Top Ten Tuesday -- Top 10 Catchphrases In Video Games

Written By: Tyler

I like lists. In fact, I like lists a lot. If I had my way I'd probably sit around and make lists that nobody else cares about all day. But alas, people tell me that I have to go have a life or go to work. I was on The Broke and The Bookish where they do/did Top Ten Tuesdays and I really like the idea of doing that weekly... however I probably won't be able to commit to it every week because I'm not that creative and this blog is free (I know, mind blown) and I have to put priority on other matters like paying those little gimmicks called bills -- to quote Stone Cold Steve Austin. Oh well, I will from this point on try to do a Top Ten Tuesday as often as possible even if it's only once a month.

Since Bravely Default is so long and is taking up so much time I haven't written a review in a while and coincidentally I've had less content on here lately because of it. Fear not, a review for Bravely Default is coming, along with Thief and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, among whatever indie games happen to fall into my lap.

One thing I feel the need to mention, and will probably mention each time I make a list, is that this is my list. I'm not sitting here trying to be "objective." I'm not sitting here debating to myself what the most important catch phrase is. I keep it simple stupid because my mind can't handle much else -- I include the catch phrases that I like.


Here are the Top 10 Catchphrases In Video Games

It's important to note there is a difference between catch phrases and quotes. There are some badass quotes in games but if they've only said it once then it doesn't qualify. I don't like to flood my list with the same games so if there are numerous catchphrases in one game the entire game will be represented by my absolute favourite.


10: Scorpion from Mortal Kombat - "Get Over Here!"

When you hear Scorpion yell this at you, it's too late, you've already been hit (damn!). If you didn't catch that Limp Bizkit reference than shame on you.

Scorpion is a badass and he throws his spear at you. When it hits you, he yells this at you and even though you really don't wanna go over there, you have no choice because the spear is in your neck or chest. After that point there's probably an uppercut coming.


9: Random Voice in Ogre Battle - "Fight It Out"

This probably isn't a popular pick but I try to throw Ogre Battle: March of the Black Queen into everything I do. At work, at home, at fancy dinners, whatever, I talk about Ogre Battle.

Right before you're about to get in a fight, you hear a voice say "Fight it out." And then this song hits:
Then you know shit got real


8: Moogles in Final Fantasy - Kupo!

I love Moogles. Fans of Final Fantasy love Moogles. I feel like they are a good representation of Final Fantasy. Admittedly, while characters have said a lot of great lines in the series, there aren't that many great catchphrases, so leave it to the cute little white things to save the day.


7: Random Enemies from River City Ransom - Barf!

A great supporting role in a movie compliments the lead and makes the experience better. The enemies in River City Ransom compliment you because when you are done kicking the shit out of them, they die... but first they barf. It's extremely satisfying.



6: Your Wife From Genghis Khan 2 - "...Is that lipstick on your collar?"

You can choose to spend time with your family in order to create children to lead your army after you pass. I think Genghis Khan 2 is an overlooked or at least under appreciated Strategy game from a company that was firing on all cylinders at the time, and despite it being memorable for all kinds of reasons, it's this quote that sticks out to me.

Why? Because the game forces you to cheat! I've entered marital problems that I didn't even know existed! I was off trying to build an empire but apparently I was getting down a lot with random girls (or guys?), and my wife knows it. She's a clever little thing, but she still sleeps with me so in my book that's a win-win for men all around the world.


5: Toad from Super Mario Bros. - "Thank you Mario! But our Princess is in another castle!"

It's such an overdone choice but there's a reason for that. For years, children all over would play Mario and we'd be bashed over the head with disappointment after disappointment when we were told this. The thing that really pisses me off is that he seems so joyful about it... I mean as much as an 8-bit character can be. Look at those exclamation marks.


4: Ryu and Ken from Street Fighter - "Shoryuken!"

This beats "Hadouken!" for me just because of the amount of passion that Ryu and Ken put into it. I feel like that has to count for something, so even though I like using the Hadouken more, Ryu and Ken deserve more praise for their enunciation of Shoryuken.


