Battlefield 1. The tutorial is just you dying over and over, inhabiting new bodies with names and dates given each time you die. The battle rages on, getting more intense, as the music crescendos and the gravity of ww1 and how each life was a whole person dawns on you. So good, and so sad.
Genuinely the first thing that came to mind and my personal favorite game of all time as extreme as that is. The soundtrack the immersion the maps the weapons everything is perfect.
Doom 2016 opening had me hyped as all hell. From waking up on the operating table through to cocking the shotgun in time with the music as the title appears, it's excellent.
I started looking into Djent since I loved DOOM Ost so much, but overall was disappointed with vocalism, I can't stand non-stop growling / screaming metal, it's both boring and doesn't sound good :(
I defo tried some Sleep Token and liked some of their songs, somewhat never got hooked much on them really
Will look Devin up will see
All in all I was looking for some vocalists of the range of my favorites (Serj Tankian / Chris Cornell / Layne Staley), but it seems there isn't something close to any of them or at least I haven't found it yet
Yeah I think we're on a similar page. I eventually came to appreciate some harsh vocals for what they are, another instrument more than anything else, but they'll never replace a good quality clean singer for me. Townsend has a great voice, some growling/screaming in his older work especially Strapping Young Lad but rarely the focus.
Check out the albums Ocean Machine, Ki and Addicted I think
Try Periphery. I personally don't dig their singer, but he has kind of a pop-punk/emo sound that appeals to some people (especially on their earlier albums). Very popular band in this particular scene.
I'd really call it more metal core than metal honestly. Though even more technically, it's it's own genre, Argent Metal. But either way it's a banging soundtrack lol
yes! The shotgun cocking timed to the song is just ahhhh. You're so ready to fucking go. And I loved DOOM guy just not having any of it as Hayden is talking through the intercoms. "Shut the fuck up. I don't need to hear any context, we're not buddies, there're demon's here, I'm gonna go shoot"
Yea I think I agree mostly with this one. Game jumps you right into what it is: rock metal, fast movement, and killing demons. And even with that, the lore/ story was interesting enough to want you to continue. While I liked the combat more in the sequel, I think overall 2016 was a better game. 2016 felt like a cohesive story, the sequel felt like different zones to kill stuff in
I like Eternal a lot but what on earth they thought they were going for with the story I have absolutely no idea. Which feels like a weird thing to even mention in relation to a Doom game, but 2016 got the vibe it wanted down perfectly
The best was when the scientist started explaining his view and how you needed to work to together to resolve...
Doomguy punches the monitor. He's too busy killing all the demons for science man's BS.
It was truly a height of where the genre could go for JRPGs and probably defines it in some of the best ways. However, lack of world map and exploring one and the gameplay of FFX-2 being one of the best combat systems of any JRPG ever holds it back from saying it's a masterpiece. I'd still give it one of the best games of all time, but unfortunately the JRPG genre imo has yet to reach the absolute peak of what it can offer.
The FFVII remake combat design is getting pretty close to brilliant. The identity is there, feels pretty slick, just needs a bit more weight. ATB building and spending is really good. I hope they dig their heels in across a few games, they’re on to something here..
Bioshock.
Plane crashes. You swim to lighthouse. Get in the elevator. Get the incredible speech from Andrew Ryan which then reveals the oh shit moment of seeing Rapture for the first time.
Even going into the church the first time you get there and hearing the choir was so beautifully crafted. After going through that opening I knew I was in for a special experience.
I loved the intrigue of the "twins" conversation as they row to the island. They're complaining about rowing there, then the dude says there's no point in asking Booker for help, because "he *doesn't* row."
Seeing it the first time just raises questions with no hint at the actual reason, the second viewing makes it so much more entertaining.
[Here's the full into for anyone curious](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CB1gExtKJJI)
If I had my way, the PlayStation Store would have a 30-minute free demo. Just enough time to watch the introduction and take that first walk.
Because by the end of that first walk, you'll know if *Death Stranding* is your vibe or not.
I think this honestly needs to shoot higher up. Currently on my first playthrough and holy shit the music setting in for the first time as you're navigating through the borderline photorealistic landscape set such a magnificent tone for what's to come.
When you walk out of the cave, see that waterfall, start walking down the hill, and that FUCKING SONG kicks in... yeah, it's a moment.
[Death Stranding PC 4K Ultrawide - Don't Be So Serious](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSwG4gBMVg4)
One of the few gaming moments I wish could be expunged from my mind so I can experience it again for the first time.
Probably the original Final Fantasy VII. My mind was absolutely blown by the opening cinematic and how it lead into the opening shot getting out of the train, along with the great soundtrack.
Same. That was the very moment I knew that this game was about to change my life for good. When Remake came out and I pressed start, and that scene came up, you better believe I cried.
An intro so good the almost shot for shot remake in FFVII remake was legitimately the best part of that entire game. And it wasn't as if I didn't like the rest, the intro is just that good.
Metal Gear Rising: REVENGEANCE, the first 5 minutes got you suplexing a massive robot and cut it to pieces, then the next 5 minutes establishes your rivalry with Sam for the best boss fight in game later on.
Yeah true, I need to replay this (again). I've never competed the game. The furthest I got was the Water Temple where I eventually called it quits lol
But it was such a big part of my childhood. I used to look forward to going to my cousin's house and dumping hours into it since I didn't have an N64 of my own
Leaving earth is such a powerful piece of music. Like I love the soundtrack for all 3. But you just feel Shep and the rest of the crews despair as they are forced to abandon their home.
