Game fan theories. Don’t you just love them? Speculating on the real meaning behind games has been a favorite fan pass time for as long as games have been around. From linking games together to work out the hidden messages in storyline and plot twists, fan theories abound.
If you’re really into game lore they are a fantastic way of making you think more about the games you play and the meaning behind them. From the plausible to the fantastical, fan theories are found in all corners of the internet.
The greatest trove of them comes from Reddit, where a section of the site is dedicated entirely to speculation about your favorite games, movies and more.
Here I have rounded up some different fan theories from a range of games and gaming franchises. Some have been around for years, while others are more obscure or throw a twist on a more well-known theory. There are a couple which have since been debunked and others which ended up being confirmed. All are equally enticing and add new depths to old games.
As you should expect the article contains spoilers. Although these titles have been out for a while it goes without saying that if you don’t want to know the plot lines then look away now. Otherwise, come with me as I explore the depths of fan theories to find out the real meaning behind some of my favorite games.
30 Destiny: The Guardians Are Actually The Darkness
The storyline of Destiny is that as a player you are one of numerous Guardians, returned to life by The Traveller in order to defeat The Darkness.
The fan theory suggests that rather than being a force against the plot to exterminate the galaxy you are actually a puppet contributing to the destruction of society.
It’s suggested that the vague origin of Guardians, along with their classes of Warlock and Titan, backs up the theory.
When the opponents are wizards and knights you can see why some have speculated that you are on the dark side. Fans have also pointed to a line in the game which states “You do not belong here”
29 The Legend Of Zelda: A Tale Told Over Generations
This theory suggests that The Legend of Zelda is in fact just one tale, retold over generations in new formats and ways. The core story always remains the same but the details begin to differ, reflecting the embellishments and adjustments stories often face as they are retold time and time again.
Further theories suggest the tales eventually get distorted so much that only the red and green outfits and the descriptions of fantastic lands and defeating foes remain and they become the Mario series.
This is especially awesome when you pair it with the elaborate theory that the Nintendo universe was created by Zelda’s goddess Hylia and evolved through Pokémon and into Animal Crossing. Making all the Nintendo characters part of the same universe.
28 The Last Of Us And Uncharted: Both Games Take Place In The Same World
The theory that games from the same studio take place in the same universe is one often touted. Sometimes it’s true and other times it’s just wishful thinking. This theory is flimsy at best and personally, I’m inclined to think it’s more of a hint or Easter Egg.
Uncharted is a very different game to The Last of Us, the former being a fun action-game and the later a dramatic post-apocalyptic drama.
The evidence linking the two is said to be from a headline in a newspaper in Unchartered mentioning a deadly fungus. The theory is this is the cause of the apocalypse in The Last Of Us.
27 Overwatch: Mercy Is An Actual Angel
They were never really here is another popular topic for many games and this Overwatch theory follows those lines. It concerns Mercy, the angelic inspired medic who uses machinery to heal her teammates.
The theory suggests that she is actually an angel, her body utilizing the same technology she uses to heal.
One of her emotes shows her checking her own pulse and laughing. This combined with her angelic appearance gives weight to the theory that her own technology is the only thing keeping her in battle. The original Mercy allegedly checked out years ago.
26 Mario Games: Mario Is An Actor
There are numerous theories about the Mario universe. One confirmed theory is that Super Mario Bros. 3 is a stage play. This theory pushes that concept a stage further and suggests Mario and his friends are all actors and every game is a different tv show, play or movie.
This is said to explain inconsistencies such as why Mario is happy to play tennis against Bowser.
It’s simply a change of program. I guess Mario Tennis is the equivalent of Dancing With The Stars. Other games even have levels called “episodes” which further supports this theory that the Mario world is all a stage.
25 Final Fantasy VII - Aeris Should Have Lived
The fan theory that Aeris should have had a less heartbreaking narrative in FFVII comes from the booklet inside the game itself. There is an image inside it of Aeris looking up at the Highwind. If you play through the game you will discover that this event never happens.
Other aspects of the game support this theory that Aeris was supposed to remain part of your team. These include the empty stone section in the final battle as well as conversations between other characters, convinced she was coming back.
This may be wishful thinking but you cannot deny that last minute or not the choice of fate for Aeris was heartbreaking, memorable and one of the defining moments of the franchise.
24 Call Of Duty: The Franchise Is An Escort Mission
This theory suggests that the entire Call of Duty franchise is, in fact, one very long escort mission, and you are the one being escorted.
The idea is that this explains some of the quirkier features of the game, such as why characters are always telling you what to do. It is also said to explain why you are after shot around, rather than at, and why there is pretty much always someone in front of you, leading the way.
It doesn’t answer the most important question though. If you are being escorted are you actually one of those annoying NPCs who goes faster than walking pace but slower than running speed?
23 Animal Crossing: You’ve Been Relocated To A Cult
An elaborate but chillingly accurate fan theory shines a light on Tom Nook as the leader of a cult. As you read through you realize that the setup really is incredibly reminiscent of being indoctrinated against your will.
You arrive in a town where you are immediately housed, as if you are expected. However, this comes with a price.
Despite the house being in terrible condition, you have already amounted a debt which you need to pay.
You then begin the never-ending cycle of working to earn money to pay off a debt which never ends. As if this wasn’t bad enough you can’t even leave as the entire town has guards around the entrances. This is your entire life now, good luck.
22 Half-Life 2: Gordon Freeman Is A Copy
This theory is an interesting take that tries to resolve some potential issues in the plot between Half-Life and Half-Life 2.
Towards the end of Half-Life, Gordon Freeman is teleported to Xen on a mission. When he completes it he is offered a job by the mysterious G-man.
