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The games below are all classics or newer games that are soon to become timeless. Keep in mind while reading that parenting goes far beyond a biological and genetic bond. In fact, some of the strongest parental bonds exist between those who are not related by blood. The child-parent relationship is formed from experience and hardship in these cases. There also are some light spoilers in each entry for their respective games, so skip over them to not have any details revealed.
8 The Last Of Us
Calling The Last of Us the greatest story ever told in gaming might be hyperbole, but it’s difficult to deny the quality of the performances that come from leads Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson. The emotional rollercoaster establishes itself early once the prologue ends with Joel’s biological daughter dying in his arms.
After the time jump, the game follows Joel and Ellie as he reluctantly agrees to transport her across the country. Through the journey, the two form a close relationship and he comes to view Ellie as his own daughter. This all culminates in the ending, where Joel shows exactly how far he is willing to go and what he is willing to give up to save her.
7 Splinter Cell
Sam Fisher may very well know a thousand ways to kill someone with everyday objects lying around the house, but he’s also a loving father. The protagonist of Splinter Cell was married in the 1980s but the couple divorced.
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His ex-wife eventually succumbed to illness and he was left taking care of his daughter Sarah. She is a supporting character throughout the series and eventually becomes the main focus as she is thought to be dead in the later games. Splinter Cell: Conviction reveals her to be among the living and Sam eventually reunites with her.
6 Fallout 4
Fallout 3 was already a big enough departure from the older entries in the Fallout series, but Fallout 4 went even further by giving the protagonist a voice. It helped give emotional weight to the story between the lead and their child.
Where Fallout 3 has the protagonist looking for their father, Fallout 4 is all about searching for their son who is kidnapped while they are in cryostasis after the nuclear apocalypse comes. The player character is not so much concerned with the state of the world as they are with finding their child. In true Fallout fashion, the trek to find the child is not a straightforward one.
5 Heavy Rain
Heavy Rain is a pretty hard one to take in for parents since the entire plot revolves around harm coming to children. Ethan Mars’ story starts with the death of one of his kids. After a time jump and a divorce, his other child is kidnapped by a serial killer.
Throughout the game, the killer’s motive is revealed to be a test of parents’ willingness to sacrifice and do whatever it takes to save their child. Depending on the choices players make, many possible outcomes occur, not all of which are positive.
4 Deathloop
This one will definitely come as a surprise to anyone who has yet to play Deathloop. The whole game revolves around Julianna hunting down the protagonist for reasons that aren’t quite clear. His connection to her is also a mystery.
Through the dialogue, players eventually learn that Julianna is the hero’s daughter. This is played both for comedy and shock as Colt’s amnesia leads him to believe that maybe the two were once lovers. Colt’s wife died before the events of the game’s time loop.
3 The Witcher 3
One of the most interesting things about The Witcher stories is the relationship between Geralt of Rivia and Ciri. The two are not directly related, but Geralt has looked after her for most of her life and has taken a parental role in her upbringing.
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It is particularly fascinating because witchers are often seen as uncaring and only out to get the job done. While Geralt is technically single throughout the game, players do eventually make the choice to end up in a relationship, so it all works out for him in the end.
2 Death Stranding
Death Stranding is all about connections and bonds. What stronger bond is there between a child and their parent? Sam Porter Bridges is not related to BB, but he looks after the child and cares for them despite being constantly told that BB is nothing but a tool to use out in the field.
The gameplay gets players involved in parenting, forcing them to calm BB down when they are in distress. The game also treats players to flashbacks from a mysterious character, Cliff, who is seemingly talking to BB. As the game progresses, players learn that the truth is not so simple, though Cliff is indeed talking to his child as well.
1 God Of War
If one jumped back in time ten years and tell people a future God of War game would have Kratos protecting and raising his child, nobody would believe it. That’s exactly what the 2018 God of War and its sequel, Ragnarok, are about. After his wife dies, Kratos and his son Atreus embark on a journey to spread her ashes at the highest point in Asgard at the home of the giants.
As they travel, Kratos and Atreus go through the growing pains of a troubled relationship, coming out of it on better terms. Kratos struggles with the sins of his past and tried to be a good father despite all he has done and gone through.
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