Games that give you the "chill"...

[zektor]

Kind of hard to explain this one. I was playing Rez today on the Dreamcast after not playing it for quite a long time. Upon entering the first level boss stage, the music changes to this sick techno beat. Something about that level entry, that beat, and the initial presentation of that boss always gives me this odd chill. Like an ultimate "wow" factor of sorts. Very hard to explain, but extremely cool to say the least. Anybody else even know what I am talking about? And if so, what other games do this to you?

[joshnickerson]

The intro to Metroid Prime does this to me every time. The way the camera pans through the space station, focuses on Samus's ship, then as she jumps from her ship and lands on the dock, the classic Metroid music plays. Awesomesauce. :)

[FoxyGamer]

welp in my lore entry, I already mentioned how the opening music for FF VI does it for me, but I'd place the Sanbone Trio level of Gitaroo man pretty high as well.

[cityside75]

I know the feeling, and I get it in the very same game, Rez. I absolutely adore that game.

For me, if I haven't played it in a while, I'll get it on level 1 or level 2 after defeating the first wave, when the beat kicks in and the screen blurs for the first time. I practically get the feeling just writing about it!

Usually after a round or two of the standard game I'll take a run through the final level, and get it again when you fight that massive mid-boss as the music crescendos.

Did I mention I love that game?

[BocoDragon]

Sounds like the same feeling I get during Einhander.... when the music hits its stride, and you're taking down a giant robot boss, weaving through bullets, it is a great feeling! :)

Also...... ZOE2!

[boatofcar]

The beginning of Chrono Trigger for me. Tick, tock, tick, tock...

[BHvrd]

Halo, when the orchestration kicks in. Original Halo only!

Quake 3 Arena on Dreamcast. That game was just the shiznit.

Vanguard on Atari 2600.

Pretty much any Final Fantasy intro or big moment.

Galaxan, it is pure arcade sound bliss.

I know what you're talking about and these are only a few. Imo, music and sound effects can even make a bad game good. Orchestration is key, John Williams taught us that. :p

[Jumpman Jr.]

Every time I watch the opening cut scene for Super Mario 64 it gives me those "chills."
You know that part where the music starts playing and the camera goes around the castle and Mario jumps out of the pipe?
Ahhhhh....

[zektor]

Ahh, good ones! I wonder if there is a technical term to this "feeling". Another was in GoW...the Berserker entrance. But, I would imagine a whole lot of people felt that one :) Even tho that scene had no music really (as far as I recall), something about that scene just chilled.

[CreamSoda]

1.The beginning of FFVII, the opening FMV and the music that goes with it. Always gives me that "chill"

2.Just about everything in the game of Shenmue does that to me. This game is so magical, I love every minute of it!

3.Phantasy Star Online, playing online, the lobby music. Also the Christmas song in the game areas!

[GunPanther]

Good question.

I would have to say that the original "Resident Evil" for the PS1 gives me the chills, even after all this time. Just seeing those Hunters and hearing them scream remind me of how young I was back in 1996 and how terrified I was of even fighting them. Such powerful monsters, especially with their 'instant kill'.

[Push Upstairs]

I'd have to say the last game I got the "chill" from was "Serious Sam: The Second Encounter".

That last battle (after the numerous others) was total awesomeness wrapped in a thick layer of cool.

Never has frantic firing in all directions been so magical.

[Cinder6]

At first, I was having a hard time thinking of any. Now, I've come up with a pretty big list. Spoilers abound.

One game that gives me the chills is Phantasy Star IV, when Rune tells you not to go after Zio, and the music just stops, with a panel showing Chaz looking shocked. I thought that was a pretty cool scene.

Then there's the end of Metal Gear Solid, when Liquid succumbs to Foxdie, or when Gray Fox does his awesomeness against Rex (and dies).

The final escape sequence in Super Metroid (love the music).

