The possibility that they might kill one of my base companions hadn't occurred to me until an instant before Varl's death. I was so distressed to realise what was coming.

Aloy telling Beta about Rost was lovely. I'm glad this game called back to him.

Probably only second to that is when Beta tells Aloy that she can't go back with the Zeniths again after everything she's been through, then asks her "Do you understand?" And then Aloy ultimately being unable to go through with having to kill her when she does get captured.

This was AGONISING. I found the recorded message in Beta's room afterwards, where she says 'I know you'll have kept your promise, which means I must be dead,' and it was such a punch to the gut.

Thank you for this comment! I really enjoyed hearing your thoughts.