What game has evoked the most emotion in you?

[The Rookie Gamer]

What game, if any, has had that one single greatest emotional response from you?

Spoiler: THIS ONE.

<url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.135672-Neutral-Drow-reviews-A-Drug-That-Makes-You-Dream>A Drug That Makes You Dream.

Hands fucking down. Only two other games have come even close (Tsukihime and Kana: Little Sister...the latter being pretty close). I'll let my past self sum it up.

Spoiler: Copy-pasted from the review.

Verdict

Well, we're here. I've struggled to keep my sentimentality in check and myself objective...but really, I figured there was something wrong when I felt relief that there was something in the game I could complain about, just so people could take me seriously. Therefore, the review is essentially finished, so I'm going to officially abandon objectivity from here on out.

I love this game.

I seriously have not played anything else that provoked the sheer amount and variety of emotional responses that this game produced in me, including a few I don't have names for. Creeping dread, crushing despair, tearful relief, savage joy, bitter depression, awestruck wonder, loving empathy, inarticulate rage and utter hatred (see: Kyoka), deep shock, bittersweet satisfaction, growing suspicion, calm contentment, hell, even fatherly pride (of Kouhei) at one point...and three different shades of pure happiness.

Aeka's route in particular was spectacularly written, its resolution both horrifying and satisfying in a way I found slightly shocking, and its ending the happy memory that allowed me to move on to the other routes without feeling like a monster for ignoring her.

Mizuki's unhappy ending (which I did stumble onto) hit like a punch in the gut and lingered like a stab wound the more I thought of it...but her happy ending is the most heartwarming thing I've ever read. I actually walked around distracted most of the next day, so touched was I.

In a way, Nekoko's arc felt like the weakest...which didn't dent it much. Nekoko is still pretty entertaining, herself. I was particularly enamored after the twist most of the way through, which I totally did not see coming, but which ultimately made me love her along with the others. As well, her happy ending went with a cute sort of happiness that I found delightful.

The only thing preventing this game from overtaking Tsukihime and/or Fate/Stay Night as my new favorite visual novel is my love of supernatural elements, nostalgic bonds, and the sheer volume of the Nasuverse and its characters. As is, I'm rambling, so I'll cut off here.

Also, while most of the music is atmospheric rather than impressive (which works very, very well), there are a few standouts. Since I already posted the main theme in the review, here's another.

That music sent tingles throughout my whole body.

 

[AbsoluteVirtue18]

Final Fantasy VIII. No other game has made me feel as much as it has. The story, the locations, but mostly the characters.

The music helped, though.

Rage:

Spoiler

Seeing Seifer at the side of the Sorceress.

Heartwarmed:

Spoiler

Squall pledging to protect Rinoa even if the entire world sides against her.

Joy:

Spoiler

Selphie and the others showing up in FH alive and well.

Depression:

Spoiler

Arriving at Trabia Garden to find it destroyed.

OMG WTF!

Spoiler

When you're fighting Biggs and Wedge the first time and- OMG WTF WHERE ARE THEY GOING OMG WHAT IS THAT THING JESUS CHRIST!

 

[Jenova65]

Quite a few games can make me emotional tbh, I don't tend to cry IRL much (except for the big stuff, like my mum dying) but movies and games and books it's like opening floodgates or something.... :-O (like the very last Narnia book, man did I sob, if you have read it you will know)
Games - Shadow Hearts comes to mind, knowing at the end

Spoiler

Alice is just sitting there dying

Well it is really sad, the end of Covenant creates a similar emotion depending on which end you get

Spoiler

if you get the good ending, you know he will put himself through it all again

Mass Effect 2 the first three times I played through, I cried the whole time I was doing the suicide mission, I felt an overwhelming immersion and therefore responsibility to these people to get them through it alive, they were relying on ME to make all the right decisions and it was ridiculous cos I was sitting there blowing shit up and sobbing!

 

[Mcface]

With the advance of both technology and story-telling in the video game world, there have been some pretty dramatic moments in these games that have touched certain people's hearts in one way or another. Whether you howled in rage when a close and beloved friend becomes and enemy, or sobbed uncontrollably at the loss of a deeply invested character, it provoked a true emotional response.

I love the story-telling of games. It's an interactive media. I get sucked in to adventure and, if the writing's good, lose myself in the tale.

Recently, while playing Red Dead Redemption, I was at a point in the game where I was

Spoiler: very minor spoiler

crossing into Mexico after saying goodbye to my new acquaintances in New Austin

I was thinking about all these characters and the involving story, when this song came on...


Along with the story, the expansive view, and my immersion in the world, this song was the perfect catalyst to make my heart move. I don't know what I felt, but I felt it. A little melancholy, with some nostalgia thrown in.

I just sat there, taking it in, feeling my heart beat in my chest, realizing that a video game was making me feel.

What game, if any, has had that one single greatest emotional response from you? Or are you more about the score, less about the drama?

I was going to say this game too, but

Spoiler

after you kill dutch and the music comes on as you race to see your family again

 

[Umwerfer]

I realise my will is not as strong as it ought to be, but I will nonetheless say Mass effect. Even though it is corny and simplistic(nr. 1) I can't seem to remain unaffected.