Various points in Chrono Trigger. Actually, quite a few of them. I think my favorite one is fighting Lavos, when the song World Revolution kicks in. Awesome :)

In Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, when Alucard yells, "Dracula, in the name of my mother, I will defeat you again!" Just thinking about it gives me the chills, bad voice acting and all (actually, that was easily the best-delivered line in the game).

The final level of Ace Combat 4, when the song Heaven's Gate comes on as you are about to fly through the final tunnel to get to the last missile. That entire level is amazing.

Kingdom Hearts, the cutscene before fighting Riku (right before Sora becomes a Heartless), when Sora deflects Riku's blow and says Riku's never getting Kairi's heart.

A bunch of scenes in Tales of Symphonia; can't think of any in particular right now.

The end sequences of Zone of the Enders 2.

And finally, when you first dimension hop in Chrono Cross and find Serge's grave. Also, when Lynx switches bodies with Serge, and stabs Kidd. Unfortunately, I haven't beaten the game yet; I'm sure there are even more awesome scenes that I've missed out on.

[jajaja]

I sometimes get the chills from the Monkey Island intro music.

[Kid Ice]

For some reason the only thing in all of gaming that makes me react on a truly emotional level is when the high score music plays at the end of Galaga. And not the regular high score music, but the music that plays when you get the number one high score (it's different). More than anything else it takes me back to the old days...like I feel like I'm back there in one of the old arcades. Sort of a mixture of awe and sadness.

[smork]

Two Dreamcast games that gave me the chills: Rez, also -- the music just gets me, and Skies of Arcadia. Something about the sweep of the game, the majesty -- many scenes left me in awe.

I'll also put Radiant Silvergun on there -- the last couple stages with the music... just wow.

[StakeRaiser]

The music of NES Faxanadu does it to me, its just haunting to me for some reason

[Apollo]

Fighting Gigyas at the end of Earthbound, and when the game tells you all the people praying for you to defeat Gigyas, that did it for me.

[Flashback2012]

In the SNES game Axelay when you are the weapon select screen the game has a digitized voice that goes "Arms installation is complete. Good Luck." I get chills playing the entire 2nd stage of the game.

There's a couple of stages in Life Force that gave me the chills 'cuz of the pace of the game and the music. Pop 'N Twinbee, Gaiares, and a few others have accomplished this as well.

[Andred]

Seeing Hyrule Castle frozen in time in TLOZ: The Wind Waker is one of those moments for me. Very cool...

[nebrazca78]

My number one has been Silpheed for a while. When that game came out there was nothing like it on a home console and that exciting experience plus the insane music did it for me.

I also remember the part in Grandia II when you are taking off from some planet and one of your party stays behind and dies so you can leave. The shot looks straight down and you see him being overwhelmed as you take off. Awesome.

[KeyserSoze61]

It happened to me recently...I was watching some youtube compilation and seeing the original Dragon Warrior gave me chills. I remember that my brother somehow got the game free from Nintendo Power; he never got into it too much, but I burned a lot of time on that game. Really, I can't get into many japanese RPGs because they all pale in comparison to my fond memories of that game.

[Streetball 21]

I'd have to say the intro to Soul Blade (PS1). Wow. Just awesome.

[suppafly]

THese games give me the chills

Genesis: Phantasy star 2
DC: Shenmue
PC: Doom 1 and 2

[Graham Mitchell]

Most of Shenmue and D2 did that to me. The one that gives me the biggest rush is probably Super Metroid. There's a part of Brinstar where the music changes into this sort of melancholy interlude, and you find the big glass pipe that you can break with power bombs. When you're in the dark room before the pipe, the combination of the music, the light on samus's mask, and the neato effect of her kicking up water when she walks really just does something for me. It's just aesthetically pleasing and it makes for a very emotionally satisfying experience for some reason.

I've actually gotten this type of feeling from many games. All the Y's turbografx games did it back in the day. FFIV, VI, and VII all did it.

I played Phantasy Star III for the first time in about 10 years a couple years ago, and when I head the music in the intro I burst into tears. Wierd, but also very cool.