3: Sergeant Cortez from Timesplitters - "It's time to split."

This is one of the most self-aware, cheesiest lines in all of gaming, and I love Cortez for it. It gets to the point that he has used it so much that he ends up getting cut-off because people are just tired of him. That's the mark of a classic catchphrase, and I can only hope I can get to that point in my life.


2: The Game Over Screen in the Metal Gear Solid Series - "Snake? Snake? SNAAAAAAAKE!"

This beat out Solid Snake going "Damn!" and "Metal Geeeeear?" but it was a hard choice. This is more memorable because whenever you die people get upset. That's an alien feeling to me in real life (because I die all the time and nobody cares), so when you hear people like Otacon yell your name... it makes you feel good.


1: Atlas/Fontaine in Bioshock - "Would you kindly?"

I had to put this number one because it's a legit awesome line. Some of these choices are just because I spent years having them drilled into my head. This is actually clever writing. What I love about Bioshock is that it's very post-modern. It dissects video games.

It does this by taking something that gamers never think about and putting a new spin on it. As gamers we just do what we're told. We progress when we can. In Bioshock you progress because you're hypnotized. All of a sudden, it all makes sense... he wasn't just being nice to you, he was bossing you around! It's genius and it's my favourite catchphrase.



If you have an idea of a list that you'd like to see me do, regardless of how silly it could be, let me know in the comments below or on Twitter @ArtBathednCrime. I will try my best to eventually do it as long as it's possible and entertaining.

On The Gamely Episode 5 -- VGX 2013, Metal Gear Solid 5, Starbound, EA, Nintendo And More!

Welcome welcome welcome, to yet another episode of On The Gamely -- a weekly show where we sit around and talk about video games. Some of the topics included this week are: VGX 2013 (and a bunch of announcements made during the show), Bravely Default, more EA bashing, Path of Exile, Staround, Nintendo being bosses, Metal Gear Solid 5 and more!

http://youtu.be/2j250G1426Q

It's Halloween Which Means... Time For A Top 15 Scary Games!

 Written By: Tyler Selig

I almost feel cheap putting up a picture of a kitty to get views... but not quite.

            

                It’s that time of the year, when children get candy, ghouls and ghosts are everywhere and women are dressing as slutty as possible. Every video game blogger or website puts up a list of scary games, and I’m no different because you have to be topical.

                I don’t consider myself an expert on horror games. I don’t have the desire to scare myself on the same level as some people so it’s never been a favourite genre. I’ve played a decent amount of them and enjoyed them, but because of this, there are a bunch of scary games I just haven’t played. I was hesitant to even make the list for this reason but it’s Halloween… you HAVE to do it.

My apologies to some games that should really be on here. Sorry to games I haven’t played like Penumbra: Black Plague, Condemned: Criminal Origins, the Fatal Frame series, the Clock Tower series, etc. I’m also sorry to games I didn’t play long enough to have a worthwhile opinion on such as System Shock 2 and Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth. Sorry to games like Dead Space that I own but haven’t played for whatever reason. Sorry to all games everywhere at all times.

But here is my list anyway. Let’s do this.

15: Blaster Master (NES)

That poor bastard doesn't know what's coming.

                An NES platformer about a boy in a jumping tank going after his frog. I haven’t ever seen this talked about in lists, but as a kid it scared the hell out of me so I feel it warrants an inclusion on this list. The game does a pretty good job of making things feel claustrophobic but I wouldn’t really argue with anybody who says it’s not scary. It’s on here because it scared me as a kid and it’s nice to have nostalgia picks.

                The thing is, when I was little I saw that opening cut scene and I had a hard time actually playing the game. Laugh if you want but five year old (or however old I was) Tyler couldn’t handle this scene: 

                That music creeped me out. Mix that with the fact that you’re some guy exploring unknown territory trying to find your radioactive, huge frog, and little Tyler pee pee’d himself.

14: Yume Nikki (PC)

 

Nope, this is completely normal.

