Post by jammer81386 on Mar 21, 2020 18:21:45 GMT
These are the 10 memorable moments in video games that really immersed me into its story and atmosphere. I am not making any overall claims, these are just my personal video gaming experiences. Keep in mind that I am a rather casual gamer, as such the volume of games that I have played are probably not as extensive as other people out there. Also, these are in no particular order. Be warned there will be spoilers.
Resident Evil 4 - Back Up
(Level: The Island/Chapter 5 - 4)
This part takes place towards the end of the game where the player(Leon Kennedy) has to fight his way through a horde of Plaga infected enemies. He is given assistance by a helicopter pilot who gives you air support as you knife your way through the enemies in your path.
I liked this moment because throughout the rest of the game the player is largely just trying to survive against the numerous enemies you come across. This is the point where you take the offensive and use all the skills & firepower you acquired throughout the game to basically become a one man army. The section still has a decent level of difficultly ensuring that the player stays on his toes So despite the more aggressive gameplay, caution is still needed, thus completely the section is all the more rewarding.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time - Ascent to the Top of Ganondorf's Castle
(Level: Ganondorf's Castle)
The final dungeon of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was a fantastic build up to the end of a great adventure. All the dungeons you have previously fought through have lead to this point, a final showdown with Ganondorf.
While the fight itself was certainly great, it was your ascent to the top of Ganondorf's castle that stood out. For me, it exemplified the entire quest, you started as a lowly forest kid who rose to the legendary "Hero of Time". It was the feeling that you had overcome every obstacle Ganondorf threw at you and now all that was left was to confront the King of evil himself. When I first played this as a young teenager my hands were shaking as I played through this segment. I don't remember it being terribly difficult, but it genuinely felt that I was reaching to climax of an epic story.
Half-Life 2 - Entering City 17
(Level: Point Insertion)
Taking place right at the start of the game, this opening impressively portrays an eerie and unnerving atmosphere of dystopian oppression. As you walk through the city, you encounter several disturbed and perplexed citizens who have absolutely no power resist the tyranny of the Combine. Further highlighted by the visible abuses by the occupying forces, which the player(Gordon Freeman) is occasionally subjected to as well. It was very intriguing to start this game off in this way as the player is allowed to see the game's setting from the position of a helpless citizen before to become an empowered action hero. Thus giving the action and story more depth and purpose.
Whenever replaying this part, I always feel the desire to skip ahead to the "Uprising" level so I can "fight the oppressors" and get some pay back. I said I wasn't going to rank these moments, but if I did, this would probably be number one.
Mass Effect 3 - The Last Words with your Crew
(Level: Priority - Earth)
While the ending left a lot to be desired, the build up to it was fantastic. This is the part before the final push to the Citadel in which you can go share one last conversation with each of your party members(past and present) as you say what could very well be your final goodbyes.
One of Mass Effects strong points was the relationships that you built with these characters over the past few games and these conversations added a "human" element to your mission. This moment really highlighted what is at stake as well as the effect your choices had on the people whom you fought with throughout the trilogy.
Call of Duty - Parachuting into Normandy
(Level: Pathfinder)
The very first level of the now massive Call of Duty series. Prior to this, there was just a rudimentary training level. You are then parachuted, by yourself, into the middle of the European War. What sold this for me was the uncomfortable feeling of being alone, ill prepared, and uncertain of what to do while in the middle of a war zone. Something that was likely felt by some the troops back in the day.
The newer Call of Duty games primarily have you playing as an elite special forces soldier going through massive action set pieces. Here you feel like a ordinary guy simply trying to stay alive.
Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis - Entire Game
Yeah I'm cheating with this one, but I really have to include it because it did a great job of replicating the spirit of the Indiana Jones movies, which I am a huge fan of. Being a point and click adventure, there isn't much in the form of action, but it does have you traveling to many diverse and exotic locations, finding artifacts, and solving enjoyable puzzles. As such, it legitimately felt like you were on an adventure.