[FVJVMVP]

For some reason the startup music to MK4 creeps me out. Then I get into VS. mode then I'm mister "Violence! Gore! Yay!"

[RJ]

As long as we're talking music (no games really do it to me) every time "Trip Like I Do" by The Crystal Method starts up...


oh man.

Actually that may be in N20 (PS), I know TCM did the music. Does the game disc play like their Vegas album?

[SkiDragon]

I'd have to say the title screens from some games give me that feeling. For example, 'Secret of Mana", as well as the "Adventure of Link" and "A Link to the Past".

[Moo Cow]

Gunroar, when I get into the zone. Best of all, it's free.

[cyberfluxor]

I get that chill factor whenever I complete construction of massive cannons in RTS games. It's just great to see you've finished building some ultimate weapon that'll protect your base from most invasions.

[bangtango]

Two games come to mind.

Legend of Zelda: A Link To The Past
-The very beginning of the game does this to me, as you are going out in the rain and looking for your uncle. The rainstorm, the guards that stop you, then finding your uncle. Basically, the first part of the game. Once I find Link's uncle, those chills start to go away, still a great game though.

Resident Evil 2
-The whole game does this. The intro, the cutscenes, the boss battles (mainly with Birkin), Birkin killing the guy in the prison cell, meeting the police chief in one of the "later" scenarios to find he has completely lost his mind. What an experience this one was.

[dubiouscubanx]

Whenever I would play Sonic Adventure on the DC, I would get all giddy when the killer whale would chase you on the bridge. I don't know why, but that sequence just pumps me up!

[sabre2922]

The game that gives me the "chills" or at least makes me feel a bit better upon seeing or hearing them are:

first and foremost the Legend of Zelda on NES always takes me back to one of the last great summers of my youth = swimming, riding bikes and NINTENDO! those were tha days man8-)

others:

Metroid opening music on NES

the opening music and title intro to Phantasy Star 2

Sonic 2 "starzone" music umm you know the pinball type stage yea thats tha ticket.

Just about ANY MUSIC from the Streetfighter 2 games from SNES to arcade etc.

and like someone stated above believe it or not just about everything from the original PSX Resident Evil hell as soon as I hear that cheesy voice acting it takes me back to better times in my life plus I luv the save room music.

[witweew]

....yeah -- i agree, people are basically getting sick of the

same old rock/hip-hop/r&b bullsh*t.:moon:....

and there is just this big upsurge from a new style

coming out of Europe -- best place i've found it so
*_*
far is a compilation series called 'euro club hits' on itunes

-- or check this link::snuggle:

http://www.futurelectrohouse.com/tracks

[Trevelyan]

....yeah -- i agree, people are basically getting sick of the

same old rock/hip-hop/r&b bullsh*t.:moon:....

and there is just this big upsurge from a new style

coming out of Europe -- best place i've found it so
*_*
far is a compilation series called 'euro club hits' on itunes

-- or check this link::snuggle:

http://www.futurelectrohouse.com/tracks

Are you in the right thread :? The last post from sabre2922 mentions music in games :? Well, since it's been revived I must mention Alien Vs Predator (this one, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aliens_versus_Predator_%28computer_game%29). That game gave me the chills, I stopped myself from playing it because getting zapped by a face hugger scared me so much!

[guitargary75]

I'd have to say the title screens from some games give me that feeling. For example, 'Secret of Mana", as well as the "Adventure of Link" and "A Link to the Past".

Second that.

[FrakAttack]

Much of the music and sound from the original Starfox still gets to me, especially the "Good Luck" and the downbeat orchestral notes that play when you crash. And the deep, thumping dragon's theme and heartbeat sound from Drakkhen still gives me chills. The SNES really felt next-gen in the sound department like no other.

[Cobra Commander]

Tackling the giant castle in Wizard's and Warrior's for the NES. Nothing in any video game since then compares to leaping from the top spire and falling for what seems like an eternity to the ground. And that music just completes everything.

