The Most Shocking Video Game Plot Twists

Video games have come a long way from just saving the princess or getting the frog safely across the road. Games today are often like movies with complex stories and plot twists. Some twists are so shocking they stay with you long after the game is over. These are my favorite mind blowing plot twists. Warning: there are spoilers.

Bioshock
Players start the game as their plane crashes in the Atlantic Ocean. Entering the underwater city of Rapture, the friendly voice of a man named Atlas communicates with your character, Jack. You comply with Atlas' every direction until learning the shocking twist plot. The plane crash wasn't an accident and you aren't a stranger to Rapture. Atlas was controlling Jack the entire time with the phrase "Would you kindly?" The often repeated but quickly forgotten question prefaced everything Atlas asked of you. Jack was an experiment, a mind controlled creation sent by Frank Fontaine (Atlas) to kill the founder of Rapture, Andrew Ryan. You were being used through most of the game and there was no way to stop it.

Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic
Waking up on a Republic Star Ship that's under attack by Darth Malak, your character can't remember the past. Players travel the galaxy, become a Jedi, and try to stop Malak. During the game, you learn about him and his dead Master Revan. They were celebrated Jedi war heroes before disappearing and reemerging as Sith. Players spend much of the game thinking their character is a new Jedi taking down a fierce enemy. Then the plot twist happens. Your character is actually Darth Revan. Malak attacked you during the Star Ship battle. Jedi rescued you and wiped your memory. Now the the choice of how to deal with this twist is the player's to make. You can redeem Revan or go down the path of evil again.

Fallout 3
As a new Capitol Wasteland wanderer, players can tune into President Eden's radio station. He preaches a message of a better America, one that existed before the nuclear war with China. Eden is a shady character bent on ruling the Wasteland through the force of his Enclave soldiers. Your character is captured by the soldiers and sent to their base. Gearing up for a big confrontation with Eden, the unthinkable is revealed. President Eden is a computer. There is no showdown, just a request by Eden you can ignore or fulfill. With different speech options, he will blow up the entire Enclave base. That does not mean the Enclave threat is over.

Grand Theft Auto IV
Niko Bellic is a new immigrant staying with his cousin Roman in Liberty City. Niko becomes involved with his cousin's gambling debts, the mob and other criminals. He also becomes involved with Kate, the sister of his good friend. As the game progresses, Roman decides to marry his girlfriend, Mallory. Right before the wedding, the choices you make regarding working with an enemy or killing him for revenge will decide if Roman or Kate dies at the wedding. There is no way around it, one of them has to die in order for the game to continue. This plot twist makes you unknowingly choose between your cousin or your girlfriend. On replays, I know the choice is coming and it's always a difficult one to make.

Honorable Mentions:

Metal Gear Solid 2: The patriots you were after have been dead for 100 years.

F.E.A.R. 2: Alma's pregnant with your child?!

Final Fantasy VII: When Aerith dies in the middle of the game.

Legend of Zelda the Wind Waker: Tetra is actually Zelda.

Metroid: Samus is a woman.

Sources:

Personal Experience