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* ''VideoGame/UpsilonCircuit'' doesn't let you play again after your character dies. Sadly, the game was cancelled, so the opportunity to explore it further couldn't be realized.
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* ''VideoGame/UpsilonCircuit'' doesn't let you play again after your character dies. Sadly, However, the game was cancelled, so the opportunity to explore it further couldn't be realized.
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* An indie game on UsefulNotes/{{Steam}}, called "RussianRoulette: One Life", allowed the user to virtually play the titular game with the twist that, if you lose, you will never be able to play again. As in the game in real life, you get exactly one death and it's for keeps![[note]There was a DownloadableContent option offered to pay $5 and attempt the game more than once-- as a ghost, with your score on a separate leaderboard from the main game.[[/note]]
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* An indie game on UsefulNotes/{{Steam}}, called "RussianRoulette: One Life", allowed the user to virtually play the titular game with the twist that, if you lose, you will never be able to play again. As in the game in real life, you get exactly one death and it's for keeps![[note]There keeps![[note]]There was a DownloadableContent option offered to pay $5 and attempt the game more than once-- as a ghost, with your score on a separate leaderboard from the main game.[[/note]]
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* An indie game on UsefulNotes/{{Steam}}, called "RussianRoulette: One Life", allowed the user to virtually play the titular game with the twist that, if you lose, you will never be able to play again. As in the game in real life, you get exactly one death and it's for keeps![[note]There was a DownloadableContent option offered to pay $5 and attempt the game more than once-- as a ghost, with your score on a separate leaderboard from the main game.[[/note]]
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* ''VideoGame/LoseLose'' is a {{Freeware}} ShootEmUp where if you collide with an enemy ship, the game deletes itself, but for every enemy you destroy the game ''permanently deletes another random file on your computer''. [[SchmuckBait Hence the name.]]
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* ''VideoGame/LoseLose'' is a {{Freeware}} ShootEmUp where if you collide with an enemy ship, [[DeletionAsPunishment the game deletes itself, itself]], but for every enemy you destroy the game ''permanently deletes another random file on your computer''. [[SchmuckBait Hence the name.]]
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misuse of "a.k.a."
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But this trope is for the hardest of the hard games, where if you lose, you don't even get to retry. You just can't play anymore. A.k.a you either be a PerfectPlayAI your first time through, or you can't play again.
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But this trope is for the hardest of the hard games, where if you lose, you don't even get to retry. You just can't play anymore. A.k.a any more. That is, you must either be a PerfectPlayAI your first time through, or you can't play again.
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* The game in ''Film/StayAlive'' summons the spirit of the Blood Countess in its intro sequence. If your character in the game dies, she hunts you down and kills you in the same way. Not only that, but if you turn the game off or pause for too long, it will take control of your avatar itself--it... isn't very good at playing itself, so you either win, or die eventually. The {{tagline}} is:
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* The game in ''Film/StayAlive'' ''Film/StayAlive2006'' summons the spirit of the Blood Countess in its intro sequence. If your character in the game dies, she hunts you down and kills you in the same way. Not only that, but if you turn the game off or pause for too long, it will take control of your avatar itself--it... isn't very good at playing itself, so you either win, or die eventually. The {{tagline}} is:
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[[folder:Role-playing Games]]
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Compare AllDeathsFinal for other media where characters only get one life (and in reality, for that matter). Given that [[WeAllDieSomeday all people are mortal]], this could be considered TruthInTelevision. Make the most of it.
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Compare AllDeathsFinal for other media where characters only get one life (and in reality, for that matter). Given that [[WeAllDieSomeday all people are mortal]], this could be considered TruthInTelevision. [[CarpeDiem Make the most of it.]]
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There. I found a compromise.
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Compare AllDeathsFinal for other media where characters only get one life (and in reality, for that matter). Given that [[WeAllDieSomeday all people are mortal]], this could be considered TruthInTelevision.
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Compare AllDeathsFinal for other media where characters only get one life (and in reality, for that matter). Given that [[WeAllDieSomeday all people are mortal]], this could be considered TruthInTelevision. Make the most of it.
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I feel like this is a more sensible way to split up the page since Danganronpa V3 itself is not an example of the trope.
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!!Video Game examples:
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[[folder:Visual Novels]]
* In ''VisualNovel/DanganronpaV3KillingHarmony'', Monokuma creates a VR game [[spoiler:using the code from the LotusEaterMachine from [[VisualNovel/Danganronpa2GoodbyeDespair the previous killing game]]]] and it's explained that if you suffer fatal trauma in the game, your real body goes into shock and dies as a result. Guess what happens immediately after.
[[/folder]]
* In ''VisualNovel/DanganronpaV3KillingHarmony'', Monokuma creates a VR game [[spoiler:using the code from the LotusEaterMachine from [[VisualNovel/Danganronpa2GoodbyeDespair the previous killing game]]]] and it's explained that if you suffer fatal trauma in the game, your real body goes into shock and dies as a result. Guess what happens immediately after.
