Man... I was just on my way home on the bus, listening to my iPod, when the track went from Jay-Z to the song for the end credits in Crisis Core. For those that have played & completed that game, know that the ending is an emotional headspin! Well, it was for me at least. So much so that it kick started a mental brainstorm of all the games that oozed a similar fragrance into my spongy heart. Yes, I'm feeling rather poetic today. I recalled on all the games that have made me feel like crap after beating it. Interestingly, it turns out all the games that cast the spell on me, have something in common. "What is it?", you ask?

Keep reading and you will see. Oh, and if you see a game that you haven't completed yet in the list, take care when reading because they may contain slight spoilers. So get your hand ready to cover your monitor if need be! This list is in no particular order.

Sonic Adventure: E-102's Ending

Yeah, this one really got to me. I developed a soft spot for the metal machine. He had emotions, just like you and I have. A robot with a cute blue birdy as it's core, has to have feelings! Anyway, I remember vaguely that the last boss in his storyline was his brother E-105? (Im trying to remember without checking wikipedia or scribblenauts...) Upon defeating him, he gets in the cheapest among cheapshots on E-102! The nerve! Our friendly robo, slowly walks away from his exploding brother and I cant remember to clearly but all I know is his theme song starts to fade in, as he 'dies'. Even though he still lives on as the bird that follows Amy during the super sonic campaign, it was still pretty emotional. I sobbed.



Final Fantasy X

I had to Youtube this one to remind myself of the gory details. Good thing i did, because this ending was a kick in the nuts. Even watching Yuna having to send the Aeons to the farplane, got to me. Shaking her head like a child in disbelief as Tidus says he has to go. Khimari calling her name as she runs to try and stop Tidus from leaving, only to fade through his body and hug the hard floor. The remix of the FFX theme song was not making it any easier for me. Must I say anymore? I whimpered.



Kingdom Hearts

I took weeks to get over this one. No joke. It's not so much that the ending is sad, its more of the fact that I loved this game so much, that I completed it in about 2 weeks. All side quests done, Sephiroth defeated & everything else. Then when it came to an end, I felt so empty. Spending 2 weeks in the world of Kingdom Hearts and loving every second of it, then seeing it come to an end was really hard for me to get over. All I remember is Sora on one side, Kairi on the other. Their trying to reach for each other, hands stretched out like Dhalsim. At the peak of the suspense, Sora says; "I'll come back for you!" Kairi screams back; "I know you will!" Then their hands let go of each other and Utada Hikaru comes right on cue with the vocals! That darn theme song! Even the lyrics matched what was going on in the scene. For months and months I would hear that song and be reduced to a pile of pink jelly. If anyone wanted to beat me up, all you would have to do is play that song and your sorted! Kingdom Hearts... I bawled.



Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

The ending for this didnt make me want to cry inside. Segments of it did, like when you pull the trigger when finishing off the boss. However, this games ending made me angry, like, i felt it for Snake. (or Big Boss) They put him through hell! All the things he went through in that game, only for him to find out it was all a set up for America to get him to kill The Boss? (I think thats what happened!) And then to top it all off, the president tried to shake Snakes hand!? I remember looking at the look at Snakes face while saluting and I thought "Dont shake his hand, dont shake his hand." Can't remember if he did or not, but that ending fulfilled its intention. I clenched my fist.



Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII

No need to go into full detail for this one. As a game, I didnt even like it much. The gameplay really didnt do it for me, and the sidequests were the definition of rinse & repeat. But the ending!? All I can say is, Zack is the Man! Cloud is a whimp and Shinra cock blocked Aerith, big time! The song still makes my heart sink. As it plays, I remember all the events clearly in my mind.
I wonder if you can see the pattern forming? What these games have in common? Yes or no, in the end, I grieved.



There you have it. My short but sweet list of games that made me enter an internal recession. Im sure there is alot more I am forgetting, but, 5 is a good number to end with.
As you may have realised, the theme all these games have in common, is that they all used music to deliver the coup'de grace. Sure every game has a track playing during the ending, but the songs played here were really heart wrenching. The timing they came in and what was happening on screen during its track length, all got to me. I guess this further solidifies the fact that music is indeed a powerful tool. If these endings had nothing but dialogue, they would not hold the same effect at all.

I would like to know, if any, what games made you guys cry inside, or cry out loud even. It's okay to admit it. Heck, if i was anymore emotional than I am now, I would of cried at all of these games and probably would of went out to go and beat up a member of the government due to MGS3!