Favorite lines in video games

[Akkleptos]

No stereotypical tough-guy lines here. Just meaningful in-game food for thought:

Portal: Graffiti on a wall: "The cake is a lie"

Chrono Trigger: Crono: "..."

Zero Wing: CATS: "All your base are belong to us!"

[defanatic]

"Of course I could not have planned for an ambush BY MY OWN FORCES!"

Large ham moments are always great. Like Tim Curry's "...not been corrupted by capitalism. SPACE!"

I also like anything the crazy ivan unit says. Here, hold this. I've lost a bomb, do you have it? Happy Birthday. Don't play with matches. etc.

[Karza]

As I've recently taken up Planescape: Torment again:

"Luck abandoned you the day I found you, hag."

"It insults the dead when you treat life carelessly."

"You know that if everyone was immortal, then this entire petitioner system would be up the famed fecal creek. Immortality is not a trinket to be given to unruly children such as you."

"If there is anything I have learned in my travels across the Planes, it is that many things may change the nature of a man. Whether regret, or love, or revenge or fear - whatever you believe can change the nature of a man, can. I’ve seen belief move cities, make men stave off death, and turn an evil hag's heart half-circle. This entire Fortress has been constructed from belief. Belief damned a woman, whose heart clung to the hope that another loved her when he did not. Once, it made a man seek immortality and achieve it. And it has made a posturing spirit think it is something more than a part of me."

[Kuja]

In an attempt to avoid posting scurrilous one-liners, I've decided to make the following my contribution.

This first quote comes from the voice-over of World of Warcraft: The Wrath of the Lich King's opening cinematic.

"My son, the day you were born, the very forests of Lordaeron whispered the name...Arthas. My child, I watched with pride as you grew into a weapon of righteousness. Remember, our line has always ruled with wisdom and strength, and I know you will show restraint when excercising your great power. But the truest victory, my son, is stirring the hearts of your people. I tell you this, for when my days have come to an end...you shall be king."

Link.

Wrath's opening cinematic was a massive departure from Blizzard's previous cutscene material, which pretty much much consisted entirely of badass snippets of the various races of the game followed by the logo. Their previous attempt at a monologue was from the Burning Crusade into, provided by the penultimate raid boss of the expansion Illidan. And to be frank, it was fucking painful. The entire sequence of dialogue was all about Illidan first being all emocutcutcut and then yammering on about how he was going to headshot everyone. Wrath's into couldn't be more different - Arthas doesn't even speak. He lets his actions do the talking for him. His father's commentary runs throughout instead, a twisted memory of honor and love, at times mangled into a horrific irony as we get treated to a show of the Lich King's power and dread will.

Moving onto something a little less weighty and a bit more fun, a quote from the final event of the Arcatraz, one of the instances in WoW:

"I-I knew the prince would be angry, but, I...I have not been myself. I had to let them out! The great one speaks to me, you see - wait...outsiders...Kael'thas did not send you! Good...I'll just tell the prince that you released the prisoners!! Ahahahahahahaa!"

This line just cracked me up. After spending an hour crawling through this huge crystalline prsion, getting attacked by rampant demons and other unpleasantries, wondering what in the hell happened, you finally come face to face with this poor sod, a blood elf who got mindfucked by a giant psychic bug and threw open all the prison cells for the riot to follow. I have to admit though, the way he says the above line is really what makes it so great. And I have to hand it to the guy, poor dumb bastard or not, he has a pretty damn good evil laugh.

[Vanas]

I'm trying to avoid those little snippets of selection dialogue, but most of the Rifle Section lines in Company of Heroes stick in the memory, favourites being the heartfelt 'SECTION IN THE SHITE!' and their continual bitching about anything and everything. About the only thing they appear to like are Bren Carriers and rifle grenades.

Most of my longer quotes aren't upbeat, so here's Murray.

Guybrush: What do you know about lifting voodoo curses?
Murray: Oh sure. I know a lot about lifting curses. That’s why I'm a disembodied talking skull, hanging on a spike, in the middle of a swamp!
Guybrush: You sound bitter.
Murray: I’m sorry, it’s been a rough day.

