This thread was inspired by another in the SS forum, I thought it could make an interesting topic.
A video game is made primarily for fun. It's entertainment, it's a game. But as with any medium games can also be an outlet for artistic expression. There are games which attempt to move you or effect you in ways in book or movie can. Which to you have touched you the most?
For me there are a few, Zelda has a few moments which have, like the end of OoT with Link being sent back as a kid and Navi leaving. MM is full of emotional moments, Anju and Kafei deciding to stay in Clock Town together as the moon is about to crash is by far the most emotional scene in Zelda period. I loved it and I was very much moved by it, it was a great moment of love.
However one game for me has packed more emotional responses then any other, Final Fantasy IX.
It was my first FF and first RPG, but to this day I find it a special gem in gaming. It's a work of art and have many memories of it. It's a deep story line that is also littered with humor to create a rich experience when playing it. There are a few moments though that I admit got me a little teary eyed. Spoilers ahead if you haven't played it...
For me the scene where you first go to Gizamaluke's Grotto and Burmecia and you see first hand the destruction wrought by Queen Brahne. Just walking through the city you can see the rubble and the bodies of citizens laying about. Cleyra takes the cake though. Freya finds her long lost love only to find he does not remember her. Cleyra itself is attacked and eventually you have to watch hopelessly as the people you tried so hard to save are obliterated, this includes innocent citizens and even children!
The attack on Lindblum as well really hit home when you walk in and see a little girl there asking where her mommy and daddy was. I remember asking getting to that part and wondering why they had to be so dang depressing! Vivi's whole story ark is very moving as well.
The most emotional scene by far was the "You're Not Alone" scene in Pandemonium in Terra. When Zidane realizes what he was made for and ends up in kind of a daze pushing his friends aside. In a series of battles you friends come to your aid, all along with a fantastic song made even better since it is only ever used in this scene;
Final Fantasy IX You're Not Alone - YouTube
At one point Steiner, who gives you all kinds of crap early in the game (calling you a common thief and throughout the game planning to turn you in), calls you his comrade-in-arms and even says he would follow you to "Kingdom come". I admit I got pretty teary-eyed there. It reminded me so much of how far the characters had come and how they had grown together. The game's hallmark was it's characters and character development imo, each bonded together by helping you on your quest but each with their own stories and motivations that drive them. That moment really exemplified this and reminded me just how far they and grown together.
The ended was very touching as well, especially with Vivi
There have been games which have stirred emotions like that in me, FF7 being a great and final example, but to me none comes close to FF9. As someone said on a review I read; Perhaps the most notable thing I can about the game is this: it makes you think. I became so immersed in the people, places, and story that I felt sad as I neared the end, knowing that the story would eventually have to conclude. I actually got a little choked up during the ending, because it's so emotional and passionate, and you feel like you've experienced everything alongside the characters. When all was through, I sat there thinking: about life and people, and what's really worth pursuing. Yes, it's a game, but a profound one.
What about you guys? What games, if any, have effected you emotionally in some way?
A video game is made primarily for fun. It's entertainment, it's a game. But as with any medium games can also be an outlet for artistic expression. There are games which attempt to move you or effect you in ways in book or movie can. Which to you have touched you the most?
For me there are a few, Zelda has a few moments which have, like the end of OoT with Link being sent back as a kid and Navi leaving. MM is full of emotional moments, Anju and Kafei deciding to stay in Clock Town together as the moon is about to crash is by far the most emotional scene in Zelda period. I loved it and I was very much moved by it, it was a great moment of love.
However one game for me has packed more emotional responses then any other, Final Fantasy IX.
It was my first FF and first RPG, but to this day I find it a special gem in gaming. It's a work of art and have many memories of it. It's a deep story line that is also littered with humor to create a rich experience when playing it. There are a few moments though that I admit got me a little teary eyed. Spoilers ahead if you haven't played it...
For me the scene where you first go to Gizamaluke's Grotto and Burmecia and you see first hand the destruction wrought by Queen Brahne. Just walking through the city you can see the rubble and the bodies of citizens laying about. Cleyra takes the cake though. Freya finds her long lost love only to find he does not remember her. Cleyra itself is attacked and eventually you have to watch hopelessly as the people you tried so hard to save are obliterated, this includes innocent citizens and even children!
The attack on Lindblum as well really hit home when you walk in and see a little girl there asking where her mommy and daddy was. I remember asking getting to that part and wondering why they had to be so dang depressing! Vivi's whole story ark is very moving as well.
The most emotional scene by far was the "You're Not Alone" scene in Pandemonium in Terra. When Zidane realizes what he was made for and ends up in kind of a daze pushing his friends aside. In a series of battles you friends come to your aid, all along with a fantastic song made even better since it is only ever used in this scene;
Final Fantasy IX You're Not Alone - YouTube
At one point Steiner, who gives you all kinds of crap early in the game (calling you a common thief and throughout the game planning to turn you in), calls you his comrade-in-arms and even says he would follow you to "Kingdom come". I admit I got pretty teary-eyed there. It reminded me so much of how far the characters had come and how they had grown together. The game's hallmark was it's characters and character development imo, each bonded together by helping you on your quest but each with their own stories and motivations that drive them. That moment really exemplified this and reminded me just how far they and grown together.
The ended was very touching as well, especially with Vivi
There have been games which have stirred emotions like that in me, FF7 being a great and final example, but to me none comes close to FF9. As someone said on a review I read; Perhaps the most notable thing I can about the game is this: it makes you think. I became so immersed in the people, places, and story that I felt sad as I neared the end, knowing that the story would eventually have to conclude. I actually got a little choked up during the ending, because it's so emotional and passionate, and you feel like you've experienced everything alongside the characters. When all was through, I sat there thinking: about life and people, and what's really worth pursuing. Yes, it's a game, but a profound one.
What about you guys? What games, if any, have effected you emotionally in some way?