"This is why play video games"

[Baron_Rouge]

I understand people are getting somewhat disillusioned with gaming these days, with all the hate directed at things like sexism allegations, day-one DLC, and the like. That's why I thought it'd be a good time for a thread like this

So tell me, Escapists, what are some of those little moments that make you think "this is why I play video games". You know, those bits of brilliance that remind you precisely why you love gaming! Whether it's that euphoric feeling you get taking down Ornstein and Smough in Dark Souls, the emotional experience you get when you experience Journey or Spec Ops: The Line, or that sheer jaw dropping wonder when you realise just how ridiculously expansive and gorgeous the island of Panau is in Just Cause 2. I'd like to see a bit of positivity directed towards the good bits of our shared hobby. So tell me what you love!





For me, apart from the experiences I mentioned above, I have to include the scene in Uncharted when you walk through the Tibetan village; that was brilliantly done. I also have to include some bits of Catherine. A lot of it, actually, the writing and story were so good, it really made me genuinely care about the happiness of the characters, which I think is a tribute to just how much an interactive medium can move people!

 

[NerfedFalcon]

"A man chooses. A slave obeys."

Bastion's ending.

When I get some decent human beings on my team in League of Legends.

The first time I beat Youmu without needing a continue.

All of Serious Sam: The First Encounter. All of it.

That part in Mirror's Edge where you jump onto the roof of a subway train.

 

[Dandark]

When I have an awesome match of League of legends with players around my skill level on both teams that lasts for ages that we preferably win. That can be so damn awesome and such fun.

 

[Blunderboy]

When you crest the ridge line of a hill and see what lies beyond...more hills, rivers, villages and the like. You pause and realise that you can go anywhere you want, and that it's up to you.

Hearing Grunt yelling "I am Krogan!" as he charges towards some Geth.

Talking a character around to your viewpoint.

Hearing about how my actions affected all the characters and places I touched in New Vegas.

Turning the world map my faction colour in a Total War game.

The conversations I have with friends, about a shared experience or emotion.

 

[Keoul]

I play for those epic moments you experience
Backstab a whole team in Team Fortress 2
Finish a stunning Lair in Minecraft
Pentakill on League of legends
The list goes on

 

[dimensional]

Well it just provides a counterpoint to all the other non interactive entertainment I like as for the actual games I just like the way some games can take you on a story that feels epic films struggle with this books do it better but they are obviously non interactive, its pretty sweet seeing the culmination of a story in a long game and thinking yeah I did it and it was fun this is for RPGs usually (they have a great story sense).

Other games are just satisfying like in Bayonetta dodging an attack going into witch time and killgore switch comboing the bosses arse into oblivion before he can recover that makes you feel awesome.

I play fighting games because I can always improve and there is really nothing quite as sweet as beating someone in a tight match in which both players have a firm grasp of their character and game mechanics.

There is no real little reasons for me its more a general thing I play games because they provide an escape (or break from reality) that no other medium can provide.

 

[Mirroga]

"A man chooses. A slave obeys."

Bastion's ending.

When I get some decent human beings on my team in League of Legends.

I agree with these. I loved Bioshock and Bastion. Now I have to ask though. Where is it harder to find decent human beings as teammates, Xbox Live or any MOBA games combined?

The first time I beat Youmu without needing a continue.

Whoa! Someone plays Touhou 7 here. My favorite of the whole series. And congratulations, I have yet to actually defeat Youmu without continuing. How's Yuyuko? Oh, you didn't mention. I guess that's where it all ends.

 

[NerfedFalcon]

"A man chooses. A slave obeys."

Bastion's ending.

When I get some decent human beings on my team in League of Legends.

I agree with these. I loved Bioshock and Bastion. Now I have to ask though. Where is it harder to find decent human beings as teammates, Xbox Live or any MOBA games combined?

I wouldn't know. I've never used Xbox Live.

The first time I beat Youmu without needing a continue.

Whoa! Someone plays Touhou 7 here. My favorite of the whole series. And congratulations, I have yet to actually defeat Youmu without continuing. How's Yuyuko? Oh, you didn't mention. I guess that's where it all ends.