Any zelda game. And actually starcraft as well, you know, when you are reunited with kerrigan. Not a tearjerker, but kinda shocking.

Not to mention Mario xD certain feelings were awoken after the sixth time of "haha, wrong castle, n00b" from toad.

 

[Beartrucci]

Besides rage at certain frustrating games, many have made me feel some sort of emotion. Heavy Rain made me feel sad in my ending where:

Spoiler: Heavy Rain ending spoilers.

Ethan got shot by the police. I literally sat there with my mouth wide open thinking "What. The. Fuck"

The Metal Gear Solid series has done it to me a few times such as when:

Spoiler: Metal Gear Solid 3 and Metal Gear Solid 4 spoilers

The Boss was talking to Snake before they fight, I never got around to finishing that game though, I should really get around to it soon. Metal Gear Solid 4 had a few moments like that, such as when you go to Shadow Moses at the start of Act 4 and walk around in the snow while a song is playing and it shows flashbacks to MGS1. The end of Act 5 had those moments to such as when Raiden appears to save Snake, and when Snake was going down the microwave corridor and when Naomi's final message appears on the screens. The final cutscene between Solid Snake and Big Boss had those moments too.

I have to agree with the OP as well about Red Dead Redemption, that part of the game was just perfect. The end also evoked the same emotions as well.

 

[Thee Prisoner]

The Void, this being perhaps the only example of high art in modern gaming.

A rather bold statement but it looks interesting. I usually like games that are different. I'm downloading it now from steam.

Thanks for the recommend on the game.

 

[Sojaus]

I recall playing Xenogears as a young teenager and getting a bit misty eyed at the end of the game. I recently replayed it not too long ago and it evoked the same misty eyed emotion at the exact same point it did the first time I played through it. It was a magical moment of emotion and nostalgia.

In terms of video games, Xenogears was the only one to really have any impact on me. Never got misty eyed, but there were a few moments in the game that made me pause and really think for a good 15 minutes. 1st/2nd disk transition and the ending.

 

[NeutralDrow]

Also, while most of the music is atmospheric rather than impressive (which works very, very well), there are a few standouts. Since I already posted the main theme in the review, here's another.

That music sent tingles throughout my whole body.

Aeka's route in that game was not only the most emotional, it had the best music, too. Heretics and Dreamers (sort of her theme) works pretty well on its own, but the antagonists have a couple of themes that work best if you know the situation. Sort of why <url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6j59OeJIh4>The Villain still fills me with apprehension, and <url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpssFaJtS0Y>Lock On still reminds me of how much pure hatred and panic I felt during certain events.

To be honest, though, the one song that affects me the most from that game is still this one.


A piece unique not only to Aeka's route, but to one scene in particular.

Spoiler

Finding and stopping her just before she jumps from the school roof.

It probably doesn't work nearly as well without that context, but I wouldn't know. It's probably the most emotional scene I've seen in any game, and I can't get it out of my head when I listen to the piece.

 

[Uncanny Doom]

Mass Effect 2
Mass Effect
Chrono Cross

As well as most Final Fantasy and Legend of Zelda games. All of those had some very gripping and emotional moments that stood out to me.

 

[BlindMessiah94]

Eternal Darkness.
Also Chrono Trigger.

 

[veratixx]

the ending of Final Fantasy X

Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (the part where you carry a weakened Midna on your back: the music made me sad, angered and sent a rather unsettling chill down my spine)

 

[Nouw]

I was very sad when Carmine died in Gears 2. I hadn't even played the game. Only watched Youtube videos...

 

[stiborge]

You know, actually I think the games that filled me with the most emotions were some RPGs trying to make a difficult decision on something when I was really immersed in the story. Hmmm... There were also a couple moments in Shadow of the Colossus that were quite emotional. I'm sure there's been a game where there was a betrayal from a friend in the game (possibly when I was really young or if it was done really well) that's left me feeling betrayed and pissed off. In fact I know there has been. I just can't think of any specific examples.

 

[JEBWrench]

For sheer shit-your-pants terror, try Penumbra.
Wait...fear is an emotion right? Fear, anger, amusement and boredom are pretty much the only emotions games have ever evoked in me.

Provided you don't want to sleep at night for a month, try Penumbra.

OT: Myst IV.

Spoiler

I don't care if it was really Sirrus. I HELPED KILL A TWELVE YEAR OLD GIRL. Though the real one came back, I didn't know it until after the killing.

 

[ilikepie59]

Mass Effect 2:

Spoiler

When Kelly was being liquified while still alive, screaming and beating on the wall, locked in a claustrophobic little pod, everyone panicking to get the others out, tense music.

That was disturbing to say the least.

After that, I had to consciously remind myself that she wasn't a real person.

Every single time I see her on the next playthrough, I think to myself "I really don't want you to die!"

 

[fasteddie_felson]

I just finished playing through Mass Effect 2. It's pretty good. The game that stands head and shoulders for bringing emotion was Star WArs Knights of the Old Republic. I played light side first time through, the end plot twist was incredible, then on second play through I was dark side and killed a NPC that had been a big part of the first play through. I felt deep guilt at what I had done. KOTOR is a classic. IMHO better story telling, more affecting then Mass Effect 2.

fear is an emotion too. System Shock 2 was the scariest game ever.