[[/folder]]
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!!Non-video game examples:
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[[folder:Visual Novels]]
* In ''VisualNovel/DanganronpaV3KillingHarmony'', Monokuma creates a VR game [[spoiler:using the code from the LotusEaterMachine from [[VisualNovel/Danganronpa2GoodbyeDespair the previous killing game]]]] and it's explained that if you suffer fatal trauma in the game, your real body goes into shock and dies as a result. Obviously, someone exploits this to commit a murder in the game world.
[[/folder]]
* In ''VisualNovel/DanganronpaV3KillingHarmony'', Monokuma creates a VR game [[spoiler:using the code from the LotusEaterMachine from [[VisualNovel/Danganronpa2GoodbyeDespair the previous killing game]]]] and it's explained that if you suffer fatal trauma in the game, your real body goes into shock and dies as a result. Obviously, someone exploits this to commit a murder in the game world.
[[/folder]]
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[[folder:Real Life]]
Make the most of it.
[[/folder]]
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[[folder:Real Life]]
Make the most of it.
[[/folder]]
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Although, giving only one try is rarely implemented because replayablility is something most game makers want, and given this strong deviation from regular games, chances are, at least a few {{Unwinnable Joke Game}}s may be on here. Lastly, it might be done in more conventional games by applying it to a {{Minigame}} or GameWithinAGame, to make an UnwinnableByDesign, or loss state for a game session, where another attempt is only possible in another timeline / restoring a save.
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Although, giving only one try is rarely implemented because replayablility replayability is something most game makers want, and given this strong deviation from regular games, chances are, at least a few {{Unwinnable Joke Game}}s may be on here. Lastly, it might be done in more conventional games by applying it to a {{Minigame}} or GameWithinAGame, to make an UnwinnableByDesign, or loss state for a game session, where another attempt is only possible in another timeline / restoring a save.
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* In the 1986 game ''Sub Mission: A Matter of Life and Death'' (described in a Polygon article [[https://www.polygon.com/features/2016/10/10/13192240/sub-mission-self-destructing-game-1986 here]]), you have two human characters who can pilot the sub. If your sub is destroyed, the human stays dead indefinitely -- even after rebooting the game. You could resurrect a dead human once, but if both humans died and you had no more chances, the game would become unplayable -- your only choice would be to mail the publisher a few dollars for a replacement disc.
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* ''WebVideo/SwordArtOnlineAbridged'' uses the same premise as its source material, with one key distinction: [[spoiler:the whole "players die when their avatars do" deal is actually a GameBreakingBug that came up with ''SAO''[='s=] designer was [[ChristmasRushed rushing to finish the game in time for the NerveGear's launch.]] By the time he found out about the glitch he'd lost his mind from sleep deprivation, so Kayaba decided to [[IMeantToDoThat double-down]], lock everyone in the game, and present himself as a nefarious mastermind rather than a colossal fuck-up.]]
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* ''WebVideo/SwordArtOnlineAbridged'' uses the same premise as its source material, with one key distinction: [[spoiler:the whole "players die when their avatars do" deal is actually a GameBreakingBug that came up with ''SAO''[='s=] designer was [[ChristmasRushed rushing to finish the game in time for the NerveGear's launch.]] By the time he found out about the glitch he'd [[ExhaustionInducedIdiocy lost his mind from sleep deprivation, deprivation]], so Kayaba decided to [[IMeantToDoThat double-down]], lock everyone in the game, and present himself as a nefarious mastermind rather than a colossal fuck-up.]]
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Cut trope. Can't tell if replacement or any others are applicable.
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* ''TabletopGame/{{Pandemic}} Legacy'' is a spin-off trilogy where each game is designed as a MedicalDrama-turned-ConspiracyThriller, to be played once each due to [[ShockingSwerve dramatic twists]] that aren't meant to be anticipated ahead of time. Players are expected to permanently change cards and the gameboard itself, by customising them with writing and stickers and scratching away layers to reveal additional information and even destroying them when instructed. In addition, there is an entire set of hidden cards that are only to be punched out of their panel to reveal new mechanics after specific rounds or when certain conditions are met, like an advent calendar of horrible death.
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* ''TabletopGame/{{Pandemic}} Legacy'' is a spin-off trilogy where each game is designed as a MedicalDrama-turned-ConspiracyThriller, to be played once each due to [[ShockingSwerve dramatic twists]] twists that aren't meant to be anticipated ahead of time. Players are expected to permanently change cards and the gameboard itself, by customising them with writing and stickers and scratching away layers to reveal additional information and even destroying them when instructed. In addition, there is an entire set of hidden cards that are only to be punched out of their panel to reveal new mechanics after specific rounds or when certain conditions are met, like an advent calendar of horrible death.
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Compare AllDeathsFinal for other media where characters only get one life (and in reality, for that matter).
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Compare AllDeathsFinal for other media where characters only get one life (and in reality, for that matter). Given that [[WeAllDieSomeday all people are mortal]], this could be considered TruthInTelevision.