Arkham City - Protocol 10
There are many moment in the Arkham series that could make this list, but nothing else has reached the scale and urgency that Protocol 10 has. Throughout the game you hear Hugo Strange announce that "Protocol 10 will being in 'x' hours", and then it finally commences in a hailstorm of destruction.
This section created an intense atmosphere of being overwhelmed and even helplessness as Batman can in no way directly stop the slaughter taking place. The player is forced to cut their way through the chaos to acquire the needed resources and confront Dr. Strange and end all the death and destruction. What made this section most exciting was that the player is forced to balance being cautious and expedient as you want to end the attack as soon as possible, but cannot spotted by the helicopters in the process. Thus making the player think about when to be aggressive and stealthy.
Yoshi's Island - Bowser Boss Battle
Level: 6-8
For me, this was the first time a video game seemed cinematic. The entire game up this point had a juvenile, cartoonish style. The final boss battle, however, is dark, intimidating, and even quite epic in scale. This drastic change in tone gave the feeling of being over matched as you are basically a gecko trying to take down Godzilla.
Splinter Cell: Conviction - Approaching the White House
Level: Downtown District
Having the climax of the game take place in such a famous landmark gave the game's finale a sense of realism and importance. But it wasn't just because the level takes place there, but the fact that the player is required to fight their way to the location through a demolished D.C., witnessing the carnage upon the populace, that both made it rewarding when you got there and seem more real as you traveled to a famous location. I personally have visited the White House before so going there in this game did create an bizarre sense of de juv which added to the realism and severity of the situation.
Halo 3 - Mongoose Attack On The Scarab
Level: The Storm
On the one hand, attacking Covenant vehicles with ATV's seems like a suicidal endeavor. On the other it creates a tone that genuinely makes you feel like an underdog. The military has been crippled, it lacks the firepower and equipment that it once had, and is facing a vastly superior enemy. But at the same time it showed that they are still in the fight and are able to devise ingenious and resourceful ways to bring down the Covenant war machine. It seemed like a tactic that could have been devised by a battered military.
Aside from thematics, the actual combat was a lot fun as it creates a system of teamwork between you and your passenger. One sets them up, the other knocks em down. Being able to do some much damage via such a crude method was very rewarding especially when you bring down the colossal scarab.
Thanks for reading. If you have any comment on my selections or have any moments you would like to share, please do.
Resident Evil 4 - Back Up
(Level: The Island/Chapter 5 - 4)
This part takes place towards the end of the game where the player(Leon Kennedy) has to fight his way through a horde of Plaga infected enemies. He is given assistance by a helicopter pilot who gives you air support as you knife your way through the enemies in your path.
I liked this moment because throughout the rest of the game the player is largely just trying to survive against the numerous enemies you come across. This is the point where you take the offensive and use all the skills & firepower you acquired throughout the game to basically become a one man army. The section still has a decent level of difficultly ensuring that the player stays on his toes So despite the more aggressive gameplay, caution is still needed, thus completely the section is all the more rewarding.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time - Ascent to the Top of Ganondorf's Castle
(Level: Ganondorf's Castle)
The final dungeon of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was a fantastic build up to the end of a great adventure. All the dungeons you have previously fought through have lead to this point, a final showdown with Ganondorf.
While the fight itself was certainly great, it was your ascent to the top of Ganondorf's castle that stood out. For me, it exemplified the entire quest, you started as a lowly forest kid who rose to the legendary "Hero of Time". It was the feeling that you had overcome every obstacle Ganondorf threw at you and now all that was left was to confront the King of evil himself. When I first played this as a young teenager my hands were shaking as I played through this segment. I don't remember it being terribly difficult, but it genuinely felt that I was reaching to climax of an epic story.
Half-Life 2 - Entering City 17
(Level: Point Insertion)
Taking place right at the start of the game, this opening impressively portrays an eerie and unnerving atmosphere of dystopian oppression. As you walk through the city, you encounter several disturbed and perplexed citizens who have absolutely no power resist the tyranny of the Combine. Further highlighted by the visible abuses by the occupying forces, which the player(Gordon Freeman) is occasionally subjected to as well. It was very intriguing to start this game off in this way as the player is allowed to see the game's setting from the position of a helpless citizen before to become an empowered action hero. Thus giving the action and story more depth and purpose.
