Video Games – My Geek Wisdom

“Good men mean well. We just don’t always end up doing well.”

From: Dead Space 3

Genre: Video Games

Who said it?: Isaac Clarke

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the third game in the Dead Space survival horror franchise. The games are set in the future where alien artifacts called Markers emit a kind of electromagnetic frequency which can cause hallucinations and cause the dead to come back as monsters.

The quote comes near the end of the game. Isaac Clarke, the survivor of the first game, and soldier John Carver reach the Machine that they believe can be used to stop an event known as the Convergence. Carver then tells Clarke to finish the mission no matter what happens to him. Carver believes that by getting them this far, he’s made up for his sins and is ready to die. This is when Isaac Clarke tries to reassure his comrade he’s still a good man by delivering the quote

Geek wisdom: Even the people who mean well will make mistakes. We are all human after all. We shouldn’t condemn others and ourselves for the things we’ve done in the past. It’s what we do afterwards that should count.

“You’re right hand comes off?”

From: Resident Evil 4

Genre: Video Games

Who said it?: Barry BurtonLeon S. Kennedy

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from Capcom’s Resident Evil 4. This was a major landmark in video games as series creator Shinji Mikami decided to reinvent the series, focusing more on action elements while still keeping a lot of the horror which made the franchise popular. It also popularized the over-the-shoulder camera angle we now see in a lot of 3rd person shooters.

The quote comes from the middle of the game. One of the game’s antagonists, Ramon Salazar, contacts rookie cop turned government agent Leon S. Kennedy via his comms. Ramon Salazar threatens Leon by stating he’s sending his “right hand” after him now. Leon then delivers the quote.

By the way, the subtitles from the original version of the game mistakenly says “you’re” instead of the more correct phrasing. As this is a direct quote from the original game, the title also shows the incorrect grammar instead of “your right hand comes off,” which is shown in later versions of Resident Evil 4.

Geek wisdom: Don’t take things too literally and try to read between the lines. There should be some room for more colorful language to get your point across to emphasize the tone you’re going for.

“All we had to do, was follow the damn train, CJ!”

From: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Genre: Video Games

Who said it?: Big Smoke

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. The Grand Theft Auto series is basically an open world video game franchise more focused on performing criminal acts. This has made the game very notorious but still incredibly fun. Additionally, each game in the series has a long overarching story. In San Andreas, you play as Carl “CJ” Johnson, a young man who get roped into doing illegal activities. But he has a goal to make something of himself.

The quote comes from Big Smoke when you fail the mission Wrong Side of the Tracks. CJ is tasked to use his motorcycle and follow a train filled with rival gang members. Big Smoke is with you as he’s there to shoot at the enemies while you drive. The mission can get frustrating as there are numerous obstacles in your way so a lot of things can go wrong. Each time you fail the mission, Big Smoke with chastise CJ with the quote.

Geek wisdom: Sometimes, even the simplest of tasks can be difficult. There are always going to be extraneous circumstances as to why even the most foolproof plans can fail. Sometimes, you just got to give a little slack to the guy or girl who messed up.

“A sword yields no strength unless the hand that holds it has courage.”

From: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Genre: Video Games

Who said it?: The Hero’s Spirit

The story behind the quote: This quote comes from the Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. Released on both the Nintendo GameCube and the Wii, Twilight Princess has Link try to prevent the land of Hyrule from being swallowed up by the Twilight Realm.

The quote is given by the Hero’s Spirit the first time Link encounters him. After being transported into a different plane of existence, Link tries to attack the Hero’s Spirit but his blow is easily deflected by the specter. This is when the Hero’s Spirit delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Whatever talents or skills you have are useless unless you actually use them. Have the strength and courage to show off your abilities.

“I’m blind, Carl, not stupid.”

From: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Genre: Video Games

Who said it?: Wu Zi Mu/”Woozie”

The quote comes from the middle of the game. CJ (voiced by Young Maylay) is friends with the Trial leader, Wu Zi Mu AKA “Woozie” (voiced by James Yaegashi). During the cutscene of the mission entitled Amphibious Assault, CJ gets Woozie to admit he blind (although it’s very obvious he is). Before he leaves, CJ asks Woozie if he knows he’s not Chinese. This is when Woozie delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Like with racism, sexism and ageism, do not judge a person by his disability. Even someone who’s blind can be super skilled at something you know nothing about and you may never know how good he or she can really be despite or even because of their disability.

“To the edge of the universe and back. Endure and survive.”

From: The Last of Us

Genre: Video Games

Who said it?: Ellie

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the critically acclaimed Sony PlayStation exclusive game, The Last of Us. Developed by Naughty Dog, the game follows Joel and Ellie as they traverse a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by a mutant disease. Not only do they have to contend with monsters and the elements, they also have to deal with other human beings.

