Image via Complex Original
It recently got out that Tupac Shakur’s last words were “Fuck you”—said to a police officer at the scene of his shooting. This is somehow both sad and strangely appropriate, from a man who was such a mass of contradictions.
In video games, epic ‘last words’ are a recent phenomenon. Back in the day, unless you were playing a text-based RPG, very few words were spoken (or seen) at all. Recently, however, as voice acting has improved, gamers have experienced more cinematic moments, which blur the line between classic game and classic movie. We’re counting down the Top Ten ‘last words’ from the past five years of video games. Let’s hope there’s more where that came from.
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"The death of Olympus means the death of us all!"
Character: Poseidon
Game: God of War III
Date: 2010
Kratos just doesn't give a damn, and his first kill in God of War III proves it. Poseidon, bloodied and humbled, appeals to Kratos' logic - that the death of the Olympians will mean the end of the world as they know it. Kratos proceeds to smash his head against a rock, break his neck, and throw him off a cliff. The world floods. Yeah. You've got some anger issues, bro. Poseidon, it was a noble try, but you can't reason with crazy.
"Now go! Git!"
Character: John Marston
Game: Red Dead Redemption
Date: 2010
Marston's death scene in Red Dead Redemption is one of the best in video game history. He walks out of the barn, head held high, staring death in the face. Most people would run from a posse like that, but Marston plants his heels. There's no way to shoot that many guys before they shoot you - we must have replayed this sequence at least three times - going through denial, anger, bargaining, sadness, and acceptance - before giving up. It's fitting that his last words were directed towards his family, ensuring that they would live to fight another day. Protecting his family and facing down the odds - that's a real man in his final moments.
"You pressed the wrong button!"
Character: Deadpool
Game: Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds
Date: 2011
Deadpool, the insane, 4th wall breaking mercenary-for-hire, made a hilarious appearance in Marvel vs. Capcom 3. And thank God. We needed a reboot of the character after that shitty Wolverine movie from 2009. Fighting as Deadpool was an absolute joy - he'd narrate his own fight, use the lifebar to beat his opponents' asses, and even moonwalk, MJ-style. The funniest moment, however, is when he loses, and he screams at you, the player, for screwing up. Sorry Deadpool. We pressed the wrong button, but don't worry - we'll be selecting you again.
"That actually... is pretty funny..."
Character: Joker
Game: Batman: Arkham City
Date: 2011
Plotwise, it was the logical thing to do. Still, however, when Joker finally died, our jaws dropped. It took a lot of balls to kill off the Clown Prince, played brilliantly by Mark Hamill. His last words were appropriate - darkly funny, strangely sentimental, and bitterly ironic to the end. How's Batman going to deal with the death of Joker - a man who he hates, yet chillingly identifies with? Time will tell.
"It had to be me. Someone else might have gotten it wrong."
Character: Mordin Solus
Game: Mass Effect 3
Date: 2012
Mordin cures the Genophage, but at the cost of his life. It reminds us of another great, science fiction sacrifice - Spock's death at the end of Wrath of Khan where "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few." Mordin's wry, final line, and his epic elevator ride to the top of the tower, are memorable in the best - and worst - possible way.
"You can do this. You're a Croft."
Character: Conrad Roth
Game: Tomb Raider
Date: 2013
We miss Roth. Every other member of Lara's crew was a walking stereotype, but Roth felt a little more real. He had that salty voice, that dual pistol flair, and that paternal protectiveness - he ultimately sacrificed himself to save Lara's life. His dying words, assuring Lara of her self-worth, broke our hearts. Lara, you're a Croft - even if you don't know it yet.
"Wait! Let me go! Please!"
Character: Marlene
Game: The Last of Us
Date: 2013
The ending of The Last of Us is perfect - not because it's tidy, but because it's so polarizing. Every person who's played it has an opinion. It's difficult to justify shooting a injured woman who's begging for her life, but Joel finds a way. Humanity is totally, totally screwed, It's up to you to however, to debate whether it deserves to be.
"You wanna kill me? Take a fucking shot!"
Character: Trevor Philips
Game: Grand Theft Auto V
Date: 2013
If you choose to be a duplicitous asshole and kill Trevor, he's not going to make it easy. After an extended car chase, Michael joins in too, and Trevor, covered in gasoline, screams at you to end it all. He burns in what might be the most painful death possible. How do you feel now, traitor? You'd better go back to your save files and choose a different option. There's a much better ending than this one.
"I'll miss you."
Character: Lee Everett
Game: The Walking Dead
Date: 2013
Are you ready to cry big, manly tears? The ending to The Walking Dead twisted up our insides. Seconds before dying from his zombie bite, Lee gasps out his final bit of advice to Clem, and then mutters this heartbreaker of a line. We'll miss you too Lee. You taught a little girl to defend herself, and she's doing a great job of it in Season 2.
"Bomb! There's a... There's another... in my...."
Character: Paz Andrade
Game: Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes
Date: 2014
Mere minutes after getting a bomb removed from her stomach (with no anesthesia), Paz dives out of the helicopter and blows up midair. Metal Gear Solid V was emotionally tough to play. Paz was raped, tortured, disfigured, and maimed, and it had critics up in arms. Her final words chilled our bones - as if she hadn't suffered enough. Where is the bomb? Is it in her... we don't even want to know.
