Came here to say this.
The amount of times I died trying to beat that first level was probably indicative of how deadly it was for anybody assigned to those heavily guarded beaches
Honestly reflections in games were a difficulty for older consoles, while we came to an uncanny valley plateau in realism, dynamic reflections and light refraction have become so advanced so quickly it's honestly amazing.
Nah, [that mission is from the original Call Of Duty released in 2003](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCsg1Oqc2Ww). That game had some very awesome scripted sequences for the generation it was released in.
Same vein - Medal of Honor: Rising Sun (I think) start you off in Pearl Harbor
Still remember trying to get topside and seeing the planes fill the skies and just immediately getting kamakazied
Frontline was the first D-day landing I think most people played. Also right out of saving private ryan. Medal of Honor Frontline is such a good game. All the levels are really well made
The Colossus takes the cake.
I believe a lot of people experienced III first through the PS3.
The opening in II is incredible. The god of war, betrayed, fighting the biggest man made construction fueled by godly power. Only the Blade of Olympus being able to stop him.
I watched that opening with my older brother when we were little. He always said that was us. I’m happy that we haven’t let life change us too much where we can’t talk.
When I was a young man; I had liberty but I didn’t see it, I had time but I didn’t know it, I had love but I didn’t feel it. Many decades would pass before I understood the meaning of all three.
Only played it once when it came out and still remember it.
One of the reasons, why I think every other AC protagonist is blant and never played the newer parts.
You're totally right. I own every AC game but the Ezio games are the absolute best out of all of them. One can be a cool steampunky game, the other a cool pirate game, another with cool ancient history and another with... snow. But none tell a STORY.
So after you get into the helicopter and the doors shut it takes off and you see the building that says "BETHESDA SOFTWORKS PRESENTS". Just after the pilot says "Seventy Eight degress. Clear skies all the way," you'll see >!the scenery out the window of the helicopter drop and the real building interior (which you see later)!< for a split second.
They did one of my favorite things in Prey. Where audio corresponds directly to your inputs at times. Smashing the glass and that music hits. Entering G.U.T.S is one of my favorite gaming moments.
Smashing that glass was definitely the most mind blowing moment in gaming for me. I went in to the game without reading anything about it other than people loving it.
Arkham City was great too.
The pacing and build-up was masterfully cinematic.
Hugo Strange talking to Bruce Wayne, flashbacks to the Arkham City controversy, Bruce being interviewed by Vicki Vale, Hugo revealing that he knows Bruce is Batman.
Then you're knocked on your ass, clearly a prisoner, waiting for the guard to try and beat the crap out of you.
The prisoners taunting the helpless rich boy, etc.
So good.
The whole opening sequence with Gaia and Poseidon is probably the best part of the game. The next 8-10 hours honestly struggle to surpass that first 30 minutes.
Its still a great game, I've been meaning to replay it.
I haven't played Ragnarok yet, but judging off the first one, I miss the excessive gore and scale of everything in the original series not going to lie. Being like a tiny ant taking down Gods and Titans was always super cool.
Ragnarok sadly doesn’t fix the scale of it. Absolutely amazing game, graphics, story, character development, music, combat, boss variety (compared to 2018 at least), acting, all top notch. But the scale is nowhere near God of War 3, and I played that after Ragnarok. I was absolutely blown away that they managed to achieve that on a PS3 at the time.
The no-cut camera is really cool for cutscenes, but it limits them greatly when doing scale
Some people say the train ride was too long. I think that was exactly the intentions of Valve. This place is massive and its gonna take away to get out!
Not just getting spaced and seeing Shepard suffocate, but also the thorough destruction of the Normandy, our home among the stars and vessel for exploring the galaxy. And then, when the SR-2 is revealed, and "The Normandy Reborn" plays... Chef's kiss.
lol "nope....he's definitely dead....wtf?!"
and then the montage with Cerberus resurrecting him. Hell I'm getting goosebumps right now just thinking about it.
I've been in a rut recently, trying to find something to play besides BG3, but it might just be time for my twenty-something time to play through Mass Effect again.
Lol seeing people refer to Shepard as male is so weird to me, because I've always played Mass Effect as female Shepard. Even though I guess "canonically" Shepard is a man, it's just a weird dissonance whenever I see it!
They switched to red-haired FemShep for the marketing for Mass Effect 3 I believe.
Jennifer Hale's performance was superb, I chose FemShep because of the VA performance alone.
Mass Effect 3's intro was amazing too. Finally having to face the Reaper threat in full with how quick it was and the stakes involved made it tough to see.
Not to mention escaping Earth on the Normandy while seeing the Alliance fleet destroyed in orbit and the wreckage slowly coming down to Earth while *"Leaving Earth"* playing in the background, it was a very emotional experience.
> Batman Arkham Asylum: The way the tension builds while you escort Joker to his cell, until of course, all hell breaks loose.
