Top 10 Most Rewatched Video Game Cutscenes Ever

“BioShock” (2007)
After surviving a plane crash in the middle of the sea, a strange lighthouse offers refuge, but it’s only once you get plunged down into the depths of the ocean, do you hear Andrew Ryan’s vision of a new utopia. As the music swells and Ryan’s speech comes to a climax, you peek beyond the film screen and bear witness to the pure majesty of Rapture. With sprawling underwater skylines and enormous undersea creatures passing by, it’s contrasted with the dark reality once you enter the city. The opening of Bioshock is a prime example of how to set the tone of a game, making it all the better to rewatch.

“Half-Life 2: Episode Two” (2007)
When you don’t have much hope for future releases, it’s hard not to go back and relive the glory days of Freeman’s adventures. As Gordon and Alyx make their way to the chopper after the successful launch of the rocket, a Combine Advisor breaks-in and restrains them. Eli attempts to fight them off but sadly meets an untimely demise. As the credits roll, Alyx sobs for the loss of her father. The amount of build-up in this critically acclaimed series just to have it end like this was incredibly unsatisfying for a lot of people. This heartbreaking scene was the last moment that many fans had, so it’s no surprise that they would want to see it again.

“Far Cry 3” (2012)
While this may not be the same explanation you can find in the Dictionary, it’s way more memorable. Vaas is a terrifying presence throughout Far Cry 3 and it’s here when you really glimpse into his deranged psyche. Having escaped him before, this lunatic educates Jason on what insanity is, with his own delicate sanity unraveling. This moment plays out so well you can’t help but go back and listen to it again and again. He eventually leaves the player to drown, only for you to survive and go back to trying to kill him. Vaas should’ve taken some of his own advice.

“Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” (2008)
The Metal Gear Franchise is a long and hard journey for many of its characters, but this game was the chronological end of Big Boss and Solid Snake. As Big Boss explains how everything unfolded, we get a melancholic speech about how he, his allies, and his foes were all trapped in the same cycle. As the virus eats away at his body, Snake leads him to his grave and helps him light one last cigar before he passes. Seeing all the history dissolve in front of us, we are left with a strong and emotional conclusion that you’ll want to keep reliving just so you can feel like it’s not over.

“Portal 2” (2011)
Music has been a large part of this series’s success, with the credits song of the original Portal giving us a joyful but unnerving conclusion, which they improved upon even further with the sequel's finale. During the final battle, your portal to the moon sends Wheatley spinning into space crying for help. This leaves you with a grateful GLaDOS, who quickly goes back to being a heartless machine, and leaves you cornered by turrets. Just when you think it’s over for Chell, you’re gifted with a Turret Opera as you are slowly elevated to the surface. Seeing all these dangerous robots sing to you is a feeling like no other, which is why it’s worth multiple viewings.

“Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas” (2004)
Grand Theft Auto is awash with many iconic characters, no matter what entry you play. But this one moment isn’t just noteworthy, it’s iconic. CJ and the gang decide to go get something to eat, and after some deliberation, they decide to go to Cluckin’ Bell. Everyone gets a little something, but Big Smoke’s needs a big something-something and goes all out with his order. It’s a funny scene no matter how many times you watch it and puts us in the mood for even a slice of Smoke’s feast.

“The Last of Us: Left Behind” (2014)
The Last of Us is a rollercoaster from start to finish, featuring the growing relationship between Ellie and her pseudo-father figure Joel. But this wasn’t the first time Ellie had someone she cared deeply about. In the DLC, we are privy to the last moments between Ellie and her best friend. But it’s before that we get to see Ellie sharing some tender moments and then dive headfirst into a kiss with her crush. The kiss surprised us all, and it’s a wonderful snippet of happiness before our heroine’s world drastically changes. So forgive us if we want to relive the good parts before everyone starts dying.

“God of War II” (2007)
The Ghost of Sparta proved himself as the ultimate warrior, taking his place amongst the Greek gods. After taking down many foes, you feel almost invincible, but once he’s tricked by Zeus into becoming a helpless mortal, he’s savagely slain, supposedly for the last time. Kratos never stays dead for long though, constantly climbing out of the underworld. But what makes this moment so special upon rewatching is the knowledge that Kratos is in fact Zeus’s son, transforming this scene into something so much more brutal.

“Kingdom Hearts” series (2002-)
With its magnificent scale and wonderful characters, the story of Kingdom Hearts is something to behold. And with as ambitious a crossover as this, this series needed to hit the ground running. That’s exactly what they did with the cinematic music videos at the start of each of the games. Each opening leaves you wanting more, with its mysterious imagery to set up the main characters and foreshadow the events to come, accompanied by fantastic songs by Utada Hikaru. Since the first game in the series was released pre-youtube, the only way you could go back and listen was to start this game again, but it was always worth it.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Tidus’ Laugh, “Final Fantasy X” (2001)
The Most Infamous Final Fantasy Cutscene

War Never Changes, “Fallout” Series
A True Staple of the Post-Apocalyptic Franchise

SPACE, “Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3” (2008)
Tim Curry’s Fantastic Acting Makes This Scene Very Memorable

“The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” (2011)
As you open your eyes, you find yourself surrounded by prisoners while travelling on a cart. You’re told by Ralof that you were mistakenly captured during an imperial ambush, and are now being led to your execution. After creating your character you’re brought to the chopping block, only to have your demise interrupted at the last second by Alduin. The mighty dragon then proceeds to destroy the village, allowing you to somehow escape. Being one of the most cinematic moments in this lengthy classic, it’s absolutely no surprise that this is one of the most rewatched video game cutscenes of all time.