Whenever replaying this part, I always feel the desire to skip ahead to the "Uprising" level so I can "fight the oppressors" and get some pay back. I said I wasn't going to rank these moments, but if I did, this would probably be number one.
Mass Effect 3 - The Last Words with your Crew
(Level: Priority - Earth)
While the ending left a lot to be desired, the build up to it was fantastic. This is the part before the final push to the Citadel in which you can go share one last conversation with each of your party members(past and present) as you say what could very well be your final goodbyes.
One of Mass Effects strong points was the relationships that you built with these characters over the past few games and these conversations added a "human" element to your mission. This moment really highlighted what is at stake as well as the effect your choices had on the people whom you fought with throughout the trilogy.
Call of Duty - Parachuting into Normandy
(Level: Pathfinder)
The very first level of the now massive Call of Duty series. Prior to this, there was just a rudimentary training level. You are then parachuted, by yourself, into the middle of the European War. What sold this for me was the uncomfortable feeling of being alone, ill prepared, and uncertain of what to do while in the middle of a war zone. Something that was likely felt by some the troops back in the day.
The newer Call of Duty games primarily have you playing as an elite special forces soldier going through massive action set pieces. Here you feel like a ordinary guy simply trying to stay alive.
Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis - Entire Game
Yeah I'm cheating with this one, but I really have to include it because it did a great job of replicating the spirit of the Indiana Jones movies, which I am a huge fan of. Being a point and click adventure, there isn't much in the form of action, but it does have you traveling to many diverse and exotic locations, finding artifacts, and solving enjoyable puzzles. As such, it legitimately felt like you were on an adventure.
Arkham City - Protocol 10
There are many moment in the Arkham series that could make this list, but nothing else has reached the scale and urgency that Protocol 10 has. Throughout the game you hear Hugo Strange announce that "Protocol 10 will being in 'x' hours", and then it finally commences in a hailstorm of destruction.
This section created an intense atmosphere of being overwhelmed and even helplessness as Batman can in no way directly stop the slaughter taking place. The player is forced to cut their way through the chaos to acquire the needed resources and confront Dr. Strange and end all the death and destruction. What made this section most exciting was that the player is forced to balance being cautious and expedient as you want to end the attack as soon as possible, but cannot spotted by the helicopters in the process. Thus making the player think about when to be aggressive and stealthy.
Yoshi's Island - Bowser Boss Battle
Level: 6-8
For me, this was the first time a video game seemed cinematic. The entire game up this point had a juvenile, cartoonish style. The final boss battle, however, is dark, intimidating, and even quite epic in scale. This drastic change in tone gave the feeling of being over matched as you are basically a gecko trying to take down Godzilla.
Splinter Cell: Conviction - Approaching the White House
Level: Downtown District
Having the climax of the game take place in such a famous landmark gave the game's finale a sense of realism and importance. But it wasn't just because the level takes place there, but the fact that the player is required to fight their way to the location through a demolished D.C., witnessing the carnage upon the populace, that both made it rewarding when you got there and seem more real as you traveled to a famous location. I personally have visited the White House before so going there in this game did create an bizarre sense of de juv which added to the realism and severity of the situation.
Halo 3 - Mongoose Attack On The Scarab
Level: The Storm
On the one hand, attacking Covenant vehicles with ATV's seems like a suicidal endeavor. On the other it creates a tone that genuinely makes you feel like an underdog. The military has been crippled, it lacks the firepower and equipment that it once had, and is facing a vastly superior enemy. But at the same time it showed that they are still in the fight and are able to devise ingenious and resourceful ways to bring down the Covenant war machine. It seemed like a tactic that could have been devised by a battered military.
Aside from thematics, the actual combat was a lot fun as it creates a system of teamwork between you and your passenger. One sets them up, the other knocks em down. Being able to do some much damage via such a crude method was very rewarding especially when you bring down the colossal scarab.
Thanks for reading. If you have any comment on my selections or have any moments you would like to share, please do.