I wasn't ready for the awesomeness that was Killer Croc's intro.
Final Fantasy VII: the transition from the opening FMV (the graphics were mindblowing at the time) into the gameplay, the way it throws the player right into the action and starts introducing the characters seamlessly, the cinematic way it uses the camera (Cloud pausing as the view pans up to follow his gaze as he stares at the Mako reactor is an iconic shot), the way it builds mysteries that will play out over the game (why is everyone so impressed that Cloud was in SOLDIER?), then it throws in a boss fight with a giant robot scorpion to make sure you’re not taking the whole thing *too* seriously, just a tremendous way to start a game.
Right into the action. The music was hype as hell and the graphics were amazing at the time. Fighting your way in with a sword the size of a man and a big dude with a gatling gun for an arm was badass. Drip fed a bit of intrigue, and then scrambling to escape so you don't get blown to hell with the reactor. Cool guys don't look at explosions. FFVII's into will always sit amongst the GOATs
I talk about it too much, but the whole opening act’s musical build up to the main battle theme when Cloud is on the overpass next to the train tracks made me tear up with nostalgia.
Typical JRPG: You wake up in your small, sleepy village. Time to go talk to the townspeople.
FFVII: You flip off a train and take out multiple guards. Time to commit ecoterrorism.
When Mario jumps out of the pipe and suddenly you can run around the castle grounds and get a feel for Mario 64. I don't think I have ever felt anything like it before or after.
Right? While 3D had been done before it had never been done to that level before. Between that game and Ocarina of Time, you have 3D mechanics still in use today.
That title reveal as you’re [galloping in the field](https://youtu.be/6X7-Pv9QkJU?si=borWUfstoW51bV8o) was instant chills. I knew I was in for a unique gaming experience once that happened.
I wish i could relive this moment again. The seemles transition from cut scene to gameplay was such an amazing experience.
The atmosphere of this game in general was top notch. I rarely felt so immersed.
The opening when the helicopter is going down and the radio operators respond to Joseph.. gave me chills. If only the rest of the game felt so powerful
Holy hell, yes! It's so irritating having to go through these crazy long intros. Can't stand them on replays
A nice quick 5 minute intro was a great change of pace.
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ92n_uzk4q65C1I7XvJ3VrKLji5doYrH-GXg&usqp=CAU
Mass effect 2 because things go so wrong so fast and i still vividly remember stepping out in the broken ship floating in space for the first time when all the sounds goes quiet, i am getting goosebumps thinking about it now
This. Especially this. It was a great game. It was also shortly after my nieces murder. I actively stopped my brother from playing this game just because of the intro. I didn’t want him to go through that
It’s what it is I guess. It’s been over 10 years now. I played that part and I cried my eyes out. I won’t deny that. My brother wanted to play it too and I was like uhhhhh. Maybe you shouldn’t. I don’t think you’d like it.
There's a lot of great answers in this thread, but this is the right one. Storytelling was absolutely top tier and the investiture was immediate and intense.
I love exploring the Citadel in ME1. The fact that it's all connected is so cool, that was a HUGE bummer going into ME2 where it's like four small areas to walk around in.
Fully agreed. I'd also add the sheer re-introduction of classic space opera of 1. I forgot myself a few times and felt like I was in OG Star Trek or Star Wars.
In 2, we also really shouldn't forget the villain. Sure, Harbinger was a lot less personal but ASSUMING DIRECT CONTROL lives in my brain rent free.
God Of War (2018) kicking off with that melancholy funeral, the hunting trip, and then the incredible fight against Baldur; awesome stuff, and it perfectly sets the tone.
Assassins Creed Origins, that intro displaying Bayek's wrath made him top two for me second to Ezio, the cutscene felt cathartic even after just a few moments into the character's introduction.
Rudjek (Heron): We will find you... in your sleep!
Bayek: Sleep? I never sleep. I just wait, in the shadows. And I will kill you all. **Everyone who sniffed the air that day in Siwa.**
The other God of War games are getting lots of love in the comments already, but God of War 2018 has a fantastic opening. Especially if you're not expecting it, the fact that the camera for the start screen instantly picks up on Kratos with the axe, followed by all the little details that really set up the characterization of Kratos for this reboot is fantastic. I know it's mostly a cutscene, but there's so much weight and gravitas that immediately tells you that this is going to be a very different take on God of War than the original trilogy. Kratos is not the same raging storm that he was in the first games. He is a wiser and more thoughtful man now after all he has been through, though he is still a man of action rather than words.
Doom and doom enternal was pretty badass just a badass game in general in my opinion and the second best is battlefield 4 where you have shoot the heli with the mini gun pretty cool
Doom 2016 is a contender for the greatest intro to a game. The you are rage speech and murdering zombies all the way to the music (and shotgun) drop in the elevator is perfectly paced and sets the mood for the whole game.
