I don't know about you, but the way a game begins is nearly as important to me as how the experience resolves before the credits roll (some, even after). A solid introduction—whether that be through a gorgeous cinematic, enthralling gameplay moment, or a combination of both—not only gives the player an incredible first impression, but fuels their curiosity and desire to dive deeper into the experience.
It's not easy to craft a compelling opener, but the eleven games we've selected truly exceed in this area. NOTE: In favor of giving as many franchises as possible a moment in the spotlight, we've limited our selections to one game per series. Otherwise, this list would have likely been dominated by all of Mr. Kojima's handiwork.
Before Rocksteady took at stab at making a game starring the Dark Knight, the industry lacked a truly triple-A single-player superhero game. That all changed with Batman: Arkham Asylum, and the game's introduction sets things up in spectacular fashion. The dark and ominous tone, coupled with Mark Hamill's voice as the Joker, makes the several minutes of embedded video above some of the most entertaining Batman media I have ever seen. The first time I ever saw that opening, it became readily clear to me that Rocksteady was onto something incredible.
10. Chrono Cross
The original PlayStation is home to some of the best cinematics and music in all of gaming. Mash the two together and you've got Chrono Cross, an incredible role-playing game developed by the guys at Squaresoft. The trio of Final Fantasy RPGs often steal the PSone spotlight, but this engaging adventure holds its own with the rest in its genre. Watching this intro brings me back to the early days of the PlayStation and reminds me how incredible Square's music was back in the day.
9. Halo 4
Technology has come a long way, and Halo 4's jaw-dropping intro is evidence to this. With the advancements in motion capture and facial animation, the opening moments of 343 Industries' first entry in the Halo franchise is no doubt a memorable one. Not only is it pretty to look at, but it also fleshes out a substantial chunk of the series' backstory—something fans have been clamoring for quite some time. I couldn't imagine a better way to kick off a new trilogy.
8. Half-Life 2
"Wake up Mr. Freeman." That line will be etched in gamers' minds for years to come. The iconic intro to Valve's Half-Life sequel was not only groundbreaking for the time visually, but the way it introduced the player to the world was engaging on a level we had never seen before. The studio's approach to interactive storytelling was made clear right from the outset and pulled gamers in the minute they were given control. Since then, many have tried to emulate Valve's stunning accomplishment, but very few have succeeded.
7. Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
Those who owned a Super Nintendo back in the day will undoubtedly remember Super Mario RPG. This Squaresoft-developed role-playing game boasts a suite of iconic Mario characters and a timeless art style. I recall renting this game from Blockbuster at least a dozen times only to start back from square one each and every time. That incredible Bowser confrontation in the beginning is so epic, I hardly minded playing it over, and over, and over again.
What would a list like this be without the inclusion of a Final Fantasy game? The seventh proper entry in the series boasts one of the most iconic intros in all of gaming—after all, Square and Sony teased the masses with a remade version of this opening scene to show off the power of the PlayStation 3. That sweeping view of Midgar, the oncoming train, and Aeris walking down the street are some of the most memorable moments in all of gaming.
Naughty Dog took the gaming world by storm when it launched Uncharted 2. The studio's ability to blend non-interactive cutscenes with unbelievable set piece moments was unprecedented. The opening train sequence you see above is the game's crowning achievement. Many other developers have tried to recapture Naughty Dog's magic, but very few have come close. There's no doubt that the team behind this game was composed of some incredible storytellers, and it really shows.
Fans of Squaresoft and Disney will find much to love about the opening of Kingdom Hearts. The gorgeous CG intro timed perfectly to the heart-pounding music has me well up with emotion every time I see it. The characters you'll come to know and love over the course of the game make their debut in expert fashion. If there's one thing Square knows how to do, it's creating incredible game intros.
How could I not mention a game in which the main character dies within the first few minutes of the experience? The beginning of Mass Effect 2 is all kinds of epic. You're introduced to the franchise's new antagonist, your ship gets blown to bits, and you go off hurtling into space with no chance of survival. The rest of your crew barely escapes and you're left wondering what happened to everyone. It was a great way to shake things up and introduce an exciting element of unpredictability, keeping the player always wondering and on their toes.
2. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Let's just get this out of the way right now. Every Metal Gear Solid intro is absolutely incredible; however, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is undoubtedly the best of the bunch. Not only does it showcase Snake performing a HALO jump in perfect dramatic fashion, but it also serves as the first time players get a chance to peer into the eyes of the one Big Boss. At the time, the gaming world was eager for a new Metal Gear game, and the prospect of venturing in the jungle seemed almost too good to be true. Thankfully, Kojima failed to disappoint.
1. BioShock
BioShock is indisputably one of the greatest games of this generation (yeah, I said it) and all you need to do is watch the title's opening moments to understand why. Irrational Games' ability to provide an interactive story right from the beginning is an admirable feat. Much like Half-Life 2, the opening moments of BioShock introduce the player to an incredibly detailed world that is just begging to be explored. Honestly, just watching this again has me tempted to take the plunge into Rapture once more.
What are your favorite video game intros? Are there some noteworthy titles that didn't make this list? Let us know in the comments below.