One for most FPS, really. Chernov's Diary, CoD:World at War.
April 30th 1945.
"When he first spoke of Dimitri, Reznov told tales of a hero, someone we should all aspire to be like. At times I have seen him show mercy, but at others I viewed complete brutality. I do not understand him. Perhaps heroes need not question their actions."

A couple from Homeworld.

"Kharak is being consumed by a firestorm. The Scaffold has been destroyed. All orbital facilities destroyed. Significant debris ring in low Kharak orbit. Receiving no communication from anywhere in the system... not even beacons."

Fleet Intelligence sounds like he's having trouble coping with the scale of what's going on in his report. It seems like a response you'd actually get to watching your world burn.

"The Galactic Council recognised our claim to this world.
The sacrifice of thousands has left a trail of destruction behind us, like a path across the galaxy, to Hiigara, our Homeworld.
So much destruction... so many lives lost for this place; a place of wonder to those who knew only the sands of Kharak. Our colonists were released from their long sleep,
All symbols of the old Empire were destroyed, but the conflict will never be forgotten.
A celebration marked the beginning of a new time."

This is the end of the game. There's no glory, no grand celebration. It's mournful. You've won, but millions of your people have died.

On a similar note, FreeSpace 2:

"I remember stories of a glorious civilization, of cities with spires that reached the sun and a blue planet with vast seas. Of people with myths of Humanity everlasting, of children who saw in the embers of dying stars, the destiny of their race. And they hurled themselves into the void of space with no fear.
They say our people have no present, only a past filled with horror and a future they can only dream of."

Infact, any of the Ancients or Bosch Cutscenes from Freespace 1 and 2 are great. Bosch's second monologue is a particular favourite. A look inside the mind of your enemy.

[Darth Quorthon]

One line I always liked back from the original Heavy Gear was in the last cutscene; "The duelist has the field."

[Lord Pounder]

Warcraft 3

King Dude - "What are you doing son?"

Arthas - "Succeeding you"

[Lord Revan]

Warcraft 3

King Dude - "What are you doing son?"

Arthas - "Succeeding you"

1 of my favorite lines from Warcraft 3 also though Arthas' line is "Succeeding you. Father" and it's much better when in context

those who don't know "Arthas" is Prince Arthas Menethil (crown prince of the kingdom of Lordaeron) and "king dude" is his father (King Terenas (II) Menethil), and Spoiler

after delivering his line Arthas implales in father with Frostmourne (a "cursed" sword)

Arthas has some other great lines too
for example Spoiler

"You speak of cowardice, of justice. I'll show you the justice of the grave and the true meaning of fear" emphasis theirs

[Minischoles]

Warcraft 3

King Dude - "What are you doing son?"

Arthas - "Succeeding you"

1 of my favorite lines from Warcraft 3 also though Arthas' line is "Succeeding you. Father" and it's much better when in context

those who don't know "Arthas" is Prince Arthas Menethil (crown prince of the kingdom of Lordaeron) and "king dude" is his father (King Terenas (II) Menethil), and Spoiler

after delivering his line Arthas implales in father with Frostmourne (a "cursed" sword)

Arthas has some other great lines too
for example Spoiler

"You speak of cowardice, of justice. I'll show you the justice of the grave and the true meaning of fear" emphasis theirs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRNwYpqb ... re=related

Theres the CG of Arthas returning, the context really makes what he does all the better.

[Guardsman Bass]

Star Fox 64: "If I go down I'm taking you with me!" - Andross

It's pretty good for the context in which it was said, IMHO.

This is more of a snippet of dialogue than a single line, but

Starcraft: "I will not be stopped. Not by you, or the Confederates, or the Protoss, or anyone. I will rule this sector, or see it burned to ashes around me. If you even think of getting in my way . . " -Arcturus Mengsk

Starcraft: Brood War: "You sound worried, Kerrigan - have I caught you at a bad time?" - Arcturus Mengsk

[Count Chocula]

Does this count?.

