9. Hysterical Trooper - Mass Effect 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=k-FjEF1p_G4 This is one of those glitches so patently weird that many have assumed that it's fake, a clever re-dub to add some humour to Mass Effect 2. But when we realise that yes, it is in fact real, it takes on a wholly more disturbing dimension; indeed, it is possible to lock this enemy Blue Suns Trooper in an animation - through no fault of the player's - causing his accompanying dialogue to continue to play out as well. Rather than fire back at Commander Shepard, the enemy is paralysed - not by fear, but by inept programming - and lets out a series of blood-curdling screams that, if you're wearing headphones, I can assure you make for a thoroughly unpleasant experience. You have to feel sorry for the voice actor who spent all day in a booth making these noises, probably suffering strep throat as a result, only for it to end up on derisory lists like this due to some shoddy coding. While it becomes funny on multiple listens, the first time is truly chilling, so savour it.
Shaun Munro
Contributor
Frequently sleep-deprived film addict and video game obsessive who spends more time than is healthy in darkened London screening rooms. Follow his twitter on @ShaunMunroFilm or e-mail him at shaneo632 [at] gmail.com.
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