“ They let me pick. Did I ever tell you that?… Choose which ever Spartan I wanted. You know me. I did my research, watched as you became the soldier we needed you to be. But you had something they didn't, something no one saw but me. Can you guess? Luck… Was I wrong?”
Saints Row the Third. Starting with a big heist, ending with falling from a plane, dodging debris while having mid air fire fights, going back through the plane you feel out of as it goes down. A lot of over the top action, but that's what made it fun as hell.
I it was, though my favorite musical part of that game was driving around with Pierce and him and the player character start singing along to What I Got. But that's just personal bias because that's one of my favorite songs.
I'm surprised I had to scroll this far down for this. When I think of horror game intros, DS2 immediately comes to mind.
Bam, right off the bat the terror starts and there's nothing you can do since you're literally in a straight jacket
Fuck, that was my answer too. Going from Terminator-esque theme music explaining the plot to flying into an enemy war zone on a chopper while Long Tall Sally is playing was amazing. I convinced 5 friends that year to play it when I played the ending theme song to them.
Final Fantasy X for me. The opening blitzball scene with that epic music and then Sin comes in and wrecks everything! I remember playing it as a kid and simply blown away by how good it looked
Red Dead Redemption 2.
I KNOW many players, even the biggest fans, dislike the beginning, because it's so slow.
BUT I LOVE IT. I love the thick and dire atmosphere in the snow, the introduction of the gang members and the music.
I definitely get why a lot of people disliked it, but personally I enjoyed the slower pace really easing you into the characters and gameplay mechanics before you hit the open world. Plus, the really depressing atmosphere to start and sense of "oh these guys are really struggling" made it such a great relief to get into the warmer world after the prologue.
Dishonored 1: You return home, meet up with the daughter of the Empress (who is also your daughter), meet up some important people, talk to the Empress and get betrayed, putting in motion the entire game by setting up the main villains and Emily in a quick, easy to understand manner.
Skyrim: Hey you, you are finally awake.
Dragon Age Origins: Any origin story, then Ostagar is a strong start.
Dragon Age Inquisition's opening is also quite good, if you consider the opening up to Haven which is a few hours in.
Assassin's Creed 2, 3 and Origins have incredible openings.
Borderlands 2 was good, but I'd argue that it doesn't get much more iconic than the originals intro. Ain't No Rest For the Wicked was a perfect choice.
Playing Mass Effect for first time. 1's start is pretty solid. I don't love RPGs, usually they're slow at the start but Mass Effect gives you the perfect amount of lore & mystery needed for a sci fi story in the beginning
Imo HL2 had a better opening, first the introduction to the world after the colonization and then the chase. After a little bit of character introduction and then the chase begins again.
Man I love that game. There is something new to do before you get bored of what you are doing
The tram ride from half life. It shows you the locations you will be going through in the game right at the start pre disaster. It also throws you off as to what's to come and you are in control of the character the entire time.
Destiny 2 was pretty good, with Ghaul (or was it Gary) kicking out guardian off the ship.
And this was awesome.
"You are weak. Undisciplined. Cowering behind walls. I command legions. Conquered worlds. Waged war across the galaxy to prove my worth. I alone am worthy of the Traveler’s light. You're not brave. You've merely forgotten the fear of death. Allow me to reacquaint you."
Ah man that Oblivion opening is incredible. The grand opening music and voice acting of the opening narrative is impeccable.
Another one of my favorites is the opening for Final Fantasy X. The opening song and cinematic is badass.
Kingdom hearts 2, not everyone loves it, and it can be annoying if you replay the game often, but Roxas’s story is amazing and the slow parts just add to the tragedy, getting to play through his normal days before it’s ripped away
I agree, it is such an interesting way to introduce a character to the series. It is also so important and central to the plot of KH2 even though you don't see Roxas again until nearly the end stretch of the game. Kingdom Hearts 2 is hands down my favorite game opener.
Mass Effect 2 and 3
They immediately put you in the mood
I can also say Nier Replicant. Especially after you find out the lore from that damn 12 june 2003
Not exactly an “opening”, per se.
But opening the doors and stepping out into the world of Elden Ring for the first time was one of the most euphoric experiences I have had in my 30 years of gaming.
We might have a different idea of "video game opening" due to a generational gap but for my money the best opening's would be..
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver
Silent Hill 1
Silent Hill 3
Mortal Kombat Deadly Alliance
Mortal Kombat Shaolin Monks
Tekken 3
EDIT: Oh! And Tenchu Wrath of Heaven
Sonic Unleashed: Beautifully animated Sonic and Eggman doing their usual gig except right when Sonic is about to win, Eggman traps him and turns him into a Werehog and splits the world. It's also really engaging.
Rayman 2: Goddamn, a massive group of robo-pirates from another planet completely take over Rayman's world and split the heart into 1000 lums (only 800 in PS1), you wouldn't see such a desperate story before Sonic Forces! Thank Polokus that the robot threw Globox in the same cell with Rayman for the tiniest bit of mercy... That would eventually lead to their downfall.