PS Why can't I embed Flash? Anyone else having this problem? I'm coding it per Mike's instructions, but I get the message "You cannot use certain BBCodes: [flash]."

[Jonen C]

Two more from Homeworld 1:

"... The subject did not survive interrogation." - Fleet Intelligence.

And, sometimes, in the random battlechatter, when the fight is going well: "I almost feel bad about this... Almost."

[Manus Celer Dei]

Also: Every line from Jon Irenicus. Yes, I'm a big baldur's gate fanboy, but his delivery of every single line is a work of art to my ears.

"<something about remembering love>"
"I have tried. I have tried to recreate it, to spark it anew in my memory but it is gone, a hollow, dead thing. For years I clung to the memory of it, then the memory of the memory, and then nothing, the Seldarine took that from me too! Once I thirsted for power, but now I hunger only for revenge, and I...WILL...HAVE IT!"

[The Yosemite Bear]

Starbase: We've lost Alpha Niner!
(Looking in, I would say that that's the least of that Starbase's problems)

[Tanasinn]

Heavy: "Some people think they can outsmart me...maybe, maybe. I've yet to meet one who can outsmart boolet."

[Oni Koneko Damien]

Disgaea is chock full of perfect lines.

Manty: It's a bit noisy. Is there some sort of party? Party hardy!
Laharl: ...Why are all my vassals like this?
Etna: Ever take a look in the mirror?

Zommie: If you're looking for the assassin, I saw her walk by here.
Zommie: I think she used the Dimensional Gate to escape.
Laharl: ...If you saw all this, why didn't you chase after her?
Zommie: That would require effort on my part.

Etna: Is your head full of flowers or something?
Flonne: Yes, I love flowers.
Etna: Oh, geez... Your head IS full of flowers.

Flonne: ...Come to think of it, how did he pass away?
Etna: Choked on a black pretzel.
Flonne: ...Huh?
Flonne: The Overlord of the Netherworld died by choking on a pretzel!?
Etna: Well, it happened... So I guess anything's possible.
Flonne: *sigh* And this was the person I was ordered to assassinate...?

Dratti: From one thing to the next... It must be hard, Prince.
Laharl: If you think so, then lend me a hand.
Dratti: Hahaha, that's a good one.

But by far the best is the Prism Ranger sequence:

Red: We've been waiting for you, demons!!
Blue: When the darkness of evil draws near, we appear out of nowhere!!
Yellow: The-3-lights-of-justice-save-the-world-with-courage-and-hope!!
Red: Together...!!
Blue: ...we are...!!
Yellow: ...the Prism Rangers!!
Laharl: ...Please, someone normal come out.
Flonne: Cool!
Flonne: Hey, Etna! How about we do our own poses!?
Etna: You serious?
Flonne: You better believe it!
Flonne: Um... But, I have a question for you guys.
Red: A question? Go ahead, shoot!
Flonne: You call yourselves "Prism Rangers", but you only have 3 colors. That's
not even enough for a rainbow.
Red: Isn't it obvious? We don't have any friends!
Red: Being a hero is a lonely existence!! You got it!?
Etna: Are you sure there's not another reason why you don't have any friends?
Laharl: ...You guys are heroes, aren't you? Why would you want to be Overlords?
Red: We want friends, of course! If we become the Overlords, then we'll have
tons of friends!!
Red: And the Prism Rangers will have all the colors of the rainbow!!
Red: Here we go!! Blue! Yellow! Transfo------
Etna: Bang<3
[Etna shoots Blue and Yellow, and both fall to the ground]
Red: Bluuuuuuuuuuuuuuuueeeeeeeeee!!!! Yellowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!
Red: This can't be happening! Blue and Yellow have been shot...! I can't
transform on my own...!
Red: Curse you! Shooting before we even have a chance to transform... How
inconsiderate!
Red: Are you demons!?
Etna: Uh huh.
Red: Oh my gosh! I completely forgot about that!
Laharl: ...Is your helmet on too tight?
Laharl: You should have transformed first, then come out.
Flonne: That's not how it's supposed to be! A true defender of justice
transforms in front of the enemy!
Etna: ...Flonne, which side are you on?
Red: Then I'll just have to play my ace card! The demons I hired will help me!
Laharl: Is it okay for a hero to be using demons?
Red: Of course! Justice must never lose, no matter what the means!
Red: Blue! Yellow! Your deaths have awakened a burning passion in my heart!
Etna: Uh, I avoided hitting any vital spots, so they should still be alive...

