There's nothing like a powerful image to capture our imagination, spellbind us and take us back to a classic video game moment. Just as we previously looked at the 20 most powerful film images of all time, we're going to examine those images which, both within and outside of their context, are at once heart-stopping beautiful and a testament to the power of the video game medium. For anyone who still believes that video games cannot be artistic nor evoke the same emotions as a great painting, movie or book, this is for you. We've got awe-inspiring portraits of strange new worlds, classic franchises superbly reinvigorated before our very eyes, lovable characters taking their final bow, and plenty of controversy in-between as well. These images represent the weirdest, the most divisive, the most emotional, and crucially, the very best that the video game medium has to offer. On their own, they evoke a grand sense of wonder, and within their respective games, they reach a whole other level entirely that truly has to be seen to be believed. Did we miss any of your favourite, most immensely powerful video game images? Let us know how and why they affected you in the comments below!
20. Welcome To Rapture - Bioshock
The Image: In the opening minutes of BioShock, protagonist Jack finds himself surviving a plane crash and ending up in the secret, underwater city of Rapture. Why It's Powerful: Even if this were a standalone image with no video game attached to it, this visual instantly grabs viewer attention because of the angular architecture, flashy neon signs and, well, the fact that it's freaking underwater. It's an at once beautifully serene yet quietly sinister image: why is the city underwater? Who inhabits it? As a part of the game, of course, it's one of the most important and iconic visuals in the BioShock series, a monument to failed promise, as the former utopia has been transformed into a desolate dystopia from which Jack must escape.