            Due to the graphics and the type of game it is, it’s not really about jump scares with Yume Nikki. It’s about the weirdness, the creepy and unnerving atmosphere. For that reason it may not scare many people but it is a memorable, odd experience. Scary in the same way as a David Lynch movie, really. It may not have things jumping out at you very often (does have the creepy mutant girl), but it deserves to be on this list.

13: OFF (PC)

Well at least we can agree on that.

                Two weird RPG Maker games in a row, but damn there is some creepy shit made with it. OFF has similar elements in style to Yume Nikki but I find it creepier. Don’t let the simplistic graphics fool you, this is some fucked up stuff. There are some enemies that are just scary looking and the game has an incredible atmosphere, where the oddity of it all really makes you feel out of place.

                Plus the music. Oh man. Some of the music is just terrifying.

                Though I consider it a scary game, there is certainly some oddball humour thrown in as well.  It’s not a game with jump scares, but I’m a supporter of creepy atmospheres more than jump scares, though a game with both is the best.

                The world in OFF operates on its own twisted logic and that in itself makes it worth playing.

12: Metro: Last Light (PC, PS3, Xbox 360)

This can only end well.

                A tried and tested formula for horror is to shove you into the darkness and throw some weird creatures at you. Metro does both. You aren’t powerless by any means, but there are jump scares and the darkness of it all puts you ill at ease most of the time.

11: Alan Wake (PC, Xbox 360)

This too. I should explore the creepy woods.

                Alan Wake is a game of mystery, a classic story told in video game format. It uses the darkness not unlike other games in the genre, gives you limited firepower.

                It’s yet another game in my list that operates successfully but making you feel tension the entire time. There are certainly a few terrifying sections, but it’s at its best when it’s just making you feel creeped out. Any jump scares during that period just make the jump scares even scarier.

10: Lone Survivor (PC, PS Vita, PS3)

                 

               Some people may not get scared due to its throwback graphics but it’s scary. It’s survival horror in the truest sense of the word, and it’s a mixture of Silent Hill and Twin Peaks, meaning it’s very psychological but let’s be honest, it’s weird as hell and sometimes the tone shifts unexpectedly.

                But the fact that you are unsure of what’s going on, you’re totally isolated, and you may be going crazy, makes this an extremely scary experience.

                I’m not sure if the fact that the main character actually looks like he’s always smiling makes it scarier or not, but I’m just throwing that out there.

9: S.T.A.L.K.E.R: Shadow of Chernobyl (PC)

He just needs a girlfriend. That's all.

                It’s not lost on me how much I’ve repeated this sentiment, but S.T.A.L.K.E.R. is a post-apocalyptic world and it’s because of how great the developers were in realizing this vision that it’s just straight up sinister. You walk around, and while there are definitely moments where it shows you what’s what and tries to make you pee yourself, this is another example of atmosphere done right.

                Really, there’s nothing better in this genre than being in an environment that pressures you the entire time. You don’t need monsters jumping out at you all the time, you need a convincing world first and foremost… at least in my eyes.

                I’m also bias because it’s based on Stalker, the movie (which I adore), which is based on Roadside Picnic.

8: Parasite Eve (PS1)

"Nah, that bitch is cray-cray."

                Parasite Eve is my favourite RPG of all time, and I’m not sure why I don’t see this on lists for this kind of thing. I don’t know if it’s because it’s an RPG or what, and it’s not constantly trying to scare you, but I’m not sure how a person can’t be at least a little scared when you see some of the video scenes, or listen to the music that is straight up scary at times.

                I don’t know, maybe I’m alone here but I think Parasite Eve is scary. What makes it better is that it takes place on Christmas.

7: Imscared (PC)

Sure, you don't THINK this is creepy.

                Imscared came out around the time Slender did. I’m not sure how close they were together but I think Imscared came after. I could be wrong. It COULD be seen as a clone of sorts but to believe that is to miss what makes this wonderful.

