Saber Forum

Hey guys, this is a topic I always love to talk to people about so i figured we should start a thread here! So here's the question:

For you, personally, what was the BEST moment you've ever had while playing games? Could be emotional, exciting, uplifting, whatever. But what is that memory that just stayed with you?

For me it was somewhat recent. There's a series around called Ace Combat, once heard it described as "Star Wars, but everything is real planes. And the pilots are anime." Well it happens to be my favorite game series of all time, being the first video game I ever bought for myself (Ace Combat 04 for ps2). After 3-4 more SUPERB games afterwards the series started experimenting a LOT. They pitched the soundtrack and story heavy themes for trying new things with gameplay, taking it from a fictional world to an IRL setting anfd futzing with tried and true game mechanics in favor of making the series more like CoD.

It didnt work well.

I had gone about 14 years in between having a new proper Ace Combat game. It may sound silly, but this series of game is what inspired me onto my career path, it ignited a lifelong passion of aviation thats nowadays just a part of who I am. So at nearly 1.5 decades I figured the series had sadly died. However, they eventually announced a new game - one where the old mechanics had been refined, not changed. One where the story takes place back in their fictional world. So naturally i preordered it and brought it home Day 0 of release.

The first mission is extremely reminiscent of the first mission of Ace Combat 04, my very first Ace Combat. Right down to the deep, blue skies. And then the soundtrack kicks in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQEFDGsGD2A&list=PLWIPKM5hlQ0wqZq-GxjagbTCPHoPUJeMk&index=14# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQEFDGsGD2A&list=PLWIPKM5hlQ0wqZq-GxjagbTCPHoPUJeMk&index=14#) Skip to 1:40

The game was, with music, was practically welcoming me back. I nearly cried I was smiling so wide. I know it sounds really over the top for a silly fighter jet game, but one of my primary focuses when playing a game is the music, a good soundtrack will completely frame the experience of the game while playing. Not to mention this series is responsible in no small part for the focus of my career, and my largest passion. So yeah. That moment - pure bliss.

What about you guys?

Defeating The Reapers in Mass Effect 3.

Using the infected to kill bad guys in The Last of Us: Left Behind.

Getting 100% on everything in Arkham City.

Anytime I pull of a slick over-taking move and cause someone to crash at the same time in Racedriver: Grid.

Both amazing as well!

Starkiller bringing down a Star Destroyer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_aOR6H9h0I# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_aOR6H9h0I#)

Zero hate. Superb scene.

Thank you, Psycho. Glad you like it as well

Oh it's impossible to try and choose just one. Most satisfying was probably SSS Ranking everything and feeling totally BA in DMC 3 and other games in that series. When it comes down to individual moments, I'd have to point to games like Mass Effect series, KOTOR series, and Halo Reach for the time you spend bonding with your crew... and some of the related or inevitable cut scenes both good and bad that happen in so many ways. Those moments make those games!

Across all the games that let you choose then it's the moment you can decide to be seriously "Dark Side" with no going back. Like if I had to choose one moment SPOILER ALERT: KOTOR, if you chose Dark Side path. The definitive moment of Revan controlling the Star Forge and "reclaiming" your armada... that was satisfying!

But I miss games like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gd9EzfF3Mqg# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gd9EzfF3Mqg#)

I know SWBF 2 has alright fighter mechanics if you retool it a bit in settings, but lacks the MISSIONS to back it up making it really stand out like old SWBF siege battles in space! I mean this game was probably my first "flight simulator" and had true control over your ship in a space battle that could get intense. Let alone the fact you're full on Imperial pilot serving the Empire... oh it was too good. I served proudly. Hey, someone had to crush those rebels! If everyone chooses to be the "good guys" there is no epic battle to be had...

Mass Effect 2. I was taking some booze back to drink with the ship's doctor. Got there to find out she was dead.  A video game almost made me cry.


Then there is this moment. Sorry about the horrible video quality.  One of the few moments I could play online. Halo Reach. An overkill is when you kill 4 people in a row. Kind of hard to pull off in a 3 on 3 match.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVhK298OiZw&list=LLl-dyAuPa59-821_2iteGYg&index=1# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVhK298OiZw&list=LLl-dyAuPa59-821_2iteGYg&index=1#)

Ha, Mass Effect is like a good anime at repeatedly kicking below the belt when/if it felt necessary. I remember that EXACT moment, and I think I did a double take in the moment like "is this really happening". Those games that build ties with your companions to the point you want to go get some revenge, it's perfectly crafted story telling... I played all of the original Gears of War games, they had that in spades with how dedicated you wind up being with your brothers in arms... Nothing like trench fighting and chain sawing locust to save the world to get you saying "yup, these are my boys, lets go stomp some bugs and save humanity!"

True, those Halo matches where you would wreck a small team then they respawn and get eaten up again... priceless. I never got why they would always try for revenge against the same person who just owned them into oblivion? Smile for your headshot, respawn and repeat till you rage quit. Best plasma grenade sticks were to the face, it's like a glowing insult till you blow up. Oh man, great times.