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[When Destructoid readerPatBateman17blogs, we listen. -Jordan]
If you’ve seen me lurking on any number of AMA posts here, you know by now my absolute favorite gaming question is, “What is your most emotional gaming moment?” Gaming is by far my primary hobby, but I want more than just good action, cool design, or grand setpieces. I want a deeply emotional story that goes places. I want a dev that takes me on a journey from start to credits — and if you can absolutely demolish my heart in the meantime, I’m evenmorehere for that!
Give me an emotional game any day
Sure, I enjoy my shooty bang bang games as much as the regular lot, my puzzle games with minimal story, the highs and lows ofMario Kart… but what I really enjoy are the games that rip my heart out of my chest and leave me gaping at the screen after I’ve wrapped, totally distraught and in awe of the journey the developer has taken me on. NinjaSpeed’sexcellent bloggot me thinking about what I really connect with in the games I’ve played throughout the different times of my life. I could go on and on with this one, but I figured I’d hit the highlights that immediately come to memory.
Final Fantasy VII – PlayStation
Middle school Pat played the absolute hell out ofFFVIIon release. I’m pretty sure I sold my Sega Genesis collection to get a PS1 and probably spent a month playing the intro to this one over and over again because I didn’t realize you needed a memory card too…FFVIIwas my first epic game. I loved every second of it and the heart-rending story never let up from start to finish across every disc. I remember beating this game and honestly not knowing what I was going to do or play next. Pretty sure I went intoMetal Gear Solidfrom here, which was also quite an emotional playthrough. I was hooked!
Final Fantasy VII Remake – PlayStation 4
But Pat, you say, isn’t it cheating to haveFFVIIon here twice? To which I say, hey, I’m in touch with humanity! I wasn’t sure what to expect withFFVII Remakebut I knew I loved the original and was pretty sureRemakecould never touch the highs I felt all those years ago. Well… I was dead wrong.FFVIIRwas pure magic for me and I didn’t even mind it just being the first in a whoever-knows-how-many part series spanning two console generations. I didn’t care. Seeing Aerith and experiencing the full voice acting I was hooked all over again, but this time as “grown ass adult” Pat. I adored this game and every moment I spent with it. I can’t wait to play more at some undetermined time down the road.
Wolfenstein: The New Order – PlayStation 4
“Wolfenstein: The New Order???” you say, incredulously. To which I say, “Have you played it???” — I was surprised with how effectiveTNO‘s story was and how Machinegames knocked it way out of the park for me in design, presentation, and how they made BJ’s story both full of blood and action, and also emotionally tender. I really dug the whisper monologues and very much look forward to playingThe New Colossusat some point.
Telltale’s The Walking Dead: Season 1 – PlayStation 3
Telltale’s The Walking Dead: Season 1broke my heart the whole way through, and I absolutely loved it. I won’t go into any story beats or spoilers here, but whew, what an arc. I recently picked up the PS4 completeTWDcollection and look forward to playingSeason 1again and experiencing the rest of the seasons that I somehow just never played.
Spiritfarer – Nintendo Switch
I was not prepared forSpiritfarerin any way. Playing during the loneliest heights of the 2020 pandemic, surrounded by loss and grief everywhere I looked — I playedSpiritfarerhandheld and the intimate experience of curling up on the couch with Stella and her passengers was at once both a delightful and absolutely heartbreaking experience. I loved getting to know all the stories, including Stella’s own. Learning that each passenger’s tale came from family members of the dev team made the whole experience even more impactful. Say what you will about the resource management, boatTetrisplay, but it’s all in service of a wonderful story that I won’t soon forget.
Remember to tag your spoilers, and thanks for reading!