Yeah...I thought you'd have figured it out from the icon, but I'm aware that she's been in more than just that one. Especially since I'm using the blue-eyed version. Anyway, the difference between Youmu and Yuyuko is that Yuyuko just throws bullets everywhere, and Youmu screws with the fabric of the game. Which one is actually harder based on that is a case-by-case thing, but honestly I found Reisen a LOT more of a ***** than Eirin.

Oh yeah, I once beat Imperishable Night as well, but never 1CC.

 

[MrTwo]

"A man chooses. A slave obeys."

That was brilliant. Its the parts in games that make me think. Getting to the end of DX:HR, and thinking "What do I do", knowing it will affect the whole world. As well as those epic moments, like when my team actually plays as a team in BF3, also suicide buggies!

 

[Caffiend]

"A man chooses. A slave obeys."

Yes, that 1000%
The part in Half-Life 2 when I'm on the airboat and the music kicks in and I feel like I'm really an action hero
Placing the last block on a huge project in Minecraft
Taking the final ascent in Journey (that one made me cry)
Exploring the Mojave and piecing together smallers stories in the background of the overarching plot in New Vegas
Saving my son's life in Heavy Rain, while also keeping everyone else alive AND nabbing the correct suspect (that whole game made me a hysterical mess)

The moments like that are why it's so saddening to see so many people who DON'T play games. There's a lot of mindless violence and gobbledygook in games yeah, but there's also intricate, deep stories, heartfelt relationships, beautiful imagery, rich, vast worlds and the possibility for endless exploration. What's not to love about all that?

Oops I accidentally got all sentimental... I'm just gonna stop here before I end up writing an essay

 

[DarkishFriend]

When the school cinematic moments happen with unscripted events. Only one I can think off of the top of my head that has happened to me was when Smough and Ornstein from Dark Souls did one of the coolest looking combo attacks I've seen. Smough is a big fat dude with a giant hammer and has a charge up vertical slam that he jumps in the air to do and Ornstein is a quick dude with a spear who has a charge up thrust attack where he slides across the floor until he reaches you or anything in the way.

So what I was witnessed is when I tried to get close, Smough jumped up to do his attack and Ornstein slide under him trying to hit me.

 

[spectrenihlus]

Having a game of Halo (whatever) slayer where everyone is relatively equally skilled and having the game finish at 99-100 with our team being victorious. This is what gaming is about.

 

[KFalcon]

Getting a competent team/having a close fought match in LoL.
When I was playing the intro of Uncharted 2 and later on jumping from the collapsing building.

Thats about it though, games these days reward you for everything but it ruins the joy of the little things as a result I think or things are getting too easy. Or maybe I'm just getting tired of gaming

 

[ToastiestZombie]

"This is why play video games"
I think you accidentally the sentence.

OT: The last level of Super Mario Galaxy.
When I killed a Deathclaw in New Vegas with only 5 health left
Going on a streak in Counter Strike

 

[Ix Rebound]

Skyrim
Fleeing from a High level dragon while simultaneously fighting through a Forsworn encampment while lighting strikes go off around you. Wounding the dragon with arrows from the top of a blazing tower, then jumping down to face it when its down. and just when i couldn't think it could get better, THAT music started playing (you know the music im talking about ). Blocking the dragons flame shouts with a shield then jumping on its head and stabbing it in the eye.
Then calmly walking away like a boss while I absorb its soul

 

[LightningBanks]

Having a game of Halo (whatever) slayer where everyone is relatively equally skilled and having the game finish at 99-100 with our team being victorious. This is what gaming is about.

I had this in CS:GO recently, we went 11-4 down on Aztec, 2nd half we were counter terrorists, ended up winning 16-14

Was epic

 

[Tropicaz]

Knocking out a whole team on counter strike/search and destroy on cod when i'm the only one left.
Getting to the end of New Vegas and seeing how alot of the decisions I made didnt actually help people and actually feeling bad about it.
The little 'bleep' sound when I get an achievement. Makes me feel happy.

 

[Oly J]

I just finished the story of Saints Row the third, I honestly couldn't tell you a dull moment, and I love the endings, both of them, weirdly enough, I haven't been so engrossed in a game for a long time

 

[King of Asgaard]

Going through the entirety of Dark Souls, soloing each and every boss.
Going against Smough and Ornstein 2v3, and watching one ally tanking and distracting S, while the other helping me kill O.
Saving the summoner from certain death several times in DS.