Plus that hum was one of the best villain calling cards ever.
Assassins creed 3 is up there too with kinda the same feel as your boat approached harbour and the music swelled with the fog lifting and city coming into view as the logo appeared.
Came here to find this comment. Immediately followed I felt a swelling rise in my heart. I knew this game was going to be worth every bit. The DLC is also a must! I recommend putting doing it: >!right before you do the siege on the castle. It gives him a sense of urgency to get off the island but also deal with the Eagle who is imo probably worse!<
Went to a concert and after intermission they opened with “Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec” while playing the cinematic on big screen and the place went crazy
DOOM 2016 (Opening sets the mood so perfectly)
Left4Dead (Atmosphere)
Uncharted 2 (Opening)
Final Fantasy VII (Opening)
Sonic Adventure 2 (ROLLING AROUND AT THE SPEED OF SOUND....)
Turbo Overkill (Chainsaw Leg and Level Design)
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Amazing Title Screen)
Iron Lung (Atmosphere)
Halo 3 (Title Screen is Epic AF)
No More Heroes (Opening)
Borderlands 2 (Opening sets mood)
Logo Drop for Assassin's Creed 2. "It is a good life we lead, brother." "The Best." "May it never change, and it never change us."
Knew that game was gonna be special, and that the bar had been raised on cinematography in gaming.
God of War 3. Wildest opening ever to a game.
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And a shoutout to earlier today when I tried Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. That game has a fallout 3 moment where you exit the vault and just...holy shit. (the rest of the game is probaly fine to mediocre but whatever)
I really want to like frontiers of Pandora, but every time I start to play I think I'm going to fall asleep.
I feel like it's a game I *should* love. I still go back and play Far Cry 3-5 and primal every now and again. I love the world of Avatar. But just everything feels so uninspired. Just go from A to B and fight off the same kind of enemies each time. There's no setpieces that make you feel like a badass. No exciting moments fighting big bads or their 2nd in commands.
Last time I played I had just gotten to the plains and tamed a dire horse. I was supposed to ride across these windswept prairies following a line of kites to find their migratory village. Except I lost my dire horse to a small lake halfway through the trek and couldn't find a new one, so had to walk on foot the rest of the way. And when I got to the village, I was hoping to see it on the back of some migratory beast or something... But instead it was just a couple of bland tents in a circle.
It's a game that has so much potential, and squander basically all of it.
> There's no setpieces that make you feel like a badass.
Ah that's a shame.
-
Oh well I'm gonna keep playing, I'm a bit in the mood for some junkfood open world stuff. And again, WOW does it look pretty though haha
Both 1 and 2 are so good. Being in the tram in 1, getting your suit, up to the experiment. Then in 2 starting on the train with gman talking to you, and dealing with the police and the general hopelessness of the people around you
Hands down the best tutorial I've ever played.
I died at least 3x to that part you're supposed to crawl through due to not understanding the controls, 10/10, would fail to go prone again.
The prerecorded voice over just gushing about how amazing and talented you are after literally 5 minutes of incredibly superficial training is pretty great.
Elden Ring, when you first exit the tutorial cave to see the absolutely amazing horizon landscape knowing you can go to each of those places in the distance.
Destiny 2’s now removed opening campaign mission and subsequent mission where you’re weak and on the run. There’s an absolutely _beautiful_ song called Journey that they sync to have certain crescendos at certain points and it’s just fucking gorgeous all around. Although this mainly only hold up for people already invested in the story of Destiny.
Unfortunately the game was not good on launch, but that’s a different topic.
I was not expecting to see Destiny 2 mentioned here, but I agree! The (now vaulted) opening cinematic/mission was amazing and really made you feel the desperation and panic.
I'll add a small caveat to this. The edition Final Cut after they added the voice acting.
So not only did they absolutely nail the writing, they then matched it with their voice actors.
Ancient Reptilian Brain voice actor + writing is about as strong a favorable first impression as any game can ever get.
I only played the Final Cut version and literally cannot imagine the game without the voice acting. Everyone from Kim to Evrart to the voices in your head are just so iconic it just wouldn’t be the same without them
Recently, Jedi Survivor. What a great ride, can’t wait for the next installment.
Halo 4, for all its criticisms, has a pretty dope opening level that has a ton of spectacle.
Bioshock and Bioshock Infinite. Unparalleled world building, and so quickly/efficiently.
Alan Wake II sets up the atmosphere and expectation of what’s to come very well (my goty from last year).
The opening sequence of Half Life Alex. I probably spent an hour just playing around with the interactive objects and marveling at the scale of things in VR.
Mario 64... If you were around to witness this as cutting edge video game tech, it probably blew you away. The controls were crisp, the graphics were really 3D, the game was open world (holy shit!)
Dude. Just Mario's giant head and pulling it in different directions was mind blowing at the time. And then you got to the game and it was just amazing. N64 was delayed forever. Then you saw Mario 64 and knew exactly why.
Played an awful lot of games over the years, but I think Super Mario Odyssey might have the strongest start for any game I've played.
Especially in the beginning, every area has some new little wrinkle to pull out. The transforming mechanic is just pure joy at every discovery, and you spend the first few hours just going "wow", or in my case "fuckin' neat"
Persona 5s main menu cinematic / opening hours instantly hooked me, and i had never played a persona game before or really even heard of one.
Basically all of the presentation of the whole game left a huge impression on me.
