the things in this page inflict lasting psychic damage if i think about it for too long. some of these are inspiring; others make me wanna kms. maximize the experience by listening to the music and songs linked in individual entries. full of spoilers!
Pick a god and pray.
-Fire Emblem Awakening
May you feel the jaws of the beast at your throat every time you swallow.
-The Great Ace Attorney
I do not fear death. What I fear is doing nothing and losing everything.
-Kingsglaive Final Fantasy XV
Despite everything, it's still you.
-Undertale
Being good means being free.
-Haikyuu!!
"It's a good life we lead, brother."
"The best. May it never change."
"And may it never change us."
-Assassin's Creed II
I'm Ion's replacement, but there are no replacements for me.
-Tales of the Abyss
In the end, he chose mercy. He chose love, and I was undone.
-Shadowbringers
In your darkest hour, in the blackest night... think of me... and I will be with you. Always. For where else could I go? Who else could I love but you?
-Dark Knight questline
I love you more than you'll ever know. Be well.
-Dark Knight questline
"I'm not living for anyone else. (...) It doesn't matter if you accept me or not. Here I am. Alive!"
Luke, Tales of the AbyssKarma
the bulk of the game is an anchor for me, but the scene that stuck with me the most is in the 3rd arc where Luke tells Asch that it doesn't matter that he's a replica or if he thinks he's a sham or fake; there need not a reason to live in this world - he's under the sun, real and alive!
"Boy oh boy... the price of freedom is steep."
Zack Fair, Crisis Core Final Fantasy VIIThe Price of Freedom
the line from Zack's Final Stand, an event with a track by the same name playing in the background. made worse by the fact that pre-remake canon implies that Aerith never knew of Zack's fate till the end. truly the tragic couple (at least before the remake complicates things).
"Looks like my summer vacation is... over."
Roxas, Kingdom Hearts IIKingdom Hearts is a gut-punch disguised as a Disney theme park and there are other scenes in the franchise with waaaaaay more impact (for example, Xion's death), but this one from KH2 is simple - showing Roxas' frustration and eventual acceptance of his role in awakening Sora.
"The only thing I do know... is that we have to be kind. Please. Be kind... especially when we don't know what's going on."
Waymond Wong, Everything Everywhere All At Oncepeople always quote the laundry and taxes line but nobody's talking about this. the man says this while scared out of his fucking mind, putting himself between danger and the love of his life and i think he's also bleeding his guts out??? the meek husband is not weak; it takes a lot to be kind.
"No one has the right to stop you from loving another person!"
Koshiro Aoi, Renai Idenshi XX (Love Gene XX)also known as 'lesbian yaoi', which was also how i found this. it's written as a low-stakes yuri (yaoi?) story but has a defining panel in the final chapter where the protagonist tearfully declares her love in front of the whole school. and i think that's neat.
(placeholder bc i need to play thru the game to get the official en loc)
Sweet Poolthe gross BL VN didn't just give me toilet nightmres for two weeks, it also gave me a lifetime of psychic damage! a VN with only one canon love interest and no happy ending - the 'best' end could only qualify as bittersweet.
"My dragon is gone."
Love and Deepspaceas much as i don't want to put this entry, its effect on me is too huge to ignore. the specific scenario comes from a side story where two outcasts who found solace in each other were ripped apart by prophecies and curses. tragic in of itself, but what makes it great is the lore implications...
"My beloved was born into apocalyptic terror. People cursed his existence, fabricated his sins, and celebrated his death. Only one person ever gazed into his jewel-like eyes, embraced his burning soul, and sang to him in the night wind."
"I will be there.
This I promise. This I swear."
Haurchefant, Heavensward
not said in-game, but part of the FFXIV short stories where you can read here. if you haven't cried your fill in MSQ (right after the memorable dungeon The Vault), this will certainly do it for you. the man may no longer be there for the WoL physically, but in a sense, he is always in the WoL's thoughts - and in spirit.
"Why you? Why not you? Had I chosen another, we would have never made it this far."
Crystal Exarch, Shadowbringerscontext: the WoL is his oshi and he will play this gacha until he gets the SSR card (aka WoL gets pulled to the First). he believes the WoL can save the realm from doom... and this is his response to them questioning his choices.
"The rains have ceased, and we have been graced with another beautiful day. But you are not here to see it."
Elidibus, Shadowbringersyou fight a despicable antagonist who wears the skin of your deceased comrade in an epic battle with awesome boss music, then see for who he truly is: a man who has lost his way and misses his departed friends and colleagues dearly.
"(...) They are my meaning and my purpose. My love."
Venat, EndwalkerFlow (italics) | Answers (bold)
this quote is a part of a longer monologue with two versions. the shorter first version is a conversation; the longer second version is a solemn declaration:
"Lands that stretched on forever. Skies one could drown in. The heartbeat of nature, silent yet strong. And amidst it all a people. Beacons of light and life. Laughter that warmed my heart like naught else before. They are my meaning and my purpose. My love. In spite of... Or perhaps because of this, I choose to believe. In mankind's potential. In his ability to find a way forward. So let there be no way back. From that temptation I sunder us. No more shall man have wings to bear him to paradise. Henceforth, he shall walk."
The sorrow of a thousand thousand worlds weighs heavy. And yet you can walk on.
Ultima Thule, EndwalkerClose in the Distance
by the time the song plays, the WoL is at the edge of the universe, waiting to face the manifestation of despair. despite all the pain and suffering of many lifetimes, they are able to continue on. this hits harder after Ardbert's lore drop - that this song is from his perspective to the WoL. "Through you, we live..."
"Now, run along. And never forget that you're my pride and joy."
Living Memory, DawntrailLiving Memory is a huge try not to cry challenge that i failed miserably, from the first section down to the last. from G'raha's "Above all else, I wished that they had lived." to Alayla's "We love you more than life itself.", there is no shortage of gut-punchers... but omg the last section with Cahciua has to take the cake for me. the way she gently pats Erenville's head like a young child... just thinking about it makes me teary eyed!