The Toughest Decisions in Popular Games (Warning: Spoilers Ahead)

Many virtual adventures allow gamers to influence the course of the story. Sometimes, however, writers put us in such difficult situations that we won’t forget them for years. In this article, we’ve gathered some of the toughest dilemmas that force players to make particularly hard choices.

The storyline involving the Bloody Baron in The Witcher 3 is one of the first that comes to mind when talking about difficult choices. The moment when Geralt must decide whether to destroy or free the malevolent tree spirit is brilliant for several reasons. First, there is no correct option here — someone will die regardless of the decision. Whether it’s innocent orphans or an entire village along with the Bloody Baron himself.

Second, CD Projekt RED cleverly ensured that the consequences of the decision don’t become evident until many hours later. This makes it unlikely that players will reload an old save and replay a significant portion of the game. Instead, they are forced to live with the weight of their choice.

Another great dilemma from CD Projekt RED, but with long-term consequences.

Midway through The Witcher 2, the player must choose whom to support: Vernon Roche, the leader of the Temerian special forces, or Iorveth, the leader of the non-human rebels. By this point, most players have likely grown attached to both characters, making the decision even harder.

More importantly, the choice drastically alters the second half of the game. Entire locations and quests become either available or completely inaccessible. This level of narrative branching is something we’d love to see more often in RPGs.

The Mass Effect series is filled with tough choices, but the first major sacrifice sticks with players the most. Near the climax of the original Mass Effect, the player must choose between saving Kaiden Alenko or Ashley Williams. No matter what, one of them will die.

This moment sets the tone for the entire trilogy, making it clear that things will only get more difficult from here on out.

In the first BioShock, after defeating a Big Daddy, the player must decide whether to harvest ADAM from a Little Sister or save her. Harvesting ADAM kills the eerie child but grants more resources for upgrading abilities. Saving her transforms her back into a normal child but provides less ADAM. The fate of the Little Sisters directly impacts the game’s ending.

The secret, however, is that the best choice is to save them. Both morally and practically, rescuing the Little Sisters pays off, as they later reward the player with additional gifts that more than compensate for the reduced ADAM. Of course, this isn’t made clear during a first playthrough, making the dilemma seem more ambiguous.

Unfortunately, Bethesda games don’t have as many serious dilemmas as other RPGs, but there are still some interesting ones.

In Skyrim, the player eventually encounters Paarthurnax, supposedly the only truly good dragon. Or at least, that’s the impression he gives. The problem? The player’s allies demand his execution. Thus, the choice arises: prioritize the trust and loyalty of long-time companions, or spare a former enemy who has chosen a new path?

At the end of the first season of The Walking Dead, the player must decide the fate of protagonist Lee Everett: let him turn into a zombie or end his life before that happens. At first glance, it might seem irrelevant — he’s doomed either way.

However, the choice is emotionally devastating because it is made from the perspective of eight-year-old Clementine, who has essentially become Lee’s adoptive daughter. Players must determine what is best for shaping the child’s character as she continues to survive in a brutal world.

Prey (2017) tells the story of monstrous creatures that have overrun a space station. These creatures reproduce at an alarming rate, using human corpses as hosts.

During the game, the player can help a group of survivors escape to Earth aboard a shuttle. However, shortly after the shuttle departs, it’s revealed that a full scan was never completed — meaning there’s a chance that the monsters are onboard. The player has the option to remotely destroy the vessel. While this choice has no major gameplay consequences, it remains a morally weighty decision.

After unlocking the true ending in Nier: Automata, the player faces one final battle — against the game’s own credits. This fight isn’t easy, but at a certain point, other players can offer assistance in the form of powerful upgrades.

Upon victory, the player is presented with a choice: are they willing to sacrifice all of their progress, including levels and weapons, to help others? If they agree, their save file is deleted, but another player in the future will receive similar aid.

The recent Baldur’s Gate 3 contains more morally ambiguous choices than three or four standard RPGs combined. One of the most memorable dilemmas appears in the finale when the player must decide who will transform into a Mind Flayer — assuming they’ve alienated the Emperor.

Given how important role-playing is in BG3, condemning anyone to a life as a soulless monster is a gut-wrenching decision. Should it be the protagonist? But don’t they deserve a happy ending? Prince Orpheus? But what about his revolution? Perhaps Karlach? The cheerful warrior will forever change, but at least she’ll no longer suffer from the infernal device embedded in her chest. There’s no universally right answer here.

In the latest Pathfinder, players can ascend to near-divine status. But deciding what to become isn’t easy, as it significantly impacts the game’s content.

For example, transforming into a Lich results in conflicts with many companions, but it grants access to undead allies. Choosing to become a Demon or Angel unlocks unique questlines. There’s even an option to become a sentient swarm of insects — a highly unusual yet grimly fascinating path.

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What tough decisions in games have stuck with you? And why? Share your thoughts in the comments.