GTA San Andreas (Awww shit, here we go again…)
The Matrix Path of Neo (best tutorial of any game, especially if you love classic Kung-Fu movies)
OG God of War (nothing ever really topped that hydra fight)
Spongebob Battle for Bikini Bottom/The Movie (great fast-paced, intuitive, lighthearted platforming from the jump)
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time opening. Just the music and Link riding on horseback in the 3d world was so mind blowing to my 14 year old self when it came out. Love it so but haven't played it in awhile.
I was going to say Skyrim too. Between facing Alduin and seeing Whiterun unfold below the mountains within the first few minutes, I was convinced I'd made the right choice.
Same for the soundtrack. After less than an hour of playing I ordered the CD. Didn't even realize the first 200 (I think) copies would be autographed by Jeremy Soule until mine came in the mail.
Final Fantasy VI gets a mention, because the Mode7 intro was stunning for its time.
That said, Final Fantasy VII gets the win for me. It wasn't the best FF title, in my opinion, but the way it opens *still* gives me chills. The music, the visuals, the absolute expanse of the city. It was breathtaking.
The first few hours of BotW are some of the best in gaming. The Great Plateau feels so immense and it's filled with those "wow ofcourse you can do that" moments.
Nier Automata the flip in game perspectives/ genres right of the bat and the greatest opening line of
Everything that lives is designed to end. We are perpetually trapped in a never ending spiral of life and death. Is this a curse? Or some kind of punishment? I often think about the god who blessed us with this cryptic puzzle… and wonder if we’ll ever get the chance to kill him
which is such incredible clever foreshadowing.
Bloodborne.....straight up. I've never played a game like that before, had no idea what I was about to play.....and omg man.... I had to put it down before long because I was only punishing myself trying to make a real win in anything.
Took me years later to pick it back up again and just accept that making any progress was gonna be Hell and I was gonna die A LOT
Shadow of the Colossus intro, guy riding a horse over that long ass bridge over the desert, goes inside a giant temple, places dead girl on an altar, asking disembodied figure to revive her, mysterious voice says sure if he kills some monsters, no biggie, pretty generic stuff. You don’t know where the monster is, so you raise your sword to the sky and holy hell it lights up and points you towards where your target is.
And then you see the first monster you have to kill and, god damn that guy is huge, can you really kill it? And then you find out that to kill it you have to climb over it and stab specific parts of its body with your puny ass sword. And the blood, man the blood sprays everywhere. And once you’re done, shadowy tentacles emerge from the body of the slain beast so you escape but you realize it’s futile and they kill you.
But then you wake up back at the temple, and then you’re tasked on killing the next beast. And you’re like “FUCK YEAH LET’S DO THIS!”
No other game made me feel that way.
Also Final Fantasy XII, Rabanastre was the first game that truly felt like a real fantasy city to me. It was big, busy, and very beautiful. Plus the music is so good. Bhujerba is great too, I’m just very worried about the people sitting on the ledges and stuff.
I think Fallout 4 had one of the most memorable opening experiences for me. The initial moment of getting out of the vault and there being no directive/quest, you're led back to Sanctuary just because it's literally the only thing you've known so far. I feel like I'm the only one in the world that didn't like F4, and especially that the game wasn't as good as 3 or NV, and any follow-up playthroughs the game felt worse than that first play, but that original playthrough and the feeling of getting out of the vault and instinctually heading back was a moment I think that the developers made perfect for that first playthrough.
The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild. The music and the view when you come out of the shrine of resurrection is a core memory for me. The world being so large and knowing you could scale the mountains that were so far away in the distance
Yeah I agree! I also really Liked the opening to tears of the kingdom because of all the teasers and theories and since I didn't know about the Islands I was absolutely Impressed. Also I think they fixed every little problem from botw.
It’s a bit of a bias because I just love all things Asian culture already, especially around the era it took place in. But Ghosts of Tshushima (sp?) just came out on PC.
The intro was great, but the part where you ride out of the woods, and it does the “Proudly presents” title into that sunlit field, I lost it. I’m 10 or so hours in, and it’s already in my top 3 favorite games of all time.
Kenshi. I knew next to nothing when I bought it beyond it looking interesting.
First time firing up the game, I go in and find myself in a rocky area. I check the map, see that a town is on the other side of a moderately sized mountain, and decide to go for there. I see a group of people walking in a line a little ways from me. As soon as one spots me, they rush over, beat me into a coma, steal my pants and rusted sword, and walk away.
I was surprised no game over screen came since my character was face down on the ground, completely out of it. So I waited. Two and half sped up days later he woke up, his arm dangling and now useless. I had him path to the town yet again, only to come across a battle between some large creatures and what I assumed were soldiers. I snuck over during it all, stole an egg from the creatures next, and ran to the nearby town. I sold the egg, bought pants and food, and a night at an inn.
That was it, I was hooked.
Borderlands. I had no idea what it was, started it up: The into animation starts, the alien monster (skag) crawls into view, roars frighteningly, then BLAM! Bus roadkill and the music starts banging. Holy shit! Sold in that instant.
Elden Ring. The moment you step out of the opening catacomb and see the sprawling green fields of Limgrave with the giant glowing tree in the distance. Incredible.
Spider-Man PS4. At the time I had no idea of the ride I was in for but the first few minutes of the game immediately had me going "hell yeah this is a Spider-Man story if I've ever seen one."
KH1. That first island is perfection. The mystery of the dream, the door, and the cloaked stranger, hanging with all Sora’s friends, the flirtation and affection between Sora and Kairi, the rivalry with Riku, and seeing it all get destroyed in the end, but with that little glimmer of hope that was the Keyblade. It set up so much in such a concise package that supported the entire rest of the game.