Also, the ending to Soul Blazer for the SNES. Never have I been part of a more satisfying ending. It's long, epic, and the music is simply magical. I love coming back at the end as a human, and meeting Lisa again. When she introduces her pet goat Turbo, she says she named him Turbo because she reminds her of a dog she once owned. I got chills because it seemed so sweet. If you've played the game, hopefully you know what I'm talking about. It's a masterpiece.

[G-Boobie]

Allow me to nerd out a second on Metal Gear Solid 2 and 3.

I bought a PS2 for Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. The first time I popped the disc in and watched the whole intro I was stunned: the MGS theme and cinematography were like nothing I'd seen up to that point; I got a very real 'chill' up my spine, and a stupid grin that didn't fade until I had to listen to Rose bitch for five hours straight. Lost the grin pretty quickly after that, and never mind the chills.

The very end of MGS 3 does the same thing to me. It always feels 'right' somehow.

The first time through Silent Hill 2 was full of the 'chills' in more ways than one. It was the first game to really make me uneasy, and the first game to show me that 'video games' can actually be successful vehicles for story and metaphor. Nothing since then, excepting Bioshock, has hit that level for me.

[Soviet Conscript]

Two games come to mind.

Legend of Zelda: A Link To The Past
-The very beginning of the game does this to me, as you are going out in the rain and looking for your uncle. The rainstorm, the guards that stop you, then finding your uncle. Basically, the first part of the game. Once I find Link's uncle, those chills start to go away, still a great game though.


check that one for me as well

this is probibly no suprise but i still get chills from the intro to C&C red alert especially when the Hell March kicks in

yhea, i'm a sucker for Cold War RTS games. i loved the intro to World in Conflict as well

[slackur]

I love the 'chill' moment described, and video games have given that to me more than anything else, and I love being receptive to it, even if most people will never understand. The best, most significant 'chill', that emotional stirring that is excitement and awe and even nostalgia (sometimes for the first time!) that I ever received I know right off the bat:

Shadow of the Colossus.

That game captivated me from beginning to end. I got chills watching the opening, but the ending had me near shivering tears. Call me whatever, I will never forget it.

others:

I bought the Final Fantasy III Snes Soundtrack (before it was known here as VI), loaned it out, and when I got it back, I put it in the CD player and got chills hearing it, especially the music during Celes' attempted suicide.

'That moment' halfway through Bioshock. I was expecting it, but the way it was presented...wow. My roommate actually had to turn away and stop watching.

Super Metroid, various moody parts.

The teaser for Halo 3, the first one, that shows Master Chief walking toward the screen. Still does, even after finishing the game.

The overworld music for Final Fantasy IV can still give me chills.

Some of the bosses from Lost Planet. (no pun on chills intended.) The score and scope of that game just rivets me.

The last quarter of Skies of Arcadia, when it turns from happy-go-lucky to massive NPC killoff and the tone switches to more dramatic, epic feel.

Ys Book I and II for Duo. That music loves me. ;)

3rd stage of Contra 3, some of the epic boss battles and that awesome music setting the tone.

And, I know it's not a game, but I have to plug it: the entire movie of Casshern.

But nothing compares to Shadow of the Colossus. From beginning to end, my favorite story from any media. More is conveyed from it's subtle mood, incomparable music, and slow, calculatedly purposeful pace, than hours of cutscenes or pages of dialogue.

When it dawns on you at the end how everything is connected and purposeful (the bleak, near lifelessness and drained color of the cursed landscape, the design of the runes and structures left, the connection to Ico, the purpose of little clues strewn throughout,) not just the easily discerned metaplot, but the details of how it is all connected, when it all comes together, it is like a meditation on loss.

And it gives me chills.

[The 1 2 P]

Only one game truely did this to me and thats the first Silent Hill for the PS1. It never scared me but while playing it and espcially after playing it I feel so dirty all over. I feel like I just got done crawling thru a rat infested sewer that had demonic bloody man-rabbits nipping at my heals. Yeah, it's that serious.

