10 Most Breathtaking Moments In Video Game History

The ones worth buying that massive TV for.

shadow of the colossus
Team ICO

Video games have the unique ability to really transport you into a moment that transcends the fact you're sitting in a chair in front of a screen, and when they do, it can be miles better than any film or TV show.

Maybe you're trekking through an in-game environment so eye-meltingly amazing you can't help but stop and stare, or perhaps you encounter an enemy that makes you feel so small and insignificant, it humbles you.

These zeniths are few and far between - and most games never quite reach them - but the ones that do, go on to become gaming legend. These moments are breathtaking, majestic and awe-inspiring, all the more appreciated afterwards because they make any given game much more special.

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10. "Far Away" - Red Dead Redemption

Red Dead Redemption
Rockstar

Like other Rockstar games, the size of Red Dead Redemption's world is so massive and intricately detailed, the narrative is at risk of getting lost. Thankfully, Red Dead has a moment where both scope and narrative merge to create a sequence that instills a potently emotional atmosphere that the player can't help but react to.

This sequence is of course the moment where John Marston gallops his way across the border to Nuevo ParaĆ­so, Mexico, as the song "Far Away" by Jose Gonzalez plays in the background. With the inclusion of this tune, yet another traipse across the Old West is laced with dramatic resonance. You are encouraged to enjoy the ride and take in the view, which, depending on the time of day, can perfectly reflect how you are feeling in the moment.

This is a prime example of how music can transform a moment so profoundly that it becomes one of the most unforgettable scenes in the game. It's grand in scope while still remaining focused on character, which is the essence of the Western genre. Rockstar knew what they were doing with Red Dead Redemption, and this wonderful moment confirms it.

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Film and video game obsessed philosophy major raised by Godzilla, Goku, and Doomguy.