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Warning: Spoilers!
Last week, we kicked off our Top 50 Biggest Emotional Moments in Video Games with quite a few shockers from 50-41, and even more in 40-31. Today, we’re pulling out all the stops. Whether you’re happy with how things turned out or completely shocked by what happened, we assure you these moments will stay fresh in your mind.
Let’s get right into it with numbers 30-21!
30. Doing more harm than good (Spec Ops: The Line)
Spec Ops: The Line is more than a quality action adventure game. The story contains a surprising amount of depth. No scene makes that clearer than the one above, when the team in charge of trying to liberate the land from terrorists discovers there’s more damage being done than they realized. When they find out just how many innocent people died — along with a number of their own troops – it’s a tough image to shake.
29. Klonoa leaves, but not by choice (Klonoa)
Klonoa isn’t just an enjoyable side-scrolling adventure with 3D visuals and unique gameplay. It’s also a game that packs an emotional jolt at the end. After saving the world from demonic devastation, Klonoa comes to a harsh truth – that he can no longer stay in that world. What follows is a heartbreaking farewell between him and Huepow, complete with a sad song to go along with it. It just tugs at the heartstrings.
28. “Don’t ever give up, my son” (StarFox 64)
The final boss battle with Andross – well, his brain, anyway – is almost too overwhelming for Fox McCloud, as he’s caught in an explosion of white light. However, that’s not the end of his tale, as his father shows up and guides him out of harm’s way, only to disappear again. The appearance of Papa McCloud makes the intense ending worth experiencing again. Just don’t let that explosion catch you. Ouch.
27. Hale dies (Resistance 2)
By the time the events conclude in Insomniac Games’ Resistance 2, Hale, the soldier we’ve been so valiantly fighting with over the first couple of games in the series, converts into an alien. A fellow comrade sees this and immediately pulls his weapon, and with no alternative, says “It’s been an honor,” before blowing his brains out. Just…wow.
26. Makarov finally bites the dust (Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3)
Makarov put the world through hell with his antics, and Captain Price would stop at nothing to make him pay. After infiltrating his headquarters and dragging the guy out of a helicopter, it almost looks like Makarov has the jump on the old Captain. However, with help from his comrade, he soon turns the tables, wraps rope around his adversary’s neck and sends him smashing through the glass, where he ends up hanging. It’s a tremendous moment, and Price savors it for everything it’s worth, lighting a cigarette and enjoying a job well done.
25. A humorous nod, and then harsh reality (Conker’s Bad Fur Day)
There’s probably no ending that jars emotions quite like Conker’s Bad Fur Day. At first, the team at Rare put a fun little twist on this N64 game by having the game come to a freezing halt, only for Conker to realize “the game locked up.” He uses this to his advantage, defeats the alien and becomes king. That should be joyful, right? Well, sure, except the fact that his girlfriend is dead, and there’s no way to bring her back.
24. The lie (The Last of Us)
The ending to The Last of Us is completely unforgettable, mainly because of Joel’s determination to do whatever it takes to survive with Ellie. He proves this by saving her from a lab and killing Marlene in the process. However, to prevent her from learning the truth, Joel lies to Ellie about them not looking for a cure. When she demands that he swear to her it’s the truth, he continues his lie and says it is, to which she uneasily replies, “OK.” Powerful stuff from Naughty Dog.
23. Leaving someone behind (Mass Effect)
The one problem with becoming emotionally attached to your crewmembers in the Mass Effect games is that, sometimes, you have to make a harsh decision in order to do what’s right for the mission. As a result, this can lead to a catastrophic death of a main character, such as Tali (pictured above) or Ashley. Not only is their demise hard to take, but the reactions from certain crewmembers can cause you to get all misty-eyed.
22. The death of Roman (Grand Theft Auto 4)
Poor Roman. Just when he was about to settle down and have a good life with his new bride, Niko inadvertently causes him to get killed. An assassin shows up to kill him, but Niko, acting quickly, disarms and kills him – but not before he gets off the one fatal shot that takes Roman away for good. The emotional outpouring of the scene goes into overdrive, particularly with the music. It’s good stuff.
21. Atlas? The bad guy (Bioshock)
Bioshock is definitely one of the best gaming experiences from this generation, with a cool twist. After dispatching the business magnate Andrew Ryan, your player contacts Atlas, who’s been helping him up to this point. However, it’s here where Atlas reveals that he is in fact a vile gangster named Frank Fontaine, and he managed to control you with the phrase “would you kindly” as hidden programming. It’s a truly awesome moment – and leaves you thirsty for revenge when you finally get the chance.
Click here for more of Prima’s emotional video game moments!
Published: Jul 22, 2014 05:06 pm