The quote comes some time in the middle of the game. Both Joel (played by Troy Baker) and Ellie (played by Ashley Johnson) have just gotten out of a huge battle against some human pillagers. Ellie recalls a quote from one of the characters from a comic she’s reading and tells Joel about it.

Geek wisdom: Life can be hard sometimes and it can feel overwhelming at times. These are the days when you have to grit your teeth and power through it. It’s either that or just giving up.

“Mankind knew they cannot change society. So instead of reflecting on themselves, they blamed the Beasts.”

From: Guilty Gear Strive

Genre: Video Games

Who said it?: Announcer before every match… and Daisuke Ishiwatari who sang “Smell of the Game”

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the latest entry of Arc System Work’s long-running fighting game franchise, Guilty Gear Strive. Guilty Gear is known for its very frantic action, hard rock/metal soundtrack and anime styled aesthetic. Created by Daisuke Ishiwatari, the man also composes most of the songs of the games.

The quote actually comes up a couple of times in Guilty Gear Strive. It was first revealed during the interlude portion of Strive’s main theme song, Smell of the Game.

The other time the quote is mentioned is during the fight intros before each match. As the fighters enter the area, the announcer delivers the quote each and every time, provided you don’t choose to skip it.

Geek wisdom: For some people, it can be so much easier to not see our own faults but rather put the blame of our imperfections on others. What they don’t realize is that they lose the chance to actually improve themselves. Focus on your weaknesses and try to find ways to better yourself rather than trying to fault others for your limits.

“Hatred and prejudice will never be eradicated. And witch hunts will never be about witches.”

From: The Witcher, specifically, The Witcher III: Wild Hunt

Genre: Video Games

Who said it?: Geralt of Rivia

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the video game The Witcher III: Wild Hunt. The games, developed by CD Projekt Red, are based on the books written by Andrzej Sapkowski. You control Geralt of Rivia, a witcher who is one of the few people who have the necessary skills to defeat the magical beasts and evils of the land.

You can only hear the quote by helping Geralt’s old flame, Triss Merigold, and her quest to help the remaining mages of Novigrad to escape the land. If he is successful, the mages do escape but the kingdom then turn their attention to the lesser races and start hunting them down.

Geek wisdom: People fear others who are different than what they are. Whether it be race, color, religion, political alignment or even gender, this fear can be twisted to simply blaming all our woes on who’s not on our side. If we focus on our similarities and not our differences, maybe the world would be a better place.

“A future is not given to you. It is something you must take for yourself.”

From: Nier: Automata

Genre: Video Games

Who said it?: Pod 042

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the Square Enix action RPG game, Nier: Automata. The game has you controlling androids who are fighting a proxy war against the alien machine invasion that has taken over the Earth in the far away future. The game has received numerous accolades thanks to its generally fluid gameplay but has garnered a lot of attention due to its focus on asking philosophical questions about life.

The quote comes from the “real” ending, Ending E. All of the androids you control, 2B, 9S and A2, have been destroyed. However their support pods, Pod 042 (voiced by DC Douglas) and Pod 153 (voiced by Abby Trott), gain some form of sentience and have gotten attached to their masters and are trying to rebuild them. Pod 153 questions the futility of repairing them with the exact same parts and memories as it would logically mean they would repeat the same mistakes. Pod 042 doesn’t deny that it’s a possibility but, as he delivers the quote, says that the opposite also exist.

Geek wisdom: Our future never determined from the outset. It is, ultimately, up to us to mold our destiny. While we all have different starting points, our destiny will always lead us to different paths. And these are always paths of our own choosing.

“NOTHING IS MORE BADASS THAN TREATING A WOMAN WITH RESPECT!”

From: Borderlands 2 (Mr. Torgue’s Campaign of Carnage)

Genre: Video Games

Who said it?: Mr. Torgue

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes one of the DLC campaign packs you can get for Borderlands 2, Mr. Torgue’s Campaign of Carnage. This game still has the same general gameplay as it’s still a first person shooter with numerous gun drops. The campaign has you, the Vault Hunter, entering a tournament organized by Mr. Torgue, the uncouth head of the Torgue gun company.

The quote comes after defeating one of your competition from the tournament, Pyro Pete. In the process, you do save Mad Moxxi, a buxom and business savvy woman. Mr. Torgue will eventually congratulate the Vault Hunter for moving up in the tournament. Additionally, knowing that Moxxi is now your sponsor, delivers the quote.

Oh, and the reason why the quote is in all caps… it’s because that’s exactly how Mr. Torgue would say it. I’m just being accurate.

Geek wisdom: Despite his rough exterior, what Mr. Torgue said is true. However, this also should apply on both sides of the aisle.