10 Tearjerking Games for the Nintendo Switch
Besides movies and books, over the years games have wonderfully flourished into a way to hear or see a great story and even get a moral out of it. All kinds of genres can be built into games, including dramatic experiences as well.
In this way of thinking, gaming is not always about having fun and defeating the final boss. Sometimes, we crave a story that is heartwarming, bittersweet, or just downright emotional. The Nintendo Switch has plenty of games that can make us cry, whether it’s from the plot, characters, or even the gameplay. So, get your tissues ready, because we’re about to dive into the top 10 tearjerking games for the Nintendo Switch.
1. To the Moon
To the Moon is a unique game that tells the story of a man’s final wish to visit the moon before he dies. The game’s beautiful soundtrack and heartfelt moments make it an unforgettable tearjerker. As two doctors enter his memories to grant his request, we experience a bittersweet tale of love and loss. The game’s unique gameplay mechanics and emotional storytelling make it a must-play for any fan of narrative-driven games.
A game that will make you rethink your own life and the decisions you made. You may not be able to use a machine to enter your memories, but if you had one you wouldn’t want to forget this one.
2. Life is Strange: Before the Storm
Being a prequel to the original game, Life is Strange: Before the Storm explores the story of Chloe Price and her best friend, Rachel. The game’s emotional story takes us on a journey of self-discovery and friendship. As they navigate their complicated relationship and deal with the loss of Chloe’s father, we are taken on a journey that explores themes of grief, acceptance, and growing up. Before the Storm has stunning visuals and a heart-wrenching soundtrack.
Although this game might not be everyone’s cup of tea, being built around topics that not all of us are into, if you are looking for a game centred around the story, Life is Strange: Before the Storm is a game that will stick with you long after you finish playing.
3. Firewatch
Firewatch takes us on a journey with Henry, a man who takes a job as a fire lookout in Wyoming to escape his past. As he communicates with his supervisor, Delilah, through a walkie-talkie, we learn about the struggles that brought him to this point. The game’s beautiful graphics and emotional story make it a true tearjerker.
You will be exploring themes of isolation, grief, and human connection, making it a game that will resonate with players who are looking for a deeper emotional experience. Adult dialogues and serious topics can be frequently seen in Firewatch. Overall a game among the best in the first-person narrative genre. With a playtime of around 4-6 hours, it’s a short but intense experience.
4. Celeste
Celeste is a platformer game that tackles themes of anxiety and self-doubt through the story of Madeline, a young woman attempting to climb Celeste Mountain. As she overcomes physical and mental obstacles, we are drawn into a relatable and emotional tale of finding yourself and personal growth.
The game’s beautiful pixel art and touching soundtrack create a stunning atmosphere that perfectly complements the game’s themes. One of the toughest 2D platformers, and reminding us a lot about Super Meatboy, Celeste is a game that is a must-play for anyone who loves emotional and thought-provoking games.
5. What Remains of Edith Finch
An extraordinary game that tells the story of a young woman returning to her family’s home to uncover the secrets of their past. Through a series of vignettes, we experience the stories of her deceased family members and their struggles with loss, family, and acceptance.
The game’s stunning visuals and unique storytelling make it a standout title on the Nintendo Switch. With themes of grief, family, and identity, What Remains of Edith Finch is a game that will leave you thinking long after you finish playing. Despite being on this tearjerking list, the game can be spooky at times, making you feel uncomfortable at the edge of your seat.
With a playtime of around 2-3 hours, it’s somewhat of a short game, which is one of its downsides. But even so, you might have never played anything like this before and the impact of the story and the way it is recreated for the player are more than original.
6. The Walking Dead: The Final Season
The Walking Dead: The Final Season brings us to the conclusion of the popular game series. As we follow Clementine through a post-apocalyptic world, we experience themes of family, loss, and survival. The game’s emotional ending is a must-play for fans of the series.
With stunning visuals and heart-wrenching moments, The Walking Dead: The Final Season is a game that will leave you with haunting memories. It explores the bonds we make with others and the lengths we go to protect them, making it an unforgettable gaming experience.
It should be safe to say that in terms of quality, Telltale’s Walking Dead games match the quality of the TV show and even surpasses it. This final instalment would be the climax you are undoubtedly looking for.
7. Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons is a unique game that tells the story of two brothers on a journey to save their father. The game’s emotional story explores themes of love, loss, and sacrifice. The game’s unique control scheme, where each brother is controlled with one stick, creates a sense of connectedness between the characters and the player.
The game’s cartoony visuals and touching moments make it a must-play for anyone who loves emotional and thought-provoking games. Being more of an episodic experience due to its length of just above 2.5 hours sadly makes the game quite short, but even so, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons is a game that will make you feel deeply connected to its characters and story.
8. Oxenfree
Oxenfree is a supernatural 2.5D graphic adventure game that tells the story of a group of teenagers on a trip to an abandoned island. The game’s haunting soundtrack and eerie atmosphere create a tense and emotional experience.
As you navigate the relationships between the characters and unravel the island’s secrets, you are taken on an emotional journey of friendship and reflection. The game’s dialogue choices and branching story paths create a personalized experience. Oxenfree is a game that will make you think about the power of choice and the consequences of our actions.
9. Spiritfarer
This one explores themes of loss and acceptance through the story of Stella, a ferry master who helps spirits move on to the afterlife. The game’s great graphics and heartwarming story make it a truly emotional experience. Interaction with the different spirits and learning about their pasts takes you on a journey of self-discovery and empathy.
The gameplay mechanics, where you care for the spirits and build relationships with them, create a sense of emotional investment that is hard to forget. Spiritfarer can be described as a genre-bender having both action-platformer elements and town manager gameplay a la Animal Crossing.
Spiritfarer is a game that will make you appreciate the connections you make with others and the importance of letting go. One of the greatest sides of this title compared to some others in this list is that it is quite lengthy and you will spend a lot of time in a world full of charming characters and touching stories.
10. Night in the Woods
Night in the Woods is a beautifully crafted indie adventure game developed by Infinite Fall. The game is set in the small town of Possum Springs and follows the story of a college dropout named Mae Borowski as she returns home to reconnect with her friends and family.
The game features a stunning hand-drawn art style and a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack that complements the story perfectly.
The graphics are simple yet effective in conveying the emotions and atmosphere of the game. Gameplay-wise, Night in the Woods is a mix of exploration, platforming, and social interaction. The heart of Night in the Woods lies in its story and characters. The game tackles themes such as mental health, identity, and the struggle to find one’s place in the world with sensitivity and depth. The characters are all well-written and feel like real people with their unique quirks and personalities.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, these 10 tearjerking games for the Nintendo Switch offer emotional experiences that will stay with you long after you finish playing. Each game explores different themes of love, loss, and self-discovery, and creates unforgettable moments through their unique gameplay mechanics and storytelling methods. Whether you are looking for a good cry or a deeper emotional connection with a game, these titles are sure to deliver.
If you’re thinking of trying any of these games out, be sure to grab a Nintendo eShop Gift Card from OffGamers here beforehand and be on your way!
Anyways, what is the most tearjerking moment in a video game you can think of? Let us know in the comments below.
