Best Game Openings...

[EvilGenius666]

Right, listen up team. There have been reports of a new player in the underground. We don't know who it is, but we know they're organised, motivated, and building and army of henchmen and minions the like of which the world has never seen before! This person is attempting to become, an Evil Genius!
(gasps)
Sir? Sir?
Yes, what is it Perkins?
Would you say that the Evil Genius would have an underground lair, sir?
It would appear not Perkins, however, I fear it's only a matter of time.
What do evil lairs look like sir?
Well Perkins, if I were to build an evil lair - not that I would you understand - I would design an evil lair the like of which the world has never seen! Probably build it into a mountain Perkins, underground. Throw in a barracks for the men, and a control room to organise the away teams. And a strongroom of course, to store all my ill-gotten gains. Probably have to build some recreation items for the men. They get disloyal you know. Maggots.
Would you build traps, sir?
Hundreds of them, Perkins! Dont want agents snooping around while you're taking over the world. And I'd build a cover operation to hide the base from prying eyes. Camouflage, that's the key.
Heh, it's a good thing you're not an Evil Genius, sir.
Don't be such a damned fool Perkins! Right team, you have your orders. Get out there and find me a madman.

 

[Daniel Cygnus]

FF X's opening as well. Well, from the start of the Blitzball scene onwards anyway.

Hell yes. This was my first exposure to the series, and I was not expecting futuristic underwater rugby/soccer played to the tune of something that sounds a bit like Rammstein.

HL 1 and 2 both had great intro game sequences too.

I really hope you're not talking about Half-Life 1. I don't think I've ever wished for a scene to be skippable more than I have the 10-minute tram ride.

Also, I'll have to go with Fallout 3. The "war never changes" montage combined with an interactive childhood in an underground bomb shelter made for an amazing introduction to the Fallout world.

Also also, Half-Life 2's opening was awesome if only because of G-Man's creepy as hell speech.

 

[Belvadier]

Bioshock. No contest, really.

 

[Azure-Supernova]

I've said it before, I'll damn well say it again:

 

[BlumiereBleck]

Medal of Honor:Airborne. twas very patriotic and fun jumping out of a plane in a game for the first time. that or Gears of War 2

 

[Fox242]

I know it's already been said, but the opening of Medal of Honor: Frontline was pretty damn epic. The opening for God of War was pretty awesome as well. It defenitely set the tone for the rest of the game.

 

[Subeer]

Final Fantasy X

 

[Joe Matsuda]

unfortunately my ultimate (and unrivalled anywhere else) disappointment in that game means that I can't say anything good about it.

I liked MGS2...a lot... so yes, your opinion is rivalled
OT:

 

[RedDeadFred]

Portal. I've never been that amazed by a new and original game mechanic like the portal gun in any other game.

Right, and this applies to the opening how? or are we talking strictly opening game play?

My two cents, Fallout series, all their openings rock hard. I mean sure its basically just a brief description that has little to visuals, but it feels like it has a lot of emotion behind it.

Well, I figured the opening level could be considered the opening. I mean, it doesn't have an opening cutscene. Fallout series does have great intros.

 

[VanQ]

Batman: Arkham Assylums intro was just perfect to set the tone of the game and to show off just how epic the villains would be. I still replay just that bit sometimes, and its had me play through to the end multiple times as well.

 

[InquisitorRaekan]

ME2 had the best opening i've ever seen. even though the protagonist died still one of the best.