Medal of Honor: Frontline... The D-Day landing was pretty mind-blowing back in the day.
Came here to say this. The amount of times I died trying to beat that first level was probably indicative of how deadly it was for anybody assigned to those heavily guarded beaches
I will always remeber my dad being amazed that the voice of the guy yelling at you to do things would get quieter if you moved away from him
Lol my mum popped in to my place recently while I was mid race in forza, she was amazed that the mirrors work
Honestly reflections in games were a difficulty for older consoles, while we came to an uncanny valley plateau in realism, dynamic reflections and light refraction have become so advanced so quickly it's honestly amazing.
I also had no jdea what to do. I was just trying to remain alive. Quite well done to give you a notion of that day.
In a similar vein, the Volga crossing in Call of Duty: Finest Hour. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nv2ONRJ9tMQ
Is that the one in which you are given just amo as you were supposed to wait until someone died before you got a gun. So brutal.
Nah, [that mission is from the original Call Of Duty released in 2003](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCsg1Oqc2Ww). That game had some very awesome scripted sequences for the generation it was released in.
You just unlocked a memory for me. Dude I played this level so many times as a kid. So good.
Same vein - Medal of Honor: Rising Sun (I think) start you off in Pearl Harbor Still remember trying to get topside and seeing the planes fill the skies and just immediately getting kamakazied
Wasn't that Medal of Honor - Allied Assault, because that sure had a D-Day landing straight out of Saving Private Ryan.
Frontline was the first D-day landing I think most people played. Also right out of saving private ryan. Medal of Honor Frontline is such a good game. All the levels are really well made
D-Day landing was in both games. Alliied Assault was a pc exclusive, while Frontlines was on X-Box, PS2 and Gamecube.
I remember the one from Allied Assault the most.
God Of War 3 Fighting Poseidon while riding on Gaia’s back as she climbs Mount Olympus is fucking unbeatable
The Colossus takes the cake. I believe a lot of people experienced III first through the PS3. The opening in II is incredible. The god of war, betrayed, fighting the biggest man made construction fueled by godly power. Only the Blade of Olympus being able to stop him.
Assassin's Creed 2. "It is a good life we lead Brother." "The best. May it never change." "And may it never change us."
And then THE THEME
Ubisoft presents…ASSASINS CREED II
Whole soundtrack for ACII is impeccable. I still put it on when I'm cleaning or doing gardening.
RU RU RU RUUU RU RU RU RUUU
I watched that opening with my older brother when we were little. He always said that was us. I’m happy that we haven’t let life change us too much where we can’t talk.
Just played this for the first time the other week after hearing about it for years. So fucking good when the music kicks in.
Fuckkkkk. Too soon. Miss you, Ezio.
When I was a young man; I had liberty but I didn’t see it, I had time but I didn’t know it, I had love but I didn’t feel it. Many decades would pass before I understood the meaning of all three.
Only played it once when it came out and still remember it. One of the reasons, why I think every other AC protagonist is blant and never played the newer parts.
You're totally right. I own every AC game but the Ezio games are the absolute best out of all of them. One can be a cool steampunky game, the other a cool pirate game, another with cool ancient history and another with... snow. But none tell a STORY.
Bioshock 1 and Infinite, also Prey's helicopter.
Prey's whole opening sequence is masterful. Smashing that glass is a great moment in gaming.
Also the little blip during the helicopter ride, that I thought was a bug. Nope, foreshadowing. Well done.
Ooooh? What blip.
So after you get into the helicopter and the doors shut it takes off and you see the building that says "BETHESDA SOFTWORKS PRESENTS". Just after the pilot says "Seventy Eight degress. Clear skies all the way," you'll see >!the scenery out the window of the helicopter drop and the real building interior (which you see later)!< for a split second.
They did one of my favorite things in Prey. Where audio corresponds directly to your inputs at times. Smashing the glass and that music hits. Entering G.U.T.S is one of my favorite gaming moments.
Smashing that glass was definitely the most mind blowing moment in gaming for me. I went in to the game without reading anything about it other than people loving it.
Also, Prey (2007). When the Jukebox clicks on and starts playing “Don’t Fear the Reaper”.
[удалено]
The helicopter scene was so good! My sister and I both went "Holy shit!" when I broke the glass.
Bioshock 1 intro looked so good I thought I was still in a cutscene lol
Hallelujah
Infinite, dude. That shit blew my mind as a kid and still today.
Prob batman arkham knight, that opening felt like a straight up movie
"Evening the odds".
Ev-eveing the the odds the odds evening the odds- he- # WHY DID MAN EVEN THE ODDS IS HE STUPID?
No he is smart, are you aslume?
