Some games feature memorable game worlds filled with details and NPCs. Others present unique game mechanics not found elsewhere, and a select few benefit from incredibly well-written scripts. While strong dialogue is more common in other forms of entertainment, video games struggle more often with getting conversations right.
That being said, several games have succeeded in delivering memorable lines that fans remember well after playing. Some are funny, some are thought-provoking, and some represent landmark moments in the medium's history.
Mordin's Sacrifice (Mass Effect 3)
“Had to be me. Someone else might have gotten it wrong.”
The Mass Effect series is famous for its memorable characters, breathtaking set-pieces, and high-quality dialogue, and this moment from Mass Effect 3 combines all three to present one of the hardest choices in the entire Mass Effect trilogy. Mordin Solus is a Salarian party member that helped develop the Genophage, a biological assault that has left Krogans unable to reproduce.
He eventually develops a cure that will save the Krogan race, and players need to decide whether to let him stay in a crumbling tower to finalize the cure or rescue him and doom an entire species to extinction. Mordin's logical thought process comes out in this quote, which Redditor Narad626 says "hit the hardest" in the trilogy.
Cave Johnson Controles His Own Life (Portal 2)
"When life gives you lemons, don’t make lemonade. Make life take the lemons back! Get mad!"
Full quote: "I don’t want your damn lemons, what the hell am I supposed to do with these? Demand to see life’s manager! Make life rue the day it thought it could give Cave Johnson lemons!"
Portal was the surprise hit of The Orange Box, and Portal 2 expanded its predecessor's concepts and humor into a full-on AAA experience. While the challenging puzzles are memorable enough on their own, and the humorously evil robot GLaDOS is the only other real character besides Chel, Cave Johnson has the best quotes.
The founder of Aperture Science isn't actually seen in the flesh, but actor J. K. Simmons brings him to life in witty, sarcastic detail. Redditor Darfka argues that "They couldn't have found a better guy for that role." Johnson's numerous audio logs impart several bits of workplace and life advice.
Javik Argues Against Honor (Mass Effect 3)
"Stand in the ashes of a trillion dead souls, and ask the ghosts if honor matters. The silence is your answer."
Many players may consider Garrus Mass Effect's best crewmate, but Javik may be the most underrated. Whiteknight521 ponders why such a vital character didn't come in the base game, saying, "He's so essential to the narrative of the trilogy it's almost criminal," but those that picked him up were rewarded with some highly memorable limes.
Javik is the only survivor of the Protheans, an old race that the Reapers previously wiped out. Javik speaks with Shepard and agrees to work with him, but he promises that he will not waver from his dedication to destroying Sovereign and his kin.
G-Man Speaks To Gordon Freeman (Half-Life 2)
"The right man in the wrong place can make all the difference in the world. So, wake up, Mr. Freeman. Wake up and smell the ashes."
The original Half-Life was an essential evolution for narrative first-person shooters, and its sequel greatly expanded the game's story and gameplay. As the game opens, Gordon Freemen awakens to a monologue by the mysterious G-Man, who welcomes him to a dystopian world that has fallen entirely under totalitarian control.
Redditor JazzmansRevenge notes that the way G-Man delivers this monologue, stopping and thinking how to express each word, showcases the fact that "He's something far from human, a Lovecraftian inter-dimensional entity that can be everywhere and nowhere to whom the laws of reality itself don't apply."
Joel Faces His Past (The Last Of Us 2)
"Why Don't You Say Whatever Speech You've Got Rehearsed And Get This Over With."
The Last of Us was one of the most critically acclaimed games released for the PlayStation 3. Its sequel has also been met with general praise, but certain narrative choices proved more divisive than anything in the first game. Most controversial was Joel's death at the hands of Abby.
When it becomes clear that he's about to be killed by Abby for killing her father in the first game, he doesn't beg for mercy or make excuses. Instead, he retorts with the above line, which does seem to cause Abby to pause. Reed_Thompson_ liked Joel's final remarks, saying, "Joel went out like a gangster, idc what anyone says."
Paarthurnax Ponders Morality (The Elder Scrolls IV: Skyrim)
"What is better? To be born good? Or to overcome your evil nature through great effort?”
Questions of morality are common in games, but few fans expected such a memorable quote about the value of right and wrong to come from a dragon of all places. Skyrim may be better known for its breathtaking vistas and varied combat options than specific characters, but Paarthurnax stands as one that fans can't forget.
Many fans may not realize that Paarthurnax's voice actor, Charles Martinet, is one of several actors that play multiple famous video game characters. As Redditor Elementus94 points out, "Fun fact, that's the voice actor for Mario."
Link Gets A Warning (The Legend Of Zelda)
"It's dangerous to go alone. Take this!"
Many classic game franchises originated in the Nintendo Entertainment System era, and The Legend of Zelda is one of the most enduring. Breath of the Wild is one of the best open-world games of all time, but the original title delivered an entertaining and challenging dungeon crawler experience.
At the beginning of the game, Link gets this stern warning, indicating a future challenge to the player and giving them their first weapon. This quotation, mentioned by BelicanPixieFry, may not be particularly thought-provoking, but it's notable for its impact on gaming history
Andrew Ryan Speaks About Free Will (Bioshock)
"A man chooses, a slave obeys."
Rapture is one of the most memorable cities in gaming, a retro-apocalyptic city adorned with decaying art-deco styling sitting on the ocean floor. It is eventually revealed that Andrew Ryan, Rapture's founder, has been controlling the protagonist (and, in turn, the player) with a signal phrase that compels their actions.
This quotation comes with the reveal that the player is little more than a puppet. Gregkwaste remembers the line well as they post "Ι swear to god 10+ years later I can still hear Ryan's voice yelling that quote."
Humanity Fights Back Against Hell (DOOM Eternal)
"Against all the evil that Hell can conjure, all the wickedness that mankind can produce, we will send unto them ... only you. Rip and tear, until it is done."
Slow, pensive games certainly have their place, but sometimes it feels good to jump into an experience that delivers constant, over-the-top thrills. The Doom franchise has been around for decades, but the 2016 revitalization brought the games to modern technology.
Demons and other hellish monstrosities are common enemies in video games, but this quotation concisely depicts the brutality and lack of fear felt by the Doomslayer. FistBankofAngmar expresses the intensity of the player character by jokingly posting, "The heavy metal isn't playing because you're fighting demons, it's playing because the demons are fighting you."
Sergeant Johnson Isn't Intimidated (Halo 2)
"Dear humanity, we regret being alien bast**ds. We regret coming to earth, and we most definitely regret the Corps just blew up our raggedy-a** fleet."
The Halo franchise has always been equally known for its multiplayer and campaign modes. Halo 4, 5, and Infinite, the latest entries developed by 343 Industries, have had more controversial stories, but the original trilogy (plus Reach and ODST) are filled with memorable quotations.
Here, Johnson plays on the name of a Covenant ship, Regret, to show his lack of intimidation and plans to take the fight back to the alien threat. Fafnir13 notes the overall quality of the game's writing when they say, "They killed it with his dialogue, always fun to listen to his parts."