10 Video Games That Left Genuine Psychological Wounds

5. Spec Ops: The Line - The Tragic Reality Of War

War has become an inescapable element of life. It is something we listen to, watch via the news and hear politicians blither on about. Spec Ops: The Line takes the player right to the heart of war, where the brutal, tragic nature of destructive weaponry is thrust into the player's face. No incident in war-themed video games has such a potent, psychological effect as the white phosphorous scene. As the player's Delta Force becomes increasingly surrounded, the player is left with no choice but to utilise the white phosphorous weaponry and scorch their enemies. The cutscene in the aftermath illustrates the true reality of war, as the innocent civilians you were tasked with liberating are caught up in the effects of the white phosphorous. The image of a mother clutching her daughter and shielding her eyes has become an iconic image in depicting the disturbing effects of war. Psychological Effect Although military servicemen may be familiar with the tragedies committed through war, this scene gives the traditional player a bitter taste of what war truly entails. The general warfare narrative of video games is turned on its head, as the triumph of victory and liberation are wrought with disturbing, unnecessary deaths of the very people you sought to protect. An accurate analogy for life, gamers are left wondering whether the objectives of war are truly worth the price the world pays. Whilst the opposing powers of war contend with each other on the field, with weapons and machines in a bid to win, the white phosphorous cutscene perfectly captures the true losers in war - the innocents. it's a beautifully tragic moment in video gaming history, and one that leaves a lot of scars.