[2000AD]

Left 4 Dead
Francis: "I hate zombies. I hate hospitals. I hate elevators."
Bill: "Damn it, Francis, is there anything you don't hate?"
Francis: "You know what I don't hate? I don't hate this." ::hefts shotgun::

Everything Francis hates

The possbile lines in the lift in No Mercy are the best.

"I can't get over how fast they are, it's not fair. They shouldn't be that fast, I'm calling zombie-bullshit"

"I know we've been immune so far, but .... if i start to turn promise you'll shoot me."
"What if only your beard starts to turn? Can we shoot your beard?"

Really, pretty much every line Ryan has in Bioshock is gold. Sander Cohen and Frank Fontaine are right behind him, but damn is Ryan one hell of an orator.

Hells yeah, and after you've played the game the simple phrase Spoiler

Would you kindly ....

takes on a whole lot more significance.

[Oskuro]

PS Why can't I embed Flash? Anyone else having this problem? I'm coding it per Mike's instructions, but I get the message "You cannot use certain BBCodes: [flash]."

Same problem here. I'm not sure if it is forum dependent, or maybe has something to do with account status. Probably it's a conspiracy to keep the little man down.

[Mr Bean]

PS Why can't I embed Flash? Anyone else having this problem? I'm coding it per Mike's instructions, but I get the message "You cannot use certain BBCodes: [flash]."

Same problem here. I'm not sure if it is forum dependent, or maybe has something to do with account status. Probably it's a conspiracy to keep the little man down.

It's forum specific, it's not enabled here.

[Vendetta]

Disgaea is chock full of perfect lines.

And you have somehow managed to quote ones which do not inlcude Mid-Boss.

For shame.

[Stargate Nerd]

Fallout 3 had quite a few lines that made me chuckle, like:

"I can't believe I'm being called a potty mouth by a cannibal"


Also while the units don't really say anything witty per se, I really liked the comments by the Space Marine commander units in Dawn of War.

[Trogdor]

Tiberian Sun
CABAL: Probablity of favorable outcome is increased if we fall back to one of your forward bases.
Slavik: CABAL, define favorable outcome.
CABAL: They all die.
Slavik: That'll do.

Some mostly unremarkable Trek game I can't recall the name of
Mirror Sulu: Most of my crew is dead! Pursued across space by your contemptable Federation! You want to get back to them? I will send you back to them a lifeless...burning...wreck!
Sulu: Oh my...

[DPDarkPrimus]

DIVE DIVE DIVE! HIT YOUR BURNERS PILOT!

[Stark]

Oh man, people are posting huge blocks of irrelevant WoW fluff nobody reads... internet over.

Bosch's monologues were pretty cool too, but I'm not going to disgust anyone by posting pages of pretentious claptrap.

[TheKwas]

What can change the nature of a man?

Anyone who has played Planescape: Torment knows this line and probably has shivers right now from just reading it.

"Pay no attention to the average middle-aged man standing by this sign."

-Sign from Link to the Past.

"Life is long when you live it, oh but so short when you look back..."

-Baiten Katos


""Today you have brought me... Cancer. I'm truly grateful."

-Baiten Katos
In Baiten Katos you collect little star items as a game-long side-quest which you give to some guy in a temple that is making a star map. 'Cancer' is name of one of the items you bring him.

Zelos Wilder: Oh... hey Lloyd? If you abandon me here, I swear, I'll come back to haunt you.
Lloyd Irving: ... I just had a sudden, violent urge to abandon you.

-Tales of Symphonia.