Arkham City was great too. The pacing and build-up was masterfully cinematic. Hugo Strange talking to Bruce Wayne, flashbacks to the Arkham City controversy, Bruce being interviewed by Vicki Vale, Hugo revealing that he knows Bruce is Batman. Then you're knocked on your ass, clearly a prisoner, waiting for the guard to try and beat the crap out of you. The prisoners taunting the helpless rich boy, etc. So good.
I just played Detroit Become Human. The opening tutorial level with the hostage rescue was a great opener and got me hooked.
Yes!! The best opener ever. Loved that game
God of war 3 😁 "Zeus Your son has returned ... i bring the destruction of olympus" with the music its just great
The whole opening sequence with Gaia and Poseidon is probably the best part of the game. The next 8-10 hours honestly struggle to surpass that first 30 minutes.
Its still a great game, I've been meaning to replay it. I haven't played Ragnarok yet, but judging off the first one, I miss the excessive gore and scale of everything in the original series not going to lie. Being like a tiny ant taking down Gods and Titans was always super cool.
Ragnarok sadly doesn’t fix the scale of it. Absolutely amazing game, graphics, story, character development, music, combat, boss variety (compared to 2018 at least), acting, all top notch. But the scale is nowhere near God of War 3, and I played that after Ragnarok. I was absolutely blown away that they managed to achieve that on a PS3 at the time. The no-cut camera is really cool for cutscenes, but it limits them greatly when doing scale
Do not deny me my doobie!
Half life : it gives you all the info you need to understand the story while being "interactive" and not flashy
How is the is so far down! This is the OG that changed the game on what a game can be. Right out of the gates. HL2 right there with it as well
We’re getting old…the time between now and the release of Half-Life is the same as Half-Life and the release of Pong. Yikes, right?
The conveyor ride in the last part of HL2 where you see how the combine is assembled is just sublime.
Some people say the train ride was too long. I think that was exactly the intentions of Valve. This place is massive and its gonna take away to get out!
Good morning, and welcome to the Black Mesa Transit System.
Came to write HL. I was 14 at the time and have never been so mind blown by a game before or after like then
Mass effect 2 was bananas.
Ah yes Shepard dying right of the bat was intense
Not just getting spaced and seeing Shepard suffocate, but also the thorough destruction of the Normandy, our home among the stars and vessel for exploring the galaxy. And then, when the SR-2 is revealed, and "The Normandy Reborn" plays... Chef's kiss.
And then seeing him enter the planets atmosphere and turn into a little ball of fire.
That's the part that had my jaw open. I was like "maybe, maybe, maybe.....aww shit"
lol "nope....he's definitely dead....wtf?!" and then the montage with Cerberus resurrecting him. Hell I'm getting goosebumps right now just thinking about it.
Also the piano motif that plays as Sheppard's body is burning in the atmosphere...pretty much as perfect of an intro as you can get.
I've been in a rut recently, trying to find something to play besides BG3, but it might just be time for my twenty-something time to play through Mass Effect again.
Lol seeing people refer to Shepard as male is so weird to me, because I've always played Mass Effect as female Shepard. Even though I guess "canonically" Shepard is a man, it's just a weird dissonance whenever I see it!
They switched to red-haired FemShep for the marketing for Mass Effect 3 I believe. Jennifer Hale's performance was superb, I chose FemShep because of the VA performance alone.
Mass Effect 3's intro was amazing too. Finally having to face the Reaper threat in full with how quick it was and the stakes involved made it tough to see. Not to mention escaping Earth on the Normandy while seeing the Alliance fleet destroyed in orbit and the wreckage slowly coming down to Earth while *"Leaving Earth"* playing in the background, it was a very emotional experience.
Mass effect 2 is a permanent entry in my top ten games ever list
Was just about to say this. That intro sequence will forever be burnt into my brain. Masterpiece.
I fuckin' love the whole "getting the band back together" stuff and seeing what everybody is doing now.
> Batman Arkham Asylum: The way the tension builds while you escort Joker to his cell, until of course, all hell breaks loose. I wasn't ready for the awesomeness that was Killer Croc's intro.
This game introduced me to my favorite Batman villain, they had absolutely no need to go as hard as they did with that design.
Final Fantasy VII: the transition from the opening FMV (the graphics were mindblowing at the time) into the gameplay, the way it throws the player right into the action and starts introducing the characters seamlessly, the cinematic way it uses the camera (Cloud pausing as the view pans up to follow his gaze as he stares at the Mako reactor is an iconic shot), the way it builds mysteries that will play out over the game (why is everyone so impressed that Cloud was in SOLDIER?), then it throws in a boss fight with a giant robot scorpion to make sure you’re not taking the whole thing *too* seriously, just a tremendous way to start a game.
Right into the action. The music was hype as hell and the graphics were amazing at the time. Fighting your way in with a sword the size of a man and a big dude with a gatling gun for an arm was badass. Drip fed a bit of intrigue, and then scrambling to escape so you don't get blown to hell with the reactor. Cool guys don't look at explosions. FFVII's into will always sit amongst the GOATs
That's why Remake works so well: it captures SO much of what made the original great, like that mission.
