Best opening sequence in a videogame

[Zenn3k]

I'm gonna be a little more contemplative and nostalgic and say Half-Life.


For a number of reasons:

- The title roll occurs in real time, over the intro, much like a movie. So, points for cinematography.
- You take control of the protagonist from the very beginning (and never lose it, either).
- The narration both hands out exposition and establishes an uneasy atmosphere quite seamlessly.
- The background action of day-to-day working was/is rather novel and immersive.

I don't wanna get into fan-blurbing. Suffice to say, if this wasn't the first game to use its introduction in a creative and artistic way, it was among the very first to do so, and it was the very first to make me realize it and appreciate it and set a level of expectation for every other game released after.

Agreed. I love the intro to HL for all the reasons you stated. I didn't know what to make of it right away when I was young, but it grew on me quickly. It filled me with a lot of wonder and excitement, a slow build up of "just what exactly is going on here..." and it made it feel so authentic and realistic that it made the entire game world incredibly believable.

Few times since in gaming have I ever felt so invested in the story, especially in the realm of the FPS.

 

[BehattedWanderer]

Got a few to think of. The original God of War, and God of War 3, both had really exciting openings that set the tone, drew me in, and showed me exactly how amazing the game would be.

Super Mario Galaxy also comes to mind, because of a stark juxtaposition between peaceful and chaotic, and how you expect there to be slightly more of a divide between the two, as you're walking up to the castle, then BAM, full on armada attack.

I'll also join in the Mass Effect 2 voice, because, let's face, it was awesome.

 

[gamernerdtg2]

I enjoyed the Arkham Assylum intro because the Penguin was super cool there, and you fight as Bruce Wayne.

 

[Kekkonen1]

I'll just leave these here.

Spoiler: Suikoden 2

Spoiler: Metal Gear Solid 2

Spoiler: Metal Gear Solid 3

Spoiler: Onimusha 3

Spoiler: Starcraft: Brood Wars

Spoiler: Heavy Rain

 

[Luca72]

Rise and shine, Mr Freeman.

Rise... and...

...shine.

Ninja'd! The first time I played HL2 I didn't realize you could get some additional lore from characters if you examined things in the labs. I still got a feel for the context of the game, mostly from that fantastic intro. I love a game that can let me figure out the story for myself rather than just telling me outright.

 

[afroebob]

A couple of people said Fallout 3 and NV but lets not forget about Fallout 1 and 2. Then again most people who played FO3 never played FO 1&2

 

[Saviordd1]

The 4th game had a better one

OT: Hard to say overall, but honestly Half Life 2 really grabbed me; that and COD4.

 

[triggrhappy94]

Both Borderlands and Far Cry 3 are pretty good. That's just recent memory though.

 

[Varrdy]

I found the opening of Mass Effect 2 to be very well done. It really gets you pumped up for the game and

Spoiler

I found it quite a shock for Shepard to die within the first few minutes.

I agree.

Mass Effect 1's opening built up to the action at just the right pace wheras ME2 was pretty much 30 seconds of "God, this is boring..." from the crew and then all of a sudden - BOOM!

It works because, assuming you were still riding high from ME1 and making out your "Arses to kick and names to take" list, because it comes out of nowhere and I, like a certain something else, was totally blown away! Not to mention rather emotional over such loss and I sure as hell wasn't expecting what followed.

I think ME3's opening, while dramatic, was less effective because we sorta knew it was coming. You still get that whole feeling of "Oh, God...it's happening...it's really f**king happening!" as the Reapers touch down but I'd still rate ME2's opening as the best of the bunch!

 

[VincentMm]

I'm not talking opening video(although they are accepted) I'm talking openers, the setpieces that hook a person and want them to play more.

Whether it's the opening cinematic or jumping straight into the action, FFVII wins this for me hands down.
No game has ever pulled me in that quickly, or kept me that interested.

 

[DarkLordofPancakes]

Bioshock.... Fallout 1, 2 , and 3...... Half Life Two

 

[Silvanus]

It's been said before already, but Bioshock's opening was incredible. Nothing like a memorable monologue.


The opening sequence of Arkham City also gives me shivers every time. It's brutal, and it sets the tone perfectly.

 

[Jaeke]

Red Dead Redemption: So much has never been said by so little.

Probably my all time fav.

I love the intros to Dragon Age: Origins, Borderlands 2, Total War: Shogun 2 and Mass Effect 2, though.

 

[Dirty Apple]

This is also good:

It's gotta be Dawn of War:

These men speak the unfiltered truth, and their taste is beyond reproach.

I would like to humbly add this for its soaring score and building tension:

 

[Fijiman]

The only two openings that really pop out in my mind at the moment are the openings for Half-Life 2 and Iron Brigade.

 

[Lunar Templar]

I quite liked the intro to DC Online.
Too bad the actual game was such a button-mash disaster.

agreed.

though I could level worse complaints then it being a 'button masher', nothing wrong with those.

 

[I am only a man]

I always loved the intro to this game. The art style was excellent and music is just perfect. A lot of people may prefer the Japanese version (same animation, different music) but I like this one better.

 

[The_Echo]

Seriously, guys, no Kingdom Hearts yet? I for one am severely disappointed.

I would embed all of them, because they're all fantastic. But I'll just use Birth by Sleep.

 

[Frasman]

Let me hit you with some PS1 games

Spoiler: Final Fantasy 6

Spoiler: Ridge Racer 4

Someone already beat me to the Metal Gear Solid 2 and 3 intros.

 

[Ed130 The Vanguard]

The best intros set the tone for the game.


Conquest.

Since time immemorial, great leaders have risen from humble beginnings to...

do shit.


War never changes.