The Most Surprising Main Quests in Video Games

Introduction
Video games often rely on compelling main quests to drive their narratives forward. While many follow predictable tropes, some games subvert expectations with twists, emotional depth, or unconventional storytelling. This article explores some of the most surprising main quests in gaming history—those that left players stunned, moved, or questioning everything they thought they knew.

1. BioShock – "Would You Kindly?"

Game: BioShock (2007)
Developer: Irrational Games

One of the most iconic twists in gaming occurs in BioShock. The protagonist, Jack, follows orders from a mysterious figure named Atlas, who frequently says, "Would you kindly?"—a phrase that seems polite but later reveals itself as a mind-control trigger.

Why It’s Surprising:

• The game lulls players into believing they have free will, only to reveal they’ve been manipulated the entire time.
• The twist recontextualizes every previous action, making players question their agency.
• It’s a brilliant commentary on player obedience in linear narratives.

Impact: This moment remains a benchmark for narrative twists in games, proving that interactivity can enhance storytelling in ways other mediums can’t.

2. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – "The Isle of Mists"

Game: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015)
Developer: CD Projekt Red

Geralt’s search for Ciri culminates in "The Isle of Mists," a quest where players finally reunite with her—but not in the way they expect.

Why It’s Surprising:

• The game builds Ciri up as a powerful figure, yet when found, she appears lifeless.
• The emotional weight of Geralt’s reaction (voiced perfectly by Doug Cockle) is devastating.
• The quest’s outcome affects the game’s ending, making player choices matter more than ever.

Impact: This quest proves that even in an open-world RPG, a single moment can carry immense emotional weight.

3. Red Dead Redemption 2 – "Red Dead Redemption"

Game: Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018)
Developer: Rockstar Games

Arthur Morgan’s fate is sealed in the aptly named "Red Dead Redemption" quest, where he confronts his mortality.

Why It’s Surprising:

• Arthur, a hardened outlaw, undergoes a profound moral reckoning.
• His final ride, set to "That’s the Way It Is" by Daniel Lanois, is heartbreaking.
• The game forces players to accept that not all stories have happy endings.

Impact: Few games handle character arcs as masterfully, making Arthur one of gaming’s most tragic protagonists.

4. Spec Ops: The Line – "White Phosphorus"

Game: Spec Ops: The Line (2012)
Developer: Yager Development

This military shooter disguises itself as a generic action game before delivering one of gaming’s most disturbing moments.

Why It’s Surprising:

• Players use white phosphorus to kill enemies, only to discover they’ve massacred civilians.
• The game forces players to confront the horrors of war, breaking the fourth wall with lines like "Do you feel like a hero yet?"
• The narrative deconstructs military shooters, making players complicit in the violence.

Impact: It remains a brutal critique of war games, proving that interactivity can amplify moral dilemmas.

5. NieR: Automata – "Ending E"

Game: NieR: Automata (2017)
Developer: PlatinumGames

After multiple playthroughs, NieR: Automata delivers its true ending in a way no one expected.

Why It’s Surprising:

• The final credits sequence becomes a bullet-hell minigame where players must ask for help from other players’ sacrificed save files.
• The game erases your save data as a final act of solidarity, reinforcing its themes of sacrifice and hope.
• It’s a rare example of gameplay mechanics reinforcing narrative themes.

Impact: Few endings are as meta or emotionally resonant, leaving players in awe of its boldness.

6. Undertale – "The Pacifist Route"

Game: Undertale (2015)
Developer: Toby Fox

Undertale subverts RPG tropes by allowing players to complete the game without killing anyone.

Why It’s Surprising:

• The game remembers every choice, rewarding kindness with a deeply emotional finale.
• Characters like Flowey and Sans break the fourth wall, acknowledging player actions.
• The final boss fight against Asriel is a tearjerker, proving that violence isn’t the only solution.

Impact: It redefined player agency in RPGs, proving that morality systems can be more than superficial.

7. Mass Effect 2 – "The Suicide Mission"

Game: Mass Effect 2 (2010)
Developer: BioWare

The final mission in Mass Effect 2 is a high-stakes operation where any crew member can die.

Why It’s Surprising:

• Player choices throughout the game determine who survives.
• The tension is unmatched—loyalty missions, upgrades, and quick decisions all matter.
• The possibility of Shepard dying was unprecedented for a sequel-driven franchise.

Impact: It set a new standard for consequence-driven storytelling in RPGs.

Conclusion

The best main quests are those that defy expectations, whether through emotional depth, shocking twists, or innovative mechanics. These moments stay with players long after the credits roll, proving that video games are a unique storytelling medium.

Which main quest surprised you the most? Let us know in the comments!

Tags: #Gaming #NarrativeGames #VideoGameQuests #BioShock #TheWitcher3 #RedDeadRedemption2 #SpecOpsTheLine #NieRAutomata #Undertale #MassEffect2