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Cut per Real Life cleanup
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[[folder:Real Life]]
Make the most of it.
[[/folder]]
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* ''VideoGame/YouOnlyLiveOnce'' is a UsefulNotes/AdobeFlash game and parody of ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'' that, as the title implies, only gives you one life. No matter how you end it, win or lose, you can only watch cutscenes detailing what happens afterwards, unless you delete your flash history.
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* ''VideoGame/YouOnlyLiveOnce'' is a an UsefulNotes/AdobeFlash game and parody of ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'' that, as the title implies, only gives you one life. No matter how you end it, win or lose, you can only watch cutscenes detailing what happens afterwards, unless you delete your flash history.
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* With the boom of live-action [[RoomEscapeGame Room Escape Games]] that began in the early 2010s, several companies, such as Kosmos, have created "home" versions of the rooms (Kosmos's, for example, are called Exit: The Game) for players to solve at their leisure. Many of the puzzles in the games involve cutting, twisting, assembling, writing on, and generally manipulating pieces, meaning that once the challenge is completed once, it can't be done again.
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* With the boom of live-action [[RoomEscapeGame Room {{Room Escape Games]] Game}}s that began in the early 2010s, several companies, such as Kosmos, have created "home" versions of the rooms (Kosmos's, for example, are called Exit: ''Exit: The Game) Game'') for players to solve at their leisure. Many of the puzzles in the games involve cutting, twisting, assembling, writing on, and generally manipulating pieces, meaning that once the challenge is completed once, it can't be done again.
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* In the ''WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents'' episode "Power Mad", Timmy wishes for a VR game that he can't wish out of. Timmy, Chester and AJ then have to finish the game without losing all three of their lives; otherwise they'll be destroyed.
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* In the ''WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents'' episode [[Recap/TheFairlyOddParentsS1E2PowerMad "Power Mad", Mad"]], Timmy wishes for a VR game that he can't wish out of. Timmy, Chester and AJ then have to finish the game without losing all three of their lives; otherwise they'll be destroyed.
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Compare AllDeathsFinal for other media where characters only get one life (and in reality, for that matter).
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** Many table-top EscapeRoomGame
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* Kosmos has a series of TabletopGames (Exit: The Game). Since the players end up cutting and marking the playing pieces, it's billed as a One-Shot Game.
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* Kosmos has a series With the boom of TabletopGames (Exit: live-action [[RoomEscapeGame Room Escape Games]] that began in the early 2010s, several companies, such as Kosmos, have created "home" versions of the rooms (Kosmos's, for example, are called Exit: The Game). Since the Game) for players end up cutting to solve at their leisure. Many of the puzzles in the games involve cutting, twisting, assembling, writing on, and marking the playing generally manipulating pieces, it's billed as a One-Shot Game.meaning that once the challenge is completed once, it can't be done again.
** Many table-top EscapeRoomGame
** Many table-top EscapeRoomGame
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[[folder:Stealth-Based Game]]
* One of the [[WhatCouldHaveBeen original concepts]] for ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid'' was that dying would not only kill Snake permanently, but make the game unplayable.
[[/folder]]
* One of the [[WhatCouldHaveBeen original concepts]] for ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid'' was that dying would not only kill Snake permanently, but make the game unplayable.
[[/folder]]
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* ''VideoGames/LoseLose'' is a {{Freeware}} ShootEmUp where if you collide with an enemy ship, the game deletes itself, but for every enemy you destroy the game ''permanently deletes another random file on your computer''. [[SchmuckBait Hence the name.]]
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* ''VideoGames/LoseLose'' ''VideoGame/LoseLose'' is a {{Freeware}} ShootEmUp where if you collide with an enemy ship, the game deletes itself, but for every enemy you destroy the game ''permanently deletes another random file on your computer''. [[SchmuckBait Hence the name.]]
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[[folder:Real Life]]
Make the most of it.
[[/folder]]
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[[folder:Unsorted]]
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* In the ''WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents'' episode "Power Mad", Timmy wishes for a VR game that he can't wish out of. Timmy, Chester, and AJ then have to finish the game without losing all three of their lives otherwise they'll be destroyed.
to:
* In the ''WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents'' episode "Power Mad", Timmy wishes for a VR game that he can't wish out of. Timmy, Chester, Chester and AJ then have to finish the game without losing all three of their lives lives; otherwise they'll be destroyed.
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* In ''WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents'' episode "Power Mad", Timmy wishes for a VR game that he can't wish out of. Timmy, Chester, and AJ then have to finish the game without losing all three of their lives otherwise they'll be destroyed.
to:
* In the ''WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents'' episode "Power Mad", Timmy wishes for a VR game that he can't wish out of. Timmy, Chester, and AJ then have to finish the game without losing all three of their lives otherwise they'll be destroyed.
