“It’s Dangerous to Go Alone…” – Iconic Video Game Quotes That Make No Sense Without Context

People who don’t play video games often miss out on what makes them special. They might question the quality of the storytelling, wondering if it can be as good as a popular TV show or film. But many games actually have incredibly well-written dialogue – sometimes thought-provoking and meaningful, even life-altering, and other times simply funny, which is perfectly fine. Villains in Japanese role-playing games, or JRPGs, are particularly known for their memorable lines.

To truly appreciate these quotes, it’s important to understand where they come from. Meaning often relies on context – for example, the phrase “the cake is a lie” doesn’t really mean anything on its own. Here are some other great gaming quotes that need that background information to be fully understood.

In providing that context, there will be some spoilers for some of the games discussed!

7. “I’m You. I’m Your Shadow.”

Metal Gear Solid

Most people can relate to arguments with siblings. The idea of a “shadow” sibling – someone who constantly imitates you – is a common experience. But a line spoken by Liquid Snake in the original Metal Gear Solid hints at much deeper, more intense family conflict than just typical sibling rivalry.

Liquid Snake says this line while piloting his Hind D helicopter, after the player finally reaches the roof of Communication Tower B chasing after him. Solid Snake, caught on foot and without cover but equipped with Stinger missiles, is confused when Liquid calls him “brother” and demands to know who he is. Liquid only responds by telling him to “ask the father you killed.” This refers to the Les Enfants Terribles project, a secret initiative where scientists used Big Boss’s DNA to try and create super-soldiers. Both Liquid and Solid Snake were created through this project. Liquid’s anger largely comes from his belief that he received Big Boss’s weaker genes while Solid Snake got the stronger ones, although a scene after the credits reveals this wasn’t actually the case. Later in the series, we discover Solidus, a third son of Big Boss.

6. “No Cloud, No Squall Shall Hinder Us.”

Final Fantasy 9

Many Final Fantasy games include subtle references to earlier titles, like the recurring “Save the Queen” weapon. Final Fantasy 9 features both these subtle nods and more obvious callbacks. For example, Zidane comments on a large sword, clearly referencing Cloud Strife’s Buster Sword. Later in the game’s conclusion, both Cloud and Squall from Final Fantasy 8 are referenced during a dramatic scene.

A play within the game mirrors the story’s beginning, featuring Marcus and Princess Cornelia as lovers facing obstacles due to her royal position. They decide to run away together, with Cornelia willing to give up her title for their love. Marcus dramatically vows that nothing will stop them. This scene cleverly references the game’s earlier heroes, and it’s especially touching to discover that the actor playing Marcus is actually Zidane, who also made it through the final battle. The series is known for its memorable lines, and this is a particularly beautiful example.

5. “Seven Minutes Is All I Can Spare To Play With You.”

Resident Evil 5

The Resident Evil series often leans into dramatic moments, and it’s known for its campy, over-the-top style and sometimes questionable acting. A big part of this is the villain Albert Wesker, who is particularly smug in Resident Evil 5. In Chapter 5:3, his plan to release the Uroboros virus is going well – meaning terribly for everyone else. He and Jill Valentine, who Wesker is controlling with an implant, battle Chris and Sheva in the ornate Monarch Room, but not before Wesker taunts them, implying they’re no real threat. He even boasts that he’ll only spend seven minutes playing with them before finishing them off.

Right now, you can’t actually beat Wesker, so focus on dodging his attacks and responding quickly with well-timed actions, while conserving ammo. The key to winning this fight is for Chris and Sheva to team up and destroy the device Wesker has connected to Jill, which will restore her. Eventually, Wesker will meet his dramatic end, as the game concludes.

4. “Would You Kindly?”

BioShock

Throughout the game, a key phrase was subtly woven into Atlas’s conversations. The developers wanted something that would blend into the background until its true meaning was revealed. From the moment Jack enters the ruined city of Rapture, Atlas is his main contact, offering help and hope over the radio. Atlas claims his family survived the city’s collapse and that Jack can help rescue them, but Andrew Ryan, Rapture’s founder, prevents this. This is when we discover Jack wasn’t in Rapture by accident. He was deliberately brought there by Atlas, who is actually Frank Fontaine – a notorious criminal everyone thought was dead, and the one responsible for starting a civil war that destroyed Rapture.

Fontaine has trained Jack to follow his commands, and the phrase “would you kindly” isn’t just a polite request. It’s a trigger that activates a deeply ingrained conditioning in Jack. Using this phrase, Fontaine—known as “Atlas”—manipulated Jack into finding and ultimately causing the death of his enemy, Ryan. Only when Fontaine loses his control over Jack, by removing this trigger, is Jack able to break free and defeat him.

3. “Fear The Old Blood.”

Bloodborne

Like most games from FromSoftware, Bloodborne doesn’t explain everything directly. To understand the story, which gets increasingly strange, you’ll need to pay close attention to the notes and items you find, and listen carefully to what characters tell you. A longer cutscene starts when the player character, the Hunter, touches a skull in the Grand Cathedral. This scene shows Master Willem, a teacher at Byrgenwerth college, arguing with his student, Laurence. Willem accuses Laurence of betraying him, but Laurence insists he’s simply leaving because Willem is unwilling to consider new ideas. Laurence still pledges to remember Byrgenwerth’s core belief: “We are born of the blood, made men by the blood, undone by the blood. Our eyes are yet to open. Fear the Old Blood.”

Players familiar with the game’s lore know this strange blood is central to events that happened before the story begins. It was first discovered by Byrgenwerth’s explorers in the underground ruins of Yharnam. Laurence’s church then used the blood’s healing properties to treat almost any disease. However, the blood of the Great Ones also caused the terrifying beast plague. The ‘Old Hunters’ expansion features a challenging fight against Laurence, revealing the extreme lengths he went to in his pursuit of the blood’s power.

2. “You, Sir, Are A Fish.”

Red Dead Redemption 2

If you’re not familiar with the game Red Dead Redemption 2, this reference might seem strange, like an old-fashioned insult that doesn’t make sense today. But if you have played it, you’ll recognize that the characters Arthur and John really enjoy fishing and appreciate a good catch.

This quote is short and sweet, simply celebrating an achievement. However, the game’s fishing system is surprisingly complex. You’ll need to try different baits and fish in various locations to catch everything. Experienced players can even aim to catch legendary versions of each fish, and the weather plays a role too! Landing the harder-to-catch fish requires paying attention to your casting direction, how hard you reel, and precise timing.

1. “It’s Dangerous To Go Alone! Take This.”

The Legend Of Zelda

The first Legend of Zelda game isn’t very easy for modern players. It was made in a different era of gaming, so it’s often unclear where you’re supposed to go. Right at the beginning, you’ll see a small cave, and it’s important to lead Link there immediately. Inside, you’ll find an old man in a dimly lit, somewhat spooky room. He has a sword and delivers a famous line.

Okay, so this is where my gaming obsession really started. This series has been around forever, changing over the years, but it’s always been epic. Later games, like Ocarina of Time, made you run around collecting stuff before you could even start the adventure. But the very first game? You just jumped right in! Figuring out what to do next, though… that was a whole other story!

2026-02-06 02:38