In the vast world of video games, there are phrases so epic that they have left a profound mark on our memories. From commands to execute actions, narrator lines, to quotes that are so profound they change life itself. They are the essence of the game because they enrich and weave the narrative, turning each word into a weapon of defense, motivation, or challenge.
So let’s navigate through ten unforgettable moments where words have elevated the gaming experience to epic levels and have withstood the test of time, creating an experience that goes beyond the screen. Are you ready for this journey through the lines that have left an eternal mark in the fascinating world of video games?
10
“The right man in the wrong place can make all the difference in the world. “
G-Man. Half-Life 2
Right at the beginning of Gordon Freeman’s second adventure in the dystopian future, G-Man appears to awaken us from the stasis state, and that’s when he delivers this line, and it’s simply overwhelming. Destiny may place us in quite challenging situations, but the decision we make in that situation is what will change everything. It’s just a matter of deciding to be part of the solution, not the problem, and Freeman proves this throughout the game.
*Stasis: a state in which an object or person remains unchanged, does not change, transform, or develop.
9
“Hey, you. You’re finally awake”.
Ralof. Skyrim
The beginning of Skyrim is simply a poem; you never imagine starting an adventure on your way to your death sentence, which rather seems to be the end of everything. Right at the beginning of the game, the screen lights up to reveal that we are prisoners on a cart, alongside other prisoners, and it is one of them, Ralof, who welcomes us with this iconic phrase. Never has the start of a grand adventure seemed so absurd.
8
“Press ‘F’ to pay respects.”
Screen Prompt. Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare
Never before had a screen prompt touched people’s hearts as much as “Press ‘F’ to pay respects.” Every time an F is requested in the chat, you can be sure that an epic (and humorous or emotional) moment has just occurred. No Call of Duty had achieved as much impact on the audience as the F prompt in that emotional scene.
7
“All we had to do was follow the damn train, C.J”.
Big Smoke. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
This phrase has been etched in our memories solely due to the frustrating difficulty of the mission assigned to us by Big Smoke. It doesn’t matter if we give our best, attempt the impossible, or buy him all the Cluckin’ Bell combos; he will always end up repeating this phrase, over and over, because completing this mission is nearly impossible.
6
“Thank you, Mario. But our princess is in another castle.”
Toad. Super Mario Bros.
Being Mario is not easy, and that’s because everyone’s favorite plumber has never had it easy when it comes to Peach. Just imagine traversing world after world, defeating evil Koopas that only want to take you to the afterlife, knocking down castles with burning lava, only to find at the end of this perilous feat, a Toad who seems to be doing just fine, telling you that the princess is not there. Come on, Mario, let her go, she’s not the one for you, buddy!
5
“If our lives are already written, it would take a corageous man to change the script.”
Quantum Suicide. Alan Wake.
Can we say something more about this phrase? It is simply profound and very real. This phrase comes to us through the screen of a TV in an episode of Quantum Suicide, and if we pay the attention it deserves, it can even be more than it seems. This phrase comes to warn us that we are the ones who must take responsibility for our lives; letting everything flow will always be a recipe for disaster. However, when we take action and take responsibility for our decisions, we can evolve and become better.
Who would have thought a survival-horror would be so philosophical?
4
“Snake… We’re not tools of the government, or anyone else. Fighting was the only thing… the only thing I was good at. But… at least I always fought for what I believed in.”
Grey Fox. Metal Gear Solid.
The legendary Grey Fox arrives at a crucial moment, not only to save our skins but also to break us and elevate our spirit. Right in the midst of what seems like a lost battle, Grey Fox sacrifices himself for us, shares his past with us, and then, under the foot of the Metal Gear and on the verge of death, delivers this devastating line. He reminds us that we should always fight for what we believe is right and never let anyone use us.
3
“I used to be an adventurer like you. Then I took an arrow in the knee…”
Whiterun Guard. Skyrim
Skyrim is one of those games that will never cease to amaze. From the bugs that make it very amusing to the comments of the villagers we interact with, we can find laughter and adventure in every moment. And it’s precisely a guard who, without knowing us or understanding our intentions, shares a piece of his personal story with us (even though we don’t care at all). This line about the fleeting functionality of knees comes from the mouth of this friendly guard, whom we can shoot in the other knee.
2
“Don’t hate me ’cause i’m beautiful…”
Lamar. Grand Theft Auto V
One of the most famous roasts in video games is in GTA V, and it starts with this phrase that is simply phenomenal. Franklin is not in the mood to hang out, and when Lamar tells him that he’s going to spend some time with him at his house, Franklin rejects him. Lamar instantly begins mocking Franklin’s bad luck, and he starts with this phrase. The “You’re just jealous” from video games has come to stay forever in our memory.
1
“Ah shit, here we go again.”
Carl Johnson. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Life itself, the essence of life, cannot be summarized as well as in this phrase. CJ is a master of philosophy, and there is not a moment in GTA: San Andreas where he doesn’t leave us with a lesson. As soon as he arrives in his beloved neighborhood, things get complicated, and CJ begins his story on Grove Street with this epic and memorable phrase, a line that we often find ourselves saying whenever we have to take the subway to go to work.
It’s difficult to make a top 10 of epic phrases…
… that it’s not all about GTA.
There are memorable games, and what makes them stay in our memory, in addition to gameplay, are those bits of dialogue that make us laugh or blow our minds. A top 10 will never be enough to cover all the epic phrases that exist and have resonated with us, but with a hand on the heart and a finger on the ‘F’ key, I present to you my favorites.
But aside from the jokes, there are lines so good that they can leave a mark on an entire generation: philosophical pieces, life advice, and memorable gems that can even change our way of thinking. And best of all, it’s our heroes, with whom we spend hours in the game, who leave us these pieces of wisdom for life.
I hope you liked this top, and if you have any favorite or memorable phrases, feel free to leave them in the comments. I would love to know which phrase has left an impact on you.
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What’s up, gamers! I’m Andrea Villasmil, the one weaving magic behind Joystick Latino. From the glorious era of Metal Gear Solid on the PS1 to today’s RPGs, video games have me hooked. Besides being the boss around here, I’m an editor and translator on this wonderful website. I’m also a music teacher, delving into the world of dubbing and voice acting.
Between psychological thrillers, RPG sessions, and delicious pasta dishes, I have a great time sharing my obsession for games on Joystick Latino. See you in the game, friends!