[GrandAmChandler]

....yeah -- i agree, people are basically getting sick of the

same old rock/hip-hop/r&b bullsh*t.:moon:....

and there is just this big upsurge from a new style

coming out of Europe -- best place i've found it so
*_*
far is a compilation series called 'euro club hits' on itunes

-- or check this link::snuggle:

http://www.futurelectrohouse.com/tracks

Congratulations Spammer! You won a trip for one to Ban Land!

-GAC-

[JunkTheMagicDragon]

i know you guys are gonna laugh (go head, it's okay), but i definitely got the chill playing advent rising.

: pauses for laughter :

the scene that always gets me is when the station is being attacked and it's falling down all around you. people are screaming, crying for help, and that haunting score is playing. gets me every time.

[rarebucky]

The scene that always gets me is in Download for PCE when you die and it leaves you the message "I can not f*ck up for this". I'm getting chills just thinking about it.

[thom_m]

I always get it from the intro to Super Metroid, before you press start, and also from the intro to Kid Chameleon. For the same reasons: cool scenes, awesome music, and the fact that you KNOW what an awesome game you're about to play.

[turbokon]

Splatterhouse for the turbografx16 use to give me the chills and still does til this day.

[Viraneth]

Ah. Halo 2, when Blow Me Away (Instrumental) plays, ooooooh.... so good.

Let's see... in Halo 3, when I got perfectionist and running riot in a Team Snipers game... oooh, the thrill of kill number 15... delicious.

Hearing the song "I love love you" while blasting through Shibuya in JSRF, a 800+ beat combo in gungrave, the betrayal plot twist in Freedom Fighters, and... wow... jsut so many xD

[Cafeman]

At first I thought of chills as in a section which unnerved me -- the last scene with Pey'j in Beyond Good & Evil for example, and also various suspense scenes in Dino Crisis on Dreamcast, and finally the Rex battle (vs the human, not Kong) in Xbox King Kong, where the big thing is slowly stalking you in-the-round and you have to dart between rocks and get spears n'at. Everytime he ate me I jumped and felt the 'fear'.

But getting a 'chill' as in awe or an extreme connection, not just disturbing stuff -- I'd say Shadow of the Colossus did it to me several times, usually just as I'd finally stumble upon a new Colossus. In Shenmue, the final battle with both Chai and especially the rooftop final battle with Don Nui .. egads!

[figment1988]

i have a couple of them:

the game that gives me the chills music-wise is Sword of Vermillion from it's epic intro to most of the game's BGM (especially in the beginning).

the game that gave me the chills when it came to suspense was Contra 3 and it's intro

[Viraneth]

Can we count trailers?

If so, first time I saw the Mirror's Edge trailer. I was just.... wow... :,D

[Goatjuggler]

Whenever I would play Sonic Adventure on the DC, I would get all giddy when the killer whale would chase you on the bridge. I don't know why, but that sequence just pumps me up!

I had to register just to give you a nod for that one. Like you were reading my mind. Got my DC on Christmas back then for the kids *cough* and I was floored.

Aside from that, I JUST remembered having a TI-99/4A as a kid recently, and fired up some carts and almost some waterworks ;) Odd that the brain represses the good with the bad.

Most recently though, finishing Paper Mario 64 on Wii VC. I left the ending on overnight just so I could wake up to it the next morning. Darn rich kids were the only ones with N64 back in the day.

And a tad off topic, but Future Crew's Second Reality still does it for me.

[Rogue]

Can we count trailers?

If so, first time I saw the Mirror's Edge trailer. I was just.... wow... :,D

First time I saw the Earth & Beyond trailer, was WOOOOWWW!!!!!!!!

^^'

Also, Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask makes me chill. Any Tomb Raider game. Any Star Wars game. Some Street Fighters (not that crappy 3rd Strike ¬¬)

I think generally is the music that we like.

[Viraneth]

Totally. Music is definintly important. I love when you barely notice the music, it just all blends into the scene.

[Gentlegamer]

The title screen of The Legend of Zelda.

Takes me back twenty years to when I first experienced that awesome action-adventure game.