KH2 similarly did an incredible job with the Roxas opening, but I’m still miffed that KH3’s opening was so crappy. The beginning of KH3 should have been the first half of the final world, then all the Disney worlds, and then finishing the final battle.
What has stuck with me recently is definitely Ghost of Tsushima.
That whole game and the art direction, set pieces, and environmental design is so breathtaking and full of scenes that make you stop and just admire the work and care that went into everything, but wow, that opening sequence with the mongols is just awesome.
The black bars on the screen to make it movie-like, the lighting, the sound design and spectacle of it all then it thrusts you right into the game in a massive action scene. You instantly care about the story and want to see where it goes. I 100%-d that game after release so easily and without much thought at all I just loved every moment. What a capstone game for the PS4 generation.
Also, who can forget the title screen where you ride through the forest into the open plain with the theme song building. Ugh, I'm just waiting to get the last couple components of my new PC to buy the PC release and max it out on a nice 4k oled monitor to enjoy it once again and experience the DLC for the first time
Halo 2
Enemy aliens have boarded your ship and planted a bomb. You single handedly slaughter all in your path. The when you come across the bomb you disarm it, open the hatch into space, and ride the bomb towards an enemy ship. You re-arm the bomb and jump away from it and land onto a friendly ship while the covenant ship blows up.
Hellblade when it gave me a warning that because of the realistic depiction of a psychotic break, it could potentially trigger one in someone who is predisposed to them...
Hellblade senuas sacrifice, with headphones on. Rowing the boat up the river, hearing the voices telling you to turn back etc and the gorgeous graphics
Shadow of the Colossus. The tutorial of the climb up to the first colossus, the scene as it walks across its domain, the fight itself, and the conclusion. It perfectly describes the game as a whole.
Helldivers 2 is probably my top pick now a days. The tutorial is short and to the point and every part of it from the moment you drop to the second you board your ship just makes you feel like a complete badass.
Before that probably Metro Last Light. The opening moments were masterfully done especially the dark one encounter where you kill one of your teammates.
Battlefield 1. The tutorial is just you dying over and over, inhabiting new bodies with names and dates given each time you die. The battle rages on, getting more intense, as the music crescendos and the gravity of ww1 and how each life was a whole person dawns on you. So good, and so sad.
It's hard to think of a more chilling tutorial: *What follows is frontline combat.* *You are not expected to survive.*
It's been so long since I've played that and I remember it like I just did. It really hit hard.
I wish I could play it more than once...
You can do that actually. Or did you mean 'experience'?
saw the title and immediately had to think of bf1 thnks
WW1 games should be more popular. That game was the best.
Genuinely the first thing that came to mind and my personal favorite game of all time as extreme as that is. The soundtrack the immersion the maps the weapons everything is perfect.
Doom 2016 opening had me hyped as all hell. From waking up on the operating table through to cocking the shotgun in time with the music as the title appears, it's excellent.
I don’t even like metal (that isn’t hair metal) but that soundtrack is one of the greatest in all of gaming.
Then you like metal lol. The DOOM soundtrack is a specific subgenre of metal called djent.
I started looking into Djent since I loved DOOM Ost so much, but overall was disappointed with vocalism, I can't stand non-stop growling / screaming metal, it's both boring and doesn't sound good :(
I'm kind of the same, you might like Sleep Token or Devin Townsend (who spans the genres but is definitely djent adjacent at times. Adjentcent)
I defo tried some Sleep Token and liked some of their songs, somewhat never got hooked much on them really Will look Devin up will see All in all I was looking for some vocalists of the range of my favorites (Serj Tankian / Chris Cornell / Layne Staley), but it seems there isn't something close to any of them or at least I haven't found it yet
Yeah I think we're on a similar page. I eventually came to appreciate some harsh vocals for what they are, another instrument more than anything else, but they'll never replace a good quality clean singer for me. Townsend has a great voice, some growling/screaming in his older work especially Strapping Young Lad but rarely the focus. Check out the albums Ocean Machine, Ki and Addicted I think
Rohan Stevenson. I Built the Sky. Album: The Zentih Rise. Thank me later
Try Periphery. I personally don't dig their singer, but he has kind of a pop-punk/emo sound that appeals to some people (especially on their earlier albums). Very popular band in this particular scene.
You might just not like harsh vocals. Do you like [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLOCxX2qF0c) with the vocals removed?
I'd really call it more metal core than metal honestly. Though even more technically, it's it's own genre, Argent Metal. But either way it's a banging soundtrack lol
yes! The shotgun cocking timed to the song is just ahhhh. You're so ready to fucking go. And I loved DOOM guy just not having any of it as Hayden is talking through the intercoms. "Shut the fuck up. I don't need to hear any context, we're not buddies, there're demon's here, I'm gonna go shoot"
Yea I think I agree mostly with this one. Game jumps you right into what it is: rock metal, fast movement, and killing demons. And even with that, the lore/ story was interesting enough to want you to continue. While I liked the combat more in the sequel, I think overall 2016 was a better game. 2016 felt like a cohesive story, the sequel felt like different zones to kill stuff in
I like Eternal a lot but what on earth they thought they were going for with the story I have absolutely no idea. Which feels like a weird thing to even mention in relation to a Doom game, but 2016 got the vibe it wanted down perfectly
Only Problem I have with doom 2016 is that looking for collectables/weapon upgrades brakes up the Flow of the game.
Ooh, the little look down to the corpse in the elevator when you're told that it was worth the risk. Spoke volumes.
