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The only tears coming from me when Aerith died were tears of laughter.

Metal Gear Solid 3 had the saddest ending in the history of endings, though. I don't think any movie has ever moved me as much.

I can't say I've ever cried because of a video game, but I've been genuinely moved by a few. The endings to Earthbound, Majora's Mask and Wind Waker are the few examples I can think of at the moment. Actually, I'll throw in the ending to a relatively obscure PC game called The Neverhood in as well.

Each of these games managed to get me emotionally invested in its characters because they were interesting, their interactions with each other were sometimes subtle, and they created worlds I really didn't want to leave.

They may not make me cry, but they did make me end the game with a content but bittersweet sigh.

I know the end of Mother 3's Chapter 1 made me cry...it suprised me, I didn't know a game like that could be so sad.  I can think of a moment or in Tales of Symphonia that made me tear up (some of the end, and one of the things that happens to Collette).

First game that popped into my mind was Shadow of the Colossus. Why have you not played it?

I actually got watery eyed during THAT SCENE that happens about half way through Call of Duty 4. That was a damned powerful scene, made even more powerful because it was in a game.

Which that brings me back to SotC's sad scenes, which were also made so much more powerful because they were scenes in a game. In a game you have direct control over a character, but there's nothing you can do to stop the inevitable. That's something a movie or book can never emulate.

Oh, MGS3's sad scene that Roto13 mentions is made all the more powerful because it's a game too.

Actually in general I'm moved more by games BECAUSE of my investment into them as a player, like Alex says. Movies and books are passive experiences, etc. etc.

I cried a little while playing Mass Effect recently. Those who have played the game will know what happens on Virmire.

Aerith dying never really did much for me. But then I've always thought that FF7 was overrated. I just never liked it that much.

I'm definetely agreeing with the ending for MGS3. Most heartbreaking ending to what is ostensibly an action game ever. But then again I consider that MGS3 was the pinnacle of storytelling out of the whole series, because it's the only game in the series to elict such an emotional response from me.

The only game I can recall crying about was the ending of FFX, embarrassingly enough :{

I found Final Fantasy X's ending more sad after playing Final Fantasy X-2, oddly enough.

Maybe I was sad because I knew Yuna was going to go from Summoner Barbie to Charlie's Angel.

Atari's ET the Extra-terrestrial.

Dude, you run out of those Reeses Pieces and then you died...and you had to wait until the kid comes back to revive you. What if he didn't come back?

It was tragic...and all in 16 bit.

Yeah  the SotC scene is rather saddening, but for somereason Kingdom Hearts had a really sad ending to me too, even if it was redeemed by the idea of a sequel.  Friends beign sent to the far reaches of the universe after so much time trying to find each other? depressing.

Suikoden II.  There are multiple times where the game is just heartbreaking.  Knowing Jowy's reasonings, and also waiting for Jowy to return by the castle gate are really subtle but "real" touches on the game.  Xenogears as well.  2nd disc had a few moments in the story where you just feel the weight of the game creep up.  Toss in Mother 3 as well.

Games like FFVII who over dramatize death scenes and such to try and evoke emotions never do it.  It's gotta be more subtle.

I was 21 years old when I played FF7. I've always been a fan of Mortal Kombat, Rambo movies...you get the drift. I'm a tattooed, 6 foot tall, 200 pound redneck and avid gun collector. Stone Cold Steve Austin is a hero of mine. But all those years back I was playing Final Fantasy 7. I read in the strategy guide that Aeris was ready to kick the bucket. I was prepared...so I thought.

    After seeing Cloud shaking and holding her body, and the materia fall into the water...after angrily destroying the Jenova monster and watching Cloud drop Aeris' body into the water...I saved my game, placed disc one into the case, turned off the tv, went up to my bedroom and began crying like a baby. No bullshit...a grown man with an affinity for tattoos and guns crying like a baby.

    So yeah, video games that work like interactive movies can bring anyone to tears.