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!!Video Game Examples:
!!Video Game examples:
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* ''VideoGame/YouOnlyLiveOnce'' is a UsefulNotes/AdobeFlash game and parody of ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'' that, as the title implies, only gives you one life. No matter how you end it, win or lose, you can only watch cutscenes detailing what happens afterwards. [[spoiler:Unless you delete your flash history.]]
to:
* ''VideoGame/YouOnlyLiveOnce'' is a UsefulNotes/AdobeFlash game and parody of ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'' that, as the title implies, only gives you one life. No matter how you end it, win or lose, you can only watch cutscenes detailing what happens afterwards. [[spoiler:Unless afterwards, unless you delete your flash history.]]
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!!Other mediums:
[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
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[[folder:Anime
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[[folder:Film - Live-Action]]
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[[folder:Live-Action Television]]
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[[folder:Live-Action Television]]TV]]
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Created from YKTTW
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In the hardest of games, which might even be NintendoHard, mistakes are, well, ''hard'' to recover from using the save system. There might be OnlyOneSaveFile, or you can't save at all, and you need to take your mistakes with a BladderOfSteel.
But this trope is for the hardest of the hard games, where if you lose, you don't even get to retry. You just can't play anymore. A.k.a you either be a PerfectPlayAI your first time through, or you can't play again.
If it's a separate mode and it isn't regularly like this, then it's FinalDeathMode. If it's not a separate mode, but you can try again with a different character, that's {{Permadeath}}.
This trope is most common with personal computer games, as its programs have capabilities like storing information in the registry, which users usually don't access, to signal the program that it's already been played and should stop replays.
Although, giving only one try is rarely implemented because replayablility is something most game makers want, and given this strong deviation from regular games, chances are, at least a few {{Unwinnable Joke Game}}s may be on here. Lastly, it might be done in more conventional games by applying it to a {{Minigame}} or GameWithinAGame, to make an UnwinnableByDesign, or loss state for a game session, where another attempt is only possible in another timeline / restoring a save.
This trope has high overlap with TheMostDangerousVideoGame, usually when YourMindMakesItReal, because then there's automatic tension in how every mistake brings the protagonist closer to death. But it's also rare without a special protagonist, otherwise it'd be strange if an inexperienced gamer doesn't die, due to inexperience.
Speaking of other tropes, having ExtraLives ''usually'', but not always, means an aversion of this trope due to being against the "only one try" philosophy that comprises these games.
----
!!Video Game Examples:
[[foldercontrol]]
[[folder:Platform Games]]
* ''VideoGame/YouOnlyLiveOnce'' is a UsefulNotes/AdobeFlash game and parody of ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'' that, as the title implies, only gives you one life. No matter how you end it, win or lose, you can only watch cutscenes detailing what happens afterwards. [[spoiler:Unless you delete your flash history.]]
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Role-playing Games]]
* ''VideoGame/OneShot'': The original free version only gives the player one chance at beating it, as closing the game will kill Niko and prevent the player from ever playing it again. This limitation was removed in the commercial Steam version (though the player gets an achievement if they still adhere to it).
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Shoot 'Em Up]]
* ''VideoGames/LoseLose'' is a {{Freeware}} ShootEmUp where if you collide with an enemy ship, the game deletes itself, but for every enemy you destroy the game ''permanently deletes another random file on your computer''. [[SchmuckBait Hence the name.]]
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Visual Novels]]
* In ''VisualNovel/DanganronpaV3KillingHarmony'', Monokuma creates a VR game [[spoiler:using the code from the LotusEaterMachine from [[VisualNovel/Danganronpa2GoodbyeDespair the previous killing game]]]] and it's explained that if you suffer fatal trauma in the game, your real body goes into shock and dies as a result. Guess what happens immediately after.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Unsorted]]
* ''VideoGame/OneChance'' is a game that locks you at the end screen once you've beaten it. Once you do, a cookie prevents you from ever restarting it to try and get a new ending.
* ''VideoGame/UpsilonCircuit'' doesn't let you play again after your character dies. Sadly, the game was cancelled, so the opportunity to explore it further couldn't be realized.
[[/folder]]
!!Other mediums:
[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
* ''Anime/SwordArtOnline'': An adaptation of the LightNovel of the same name, is about the world's first Virtual Reality MMORPG in which the creator tries to increase its realism by taking out magic and also adding the fact that if you die in game, your headset will microwave your brain making death final. The story ends with about 4000 people dying. The protagonist survives due to having been a part of the non-lethal beta tests and therefore has more experience than most everyone else.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Comic Strips]]
* ''ComicStrip/ThePerryBibleFellowship'': [[https://pbfcomics.com/comics/game-system/ "Game System"]], where YourMindMakesItReal, implying this because you can only die once, but it appears quitting the game without death is possible, since another player wants a turn, which presumably would not involve the death of the first player.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Fan Works]]
* ''Fanfic/FairyDanceOfDeath'' uses the same premise as its source material, that "players die when their avatars do", in ''Sword Art Online'', except now it's ''Alfheim Online''. The protagonist survives due to having been a part of the non-lethal beta tests and therefore has more experience than most everyone else.