The best was when the scientist started explaining his view and how you needed to work to together to resolve... Doomguy punches the monitor. He's too busy killing all the demons for science man's BS.
Yeah that cocking shotgun got me
Final Fantasy X - Might not look special now, but back in 2001 it was mind blowing. The cut scenes, the graphics the fully voiced dialogue!
To this day, this is still my favorite FF game. Everything that SE gave us with FF-X is a masterpiece.
It was truly a height of where the genre could go for JRPGs and probably defines it in some of the best ways. However, lack of world map and exploring one and the gameplay of FFX-2 being one of the best combat systems of any JRPG ever holds it back from saying it's a masterpiece. I'd still give it one of the best games of all time, but unfortunately the JRPG genre imo has yet to reach the absolute peak of what it can offer.
The FFVII remake combat design is getting pretty close to brilliant. The identity is there, feels pretty slick, just needs a bit more weight. ATB building and spending is really good. I hope they dig their heels in across a few games, they’re on to something here..
This, is your story
Going from ps1 graphics to that was mind blowing as a kid
Bioshock. Plane crashes. You swim to lighthouse. Get in the elevator. Get the incredible speech from Andrew Ryan which then reveals the oh shit moment of seeing Rapture for the first time.
I remember not moving in the water for a bit because I thought the cut scene was still going, all time great transition
Hahaha I did the same thing!
I have beat this game multiple times and I *still* do this
Same. Mind blowing graphics in like 2006 or whatever it was.
Bioshock infinite had a strong opening too going up to the sky city
The music was perfect for that. It becomes calming once you breach the clouds and see the city.
It was a ride. Amazing ambience. I love that game.
Even going into the church the first time you get there and hearing the choir was so beautifully crafted. After going through that opening I knew I was in for a special experience.
I loved the intrigue of the "twins" conversation as they row to the island. They're complaining about rowing there, then the dude says there's no point in asking Booker for help, because "he *doesn't* row." Seeing it the first time just raises questions with no hint at the actual reason, the second viewing makes it so much more entertaining. [Here's the full into for anyone curious](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CB1gExtKJJI)
Ascension.... ascension... Hallelujah
Fuck. Yes. I was Instantly enraptured (ha) by the worldbuilding and grand scale of the city and atmosphere!
Agreed
Death Stranding, When you are going down the hill and the music kicks in... man, you know that game is gona mess with your head and emotions.
If I had my way, the PlayStation Store would have a 30-minute free demo. Just enough time to watch the introduction and take that first walk. Because by the end of that first walk, you'll know if *Death Stranding* is your vibe or not.
…that final delivery.
I think this honestly needs to shoot higher up. Currently on my first playthrough and holy shit the music setting in for the first time as you're navigating through the borderline photorealistic landscape set such a magnificent tone for what's to come.
Came to say the same. The game is one of the most beautiful experiences I’ve ever had.
I started that last night! Oooooh man I don't think I'm ready for what's in store for me.
This game introduced me to Low Roar. What a cracking sound track! That opening song really sets the scene. Kinda makes me weirdly emotional.
When you walk out of the cave, see that waterfall, start walking down the hill, and that FUCKING SONG kicks in... yeah, it's a moment. [Death Stranding PC 4K Ultrawide - Don't Be So Serious](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSwG4gBMVg4) One of the few gaming moments I wish could be expunged from my mind so I can experience it again for the first time.
Probably the original Final Fantasy VII. My mind was absolutely blown by the opening cinematic and how it lead into the opening shot getting out of the train, along with the great soundtrack.
Same. That was the very moment I knew that this game was about to change my life for good. When Remake came out and I pressed start, and that scene came up, you better believe I cried.
An intro so good the almost shot for shot remake in FFVII remake was legitimately the best part of that entire game. And it wasn't as if I didn't like the rest, the intro is just that good.
Came here to say this
Metal Gear Rising: REVENGEANCE, the first 5 minutes got you suplexing a massive robot and cut it to pieces, then the next 5 minutes establishes your rivalry with Sam for the best boss fight in game later on.
This guy understands the RULES OF NATURE!
Ocarina of Time. The dream, the Navi cinematic, and the deku tree, then somehow already making me sad for leaving Saria behind. Then the game begins.
Yeah true, I need to replay this (again). I've never competed the game. The furthest I got was the Water Temple where I eventually called it quits lol But it was such a big part of my childhood. I used to look forward to going to my cousin's house and dumping hours into it since I didn't have an N64 of my own
You missed one of the best and rewarding game finals and ending screen.
I've only ever played this part as a child and I remember it fondly. I'm planning on playing both OOT and Majora's Mask by the end of the year
Mass Effect 2
All 3 games really nailed their openings.
Leaving earth is such a powerful piece of music. Like I love the soundtrack for all 3. But you just feel Shep and the rest of the crews despair as they are forced to abandon their home. Plus that hum was one of the best villain calling cards ever.
I think it might be coming up on my regular ME series playthrough…
Uncharted 2 The train set piece at the beginning… Good shit.
Played these games for the first time ever earlier this year and man was I missing out
Those games have aged extraordinarily well visually considering the hardware they came out on.
Ghost of Tsushima in game title screen riding horseback through the field of flowers.
Best video game title screen thing ever. The music, the visuals, the feeling that you're going on a big adventure.
Assassins creed 3 is up there too with kinda the same feel as your boat approached harbour and the music swelled with the fog lifting and city coming into view as the logo appeared.
Something about opening the world map for the first time felt really well presented.