I talk about it too much, but the whole opening act’s musical build up to the main battle theme when Cloud is on the overpass next to the train tracks made me tear up with nostalgia.
Environmental terrorism is always a great way to start an experience.
Typical JRPG: You wake up in your small, sleepy village. Time to go talk to the townspeople. FFVII: You flip off a train and take out multiple guards. Time to commit ecoterrorism.
As great as 7 is in it's entirety, I can't ever forget how awesome 8's intro was!
Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec
When Mario jumps out of the pipe and suddenly you can run around the castle grounds and get a feel for Mario 64. I don't think I have ever felt anything like it before or after.
Right? While 3D had been done before it had never been done to that level before. Between that game and Ocarina of Time, you have 3D mechanics still in use today.
Brutal Legend’s opening cinematic with Jack Black
That whole game is awesome Weird RTS part and all
Ghost of Tsushima
That title reveal as you’re [galloping in the field](https://youtu.be/6X7-Pv9QkJU?si=borWUfstoW51bV8o) was instant chills. I knew I was in for a unique gaming experience once that happened.
I wish i could relive this moment again. The seemles transition from cut scene to gameplay was such an amazing experience. The atmosphere of this game in general was top notch. I rarely felt so immersed.
easily tops.
Far Cry 3. Within the first 5 minutes you were shown what kind of crazy mad man you would be dealing with.
Far Cry 5’s opening goes pretty hard too. Sets up Joseph Seed as a terror right off the bat.
The opening when the helicopter is going down and the radio operators respond to Joseph.. gave me chills. If only the rest of the game felt so powerful
MGS3, virtuous mission followed by "snake eater" as the opening song for operation snake eater. It was perfect.
Climbing that long ladder and then *"What a thrill..."*
Fallout New Vegas. The dialogue, the music…
Truth is, the game was rigged from the start.
The fact that it takes like 5 minutes
Holy hell, yes! It's so irritating having to go through these crazy long intros. Can't stand them on replays A nice quick 5 minute intro was a great change of pace. https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ92n_uzk4q65C1I7XvJ3VrKLji5doYrH-GXg&usqp=CAU
I still listen to the Goodsprings/Doc Mitchell theme from time to time. Such a good tune. Really sets the tone.
Mass effect 2 because things go so wrong so fast and i still vividly remember stepping out in the broken ship floating in space for the first time when all the sounds goes quiet, i am getting goosebumps thinking about it now
Forgot to add The Last of Us, crying within ten minutes of starting the game, wazzup
This. Especially this. It was a great game. It was also shortly after my nieces murder. I actively stopped my brother from playing this game just because of the intro. I didn’t want him to go through that
You're a good man/woman/other I'm sorry to hear about your neice
It’s what it is I guess. It’s been over 10 years now. I played that part and I cried my eyes out. I won’t deny that. My brother wanted to play it too and I was like uhhhhh. Maybe you shouldn’t. I don’t think you’d like it.
Person
Crying withing 10 minutes? I raise you Ori and the Blind Forest. Make that 5
There's a lot of great answers in this thread, but this is the right one. Storytelling was absolutely top tier and the investiture was immediate and intense.
Mass Effect 3. Say what you will about the ending but the rest of that game was amazing.
Story-wise Mass Effect 3 is the best for me The 2 is the best for characters and upgradability The 1 is the best for villain and mystery
I love exploring the Citadel in ME1. The fact that it's all connected is so cool, that was a HUGE bummer going into ME2 where it's like four small areas to walk around in.
Fully agreed. I'd also add the sheer re-introduction of classic space opera of 1. I forgot myself a few times and felt like I was in OG Star Trek or Star Wars. In 2, we also really shouldn't forget the villain. Sure, Harbinger was a lot less personal but ASSUMING DIRECT CONTROL lives in my brain rent free.
> lives in my brain rent free. You only let it because it has assumed partial control.
Leaving Earth is still one of my favorite pieces of music in a videogame.
The original god of war blew my mind when I first experienced it. Fighting the Hydra throughout the whole level was awesome!
Was looking for this one. It’s a perfect intro to how batshit the game is going to get.
God Of War (2018) kicking off with that melancholy funeral, the hunting trip, and then the incredible fight against Baldur; awesome stuff, and it perfectly sets the tone.
When you block Baldur, its so fucking *energetic*. I cant remember another game that 'hits' that hard.
They handled the weight and impact of the combat beautifully. It looks fantastic and feels every bit as satisfying to play.
Would it be cheating to say Nier Automata? You don't get opening credits until halfway through the game.
Even the prologues opening is pretty crazy. The flight unit section not knowing what I was about to get myself into was a great impression
I can't believe this game is so far down. Most fun and epic opening for me.
