Line #18 TearJerker/Civilization


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3	* When you declare war, most of the leaders react with some variation of "bring it on". And then there's Darius of Persia, who recoils in shock, accompanied by [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXfq8BL36o8 the saddest war theme in the game]], as if he knows he has no way of winning. It's a bit of a contrast with his arrogant behavior before that point. It doesn't get any better if you're ''playing'' as Persia, either. Though they're no slouches at war, their bonuses are more focused around trade, culture, and golden ages. If you were going for a more peaceful victory condition but outside circumstances pushed you into war, Darius' theme can make you wonder [[HeelRealization whether something in your strategy has gone horribly wrong]].
4	* In ''Civ V'', the player gets to see unique "defeat" scenes for each civilization when you wipe them off the map, in which the civs' leaders react to their defeat and the loss of their empire. Some are stoic, some are angry and vengeful, and some just... break down. (These also play when they're caught spying, which takes the edge off a bit, but they can still be quite emotional.) Many of these are appropriately tragic as the leaders grieve for their losses, plus several of them have burning sounds and the sounds of screaming in the background and quite a few strongly imply (and in some cases outright state) that the leaders are aware of their impending execution. In many cases, what the leader is saying doesn't always line up with the text you're given, and [[BilingualBonus if you know the language they're speaking]] the moments tend to become that much sadder for it. Particularly tragic examples include:
5	** Genghis Khan's text has [[GracefulLoser him congratulating you on your victory,]] whereas he himself merely says "I await my execution" and hangs his head, totally dejected and resigned to his death.
6	** We find Willem Van Oranje keening over his desk, praying to God for mercy on him and his people. These were reportedly his actual final words after being shot by an assassin, and the voice actor deserves props for how well he expressed the sadness; the guy sounds like he's about to burst into tears at any moment.
7	** Shaka of the Zulu, surprisingly. Upon being defeated, the Civ series' quintessential ProudWarriorRaceGuy throws down his weapons and breaks down, [[FatherToHisMen for if his soldiers have failed then that must mean that he, in turn, has failed them.]]
8	** Gandhi ''really'' tries to make you [[PlayerPunch feel guilty]] about [[YouBastard what you've just done]]: "You have defeated the innocent and the helpless." Ouch.
9	** Pacal of the Mayans spends much of his time claiming that his shamans have foreseen the apocalypse and that it's coming soon. When you wipe him out, he falls to his knees and realizes that ''you'' are the cataclysm, [[YouBastard which has brought destruction to his lands and death to his people.]] He refers to you as "the path to the black storm," and says that with you comes the "pain which is always hot." Again, while the sounds of burning play in the background.
10	** Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon has some amusingly unhinged lines, but his defeat quote is just depressing: "It is over. Perhaps now I shall have peace, at last." Whatever's going on in his head can't be pleasant.
11	* ''Civ VI'' once again brings back the animated and voiced defeat scenes, and with the far more expressive and animated leaders, they are even more of a TearJerker than ever.
12	** Much like Willem Van Oranje in ''Civ V'', a defeated Pedro II says his actual last words: "May God grant me these last wishes; peace and prosperity for Brazil."
13	** Montezuma of all people sounds truly heartbroken when he is defeated, asking his gods for forgiveness that he was not strong enough to serve them.
14	** After you defeat Spain, the [[BreakTheHaughty normally haughty and self-righteous Philip II]] staggers, drops his sword in shock, raises his hand to the heavens and asks, "Why, Lord? Why have you abandoned us?" The fact that your victories are indicated by the exultant cheers of a crowd isn't much of a balm for the heart; Philip's eyes desperately flick about, as if he's searching for one iota of support from the Spanish masses outside his palace, and to his horror and dismay finds none.
15	** After conquering the United States, Theodore Roosevelt congratulates you and says that "Instead of the United States of America, your nation will go far." with the most defeated tone in his voice, making it seem like admitting this is the most painful thing he's ever done.
16	** After you defeat France, Catherine de Medici calmly [[GracefulLoser accepts her defeat]] and [[FaceDeathWithDignity possible death]]. "I have lived long enough to know when I am defeated. Carry on." Even sadder if you know that historically, Catherine outlived her husband and most of her children.
17	** Alexander, upon defeat, states, "Just as quickly as it began, my long march finally comes to an end", as he wistfully looks to the side and sheaths his sword. These words become more poignant when you know that he died in his thirties despite his actions revolutionising the Hellenistic world.
18	** Defeating Scotland prompts Robert the Bruce to state "A lonely wind blows through the highlands today. A dirge for Scotland. Can you hear it?" sounding absolutely shattered.
19	** All those scenes are consolidated by a tiny detail. What's the text of the only dialog box you can click?
20	-->'''Goodbye.'''
21	* Speaking of ''Civ VI'', [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnSyocyljzY Scythia's theme music]] stands out from the other civs' because even at its most powerful, there's a real sense of melancholy to it. This also goes for the other two themes that can be heard during Scythian gameplay; neither of those are based from any surviving music, simply being labelled as "Duduk Improv 1" and "Duduk Improv 2" respectively. Kind of underscores the fact that there isn't a Scythia anymore.
22	* During the intro cinematic of ''Civ VI'', we are treated to the story of a pair of seemingly immortal father and daughter. For most of the cinematic, we get to see the father as he joins various war campaigns throughout the ages, eventually meeting his end during a air battle during World War 2. The way the windows in his cockpit shatter and the camera {{pan}} down to a picture of his daughter is a heartbreaking sight to see. Doesn't get any less heart-wrenching in the intro for the Rise and Fall DLC, with the Father eventually succumbing to the Black Death all while poignantly talking about how just one disaster can unravel a great people. Although, like the base game it swiftly rebounds into heartwarming.

Context TearJerker / Civilization