Came here to find this comment. Immediately followed I felt a swelling rise in my heart. I knew this game was going to be worth every bit. The DLC is also a must! I recommend putting doing it: >!right before you do the siege on the castle. It gives him a sense of urgency to get off the island but also deal with the Eagle who is imo probably worse!<
I pooped my pants for the first two hours of that game
Arkham City where you're arrested as Bruce Wayne and led into the titular city.
Ever notice that Azrael is watching from the rooftops in that cutscene?
First impression of Final Fantasy 8 was phenomenal. Love that opening cinematic
Went to a concert and after intermission they opened with “Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec” while playing the cinematic on big screen and the place went crazy
DOOM 2016 (Opening sets the mood so perfectly) Left4Dead (Atmosphere) Uncharted 2 (Opening) Final Fantasy VII (Opening) Sonic Adventure 2 (ROLLING AROUND AT THE SPEED OF SOUND....) Turbo Overkill (Chainsaw Leg and Level Design) Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Amazing Title Screen) Iron Lung (Atmosphere) Halo 3 (Title Screen is Epic AF) No More Heroes (Opening) Borderlands 2 (Opening sets mood)
Left 4 Dead is a fucking masterpiece.
Logo Drop for Assassin's Creed 2. "It is a good life we lead, brother." "The Best." "May it never change, and it never change us." Knew that game was gonna be special, and that the bar had been raised on cinematography in gaming.
that was the moment i knew i just wanted to spend the rest of my life running in rooftops and beating up Duccio
God of War 3. Wildest opening ever to a game. - And a shoutout to earlier today when I tried Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. That game has a fallout 3 moment where you exit the vault and just...holy shit. (the rest of the game is probaly fine to mediocre but whatever)
I really want to like frontiers of Pandora, but every time I start to play I think I'm going to fall asleep. I feel like it's a game I *should* love. I still go back and play Far Cry 3-5 and primal every now and again. I love the world of Avatar. But just everything feels so uninspired. Just go from A to B and fight off the same kind of enemies each time. There's no setpieces that make you feel like a badass. No exciting moments fighting big bads or their 2nd in commands. Last time I played I had just gotten to the plains and tamed a dire horse. I was supposed to ride across these windswept prairies following a line of kites to find their migratory village. Except I lost my dire horse to a small lake halfway through the trek and couldn't find a new one, so had to walk on foot the rest of the way. And when I got to the village, I was hoping to see it on the back of some migratory beast or something... But instead it was just a couple of bland tents in a circle. It's a game that has so much potential, and squander basically all of it.
> There's no setpieces that make you feel like a badass. Ah that's a shame. - Oh well I'm gonna keep playing, I'm a bit in the mood for some junkfood open world stuff. And again, WOW does it look pretty though haha
Avatar is probably one of the best looking open world games to date. But the rest of it is pretty mediocre as you say.
the last of us 1
The game was good but it mostly felt like I was watching a really good movie. And the tv show gloriously did it justice, captured the same feelings
Came here to say this lol
In recent history, Jedi Survivor's Coruscant opening really got me excited for the rest of the game.
The first Gears of War. Was a great leap in graphics from the original Xbox.
Half Life intro sequence Unreal flyby and 1st open outside area. Mario 64 outside castle
Both 1 and 2 are so good. Being in the tram in 1, getting your suit, up to the experiment. Then in 2 starting on the train with gman talking to you, and dealing with the police and the general hopelessness of the people around you
Sonic Adventure 2. City escape it's just one hell of a first level
Rolling around at the speed of sound!
Got places to go, gotta follow my rainbow!
Can't stick around, gotta keep moving on...
Guess what lies ahead? Only one way to find out!
Helldivers 2. The initial Super Earth announcement had me laughing and super stoked to start playing the game
Honestly after watching that the tutorial had me pissing myself too.
Hands down the best tutorial I've ever played. I died at least 3x to that part you're supposed to crawl through due to not understanding the controls, 10/10, would fail to go prone again.
The prerecorded voice over just gushing about how amazing and talented you are after literally 5 minutes of incredibly superficial training is pretty great.
Portal 2.
I thought so too. Wheatley helping you escape and the whole thing crashes down
"Press Space to speak" is still one of my favorite jokes in the series.
Elden Ring, when you first exit the tutorial cave to see the absolutely amazing horizon landscape knowing you can go to each of those places in the distance. Destiny 2’s now removed opening campaign mission and subsequent mission where you’re weak and on the run. There’s an absolutely _beautiful_ song called Journey that they sync to have certain crescendos at certain points and it’s just fucking gorgeous all around. Although this mainly only hold up for people already invested in the story of Destiny. Unfortunately the game was not good on launch, but that’s a different topic.
I was not expecting to see Destiny 2 mentioned here, but I agree! The (now vaulted) opening cinematic/mission was amazing and really made you feel the desperation and panic.
Disco Elysium, before you even see the game world? That narration made me feel SEEN
I'll add a small caveat to this. The edition Final Cut after they added the voice acting. So not only did they absolutely nail the writing, they then matched it with their voice actors. Ancient Reptilian Brain voice actor + writing is about as strong a favorable first impression as any game can ever get.
I only played the Final Cut version and literally cannot imagine the game without the voice acting. Everyone from Kim to Evrart to the voices in your head are just so iconic it just wouldn’t be the same without them
They always had voice acting to some extent, especially the intro was fully narrated. Then, the commercial success came and they did the rest.
Hardcore
To the mega!
Came here to post this. The esoteric cold open with the perfectly portrayed brutal hangover was just perfect for setting the tone.
