Dead men tell no tales, or at least that’s what so many video-games would coyly have us believe. ‘Tis the month of March already and gaming’s waving the grim reaper’s virtual sickle once again. As Titanfall rains in death by Titan and Dark Souls has us clawing its deathly hands into us from every corner, death is in the air. . .  and only a few of our favorite games have let us live to tell about it.

No respawning, no level selects, no game overs, these were the very best and brightest characters of them all to make it out alive from the cold, dead grasp of permadeath. See what it means to live another day in only the most creative ways video-games can invent.

WARNING! Rated S for Some Spoilerific Content.

The following titles will be spoiled: Metal Gear Solid 2 & 4, Mass Effect 2, Final Fantasy X & X-2, Shadow of the Colossus, and the Force Unleashed.

Reader discretion is advised for reserving your right to blow your mind at your own pace.