* ''Fanfic/FateRevelationOnline'': Subverted. Early on, Illya is able to briefly connect with the outside world, and discovers that people who have died in the game have ''not'' died in the real world (though the ones who had their [=NerveGear=] removed really did die). This is an important enough secret that Kayaba Akahiko himself immediately contacts Illya and makes a deal so that she will keep the secret; his experiment requires that the players truly believe they could die. [[spoiler:Yui, the Mental Health AI, is using at least some of them to test new game features]].
* ''Fanfic/IWillNotBow'': uses the same premise as its source material, that "players die when their avatars do", in ''Sword Art Online'', except now it's ''Alfheim Online''. The protagonist survives due to having help from the source protagonist who was part of the non-lethal beta tests and therefore has more experience than most everyone else.
* ''Fanfic/TheKiritaChronicles'' uses the same premise as its source material, that "players die when their avatars do" of ''LightNovel/SwordArtOnline''. The protagonist survives due to having help from the source protagonist who was part of the non-lethal beta tests and therefore has more experience than most everyone else.
* ''Fanfic/LiveToSeeTheEndOfTheWorld'': It uses the same premise as its source material, that "players die when their avatars do", in ''Sword Art Online''.
* ''Fanfic/{{Nightblade}}'': It uses the same premise as its source material, that "players die when their avatars do", in ''Sword Art Online''.
* ''WebVideo/SwordArtOnlineAbridged'' uses the same premise as its source material, with one key distinction: [[spoiler:the whole "players die when their avatars do" deal is actually a GameBreakingBug that came up with ''SAO''[='s=] designer was [[ChristmasRushed rushing to finish the game in time for the NerveGear's launch.]] By the time he found out about the glitch he'd lost his mind from sleep deprivation, so Kayaba decided to [[IMeantToDoThat double-down]], lock everyone in the game, and present himself as a nefarious mastermind rather than a colossal fuck-up.]]
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Film - Live-Action]]
* In ''Film/{{Gamer}}'', the player avatars in ''Slayers'', the [[TheMostDangerousVideoGame fictional video game]] at the center of the film, are real [[CondemnedContestant death-row inmates]] who have offered to have computer chips installed in their heads so that they can be controlled by people in a violent FirstPersonShooter meets real-life DeadlyGame. When they survive thirty matches, they win their freedom. Needless to say, none have made it so far.
* ''Film/SpyKids3DGameOver'': The virtual reality game, ''Game Over'', has a play on this, where while VideoGameLives exists, if you lose all your lives, "You lose. No replays, no restarts." And judging by what happens when one person loses their lives, well...
* The game in ''Film/StayAlive'' summons the spirit of the Blood Countess in its intro sequence. If your character in the game dies, she hunts you down and kills you in the same way. Not only that, but if you turn the game off or pause for too long, it will take control of your avatar itself--it... isn't very good at playing itself, so you either win, or die eventually. The {{tagline}} is:
-->You die in the game-You die for real.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Literature]]
* In ''LightNovel/MagicalGirlRaisingProject Restart'', 16 magical girls are trapped in a VR game designed to test their aptitude as magical girls. They spend three days within the game ([[YearInsideHourOutside which is essentially nothing in the real world]]), then 3 days in the real world so as to not forget what they have. While they could just hang around in the safe starting area indefinitely, in order to permanently escape they must defeat the Evil King, so they set out to defeat monsters and clear the areas to make their way to the final dungeon.[[YourMindMakesItReal Of course, death in the game means death in real life]], and they're not allowed to contact others for help. [[spoiler:The win condition is a bit more complicated than beating a final boss however, as one of the players is the Evil King, and their goal is to kill the other 15 players, which is unknown to anyone else. Ultimately the Evil King is exposed and kills herself, but not before all but 3 other players die.]]
* The novel ''LightNovel/SwordArtOnline'' is about the world's first Virtual Reality MMORPG in which the creator tries to increase its realism by taking out magic and also adding the fact that if you die in game, your headset will microwave your brain making death final. The story ends with about 4000 people dying. The protagonist survives due to having been a part of the non-lethal beta tests and therefore has more experience than most everyone else.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Live-Action Television]]
* "New Cap City" in ''Series/{{Caprica}}''. A {{Dieselpunk}} {{Cyberspace}} {{MMORPG}}. Dying once doesn't just permanently destroy your character but bans you from the game for life.
* ''Series/KamenRiderExAid'': This is the ultimate goal of Kuroto Dan. His game, ''Kamen Rider Chronicle'', is created to turn everyone in the world into a Kamen Rider and force them into an endless fight for survival where a GameOver means dying for real. While he dies before the game is completed, his former partner-in-crime Parado proceeds to take over and manages to complete the game. Parado, being a "Bugster" game character come to life, uses it as a means for his fellow Bugsters to ultimately wipe out humanity. Later reveals throw new wrinkles into this: ''Kamen Rider Chronicle'' actually [[spoiler:backs up users' data so that nobody really dies; Kuroto in his own twisted way even intended it as a medical tool to save the lives of people with otherwise incurable ailments. This doesn't actually make anything better, as whoever's in charge of ''Kamen Rider Chronicle'' has full control of who gets to respawn [[CameBackWrong and how]], and by this point in the series it's in the hands of Kuroto's father Masamune, who holds players' lives hostage to get more and more people playing.]]
