The release of Final Fantasy VII, period. It was the first time we really saw the true potential of the PSX with FF7's amazing graphics and cutscenes (those were the days, haha). Not only that, it revolutionized the RPG genre, especially in the United States. I feel like prior to FF7's release RPGs were under appreciated and FF7's release got a lot of people to try RPGs, and fall in love with them.

ProV1

United States980 Posts

September 17 2010 19:23 GMT

#22

Final Fantasy X's ending was my favorite of all games.

allyourbase

United States243 Posts

September 17 2010 19:49 GMT

#23

On September 18 2010 03:28 zerglingsfolife wrote:
How about KOTOR? Anyone who has played it knows exactly what part I'm talking about. Complete twist of the plot.

I shit bricks when I got to this part, even now it still gives me goosebumps.

Macavenger

United States1132 Posts

September 17 2010 19:50 GMT

#24

Surprised to see no mention of 343 Guilty Spark from Halo 1. Huge plot twist straight out of left field, and the entire atmosphere of that level was just incredible.

Yurie

11983 Posts

September 17 2010 19:52 GMT

#25

I liked FFX over all. I didn't like the game play, but the emotions it stirred and the great cut-scenes were wonderful. I personally found the following scene more emotional than the ending, but both were good:

+ Show Spoiler +

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyxDVVNyXYs
The wonderful music. The wonderful coordinated actions that suites the music so well. I get chills just listening to the music. When I had watched that scene I felt like the entire game was worth playing just to get that scene in its proper setting. (ends around 2:30 or so.)

Other than that I will mostly have to turn to visual novel games for a top 5. Since they often have great stories and that is what makes moments for me.

Honourable mentions:

Age of Empires II + Show Spoiler +

when Joan de Arc dies touched me strongly when I was younger.

Homeworld + Show Spoiler +

when they finally get a planet.

The Longest Journey is also worth mentioning.

Dragon Age: Origins was good over all but didn't have that moment for me.

Baldur's Gate II had a few moments as well. But they lacked a bit somehow.

TonyL2

England1953 Posts

September 17 2010 20:21 GMT

#26

This is it, easily:

kidd

United States2848 Posts

September 17 2010 20:30 GMT

#27

Very cool list, even though I have no idea what was going on in Braid. There were many scenes in FFXIII that were both very touching and very sad. I remember even my gf who I tried to explain the game to but only understood very little (mostly that she liked snow lol) was quite touched by the ending.

hitthat

Poland2283 Posts

September 17 2010 20:38 GMT

#28

Freespace 2 ending

one possible ending was death of the protagonist in supernova explosion. Yes, Shock and Awe from Modern Warfare I was not first mission of that type

Hypnosis

United States2061 Posts

September 17 2010 22:04 GMT

#29

when they type gg after a final push its the greatest feeling eber

AntiLegend

Germany247 Posts

September 17 2010 22:21 GMT

#30

in no specific order:

wing commander 3 intro:

for some reason i found the throne room scene and the scene where the huge ship is sticking halfway out of the sea to be very epic

half life 1 intro:

jesus christ, black mesa is HUGE

tie fighter intro:

vader + emperor + ssd + awesome music

Kurai

Canada167 Posts

September 17 2010 23:51 GMT

#31

i cant find the video for it, but the ending of ff4 the cutscene torn me apart.

javy_

United States1677 Posts

September 18 2010 00:22 GMT

#32

no one has mentioned metal gear solid yet

mgs1:
-vulcan (2nd fight) and psycho mantis boss fights
I don't know about the vulcan fight but everyone who has fought psycho mantis will DEFINITELY remember the experience.

mgs3:
-the End and the Boss fights. nuff said

mgs4:
-going back to shadow moses gives a huge rush of nostalgia
also:

dudeman001

United States2412 Posts

September 18 2010 01:38 GMT

#33

I can't speak for FF or Shadows of the Colossus, but that Braid in ending was intense. There's something about the game that draws you in, maybe for how creative it is.

+ Show Spoiler +

But nonetheless, you just go "holy shit, I'm the bad guy?" Then you just sob to yourself because the game is so melancholy.

EchOne

United States2906 Posts

September 18 2010 01:53 GMT

#34

Some poignant moments for me:

Emotion:
Starcraft: Stork's OSL win
KOTOR: Bastila's redemption
FFIX: Reunion with Princess Garnet
Valkyria Chronicles: Isara's death
The World Ends With You: Beat's backstory
FFXIII: Sazh's backstory
FFVI: Terra's flight

Gameplay and/or Presentation:
Tyrian: The Dreadnought fleet
Valkyrie Profile 2: Palace of the Venerated Dragon
Valkyria Chronicles: Selvaria's Last Stand
Dragon Age: The Deep Roads
Tales of Symphonia: Temple of Lightning
Ys Origin: Roof of the Tower
Mass Effect: Feros Skyway
Chrono Trigger: Black Omen

Ugh I just spent far too much time just thinking about my gaming history.

I played the majority of FFX's main storyline (absolutely no time spent on side quests) at my friend's dorm a couple years back, but I didn't finish it because I didn't feel like looking up all the penultimate content I could indulge in. I also didn't pay much attention to the story or anything because I'd be watching anime and chatting with my friends at the same time. Is the game worth revisiting and clearing?

Southlight

United States11768 Posts

September 18 2010 02:04 GMT

#35

On September 18 2010 10:53 EchOne wrote:
Ys Origin: Roof of the Tower

Oh god, the light sword. I get goosebumps just thinking of that.

LoveSponge

Australia237 Posts

September 18 2010 02:22 GMT

#36

The ending of The Darkness leading up to the song song Capt Midnight by Tomahawk in the credits, one of Mike Pattons bands. Mike Pattons voice work in that game was amazing as well.

Spiffeh

United States830 Posts

September 18 2010 02:52 GMT

#37

I don't know about endings, but the Tales of Symphonia opening cinematic that plays before the 'Press Start' screen was the most powerful I've ever seen. I remember playing co-op with it at a friends house and every time we booted it up we watched the cinematic in its entirety. I've never done this with another game.

eLiE

Canada1039 Posts

September 18 2010 03:30 GMT

#38

mine's OoT, at the end when they play the lost woods song and everyone's partying it up jersey shore style at lon lon ranch. as you watch it, you just get that good feeling, like the weight of the world's just been lifted, and everyone gets to celebrate together.

EDIT: now that i'm watching it again, i'm half expecting ghost yoda, obi wan, and anakin to be smiling beside the zora king and the kokiri leader. fucking epic, great job Nintendo!