2. Bioshock - Meeting Andrew Ryan
This might just be one of the most violent, confusing, jaw-dropping, and incredible gaming moments of this generation. You had been tracking this "tyrant" since your first landings in Rapture. You had been taunted by him over the radio, taught about him over recordings dispersed throughout the city, and have been convinced to take him down by your smooth talking guardian angel, Atlas. Finally you were there, looking him in the eyes through a window as he casually practices his putting. There was the face to match the voice that has constantly been haunting you for about 10 hours. Finally you were face to face with Andrew Ryan. Andrew Ryan emerges from his glass cage and there he is, standing in the (pixelated) flesh. He gently hands you his golf club as he states "In the end, what separates a man from a slave? Money? Power? No... A man chooses, a slave obeys." Suddenly without your control, the protagonist starts swinging away at Ryan. Ryan, trying to compose himself after every swing, screams "A man chooses, a slave obeys!" Andrew Ryan, kneeling on the floor, blood covered, screams through the pain one last time "obey!" With one last swing of the club, your goal since landing in Rapture has been completed. Andrew Ryan is lying lifeless but you don't feel accomplished or satisfied. Instead you realize you are far from a hero, instead you were just a slave. Going into this moment expecting one of the most satisfying boss battles I might experience, it is quite a shocking turn of events. For many this was the moment the game sank in. This was the moment the game became classic. Ultimately, this was the moment that made the game memorable. Meeting Andrew Ryan will be a prime topic of many gaming conversations for generations to come. Now, would you kindly click that next button?