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
* Kosmos has a series of TabletopGames (Exit: The Game). Since the players end up cutting and marking the playing pieces, it's billed as a One-Shot Game.
* ''TabletopGame/{{Pandemic}} Legacy'' is a spin-off trilogy where each game is designed as a MedicalDrama-turned-ConspiracyThriller, to be played once each due to [[ShockingSwerve dramatic twists]] that aren't meant to be anticipated ahead of time. Players are expected to permanently change cards and the gameboard itself, by customising them with writing and stickers and scratching away layers to reveal additional information and even destroying them when instructed. In addition, there is an entire set of hidden cards that are only to be punched out of their panel to reveal new mechanics after specific rounds or when certain conditions are met, like an advent calendar of horrible death.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Webcomics]]
* ''Webcomic/AmazingSuperPowers'': Parodied in [[http://www.amazingsuperpowers.com/2011/10/play-a-game/ "Play a Game"]]. The game in question? [[spoiler:Real life basketball]]. Which makes sense, because it's [[spoiler:real life]]:
-->'''Andy:''' If you die in this game... you die in real life.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Web Original]]
* The most-recognised story on Blog/InvisibleGames was a {{Creepypasta}} about ''Killswitch'', a surreal puzzle-platformer from 1989 with two characters - a size-changing human woman named Porto, and a powerful but invisible demon named Ghast. The game completely erased itself after one attempt, but after considerable effort, curious fans eventually managed to figure out the final MoonLogicPuzzle to complete Porto's storyline, only to find it had NoEnding; Ghast's story was ''never'' completed, because his invisibility made him [[AwesomeButImpractical impossible to play in a platforming game]], and Porto's relative accessibility and the limited number of copies published prevented the fanbase from ever figuring it out. The last known copy was supposedly purchased at auction in 2005 by a fan who promised to [[LetsPlay record his efforts with community input]], but the only video that ever surfaced only showed him, [[SadisticChoice sitting at the character select screen]] and [[BrokenTears crying]].
* ''Wiki/SCPFoundation'': [[http://www.scp-wiki.net/scp-1315 SCP-1315]], where only one attempt is possible because of some reason other than being lethal on loss. It's an NES cartridge that contains a "game" in which hazards manifest in real life, albeit only to the ones who are playing it. When you die in the "game", you vanish, and it is implied that you become minions for the "game".
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Western Animation]]
* In ''WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents'' episode "Power Mad", Timmy wishes for a VR game that he can't wish out of. Timmy, Chester, and AJ then have to finish the game without losing all three of their lives otherwise they'll be destroyed.
[[/folder]]
----
But this trope is for the hardest of the hard games, where if you lose, you don't even get to retry. You just can't play anymore. A.k.a you either be a PerfectPlayAI your first time through, or you can't play again.
If it's a separate mode and it isn't regularly like this, then it's FinalDeathMode. If it's not a separate mode, but you can try again with a different character, that's {{Permadeath}}.
This trope is most common with personal computer games, as its programs have capabilities like storing information in the registry, which users usually don't access, to signal the program that it's already been played and should stop replays.
Although, giving only one try is rarely implemented because replayablility is something most game makers want, and given this strong deviation from regular games, chances are, at least a few {{Unwinnable Joke Game}}s may be on here. Lastly, it might be done in more conventional games by applying it to a {{Minigame}} or GameWithinAGame, to make an UnwinnableByDesign, or loss state for a game session, where another attempt is only possible in another timeline / restoring a save.
This trope has high overlap with TheMostDangerousVideoGame, usually when YourMindMakesItReal, because then there's automatic tension in how every mistake brings the protagonist closer to death. But it's also rare without a special protagonist, otherwise it'd be strange if an inexperienced gamer doesn't die, due to inexperience.
Speaking of other tropes, having ExtraLives ''usually'', but not always, means an aversion of this trope due to being against the "only one try" philosophy that comprises these games.
----
!!Video Game Examples:
[[foldercontrol]]
[[folder:Platform Games]]
* ''VideoGame/YouOnlyLiveOnce'' is a UsefulNotes/AdobeFlash game and parody of ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'' that, as the title implies, only gives you one life. No matter how you end it, win or lose, you can only watch cutscenes detailing what happens afterwards. [[spoiler:Unless you delete your flash history.]]
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Role-playing Games]]
* ''VideoGame/OneShot'': The original free version only gives the player one chance at beating it, as closing the game will kill Niko and prevent the player from ever playing it again. This limitation was removed in the commercial Steam version (though the player gets an achievement if they still adhere to it).
