The 10 Most UNEXPECTED Plot Twists In Recent RPGs
Joker’s Headshot
“Persona 5” (2017) The fact that Akechi, the teenage detective of “Persona 5,” turns out to be a villain isn’t too big of a twist as he makes several slip-ups leading to the reveal. However, while we weren’t too surprised by that, we were surprised to see how far his treachery took him. After Joker is captured by the police, Akechi enters the interrogation room for a bit of gloating before shooting him in the head. It all turns out to be a ploy by the Phantom Thieves, who knew Akechi would betray them and used the Metaverse to fake Joker’s death. But the game does a great job making you think your character has just been murdered, even including scenes of your allies reacting to the news.
The Oven
Top 20 Worst Video Game Plot Twists
“The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt” (2015) The ‘Possession’ quest of “The Witcher 3” tricks you into thinking you’ve done something horrible. After Geralt meets Cerys, she’ll express concern that Jarl Udalryk is possessed. You eventually learn that’s true; a creature called a Hym feeds off of his guilty conscience. Cerys comes up with a way to trick the Hym into leaving, but doesn’t tell you that requires you to throw the Jarl’s baby into an oven. Every instinct will tell you not to do this. But if you do, the Hym latches onto Geralt before the baby is revealed to be fine, thus fooling the monster into leaving. If you don’t try to commit infanticide, you’ll have a face the Hym in combat.
Marika & Radagon Are One And the Same
“Elden Ring” (2022) “Elden Ring,” like many FromSoftware games, is heavy on lore but light on story. Even still, the studio managed to shock every player with this late-game twist. Throughout your adventure, you hear about Queen Marika and her husband, Radagon of the Golden Order. The Queen welcomed conflict into her marriage when she shattered the Elden Ring long before the game takes place. While Radagon attempted to repair it, Marika was imprisoned. However, you don’t find out until later, by either solving a puzzle or during the final boss fight, that Radagon was imprisoned with her. Not only that, but the two now share a body, with the husband taking control in order to vanquish you.
Everyone is Evil
Top 20 Most Shocking Video Game Plot Twists Ever
“Octopath Traveler II” (2023) Much like its predecessor, “Octopath Traveler II” follows eight heroes with their own separate storylines to play through. However, if you complete them all, you get a reveal no one saw coming. You eventually learn of the existence of the Moonshade Order, a cult that worships an evil deity called Vide. Every villain in the personal stories of each character is a member, seeking to bring about eternal darkness. The villains being connected isn’t a huge twist, but there are many other NPCs, including supportive or friendly ones, who are also revealed to be members. It seems the whole world was really out to get you.
Five-Year Time Skip
Top 10 Worst Video Game Plot Twists
“Fire Emblem: Three Houses” (2019) The first half of this beloved RPG tasks players with teaching, training, and recruiting students from three different kingdoms during a time of peace. Unfortunately, peace never lasts long. A mysterious figure known as the Flame Emperor is mentioned to be causing trouble throughout the land and eventually attacks the Monastery everyone currently calls home. The Emperor is then revealed to be Edelgard, leader of one of the kingdoms, which would be a surprising twist in its own right. However, the player is knocked unconscious in the ensuing conflict, awakening five years later to a war torn world. It was a major turning point for the game, and also led to three different storylines depending on which house you sided with.
2B’s Death
Top 10 Video Game Plot Twists That Ruined Everything
“Nier: Automata” (2017) With a total of 26 endings, 5 of which must be reached to actually beat the game, you can expect plenty of twists and turns in “Nier: Automata.” But the one that stunned us the most was the demise of the lead character and poster child, 2B. During your third playthrough, 2B will become infected with the Logic Virus, which turns machines and androids extremely violent. Before she turns, 2B begs another android, A2, for a merciful death. A2 obliges while a vengeful 9S bears witness. The moment is made more shocking by the fact that there is no do-over for 2B this time, and players then take control of A2.
The True Killer
Top 20 Greatest Video Game Plot Twists
“Disco Elysium” (2019) As you investigate a mercenary’s murder in the fictional, somewhat ravaged city of Revachol, you’ll find “Disco Elysium” pulling you in several directions. Amidst the politics and ne’er-do-wells, the prime suspect seems to be someone the victim assaulted. But the real killer is someone disconnected from most of the plot: an old sniper named Iosef. He confesses to killing the man out of a mixture of hatred for what he represents, as well as jealousy over a sexual relationship. But even he isn’t fully to blame as, after arresting him, you discover a monster hiding nearby. Only hinted at through a side story, the Insulindian Phasmid corrupted Iosef’s mind through the psychoactive chemicals it emits.
Evelyn’s Death
“Cyberpunk 2077” (2020) Night City is not a place for happy endings. Even still, we weren’t expecting Evelyn’s to be so sorrowful. V first meets her as a contact for a heist, which ends up going pretty far South. Because of this, her former allies try to keep her quiet by uploading a powerful virus to her cybernetic enhancements. Sadly, she survives in a comatose state and things get far worse. After being assaulted multiple times by her employer, she’s then sold off to a vicious gang of Scavengers, who use her to create what are essentially futuristic snuff films while still keeping her alive. Players may think they’re mercifully rescuing her during the ‘Disasterpiece’ quest. But after she recovers, Evelyn takes her own life.
The God of the Underworld
The 10 GREATEST Assassin's Creed Plot Twists
“The Forgotten City” (2021) Intriguing from the very first moment, “The Forgotten City” sees players travel back to a Roman city that only holds one cardinal rule: if one of its people sins, everyone will be turned to gold. Players must investigate the citizens, trying to narrow down the one act that will doom them all. While it’s clear there’s some divine power calling the shots here, it goes beyond what you’d expect. Because you haven’t actually traveled back in time at all. As a matter of fact, you’re in the Underworld. The game’s fourth, and canonical, ending sees you meet Pluto as he’s known to the Romans, who reveals he and other Gods created this test. And the Romans weren’t even the first civilization to be tested.
Flowey is Asriel
“Undertale” (2015) Everything about this maniacal flower is surprising, including his origins. After exploring the Underground, players piece together that Toriel, the first boss, and Asgore, the supposed big bad, were once married. But after their child was killed by humans, Asgore swore vengeance. He began stealing the souls of children who fell into the Underground in an attempt to destroy a barrier keeping all monsters there. However, death was only the beginning for their son, Asriel. Only on a Pacifist run, where players spare all enemies instead of killing them, will you gain access to Alphys’ lab. Here, you learn that the scientist attempted to resurrect the Prince, but could only get as far as placing his soul inside a flower. To say that the experiment had some unexpected side effects to Asriel’s psyche would be an understatement. Which plot twist in a recent RPG caught you completely off guard? Share your thoughts in the comments and be sure to subscribe to MojoPlays for more great gaming videos!