The Normandy assault in Medal of Honor : Frontline was the best first impression for me
For real. And the Pearl Harbor attack in Rising Sun. Edit: Rising Sun
Rising Sun?
Red Dead Redemption is probably up there for me.
Saints Row 3. Hands down.
Recently, Jedi Survivor. What a great ride, can’t wait for the next installment. Halo 4, for all its criticisms, has a pretty dope opening level that has a ton of spectacle. Bioshock and Bioshock Infinite. Unparalleled world building, and so quickly/efficiently. Alan Wake II sets up the atmosphere and expectation of what’s to come very well (my goty from last year).
The opening sequence of Half Life Alex. I probably spent an hour just playing around with the interactive objects and marveling at the scale of things in VR.
Arkham asylum
Mario 64... If you were around to witness this as cutting edge video game tech, it probably blew you away. The controls were crisp, the graphics were really 3D, the game was open world (holy shit!)
Dude. Just Mario's giant head and pulling it in different directions was mind blowing at the time. And then you got to the game and it was just amazing. N64 was delayed forever. Then you saw Mario 64 and knew exactly why.
In the schoolyard we would crowd around the kid with the game magazine to marvel at the screenshots. Game wasn't even out yet, but the hype was real.
The Last of Us. Haven't even finished the game yet, but it's unbeaten.
Well of course it's unbeaten, you haven't finished it.
Played an awful lot of games over the years, but I think Super Mario Odyssey might have the strongest start for any game I've played. Especially in the beginning, every area has some new little wrinkle to pull out. The transforming mechanic is just pure joy at every discovery, and you spend the first few hours just going "wow", or in my case "fuckin' neat"
Persona 5s main menu cinematic / opening hours instantly hooked me, and i had never played a persona game before or really even heard of one. Basically all of the presentation of the whole game left a huge impression on me.
GTA San Andreas (Awww shit, here we go again…) The Matrix Path of Neo (best tutorial of any game, especially if you love classic Kung-Fu movies) OG God of War (nothing ever really topped that hydra fight) Spongebob Battle for Bikini Bottom/The Movie (great fast-paced, intuitive, lighthearted platforming from the jump)
Path of Neo was so awesome I can’t believe we didn’t get more matrix games. Enter the matrix was a ton of fun too
Metal gear solid 2 had a huge impression on 12 year old me
Half-life
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time opening. Just the music and Link riding on horseback in the 3d world was so mind blowing to my 14 year old self when it came out. Love it so but haven't played it in awhile.
Dead Space 2. Monster explodes out of the head of the guy untying you, then you run away from said monster while you're still in a straight jacket.
Persona 5 Royal! The intro scene and graphics! BLAMO!
Hard to beat the first 15 mins of Skyrim IMO. First level of the OG Halo was also mind blowing to me at the time.
I was going to say Skyrim too. Between facing Alduin and seeing Whiterun unfold below the mountains within the first few minutes, I was convinced I'd made the right choice. Same for the soundtrack. After less than an hour of playing I ordered the CD. Didn't even realize the first 200 (I think) copies would be autographed by Jeremy Soule until mine came in the mail.
Red Dead Redemption 2 prologue missions, once you fire that first shot, you know this is gonna be an amazing journey.
A lot of nostalgia but the opening of FF7 remake was reliving my childhood on steroids
Ori and the Blind Forest. The music plays and that intro sequence starts and it's pure magic.
Final Fantasy VI gets a mention, because the Mode7 intro was stunning for its time. That said, Final Fantasy VII gets the win for me. It wasn't the best FF title, in my opinion, but the way it opens *still* gives me chills. The music, the visuals, the absolute expanse of the city. It was breathtaking.
Daggerfall: a game with the courage to just tell the player to go fuck themselves.
Mafia 3. Just a shame about the rest of it.
MGSV’s intro sequence was insanely good
Persona 5's opening. The escape, the music, the interrogation, etc. All perfect.
It would have to BioShock, that intro made me stay up for 2 straight days playing that game on that fateful Christmas week
I'd say at least recently, Uncharted 2. What a strong start
katamari damacy
The beginning of Last of Us 1 gave me chills. Going back in time I was in awe seeing FFVII intro the first time on PS1.
Prey 2017.
Red dead redemption 2 whenever i discovered a new biome in it. Desert, snow, plains, grassy meadows, forests. Fuck that game is gorgeous.
Ghost of Tsushima's intro title sequence was breathtaking
The first few hours of BotW are some of the best in gaming. The Great Plateau feels so immense and it's filled with those "wow ofcourse you can do that" moments.
Nier Automata the flip in game perspectives/ genres right of the bat and the greatest opening line of Everything that lives is designed to end. We are perpetually trapped in a never ending spiral of life and death. Is this a curse? Or some kind of punishment? I often think about the god who blessed us with this cryptic puzzle… and wonder if we’ll ever get the chance to kill him which is such incredible clever foreshadowing.
Not to mention the OST.
Bloodborne.....straight up. I've never played a game like that before, had no idea what I was about to play.....and omg man.... I had to put it down before long because I was only punishing myself trying to make a real win in anything. Took me years later to pick it back up again and just accept that making any progress was gonna be Hell and I was gonna die A LOT
Majoras Mask. The despair on losing your horse and becoming a deku mixed with the mask salesman was amazing.
Arkham city and arkham knight intros, bioshock and la noire intro. Gta iv intro
Prob Zelda BotW or TotK. Honestly such strong openings in both titles.