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Shoot 'Em Up]]
* ''VideoGames/LoseLose'' is a {{Freeware}} ShootEmUp where if you collide with an enemy ship, the game deletes itself, but for every enemy you destroy the game ''permanently deletes another random file on your computer''. [[SchmuckBait Hence the name.]]
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Visual Novels]]
* In ''VisualNovel/DanganronpaV3KillingHarmony'', Monokuma creates a VR game [[spoiler:using the code from the LotusEaterMachine from [[VisualNovel/Danganronpa2GoodbyeDespair the previous killing game]]]] and it's explained that if you suffer fatal trauma in the game, your real body goes into shock and dies as a result. Guess what happens immediately after.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Unsorted]]
* ''VideoGame/OneChance'' is a game that locks you at the end screen once you've beaten it. Once you do, a cookie prevents you from ever restarting it to try and get a new ending.
* ''VideoGame/UpsilonCircuit'' doesn't let you play again after your character dies. Sadly, the game was cancelled, so the opportunity to explore it further couldn't be realized.
[[/folder]]
!!Other mediums:
[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
* ''Anime/SwordArtOnline'': An adaptation of the LightNovel of the same name, is about the world's first Virtual Reality MMORPG in which the creator tries to increase its realism by taking out magic and also adding the fact that if you die in game, your headset will microwave your brain making death final. The story ends with about 4000 people dying. The protagonist survives due to having been a part of the non-lethal beta tests and therefore has more experience than most everyone else.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Comic Strips]]
* ''ComicStrip/ThePerryBibleFellowship'': [[https://pbfcomics.com/comics/game-system/ "Game System"]], where YourMindMakesItReal, implying this because you can only die once, but it appears quitting the game without death is possible, since another player wants a turn, which presumably would not involve the death of the first player.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Fan Works]]
* ''Fanfic/FairyDanceOfDeath'' uses the same premise as its source material, that "players die when their avatars do", in ''Sword Art Online'', except now it's ''Alfheim Online''. The protagonist survives due to having been a part of the non-lethal beta tests and therefore has more experience than most everyone else.
* ''Fanfic/FateRevelationOnline'': Subverted. Early on, Illya is able to briefly connect with the outside world, and discovers that people who have died in the game have ''not'' died in the real world (though the ones who had their [=NerveGear=] removed really did die). This is an important enough secret that Kayaba Akahiko himself immediately contacts Illya and makes a deal so that she will keep the secret; his experiment requires that the players truly believe they could die. [[spoiler:Yui, the Mental Health AI, is using at least some of them to test new game features]].
* ''Fanfic/IWillNotBow'': uses the same premise as its source material, that "players die when their avatars do", in ''Sword Art Online'', except now it's ''Alfheim Online''. The protagonist survives due to having help from the source protagonist who was part of the non-lethal beta tests and therefore has more experience than most everyone else.
* ''Fanfic/TheKiritaChronicles'' uses the same premise as its source material, that "players die when their avatars do" of ''LightNovel/SwordArtOnline''. The protagonist survives due to having help from the source protagonist who was part of the non-lethal beta tests and therefore has more experience than most everyone else.
* ''Fanfic/LiveToSeeTheEndOfTheWorld'': It uses the same premise as its source material, that "players die when their avatars do", in ''Sword Art Online''.
* ''Fanfic/{{Nightblade}}'': It uses the same premise as its source material, that "players die when their avatars do", in ''Sword Art Online''.
* ''WebVideo/SwordArtOnlineAbridged'' uses the same premise as its source material, with one key distinction: [[spoiler:the whole "players die when their avatars do" deal is actually a GameBreakingBug that came up with ''SAO''[='s=] designer was [[ChristmasRushed rushing to finish the game in time for the NerveGear's launch.]] By the time he found out about the glitch he'd lost his mind from sleep deprivation, so Kayaba decided to [[IMeantToDoThat double-down]], lock everyone in the game, and present himself as a nefarious mastermind rather than a colossal fuck-up.]]
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Film - Live-Action]]
* In ''Film/{{Gamer}}'', the player avatars in ''Slayers'', the [[TheMostDangerousVideoGame fictional video game]] at the center of the film, are real [[CondemnedContestant death-row inmates]] who have offered to have computer chips installed in their heads so that they can be controlled by people in a violent FirstPersonShooter meets real-life DeadlyGame. When they survive thirty matches, they win their freedom. Needless to say, none have made it so far.
* ''Film/SpyKids3DGameOver'': The virtual reality game, ''Game Over'', has a play on this, where while VideoGameLives exists, if you lose all your lives, "You lose. No replays, no restarts." And judging by what happens when one person loses their lives, well...