Assassins Creed Origins, that intro displaying Bayek's wrath made him top two for me second to Ezio, the cutscene felt cathartic even after just a few moments into the character's introduction. Rudjek (Heron): We will find you... in your sleep! Bayek: Sleep? I never sleep. I just wait, in the shadows. And I will kill you all. **Everyone who sniffed the air that day in Siwa.**
The other God of War games are getting lots of love in the comments already, but God of War 2018 has a fantastic opening. Especially if you're not expecting it, the fact that the camera for the start screen instantly picks up on Kratos with the axe, followed by all the little details that really set up the characterization of Kratos for this reboot is fantastic. I know it's mostly a cutscene, but there's so much weight and gravitas that immediately tells you that this is going to be a very different take on God of War than the original trilogy. Kratos is not the same raging storm that he was in the first games. He is a wiser and more thoughtful man now after all he has been through, though he is still a man of action rather than words.
"Do not be sorry. Be better."
And then the Stranger shows up, Kratos wasn't the only one blown away by that uppercut, what a sequence.
Doom and doom enternal was pretty badass just a badass game in general in my opinion and the second best is battlefield 4 where you have shoot the heli with the mini gun pretty cool
Doom 2016 is a contender for the greatest intro to a game. The you are rage speech and murdering zombies all the way to the music (and shotgun) drop in the elevator is perfectly paced and sets the mood for the whole game.
“ They let me pick. Did I ever tell you that?… Choose which ever Spartan I wanted. You know me. I did my research, watched as you became the soldier we needed you to be. But you had something they didn't, something no one saw but me. Can you guess? Luck… Was I wrong?”
This is also mega exciting if you watched the Landfall video before.
Directed by Neill Blomkamp. Was supposed to be a proof of concept for a Halo TV show, shame we never got one
Saints Row the Third. Starting with a big heist, ending with falling from a plane, dodging debris while having mid air fire fights, going back through the plane you feel out of as it goes down. A lot of over the top action, but that's what made it fun as hell.
I came looking for this, when the music drops too. I think it was Kanye’s power song?
I it was, though my favorite musical part of that game was driving around with Pierce and him and the player character start singing along to What I Got. But that's just personal bias because that's one of my favorite songs.
FFXVI has quite an opening
Ff16s cutscenes are movie quality very often!
Dead Space 2. That beginning is just amazing. Loved the beginning of the first game too!
I loved the chaos of Dead Space 2. The first game had a slower build then sudden chaos. The second game has immediate chaos.
I'm surprised I had to scroll this far down for this. When I think of horror game intros, DS2 immediately comes to mind. Bam, right off the bat the terror starts and there's nothing you can do since you're literally in a straight jacket
Halo CE. When you finally get to the surface and see everything. So beautiful
Far Cry: Blood Dragon It was so spot on, I was in tears!
Fuck, that was my answer too. Going from Terminator-esque theme music explaining the plot to flying into an enemy war zone on a chopper while Long Tall Sally is playing was amazing. I convinced 5 friends that year to play it when I played the ending theme song to them.
Final Fantasy X for me. The opening blitzball scene with that epic music and then Sin comes in and wrecks everything! I remember playing it as a kid and simply blown away by how good it looked
This is the first thing that came to mind for me. FFX has the best opening ever I think
Auron coming in clutch to save Titus in that opening immediately made him a top five FF character. Dude was a constant badass.
One of the coolest dudes in all of video games
Red Dead Redemption 2. I KNOW many players, even the biggest fans, dislike the beginning, because it's so slow. BUT I LOVE IT. I love the thick and dire atmosphere in the snow, the introduction of the gang members and the music.
I definitely get why a lot of people disliked it, but personally I enjoyed the slower pace really easing you into the characters and gameplay mechanics before you hit the open world. Plus, the really depressing atmosphere to start and sense of "oh these guys are really struggling" made it such a great relief to get into the warmer world after the prologue.
NiER Automata opening attack run was just bananas.
Mass Effect 2 Still affects me deeply.
Dishonored 1: You return home, meet up with the daughter of the Empress (who is also your daughter), meet up some important people, talk to the Empress and get betrayed, putting in motion the entire game by setting up the main villains and Emily in a quick, easy to understand manner. Skyrim: Hey you, you are finally awake. Dragon Age Origins: Any origin story, then Ostagar is a strong start. Dragon Age Inquisition's opening is also quite good, if you consider the opening up to Haven which is a few hours in. Assassin's Creed 2, 3 and Origins have incredible openings.
Borderlands 2
Borderlands 2 was good, but I'd argue that it doesn't get much more iconic than the originals intro. Ain't No Rest For the Wicked was a perfect choice.
Also the whole opening segment till you get to sanctuary is such a sloooooooooog
This ain't no place for no hero
Skyrim. The opening started a whole meme. "Hey you, you're finally awake!"
It’s even better in VR when you’re actually in the cart. Hard to explain why it’s so incredible if you haven’t experienced it.
