Not long ago, we published a list of The best fun game when turned on, which showcases all the best comedy and smiles the Nintendo Switch has to offer. But just like the iconic Greek masks of comedy and tragedy, it makes no sense to have happiness without its counterpart sadness.
Light needs darkness to exist, and laughter needs sadness too – and, you know, sometimes it just takes being really emotional to have a great sobbing session. Whether your tears are triggered by passionate lovers, family grief, or the existential pain of death itself, there are plenty of games here to make you sob.
Grab a tissue and a liter of ice cream for these tear-jerkers…
Publishing company: Annapurna Interactive / Developers: Giant sparrow
What Remains of Edith Finch is a ‘Walking Simulator’ that not only tells an unforgettable story – it is truly unforgettable. As tragic as its story, it always manages to entertain. When one part ends and when you hold back your tears, you will always move on, because the next story is just as compelling as the last. If you want a story that has a gripping length and doesn’t waste a minute, then Edith Finch is the one you need.
Publishing company: 505 games / Developers: Starbreeze Studios
As poignant, heartbreaking, and memorable as it was in 2013, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons hasn’t lost any of its emotional impact in those intervening years. With captivating background music, evocative aesthetic design Fables and a really clever way of doing it, you can really see why it’s rated so highly.
Publishing company: Storytelling game / Developers: Storytelling game
What makes this part unmissable is Lee’s father-son relationship with young Clementine, an eight-year-old girl left alone to face the apocalypse. A setup that could have been perfected in the hands of another developer, but here Lee’s growing coldness has slowly dissipated through his newly adopted role of guardian, while Clementine becomes much more than another stock NPC that needs to be protected. The seed of the woman we see in Last season seeded into these first five episodes and you’ll soon feel that you’re seeing the world through her eyes as much as you’re looking through Lee. This first installment bodes well for the tragedy and horror to come.
Publishing company: XD network / Developers: Freebird Games
It’s a short game – all of which should be over within four or five hours – but in that little amount of time it can expose the player to face-to-face uncomfortable situations and emotions that all We will all struggle at some point in our lives. . It’s written with a level of sincerity and honesty that gives these moments real impact – we were moved to tears several times.
Publishing company: Plug in digital power / Developers: Plug in digital power
Before I Forget is a short, beautiful experience that, however, approaches a challenging and rather sombre subject. It takes creativity to share a game that represents the impact of dementia and to do so as quickly and accurately as possible; it achieves this goal. Not only have we endured this illness with Sunita, but we are also attached to the successes and joys of her life. Before I Forget finds a careful balance that deserves praise.
Publishing company: Microsoft / Developers: Moon Studios
Ori is known for its wildly challenging Metroidvania background elements, but it’s well worth calling out its compelling intro, reminiscent of Up, AKA, the movie that made everyone cry for ten minutes. firstly. The enchanting art style and musical score is the icing on the cake that makes players really care about the protagonist and want to keep playing until the end of the game.
Publishing company: Nintendo / Developers: Nintendo EAD
You can play it through the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack service – and you should definitely, because it’s great. It’s strange. And it’s like that, therefore sad. It’s a story of pure loss, loneliness, grief, and learning to move on, all of which are impressively poignant themes for a Zelda game made in less than two years. Play it already!
Publishing company: White silver / Developers: 11 Bit Studios
Particularly poignant right now, This War of Mine is a civil war survival simulation set in a fictional country called Graznavia that sees desperate civilians trying to as much as possible in a besieged city. Tough decisions come quickly and in abundance, exacerbated by inclement weather and dwindling supplies. Stealing essential supplies from defenseless people won’t get along well with everyone in your camp, and spirit isn’t simply an emoji here. Basically, This War of Mine is a game about broken people. It forces you to make brutal, demoralizing decisions to achieve your goals – steal, kill, turn ‘useless’ people away. It makes you appreciate the escapism you have at your fingertips while making you pause in front of the horrible reality it depicts.
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Publishing company: Campo Santo / Developers: Campo Santo
Another contender for the “Make me cry for 5 minutes” award, Firewatch kicks off its heels with a short story about how you became a fire-seeking guy in the first place. You’ve never met anyone in this game, but with the companionship of Delilah, your fire keeper, on the walkie-talkie, you can still have heavy conversations. Firewatch has a sense of sadness at the end of summer, with the feeling that things are about to change forever that haunts you the entire time.
Publishing company: Annapurna Interactive / Developers: Annapurna Interactive
The story of Gone Home is told in brief passages through diaries, letters and notes, when Katie, the 21-year-old prodigal daughter, returns home to find her family gone. As you explore, you’ll find things about your family you never knew existed before – your father’s younger years as he struggled to find a publisher for his books. or stories written by your sister, Sam, in elementary school that show the seeds of a troubled soul. You discover a side of your sister you haven’t seen before, as she makes the transition from child to adult and realizes herself in the process.
Publishing company: Tomorrow’s company / Developers: Tomorrow’s company
An unusual choice for cry games, as it’s mostly a game about making fires for fun, but Little Inferno hides a deeper, darker side among all the flames. It’s cute, and it’s creepy, and ultimately quite sad, if you pay attention to all the clues hidden within the walls of your safe, warm fireplace.
