Video games are a medium that has come to inspire various fans through stellar storytelling and inspiring characters. Personally, the thing that really sticks with me when I play a game is the things that those characters say. I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t go into my Notes app to write down cool quotes immediately after hearing them. I dove into this list and pulled what I believe are the five most inspiring video game quotes ever. Let’s get into it!
5. “I’m afraid I have to insist.”
This is the quote said by Arthur Morgan to Dutch that defined their relationship for the rest of Red Dead Redemption 2. As players, we see the divide happening between these two forces, and for the first time, Arthur defies what Dutch thinks is best. You can see how their relationship changes immediately afterward, paving the way for the rest of the story. It’s even chilling the way Dutch responds to him saying, “Of course, pal.”; especially knowing how Dutch loses his sense of morality by the close of the game.
4. “Hatred and prejudice will never be eradicated. And the witch hunts will never be about witches. To have a scapegoat, that’s the key.”
Although Geralt is a man who kills people/monsters in exchange for gold, he does not stand for hatred or prejudice. This quote is said by the protagonist in the third game, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, as an explanation of why humans act the way they do, despite the injustice those actions have against certain people. It reminds the player that despite what you stand for in a world full of monsters, when one is gone, man will simply move on to another beast. The quote is also a gentle reminder to players that despite Geralt’s motivations, he understands that the world is filled with despair and that he has no intention of adding to it.
3. “We all make choices, but in the end our choices make us.”
Bioshock has several gut-wrenching video game quotes, notably said by antagonist Andrew Ryan. If you didn’t already know, the game is a piece based on the works of Ayn Rand and the philosophies that she describes in her novels. Are you starting to get it? Ayn Rand – Andrew Ryan? Atlas Shrugged – Atlas the character? Anyway, the quote comes from an important turning point in the game when you discover that everything you’ve been doing so far has been at the bidding of Andrew Ryan and his control over you. He comes to terms with his decisions and has you kill him, albeit mockingly as a final stand on this particular quote.
2. “A sword wields no strength unless the hands that holds it has courage.”
This video game quote comes from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess when you learn new abilities from the Hero’s Spirit. It’s implied that the strange teacher once was a famed hero in Hyrule. One who understands what it means to wield a sword in the name of the land. It’s also a callback to the part of the Triforce that Link wields. That, and the kind of power that it will take to really destroy Zant and Ganon.
1. “Make your wonderful dream a reality, it will become your truth! If anyone can, it’s you!”
This quote is delivered by N in Pokemon Black and White. It’s widely considered to be one of the greatest quotes in the history of the franchise. N becomes the person he is as a result of his upbringing and the kindness that Pokemon had brought him. Unfortunately, he gets picked up by Ghetsis and starts learning to abide by the Team Plasma rules. N is a bit of an eccentric, with a focus on creating separate worlds for both Pokemon and Humans. This quote gives players a glimpse at N acknowledging his failures, motivating them to move forward.