* The game in ''Film/StayAlive'' summons the spirit of the Blood Countess in its intro sequence. If your character in the game dies, she hunts you down and kills you in the same way. Not only that, but if you turn the game off or pause for too long, it will take control of your avatar itself--it... isn't very good at playing itself, so you either win, or die eventually. The {{tagline}} is:
-->You die in the game-You die for real.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Literature]]
* In ''LightNovel/MagicalGirlRaisingProject Restart'', 16 magical girls are trapped in a VR game designed to test their aptitude as magical girls. They spend three days within the game ([[YearInsideHourOutside which is essentially nothing in the real world]]), then 3 days in the real world so as to not forget what they have. While they could just hang around in the safe starting area indefinitely, in order to permanently escape they must defeat the Evil King, so they set out to defeat monsters and clear the areas to make their way to the final dungeon.[[YourMindMakesItReal Of course, death in the game means death in real life]], and they're not allowed to contact others for help. [[spoiler:The win condition is a bit more complicated than beating a final boss however, as one of the players is the Evil King, and their goal is to kill the other 15 players, which is unknown to anyone else. Ultimately the Evil King is exposed and kills herself, but not before all but 3 other players die.]]
* The novel ''LightNovel/SwordArtOnline'' is about the world's first Virtual Reality MMORPG in which the creator tries to increase its realism by taking out magic and also adding the fact that if you die in game, your headset will microwave your brain making death final. The story ends with about 4000 people dying. The protagonist survives due to having been a part of the non-lethal beta tests and therefore has more experience than most everyone else.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Live-Action Television]]
* "New Cap City" in ''Series/{{Caprica}}''. A {{Dieselpunk}} {{Cyberspace}} {{MMORPG}}. Dying once doesn't just permanently destroy your character but bans you from the game for life.
* ''Series/KamenRiderExAid'': This is the ultimate goal of Kuroto Dan. His game, ''Kamen Rider Chronicle'', is created to turn everyone in the world into a Kamen Rider and force them into an endless fight for survival where a GameOver means dying for real. While he dies before the game is completed, his former partner-in-crime Parado proceeds to take over and manages to complete the game. Parado, being a "Bugster" game character come to life, uses it as a means for his fellow Bugsters to ultimately wipe out humanity. Later reveals throw new wrinkles into this: ''Kamen Rider Chronicle'' actually [[spoiler:backs up users' data so that nobody really dies; Kuroto in his own twisted way even intended it as a medical tool to save the lives of people with otherwise incurable ailments. This doesn't actually make anything better, as whoever's in charge of ''Kamen Rider Chronicle'' has full control of who gets to respawn [[CameBackWrong and how]], and by this point in the series it's in the hands of Kuroto's father Masamune, who holds players' lives hostage to get more and more people playing.]]
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
* Kosmos has a series of TabletopGames (Exit: The Game). Since the players end up cutting and marking the playing pieces, it's billed as a One-Shot Game.
* ''TabletopGame/{{Pandemic}} Legacy'' is a spin-off trilogy where each game is designed as a MedicalDrama-turned-ConspiracyThriller, to be played once each due to [[ShockingSwerve dramatic twists]] that aren't meant to be anticipated ahead of time. Players are expected to permanently change cards and the gameboard itself, by customising them with writing and stickers and scratching away layers to reveal additional information and even destroying them when instructed. In addition, there is an entire set of hidden cards that are only to be punched out of their panel to reveal new mechanics after specific rounds or when certain conditions are met, like an advent calendar of horrible death.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Webcomics]]
* ''Webcomic/AmazingSuperPowers'': Parodied in [[http://www.amazingsuperpowers.com/2011/10/play-a-game/ "Play a Game"]]. The game in question? [[spoiler:Real life basketball]]. Which makes sense, because it's [[spoiler:real life]]:
-->'''Andy:''' If you die in this game... you die in real life.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Web Original]]
* The most-recognised story on Blog/InvisibleGames was a {{Creepypasta}} about ''Killswitch'', a surreal puzzle-platformer from 1989 with two characters - a size-changing human woman named Porto, and a powerful but invisible demon named Ghast. The game completely erased itself after one attempt, but after considerable effort, curious fans eventually managed to figure out the final MoonLogicPuzzle to complete Porto's storyline, only to find it had NoEnding; Ghast's story was ''never'' completed, because his invisibility made him [[AwesomeButImpractical impossible to play in a platforming game]], and Porto's relative accessibility and the limited number of copies published prevented the fanbase from ever figuring it out. The last known copy was supposedly purchased at auction in 2005 by a fan who promised to [[LetsPlay record his efforts with community input]], but the only video that ever surfaced only showed him, [[SadisticChoice sitting at the character select screen]] and [[BrokenTears crying]].
* ''Wiki/SCPFoundation'': [[http://www.scp-wiki.net/scp-1315 SCP-1315]], where only one attempt is possible because of some reason other than being lethal on loss. It's an NES cartridge that contains a "game" in which hazards manifest in real life, albeit only to the ones who are playing it. When you die in the "game", you vanish, and it is implied that you become minions for the "game".
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Western Animation]]
* In ''WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents'' episode "Power Mad", Timmy wishes for a VR game that he can't wish out of. Timmy, Chester, and AJ then have to finish the game without losing all three of their lives otherwise they'll be destroyed.
[[/folder]]
----