                Yes it takes the element of just walking around looking for something, like Slender does, and there is something chasing you, but it’s the gimmick here that does it for me. The game shuts down and puts files in the folder it’s installed in, like little messages about the game. Then you start up the game again and you’re somewhere else.

                It’s this constant sense of dread, like you’re being chased in and out of the game, that puts this above Slender, or a lot of games. It’s a neat little idea, and it works wonderfully. The ending is fantastic as well.

6: Resident Evil 2 (PS1, N64)

Don't worry guys, the po-po GOT this.

                I was always more of a Silent Hill guy but the first few Resident Evil’s are legitimately scary. I try to only pick one game in a series when I make these lists, so I went with Resident Evil 2 because it’s the one I spent the most time with.

                The music does a great job of setting the mood, and of course there are zombies. The series was never afraid to throw unexpected shit at you, and nowhere is this more obvious than when the licker bursts through the mirror. It’s such a scary scene.

5: Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem (Gamecube)

          

Halloween is the time for love and he just wanted a hug. Or a rear-naked choke. I'm not sure. Same thing.

              One of the gems of the Gamecube, Eternal Darkness is a cult classic because the game does anything and everything to fuck with you. I have to respect a game that is willing to completely play with gamers like Eternal Darkness does. I really hope there eventually ends up being a sequel but it’s been a hard go so far.

4: Bioshock (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

Something seems off about this area, but I can't put my finger on what...

               While Bioshock: Infinite kind of ditched the horror of the first two, it’s hard to deny that the world of Rapture is… not one you’d want to go in. Being underwater is scary enough (for me), but this place is populated by maniacs who can attack from all angles at any time. Did I say they’re maniacs? Oh yeah, I did. They’re psychotic, and while you can do all kinds of nasty things to them, it doesn’t really help in making the place any less fearful.

                Bioshock is my number 4 because not only is the atmosphere/environment one of the best ever in games, and the story is impeccable, but it’s got a healthy dose of jump scares thrown in there as well so there isn’t really a moment where you can breathe unless you just pause it. Don’t be a smartass.

3: Amnesia: The Dark Descent (PC)

          
 

I can't be the only one who thought PENIS when I saw this.

                Amnesia is one of those games that has to be here. It literally is one of the scariest games of all time and it does it with simplicity. Puts you in a dark, gloomy area and haunts the fuck out of you with scary environments and messed up monsters. The Dark Descent definitely fits here. In fact, it sums the game up entirely (good job people who named it).

                You got yourself a lamp and legs. And your sanity is not havin’ sitting in the dark for too long. There’s also something chasing you. That’s probably an important thing to make mention of.

                This is terror at its finest.

2: Silent Hill 2 (PS2)

               

Fair 'nuf.

                Silent Hill 2 literally made me scared of my own shadow in the game. I don’t think I can give it any bigger praise than that. If you like scary games you know Silent Hill 2. It’s iconic both for how easily it scares you and it’s story. And Pyramid Head.

                There are a bunch of Silent Hills that could get on here. Hell, I’d say 1 – 4 could get on here. They all offer something.

1: F.E.A.R. (PC, PS3, Xbox 360)

"GET OUTTA THE WAY, BATTLEFIELD 4 IS OUT!"

                They fucked up and just made a decent first-person shooter with F.E.A.R 3 and F.E.A.R. 2 didn’t scare me half as much as the first, but I think that’s because they came at me with the same tricks as the first one and I was used to it. Or maybe it’s just impossible to live up to the standards of the first.

                F.E.A.R. gave me nightmares of walking through halls that are on fire. It’s a solid first-person shooter with great mechanics, but it’s not above putting you in some surreal moments and messing with you.

                Hell, even when it’s not Alma coming at you or other paranormal things, the game manages to scare you with a truck driving at you.

                F.E.A.R. succeeds in atmosphere and jump scares. Like I’ve said before, when a game does both well, it truly is an experience.

                Well there we go. Got any games that make you unable to sleep at night? Let me know in the comments, and until next time, Merry Christmas!

