Annoying “Game Over” screens

We don’t like to die in the games we play, and when we do we want to get back into the action as quickly as possible. But sometimes the game has its own idea, getting all up in your face and rubbing in the failure.

The “Game Over” screen: it is the darkness when you need light; it is the game asserting its power over you; it taunts you to give up and affronts your gaming skill.

Here are a few of the worst Game Over screens I have ever experienced

Resident Evil: You Are Dead

I know I am dead, but thanks for rubbing it in. Resident Evil has always featured the “You Are Dead” screen, written in blood. Before the screen pops up you are shown your corpse lying there helpless and…dead.

This screen is extremely poignant given the circumstances of the game: “You Are Dead” could mean that you are now part of the undead zombie hordes; or it could just be a harsh way of mocking your failure – maybe I am just reading too much into this? Braaaaaaaiiiiinsssss…

Resident Evil – You Are Dead

Snake? SNAKE!? SNAAAAAKE!!

When you die in Metal Gear Solid, Otacon screams out at the top of his voice: Snake!

This is very loud and very annoying at times given the pace of the game: you have this silent stealth action game and then this loud and annoying scream that is probably three times louder than the game volume you are used to.

It’s like the most important person in the world just died, and it’s all your fault.

Dark Souls/ Demon’s Souls: You Died

Dark Souls players will be very familiar with this screen. “You Died” is not only the screen you see the most whilst playing Dark Souls, but it’s also the notification of what you just lost.

When this screen pops up you are about to be revived at the bonfire with no souls, you are no longer human, and all those enemies that you just fought to their death, are brought back to life.

In Dark Souls the death screen is more than just a sign of failure, it’s a step closer to even more failure and really just adds salt to your wound.

Dark Souls – You Died

Batman Arkham Series

Among the most creative death screens I have seen in a while came from the Arkham series. When Batman fails in-game, he doesn’t immediately die, but wakes up surrounded by darkness with the villain he is currently pursuing standing in front of him. This villain then rattles off some taunts before presumably sealing Batman’s fate.

This screen shows the villain’s hatred for Batman and drives the player to perform better – it’s clever and perfectly fits the comic book super-villain/hero dynamic.