Cue Half-Life 2 and the Gordon Freeman we meet has seemingly no memory of this epic battle and doesn’t appear to be working for G-man. So what happened?
The theory states that when Gordon jumped through the reactor core he was split into multiple versions of himself, one of which we meet in the second game. Who knows where the others are. Maybe we will see them in Half-Life 3, if it ever gets confirmed.
21 Minecraft: The Planet Was A Star
This crazy Minecraft theory is based on the astronomy of the planet you inhabit. The moon and the sun are always directly opposite each other but the constellations in the sky never change.
Eagle-eyed fan theorists have suggested that this is because everything in the solar system orbits the planet, rather than the planet orbiting the sun.
The explanation for this is said to be that the original sun began to die out so the residents ignited their own planet to create a new dwarf star and then settled on the dead rock that was once their sun.
20 Portal’s Companion Cube Has Sinister Contents
The companion cube is one of the most iconic items in the Portal series. You are tasked to carry around the cube and bring it to the level’s end.
During this time GlaDOS encourages you to ignore the cube, suggesting that you don’t listen to a word it says. Except inanimate cubes shouldn’t be able to talk.
The theory suggests that the cubes actually hold scientists inside them. The drawings on the wall are presented as further evidence that there are people trapped in those cute looking boxes. Are you regretting that trip to the incinerator yet?
19 Kirby 64 The Crystal Shards: Takes Place On Earth
The fifth planet visited by Kirby in Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards is known as the shiver star. When you take a look at the map it bears a remarkable resemblance to earth, just a lot colder.
The planet has familiar contours and even an orbiting moon. This has led many fans to speculate that it is in fact earth after a nuclear winter or some other apocalyptic event.
The presence of abandoned shopping malls and factories further supports the idea that only a few animals and some robots are left of our civilization.
18 Metal Gear Solid Twin Snakes: The Narrative Is Otacon Retelling Stories
This fan theory for Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes suggests that the entire game is just Otacon retelling and embellishing the basic storyline of the first game.
This one is controversial as many others insist that it’s the other way round and the first game is Raiden going through a simulation of what happens in this one.
On balance I think the theory seats better this way round. It would explain the crazy stunts for certain. Everyone loves a little exaggeration when retelling a great story.
17 Super Smash Bros 64: The Characters Are Toys
Super Smash Bros. 64 has always been a fighting game with a difference. It combines multiple characters from several game universes and pits them against each other in battles no one seems to quite understand the rules of.
This theory suggests that the “master hand” from the game, which is shown influencing battles in the opening scenes, is that of a child.
It states that the entire game is a child playing with their favorite toys, forcing them to fight for supremacy. The theory has since been confirmed as accurate in an interview by Time with Satoru Iwata, Nintendo President and CEO.
16 Civilization: The Franchise Takes Place In The Afterlife
This theory about the Civilization series is seemingly based solely on the narrator’s line of “your people call upon you once again, can you build an empire that will withstand the test of time?”
They state that this suggests you as the leader are around for thousands of years, building new empires and seeing how things turn out.
They take inspiration from the Everworld series as they talk about how ancient rulers sit together in the afterlife, overseeing the world and founding new armies, changing timelines and growing empires. I imagine them playing a gigantic board game with the worlds below.
15 The Legend Of Zelda Breath Of The Wild Is Zelda 3 Chronologically
The Legend of Zelda series is one of the most theorized out there, especially when it comes to timeline theories. This one suggests that Breath of The Wild is actually the third game chronologically.
It is suggested that the deep sleep Zelda falls into at the end of Zelda II: The Adventure Of Link is the same one her and Link awake from at the beginning of Breath of The Wild. The lack of any mention of the Tri-force and the destruction of the old Hyrule are also cited as reasons to back up this timeline.
14 Assassin’s Creed: The Animus Machine Predicts Conversations
Assassin’s Creed has moments where the world just stops around you, enabling you to have conversations with people at incredibly inopportune moments. While we know it is because of the Animus the whole concept is never really fully explained.
This theory suggests that many of these conversations may never have happened at all. The idea being that the animus machine actually recreates conversations for that user alone based on the DNA transfer during the bleeding effect. It’s essentially predicting and creating them based on memories, rather than technology.
13 Farcry 3: Jason Is Turning Into Vaas
While Far Cry 3 was released to mostly positive reviews, some were quick to call the storyline out for being predictable, repetitive, and trope-filled.
This fan theory suggests that Jason Brody and Vaas are actually incredibly similar.
They say the repetition of events and symmetry in visuals is used to suggest that the hero and villain in this tale are actually reflections of each other. It’s suggested that Vaas was similar to Jason in the past and the anarchy of the island was enough to turn him, a path Jason is destined to repeat.
12 Mario Games: Luigi Could Destroy The World
Luigi is often thought of as a cowardly character with low self-esteem who lives in his brother’s shadow. But what if he is actually sticking close to Mario for safety?
This theory suggests that Luigi is in fact incredibly powerful and is scared that his natural clumsiness combined with this will cause major damage.
In several Mario games, we see Luigi display extraordinary powers including being the only person capable of accessing the dream world in Dream Team. Given how much chaos he caused in his side story during Paper Mario: Thousand Year Door I think Mario keeping him in line is definitely a good idea!
11 The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim: Don’t Touch The Bug Jars
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim allegedly contains a recipe for total annihilation. Spread across the world are bugs trapped inside different jars. The theory states that these jars are in fact capable of starting an apocalypse.
The supporting evidence is said to be that 5 cities which form a pentagon on the world map. There are also 3 dragon sanctuaries in a similar pattern.
It’s said that if the jars are placed in their corresponding cities you can start a chain of events which ends with fire and brimstone and maybe even some men on horses.
