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The video game scene has evolved over the years from the antique 8-bit consoles to more intense, elaborate and immersive experiences. Current generation game productions need crews at par with major Hollywood flicks. Game narratives are designed by massive teams of expert writers and are illustrated with realistic special effects by specialist game developers.Looking back at the three decades of gaming history, it's difficult to shortlist scenes to include in the Top 10. That’s because the parameters for judging games have also changed radically. They're no longer ranked only by their entertainment value.The crux of gaming experience is what stays with us after we're done with it. Thus, the most defining scenes are the most memorable ones. They helped define our relationship with gaming. Here's an exhaustive list.
#10 Aeris Dies Final Fantasy VII
This is possibly the most notorious and controversial death scenes in the history of gaming. The death of Aeris Gainsborough in Final Fantasy VII brought tears to many fans' eyes.
After Aeris leaves Cloud to travel to the Forgotten City, Cloud finally comes across Aeris, praying at an altar. She lifts her head to smile at Cloud as the villain Sephiroth jumps down from the sky, piercing her with his sword.
She drops, visibly dead. Final Fantasy fans couldn't accept Aeris's gory death. Rumours still have it that it is possible to revive her in some way. However, rumours are rumours, and Aeris remains dead.
What is left of her is the impression of an amazing game with it's unforgettable characters.
#9 Ending - Hitman 3 Blood Money
The ending of Hitman 3 : Blood Money is supposedly ambiguous. Many wonder what Agent 47 is doing in China, and why he didn't get back in touch with Diana, etc.
47 is still workingfor the Agency. Diana lies to a client when she says she's lost all contact with 47.While nearing the end, 47 has become too famous and drawn too much attention from other agencies.He and Diana have learnt it the hard way that it's better to keep a low profile. That's why it's important to "kill all witnesses", hence the last chapter.
This was the perfect way to end the series. It closes mysteriously, just like the protagonistand the profession. The underlying message is that while 47 is still out there, we'll not hear from him as he's in hiding now.
#8 Pain and Suffering - Max Payne 1
The Max Payne series is one of the most successful gaming franchises in the industry. It all started with it's first edition - Max Payne.
In the final chapter, Max enters theAesir Headquarters to kill Horne.He shoots past security guards and mercenaries till he runs into Mona Sax for the final time. Horne shoots Mona after she refuses to shoot Max, and runs to the roof.
It's now that we learn that Max's wife was killed because she found out about the valkyr project. As Horne tries to flee in his helicopter, Max shoots the building's antenna with his M79 grenade launcher. The antenna snaps and crashes down on the helicopter. TheNYPD arrest Max. While being led out Max sees Alfred Woden and smiles. He knows Woden would ensure his safe passage through the legal system.
The scene acts on the timeless principle of good triumphing over evil, but it's modern rendition captured the attention of fans.
#7 Joe dies - Mafia II
At the climax of Mafia II, the game's protagonist Vito Scaletta makes a critical choice. It's not a choice at all if you ask.
He has the option to save himself or his dearest friend Joe. The scene poignantly reveals the ruthless underbelly of the Mafia. It's not just about the beautiful belles, Italian suits, and unlimited cash.
This leaves us with a bitter taste in the mouth, but that was the idea. There could not have been a better end. If we had an endwhere Joe and Vito enjoy their palatial mansions, and swanky sports cars thatwould send a wrong message and glamorize violence. The developers 2K Czech sure didn't want that.
#6 \"Would You Kindly?\" - BioShock
BioShock has one of the solidest narratives in gaming. In the game, when you realize that you were brainwashed by Fontaine and his men to follow his instructions, and you were doing his bidding after he uttered the trigger words Would You Kindly? hits you hard. The ironic words reveal that you were never working on your own ill. This is one of the best moments in gaming history.
The final confrontation with your illegitimate father Andrew Ryan also leaves an enduring mark on your mind. You beat him to death with a golf club. His moving last words are, a man chooses, a slave obeys. Scenes like these elevate BioShockinto being one of the most thought-provoking series in modern gaming.
#5 First Zombie - Resident Evil
It's hardly scary now, but back in 1998, the first cranky grey zombie slowly turning around and moving towards you was as scary as it could get.
To confront the limping carcass, you're armed with some bulletsor a knife. That depended on whether you opted to play as Jill or Chris.
You had two choices. Retreat and let Barry blow it's brains on the floor, or battle it alone. While the demonic dogs and other more scarier counterparts from later editions in the series are more horrific, the first shambling zombie stays with us longer.
Watching it now in a brightly-lit room after playing on the Play Station 3 or Xbox 360 might even make you laugh, but respect it for the times when this could send a chilling shiver down your spine.
#4 Billie Jean - Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
Grand Theft Auto by Rockstar Games in a path breaker in the history of open-world gaming. Here you're not suffocated by arrays of consecutive missions. You can, quite literally, get some wind in the hair.
That moment when you get into a car or bike inGTA Vice Cityand Billie Jean is playing on the radio is one of the most savored moments by gamers worldwide.
The thrill of speed, the neon lights, wayfarers dressed in gaudy 80s outfits, and the sadistic pleasure in running them over and stealing their money, we all love Vice City. Here, everything's fine.
The diversity of the experience, from Vice CitysMiami Vice's elegant streets and buildings to the wilderness of Liberty City, it opened up our eyes to the virtual world of pleasure where money is king, and power flows from the barrel of the gun.
#3 Psycho Mantis - Metal Gear Solid
Agent Snakes face-off with villain Psycho Mantis created one of the most memorable boss battles ever.
What raised Mantis into fame weren't the physical hurdles to defeat him, but the weird conversation you had with him. It can mess with your head.
Psycho Mantis could seemingly read your mind. He proved that by telling you what you had been playing recently. It's a rare moment when you feel shocked and vulnerable. He then starts predicting your moves and affecting your movements with his telekinetic superpowers.
This was a clever stunt, as in reality the game was just reading the saved game data and vibrating the controller. Yet, it's unlike anything we've seen ever since. Most gamers initial reaction to this scene from Metal Gear Solid left them bemused by Mantiss psychic abilities.
#2 FINISH HIM! - Mortal Kombat
Mortal Kombat by Midway Gamesis one of the most successful fighting genre games in the history of gaming. The series is popular for its high levels of violence and cool action sequences.
The game caused panic in the western world as parents worried that their children would try killing people as an influence from the game. Thankfully, nothing of the sort happened.
What did happen was that children were glued to local arcades, trying to desperately figure out the combination of button presses that led to each character's combo moves. The centre of the action was the Finish Him! scene.
There have been very few more fulfilling moments in gaming when we took pleasure in killing someone than by pulling off a Fatality move.
#1 Opening Scene - Super Mario Bros.
We can hear many new-age gamers whine. But for most, this was where their tryst with gaming began.Super Mario Bros.captured and held the attention and interest of gamers worldwide. It initiated us to an array of features that became fundamental to our gaming experiences later on. Super Mario Bros World 1-1 was packed with several memorable scenes, whether it's jumping on a Goomba, or the power-ups, or fighting a dragon to reach your lady love.
In 1985, Nintendo created meaning out of moving pixels and crappy type fonts in Super Mario Bros to deliver a rich experience. That opening scene is so deeply immersed in our minds, no game can ever dare tip it off.
It was the harbinger of a new revolution in the gaming industry. It catapulted game developers into the limelight, and silenced critics of this new medium of entertainment.
This one created our bond with gaming, that developed into a strong relationship. This was our first crush, no doubt. It all started here. We have never looked back ever since. Gamers wipe the speck of tear, tip your hat, and take a bow.
