5 tragic video game deaths fans never got over

sportskeeda.com:

A character's death in a video game is possibly one of the most impactful moments in a playthrough. When protagonists make long and tiring journeys with certain NPC characters, they form a strange bond with the player, becoming an integral part of their overall experience. As such, these bits of code taking the form of a sentient being leave a huge impression on the audience.

But a good story needs to see some characters die, and one of the best writing tactics is to “kill your darlings.” So, inevitably, beloved characters must eventually end up dead, saying goodbye to the video game and the rest of the cast in a tearful way, or maybe not even getting the chance to do so.

While these are NPCs that the player might have formed a bond with, sometimes it is the protagonists themselves who die at the end, or at the start of the sequel. Here are five such tragic video game character deaths that fans have never gotten over.

Note: This article reflects the writer's opinions, and contains spoilers.

In the original Final Fantasy VII video game, Aerith Gainsborough is introduced as a side character who can be recruited to Cloud’s party. As a party member, Aerith is indispensable for her magical abilities, serving as the White Mage.

Aerith is also a dating option, with whom the player, as Cloud, can go on a date with to the Gold Saucer. The game recognises her as the default date due to her high compatibility with Cloud. This alone is enough to lend credence to the fact that Aerith is a permanent character in the game.

However, this assumption is put completely to rest by antagonist Sephiroth as he plunges his sword straight through her about halfway through the game. Such was the outrage over her death that players started creating