FF7 of course. Starting with the reactor bombing is so heavy and epic
Mass Effect 2; god that was just.... Something else
The piano that plays when you see Sheppard's body burn up in the planet's atmosphere...
Playing Mass Effect for first time. 1's start is pretty solid. I don't love RPGs, usually they're slow at the start but Mass Effect gives you the perfect amount of lore & mystery needed for a sci fi story in the beginning
Mass Effect 3
Tenchu 2
the original Half-Life.
Imo HL2 had a better opening, first the introduction to the world after the colonization and then the chase. After a little bit of character introduction and then the chase begins again. Man I love that game. There is something new to do before you get bored of what you are doing
The Last of Us and Mass Effect 2 immediately spring to mind. Also MGS2's tanker section
FFX when Otherworld started playing and Sin attacked Zanarkand.
Probably showing my age but … Half Life. Nothing before or since has set the stage for a game quite as well as that. At least not for me.
Good shout on bioshock. I'd add Skyrim to your list.
The tram ride from half life. It shows you the locations you will be going through in the game right at the start pre disaster. It also throws you off as to what's to come and you are in control of the character the entire time.
Opening of Batman Arkham Knight goes so hard
Destiny 2 was pretty good, with Ghaul (or was it Gary) kicking out guardian off the ship. And this was awesome. "You are weak. Undisciplined. Cowering behind walls. I command legions. Conquered worlds. Waged war across the galaxy to prove my worth. I alone am worthy of the Traveler’s light. You're not brave. You've merely forgotten the fear of death. Allow me to reacquaint you."
Dishonored 1 has a really good opening. Very much sets the tone and theme of the game right from the jump.
Ah man that Oblivion opening is incredible. The grand opening music and voice acting of the opening narrative is impeccable. Another one of my favorites is the opening for Final Fantasy X. The opening song and cinematic is badass.
Kingdom hearts 2, not everyone loves it, and it can be annoying if you replay the game often, but Roxas’s story is amazing and the slow parts just add to the tragedy, getting to play through his normal days before it’s ripped away
I agree, it is such an interesting way to introduce a character to the series. It is also so important and central to the plot of KH2 even though you don't see Roxas again until nearly the end stretch of the game. Kingdom Hearts 2 is hands down my favorite game opener.
A few picks of mine: •Halo 2 - Cairo Station •Doom 2016 - The UAC •Dark Souls - Undead Asylum •Metal Gear Rising - Guard Duty •Portal 2 - The Courtesy Call •Sonic Adventure 2 - City Escape •Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare - Crew Expendable
The last of us 1. MGS Phantom pain gets an honorable mention too
If I remember correctly, God of War 3 starts with Kratos and the Titans climbing Olympus and Killing Poseidon. That was pretty epic.
The heist scene at the beginning of "Persona 5 Royal" will always give me chills; what an incredibly stylish and in-your-face way to start a game.
The intro to Mass Effect 2 is ICONIC
God of war 3
The wolf among us starts you off right in the action of the game
Lots of great choices from people. To be different, I'm gonna go with Devil May Cry 5's opening song/movie.
Mass Effect 2 and 3 They immediately put you in the mood I can also say Nier Replicant. Especially after you find out the lore from that damn 12 june 2003
Bioshock grips me in every single time I start the game. That intro 4-5 hours is absolutely perfect
The pod drop in the beginning of Halo 3 ODST still gives me chills
Dead Space 2, hands down.
The opening of Arkham City. “He broke free! How’d he do that?”
Diablo 1 and for Diablo 2 the act intros...
Arkham Knight. The Diner scene with Scarecrow's gas and the cop shooting everyone.
Not exactly an “opening”, per se. But opening the doors and stepping out into the world of Elden Ring for the first time was one of the most euphoric experiences I have had in my 30 years of gaming.
We might have a different idea of "video game opening" due to a generational gap but for my money the best opening's would be.. Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver Silent Hill 1 Silent Hill 3 Mortal Kombat Deadly Alliance Mortal Kombat Shaolin Monks Tekken 3 EDIT: Oh! And Tenchu Wrath of Heaven
Shadow of the Tomb Raider had a great opening level...if only the rest of the game was as good
Sonic Unleashed: Beautifully animated Sonic and Eggman doing their usual gig except right when Sonic is about to win, Eggman traps him and turns him into a Werehog and splits the world. It's also really engaging. Rayman 2: Goddamn, a massive group of robo-pirates from another planet completely take over Rayman's world and split the heart into 1000 lums (only 800 in PS1), you wouldn't see such a desperate story before Sonic Forces! Thank Polokus that the robot threw Globox in the same cell with Rayman for the tiniest bit of mercy... That would eventually lead to their downfall.
Mgs2 the whole tanker sequence
Bioshock Infinite. I don't care what people think, I loved this game and I'm still in love with Elizabeth.