The Image: After an unfortunate run-in with blade-totting baddie Sephiroth, Aeris succumbs to her wounds and dies while Cloud helplessly looks on, before submerging her in a lake in the Forgotten City. Why It's Powerful: Anyone who thinks that only sissies cry at video games should play through Final Fantasy VII and try their hardest to hold back tears as Aeris bites the bullet (or rather, the sword). Seeing such a sweetly innocent and downright lovable character meet such an unpleasant death remains the all-time emotional high-point in the Final Fantasy series, and this sheer image alone is enough to convey all of the heartbreak that it entails. And even ignoring our emotional connection to the character and the moment, the sky-blue lake and the surroundings are just gorgeous to behold.
Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes).
General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.
