Most annoying video game phrases

Video games have gone from jarring synthesised sounds – think Frogger on the Atari 2600 – to Kevin Spacey providing his Academy Award winning tone to the latest Call of Duty.

Script writers and voice artists are now commonplace in most games these days, but sometimes the focus on providing audio feedback can become rather annoying.

Some game developers focus too much on a certain phrase, which can become rather annoying.

Needless to say, hearing that over and over again can become rather annoying.

Here are some video game phrases that can become…

Diablo 3 – I’m so good I astound myself

I have been playing my Wizard class since the original Diablo 3 launched back in 2012, and if I had to tally up the amount of times I have heard my character say this, it would probably be in the hundred thousand range.

The phrase is triggered when the Wizard does something great like killing a large group of enemies, destroying objects, or just creating chaos.

Dragons Dogma – Squealing Pawns

When you create your first pawn you have the option to decide how high or low the voice pitch is for it. I decided to create a very high pitch – borderline chipmunk. During the game your pawn is somewhat unhelpful, giving you hints during battle, or telling you when there is an item nearby.

The result – a castrated chipmunk at your side the entire game, that never shuts up. Ever.

Skyrim – Arrow in the Knee

It has become a world-famous phrase that’s taken the Internet by storm. Arrow in the Knee has spawned memes and countless videos, and even received a sweet dubstep remix.

That said, it’s annoying as hell.

The Legend of Zelda – Hey Listen!

Every Legend of Zelda fan knows about the little fairy (Navi) that accompanies you on your quest. “Listen, listen, listen” is all you hear from her all the time.

Standing still to answer a text on your phone (not in game), she will think that you are lost and shout “listen”. As cute as it is at the beginning, this get extremely annoying after a while.

Diablo 2 – I am Overburdened

Just when you think you’re on a roll wiping out enemies, collecting loot, and getting to your quest, your character shouts “I am overburdened”.

This normally takes place when you are about to pick up a rare staff or that gem that you have spent ages looking for.

“I am overburdened” doesn’t just mean that you cannot carry anymore items, it means that you have to drop everything you’re doing and go to town to sell stuff. Where’s my town portal?

Final Fantasy X – Laugh Out Loud

I love Final Fantasy X, but the cheesy cinematic where Tidus and Yuna are performing that terrible fake laugh makes me mute the TV.

I don’t know if it is the bad voice acting in that sequence or the way the laugh doesn’t sound like its coming from the models in the game, but either way, it is my most annoying phrase/audio in any game.

Even the other party members think it is annoying.