Changing the tone of a video game runs the risk of alienating the player. The sudden shift can easily disrupt the game’s pacing and, in some cases, dismantles the tone of the entire game. Though some tonal shifts can elevate a narrative, others seek to undermine it.
6 Operation Mi’ihen (Final Fantasy 10)
The threat of Sin is constantly looming on the minds of those who dwell in Spira, but the beginning of the game encourages the player to forget about it. The party ventures to a variety of different locations in Spira as they journey to sacred temples, but their time in Luca offers the most effective false sense of security through the playing of Blitzball. The championship match sees Wakka and the Besaid Aurochs competing against the Luca Goers.
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The light-hearted tone of the story seems to be solidified during these events, but the game eventually disregards these welcoming themes. Upon arriving at the Mushroom Rock Road, the party is informed by Seymour Guado about Bevelle’s attempt to destroy Sin once and for all. They use military-grade machina to pierce the beast’s shield, but it is ineffective, resulting in the deaths of nearly everyone involved. This moment introduces an entirely new sorrowful tone that remains for the rest of the game’s story.
5 Ending E (NieR: Replicant)
The True Ending of NieR: Replicant follows the story of Kaine after the events of the main story. Having successfully defeated the Shadowlord with the help of the protagonist, her memories of him were erased. Ending D saw the protagonist choosing to sacrifice himself to save Kaine, thus erasing all memory of him from those who knew him. Even his sister Yonah has no recollection of him, looking instead to Kaine as a sister in Ending E.
Ending E sees Kaine descending into a world of science-fiction, whereas the entirety of the game prior was rooted solely in fantasy. As she journeys further and further downward below the Forest of Myth, she uncovers a futuristic world full of technology unseen in the land above. This haunting hellscape is a purposeful nod to events yet to occur in NieR: Automata and the new tone it brings completely changes how the game is perceived on a second playthrough.
4 The Proving (Horizon Zero Dawn)
The fifth main quest in Horizon Zero Dawn sees Aloy undergoing a trial referred to as the Proving. The Proving is a ritual that will promote members of the Nora Tribe to Braves, but Aloy partakes in this ceremony in the hope of no longer being restricted to her life as an outcast. At its core, the Proving is nothing more than an extensive race up a snowy mountain. Aloy is victorious, resulting in her transition from an outsider to an official member of the Nora Tribe.
Aloy’s goals have been achieved, so the tone for the rest of the game appears to have been set. However, the Karja then attacked, killing nearly everyone involved in the Proving including Aloy’s father, Rost. This twist served to dismantle what the player perceived the story to be, completely abandoning the coming of age tone and replacing it with themes of rage and vengeance. It is one of the most unexpected twists to appear at the beginning of a game, especially in one where the supposed tone has already been set.
3 Let There Be Light (Rugrats: Search For Reptar)
Rugrats: Search For Reptar follows the story of Tommy Pickles as he attempts to locate the missing pieces to his Reptar jigsaw puzzle. Throughout the game, the player is required to interact with certain objects to play the story associated with them. Once the player enters into the history of a particular puzzle piece, they will be allowed to explore a new world outside the small house they are confined to.
Unlike some of the more charming stages featured in the game, the Let There Be Light level draws from the horror genre with the inclusion of ghost-like enemies known as Shadow Monsters. The house’s electricity is cut, requiring Tommy to navigate his ghost-infested home in search of a new light source. Its utilization of sinister music and jump scares results in one of the most unexpected tonal shifts in video games, turning what was once an endearing children’s game into the stuff of nightmares.
2 Chapter 13 (Final Fantasy 15)
Final Fantasy 15 follows the story of Noctis and his three close companions as they journey to reclaim their home, Insomnia. The bond between the four main characters grows as the narrative progresses, revealing that they share a strong love for each other. Many fans view the friendship building between Noct and his friends to be the best feature in the game.
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Chapter 13 is nothing like the previous parts of the game. It abandons the themes of companionship in favor of horror. A change like this can add a sense of suspense to a story, but the lengthy duration of this level does little else than slow the game’s pacing. Chapter 13 sees Noctis attempting to navigate a series of tight hallways in the hope of rescuing his friends. It is one of the few instances in the game where he is alone, so the usual banter her has with his friends is not able to save the level from its poor execution.
1 Atlantica (Kingdom Hearts 2)
In a universe where each world is under the constant threat of falling to darkness, it makes little sense why Sora, Donald, and Goofy would opt to neglect their duties in favor of journeying to Atlantica. Unlike the other Disney worlds, the story of Atlantica requires the player to play through a selection of both new and original songs to complete. The impressive combat in Kingdom Hearts 2 is nonexistent in Atlantica as the only enemy present is Ursala.
The human-squid hybrid is bested not by the keyblade but by successfully completing the Ursula’s Revenge music event. Though Atlantica is an optional world, the player will need to complete it to unlock the most powerful magic in the game. It is a complete contrast to the other worlds in Kingdom Hearts 2 and has no impact on the plot. The tonal shift it brings quickly pauses the game’s well-earned pacing, making the rest of the campaign seem silly through association.
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