel's Spider-Man

Aunt May’s death in Marvel’s Spider-Man is the kind that stays with you because it forces Peter to choose between personal love and the greater good. Her final words, knowing who he is and being proud anyway, make the loss feel even heavier, like losing both a mother and a quiet hero. | © Insomniac Games

10. Dominic Santiago from Gears of War 3

Dom’s death in Gears of War 3 is a devastating moment of sacrifice that hits harder than any explosion he causes. He drives straight into death to save his squad, and when the smoke clears, all that’s left is silence, and Marcus is crumbling under the weight of losing his closest friend. | © Epic Games

9. Palom & Porom from Final Fantasy IV

Palom and Porom’s self-sacrifice in Final Fantasy IV was a shocking moment, especially coming from two kids who always brought levity to the party. Watching them turn to stone to save everyone is both heartbreaking and heroic, even if they’re saved later, the moment sticks. | © Square Enix

8. Iron Mike from Days Gone

Iron Mike’s death in Days Gone hits hard because he was a rare voice of peace in a violent world. His sacrifice was a painful reminder that even the good don’t always survive. | © Bend Studio

7. Jackie Wells from Cyberpunk 2077

Jackie’s death in Cyberpunk 2077 hits like a punch to the gut, not because it’s sudden, but because it takes your closest friend with it. He jokes, bleeds, and dreams out loud one last time, making his final ride feel painfully real. | © CD Projekt

6. Big Boss from Metal Gear Solid 4

Big Boss’s death in Metal Gear Solid 4 is the final chapter in a long, painful life shaped by war and loss. Sitting beside Snake, he finally lets go of his fight and finds peace, ending the story of a soldier who spent years chasing the truth. | © Kojima Productions

5. Rost from Horizon Zero Dawn

Rost was a Death Seeker, but he died suddenly, leaving a significant mark on Aloy and players before the real journey even begins. He gives his life without hesitation to save her, and even without a long goodbye, his absence is felt in every step she takes. | © Guerrilla Games

4. Vesemir from Witcher 3

Vesemir’s death in The Witcher 3 feels like losing a parent – he was steadfast, wise, and always there when it mattered. His sacrifice to protect Ciri is gut-wrenching, and the moment he falls is when the story truly stops pulling punches. | © CD Projekt

3. Noble Team from Halo: Reach

The fall of Noble Team in Halo: Reach isn’t just tragic, it's poetic in the cruellest way. Each Spartan dies in a manner that reflects their role, and by the time Noble Six makes his final stand alone, it’s clear their story was always about sacrifice without glory. | © Bungie

2. Sarah from The Last of Us

Sarah’s death in The Last of Us is brutal, not because we knew her well, but because Joel did. In just minutes, the game rips away his world, setting the tone for everything that follows and leaving a scar that never quite heals. | © Naughty Dog

1. Mordin Solus from Mass Effect 3

Mordin Solus' death in Mass Effect 3 hits hard because it’s the final act of a man trying to right a terrible wrong. After years of cold logic, he chooses compassion and dies, ensuring the cure for the Krogan can’t be stopped. | © BioWare