My Top 50 Video Games of This Generation, 30 - 21

Written By: Tyler Selig

30: Super Street Fighter IV (PS3, 360)

                When it comes to fighting games, Street Fighter has always been my jam. Not because I’m awesome, because even at my Street Fighter 2 prime I was only pretty good, but just because I like the characters and I like how the fighting operates.

                While 4 doesn’t hit the same magic for me as 2, it’s still a wonderful fighting game. It has more to it than ever before, and the action is as intense and strategic as before.

29: Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (Wii)

                I’m a big Metroid fan but I’m more of a fan of the 2D Metroids. I still think Super Metroid is one of the best games of all time. However, I can’t deny just how great the first-person shooter Metroids have been. Corruption is another notch on the Metroid belt.

28: Saints Row: The Third (PS3, 360)

                While a lot of people prefer GTA, I much prefer Saints Row at this point. I think it’s mostly because we have so many games like GTA, that I’m kind of burnt out on it. Saints Row plays much like it, don’t get me wrong, but it’s also batshit insane. It’s like a silly action movie, and even though some of the humour is juvenile, some of it is clever. It hits that balance really well.

27: Xcom: Enemy Unknown (PS3, 360)

                I never played the original Xcom, but I can tell ya, this tactical/strategy RPG is amazing. It’s awe-inspiring how great it is. You always have to be paying attention in battle, and outside of it, there’s quite a bit to do.

26: Dungeon Defenders (PS3, 360)

                Oh Dungeon Defenders, one of the few games I bought twice. It’s better on PC but I also played it on 360. It’s a nice twist on the Tower Defense genre, and I got to say, I love the music that plays when the battle starts.

25: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (PS3, 360)

                Some will scoff that this isn’t higher, like my girlfriend, but I’m not as in love with The Elder Scrolls as everyone else. I definitely really enjoy it, and love what it does, but there are aspects of the series, and specifically Skyrim, that knocks it down a bit for me.

                But you can’t deny how much game play there is here, even if some of it is fluff. And I will always say that these games have one of the best levelling systems in any RPG.

                Admittedly, it’s a better experience on PC because it doesn’t have the horrendous loading times providing you have a decent computer and the mods are insane.

24: Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning (PS3, 360)

                I like Kingdoms of Amalur a little bit more than Skyrim, to be honest, even though it borrows some from Skyrim. I love the world it creates more than Skyrim, and the battle system is a hell of a lot more fun. I’m probably alone here, but I think it’s a better game. It isn’t as polished but I still really like it.

23: Deus Ex: Human Revolution (PS3, 360)

                Always been a big fan of Deus Ex. It’s weird that it’s this high, but you could stick this in the Top 10 and I’d have absolutely no problem with it. It’s hard to place games in an order.

                I love the world it creates, because I love Sci-Fi.

                The soundtrack is AMAZING.

                I was fearful of it not being so great, not being able to live up to the original, but it mostly did.

22: Bioshock (PS3, 360)

                You could put Bioshock or Bioshock: Infinite in here and I’d be okay with it.

                The shooting feels wonderful and weapons hit with the impact that it should. It’s extremely satisfying to shoot things, but you also got your Plasmids to kill people with.

                Bioshock is a great FPSRPG, and it takes special care to make Rapture a memorable place to be, and the story is fantastic. The twists… oh god the twists.

                It’s also a pretty terrifying game.

21: Hitman: Blood Money (PS3, 360)

                Just from a pure gameplay perspective, the Hitman series is one of the best. It starts you in a level, you walk around, scouting the area, and then you decide how you’re going to assassinate people from the many options available. It doesn’t need an amazing story, it just needs to do this, and Blood Money does this much better than Absolution.

                It also has an extremely satisfying part at the end.

                I hope you enjoyed these picks, but if you didn’t, oh well, I got your page view. Just kidding. Leave me a comment below to tell me how much of an asshole I am for saying that. Make sure to check in tomorrow for 20 – 11. Almost Top 10 baby!

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