At the end of Undertale, there’s a mirror you can interact with, and the response is “Despite everything, it’s still you.” I don’t know why that’s stuck with me, but it has.
“Wow, we sure crossed the Spec Ops: The Line.”
I didn’t like how this game delivered its message.
“Gee, you sure are in a pickle. Maybe use some of that white phosphorus over there!”
Nah I’m good.
“Hmm sure are lots of enemies though. Should probably use some of that white phosphorus!”
Are the enemies just going to keep spawning until I do?
“…yes”
Alright, fine. I’ll use the white phosphorus.
“USING WHITE PHOSPHORUS IS A WAR CRIME! YOURE A WAR CRIMINAL! DO YOU FEEL LIKE A HERO??”
Bruh…
“War is where the young and stupid are tricked by the old and bitter into killing each other”
- Niko Bellic
“Had to be me. Someone else might have gotten it wrong.” -Mordin Solus, Mass Effect
“I’m going to the last place that hasn’t been corrupted by capitalism… SPACE!”
Capitalism. Tim Curry was the Communist in this scenario.
I still need to play this game if only for this line/scene.
That whole game is an absolute rollercoaster ride of insanity. Westwood Studios leaned into camp the way 60s Batman did.
In considering this question, I realize almost ALL of the most-emotional moments in gaming that I can think of are completely dialogue-less.
That being said, the one that comes to mind for me…
I believe we’ve reached the end of our journey. All that remains is to collapse the innumerable possibilities before us. Are you ready to learn what comes next?
It’s the kind of thing that makes you glad you stopped and smelled the pine trees along the way, you know?
The past is past, now, but that’s… you know, that’s okay! It’s never really gone completely. The future is always built on the past, even if we won’t get to see it.
The music rising at the end of Outer Wilds, with the harmony becoming complete when all the voices/instruments join in.
The way that one NPC’s melody is on a different rhythm from the others, yet it fits with the whole.
The way that one other NPC’s counterpoint is deeply alien, and yet it fits with the whole.
“Thank you for remembering me.” Like I could forget. After all, we’re friends.
