Life has no save points, quest markers, or helpful sprites to pop up and tell you where to go next. What life does have are writers and developers who create capsules of fantastical worlds filled with well-written characters whose stories are grandiose but still human in their themes. We have pulled together a handful of quotes to inspire you, dear reader, to keep going even when things seem dire and the story seems to have written its own ending.
5) “You twine your life around the people you love. And when they are gone, you grow around their absence instead. It is just another way they shape you.” – Jaheira, Baldur’s Gate 3
Jaheira is no stranger to grief. She has experienced centuries of love, war, friendship, and loss. In Baldur’s Gate 3, developed and published by Larian Studios, Jaheira has experienced pain that she would wish upon no one. Her beloved husband was lost in a way she does not enjoy recounting. And yet, she makes it clear that she has no regrets in her life with him.
The love Jaheira carries for her husband is so deep it nearly twists her heart to make a decision that could negatively affect her future. But she avoids such a choice in the end and shares her wisdom. Love and grief will change us, but instead of letting it break our spirits, we must find a way to grow. Comforting and fitting words from a druid for us all.
4) “It’s only natural for living creatures to fight to protect their own lives. But what makes us human is that we fight for others. But who do you fight for? How hard must you fight…? That’s the true measure of what human life is worth.” – Phoenix Wright, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Trials and Tribulations
Phoenix Wright, from the namesake game Ace Attorney: Trials and Tribulations from Capcom, is an imperfect defense attorney thrown into an imperfect system. And yet, he refuses to allow the twisted laws and cases to break his spirit for the mission he was called to do. Fighting for other people amid their mess is a feat that not all possess.
Every case Phoenix takes on opens a door for betrayal, pain, and risk to his career or even his life. But to watch innocent people get hurt? There is no way Phoenix can stand for that. And neither should any of us operating in this world where human lives are often undervalued and discredited.
3) “A good man who serves a great evil is not without sin. He must recognize and accept his complicity.” – Barret, Final Fantasy VII: Remake Intergrade
Eco-terrorism and corporate greed as the through line of Final Fantasy VII: Remake Intergrade, developed and published by Square Enix, opens up avenues of consideration and conversation. Any seemingly good person who chooses to work, comply, or accept their position in an evil organization cannot ignore their own blights. We must all consider our choices, even when working to survive.
But there is room for grace, an understanding that to live in a desperate world, where resources are scarce, being a good person will not feed your family. Barret is no stranger to the way the world shapes everyone, and how even the kindest people may turn to wrath when pushed to their limits. So we, too, must consider our options and offer grace to others where it is warranted.
2) “The people here have suffered greatly, but we must always find hope in the midst of despair. It is fitting to celebrate Christ’s birth on days with so little light and warmth. People need Christmas in the depth of Winter to remind them that Spring will return. And we will all have a chance to live again.” – Amalie, Pentiment
Winter brings darkness and ice to so many parts of the world. It can be difficult in those grey, biting months to look outside and find hope. For some of us with seasonal affective disorder, the energy it takes to get out of bed and be a person is often too much to bear. Pentiment, developed by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Limited Run Games and Xbox Game Studios, embraces the chilling reality of winter in a society where they are without electricity and the common comforts most of us have now.
And while the quote is very Christian, there are so many other winter celebrations that give hope to people in dark, chilling times. Kwanza, Hannukah, Yule, Diwali, Soyal – so many winter celebrations emphasize the importance of light, warmth, and celebration. Finding hope in community and the break in winter’s monotony is a testament to our needs as humans to make our own light, our own fire, and to come together even when the weather tempts us to stay inside.
1) “How not to lose? It is impossible not to. The world is balanced on the edge of a knife. It’s a game of frayed nerves. You’re pushed on by numbers and punitive measures: pain, rejection, and unpaid bills. You can either play or you can crawl under a boat and waste away — turn into salt or a flock of seagulls. Your enemies would love that. Or you can fight. The only way to load the dice is to keep on fighting.” – The Precarious World Thought Cabinet, Disco Elysium
There are so many quotes in Disco Elysium, developed and published by ZA/UM, that encompass the struggle to get up and fight for another moment of life. Playing as Detective Du Bois shows us how desperate a person can become to just stop, rest, and even fade away. But on the flip side, there is a voice that pushes us to keep going. To not allow our enemies to win – even when our enemy is our own mind.
These words also strike as a mantra we all feel as people who enjoy games, challenges, sports, and dreamers. Our biggest obstacle yet may be a game that pushes us beyond our capabilities. Or perhaps it is moving out on our own, chasing after a dream career or achievement. Regardless, we cannot allow the fear of failure to keep us bound. We must try. We must load the dice, toss them to the table and Just. Keep. Fighting.
As you pursue your own quest in life may some of these quotes accompany you on the road. And if there are any quotes from video games that have carried you through difficult seasons in life, please share them with us in the comments or head over to our Discord channel.
Featured Image: Larian Studios, Capcom, Xbox Game Studios, ZA/UM, Square Enix
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The Boss Rush Podcast is the flagship podcast of The Boss Rush Network and Boss Rush Media. Each week, hosts Corey Dirrig, Stephanie Klimov, LeRon Dawkins, and Pat Klein come together with their friends, colleagues, and fellow creators to talk about their week in video games, discuss industry topics, conduct interviews, answer listener questions, and more. New episodes every Monday. Get each episode one week early and more perks over on the Boss Rush Network Patreon page.
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