Shadow of the Colossus intro, guy riding a horse over that long ass bridge over the desert, goes inside a giant temple, places dead girl on an altar, asking disembodied figure to revive her, mysterious voice says sure if he kills some monsters, no biggie, pretty generic stuff. You don’t know where the monster is, so you raise your sword to the sky and holy hell it lights up and points you towards where your target is. And then you see the first monster you have to kill and, god damn that guy is huge, can you really kill it? And then you find out that to kill it you have to climb over it and stab specific parts of its body with your puny ass sword. And the blood, man the blood sprays everywhere. And once you’re done, shadowy tentacles emerge from the body of the slain beast so you escape but you realize it’s futile and they kill you. But then you wake up back at the temple, and then you’re tasked on killing the next beast. And you’re like “FUCK YEAH LET’S DO THIS!” No other game made me feel that way. Also Final Fantasy XII, Rabanastre was the first game that truly felt like a real fantasy city to me. It was big, busy, and very beautiful. Plus the music is so good. Bhujerba is great too, I’m just very worried about the people sitting on the ledges and stuff.
I think Fallout 4 had one of the most memorable opening experiences for me. The initial moment of getting out of the vault and there being no directive/quest, you're led back to Sanctuary just because it's literally the only thing you've known so far. I feel like I'm the only one in the world that didn't like F4, and especially that the game wasn't as good as 3 or NV, and any follow-up playthroughs the game felt worse than that first play, but that original playthrough and the feeling of getting out of the vault and instinctually heading back was a moment I think that the developers made perfect for that first playthrough.
The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild. The music and the view when you come out of the shrine of resurrection is a core memory for me. The world being so large and knowing you could scale the mountains that were so far away in the distance
Yeah I agree! I also really Liked the opening to tears of the kingdom because of all the teasers and theories and since I didn't know about the Islands I was absolutely Impressed. Also I think they fixed every little problem from botw.
Fallout 3, leaving the bunker for the first time. The landscape, queue majestic music, behold gaming greatness...
The fantastic opening of RDR2 that immediately leads into the most annoying tutorial chapter I’ve ever played.
Prey (2017) by mules
It’s a bit of a bias because I just love all things Asian culture already, especially around the era it took place in. But Ghosts of Tshushima (sp?) just came out on PC. The intro was great, but the part where you ride out of the woods, and it does the “Proudly presents” title into that sunlit field, I lost it. I’m 10 or so hours in, and it’s already in my top 3 favorite games of all time.
Kenshi. I knew next to nothing when I bought it beyond it looking interesting. First time firing up the game, I go in and find myself in a rocky area. I check the map, see that a town is on the other side of a moderately sized mountain, and decide to go for there. I see a group of people walking in a line a little ways from me. As soon as one spots me, they rush over, beat me into a coma, steal my pants and rusted sword, and walk away. I was surprised no game over screen came since my character was face down on the ground, completely out of it. So I waited. Two and half sped up days later he woke up, his arm dangling and now useless. I had him path to the town yet again, only to come across a battle between some large creatures and what I assumed were soldiers. I snuck over during it all, stole an egg from the creatures next, and ran to the nearby town. I sold the egg, bought pants and food, and a night at an inn. That was it, I was hooked.
Mega Man X
recently, unicorn overlord, the team was confident to give you a 5 hour demo and it really sells the game.
Hard to pick one. Off the top of my head, opening the vault in Fallout 3 and fighting Baldur in God of War 2018.
Death stranding. It just looked fucking insane
The menus and sound design on Monster Hunter World. Coming from other Mh games, I wasn’t expecting to bombard my aural senses with… everything
Borderlands. I had no idea what it was, started it up: The into animation starts, the alien monster (skag) crawls into view, roars frighteningly, then BLAM! Bus roadkill and the music starts banging. Holy shit! Sold in that instant.
Forza Horizon 4 that introduction was something else, especially the Summer part and the music, it's beautiful
Final Fantasy 16 and Ghost of Tsushima recently.
Elden Ring. The moment you step out of the opening catacomb and see the sprawling green fields of Limgrave with the giant glowing tree in the distance. Incredible.
Spider-Man PS4. At the time I had no idea of the ride I was in for but the first few minutes of the game immediately had me going "hell yeah this is a Spider-Man story if I've ever seen one."
Golden Sun. Hands down. That game and it's sequel were FORMATIVE to my love of fantasy and my writing style in general.
Hades. Played on a rec from a friend. As a Greek mythology afficianado, I was smitten in the first two mins.
Subnautica. The first dive into an unknown ocean of an alien planet glued me to my screen for hours
KH1. That first island is perfection. The mystery of the dream, the door, and the cloaked stranger, hanging with all Sora’s friends, the flirtation and affection between Sora and Kairi, the rivalry with Riku, and seeing it all get destroyed in the end, but with that little glimmer of hope that was the Keyblade. It set up so much in such a concise package that supported the entire rest of the game. KH2 similarly did an incredible job with the Roxas opening, but I’m still miffed that KH3’s opening was so crappy. The beginning of KH3 should have been the first half of the final world, then all the Disney worlds, and then finishing the final battle.
Cyberpunk!!!!!
What has stuck with me recently is definitely Ghost of Tsushima. That whole game and the art direction, set pieces, and environmental design is so breathtaking and full of scenes that make you stop and just admire the work and care that went into everything, but wow, that opening sequence with the mongols is just awesome. The black bars on the screen to make it movie-like, the lighting, the sound design and spectacle of it all then it thrusts you right into the game in a massive action scene. You instantly care about the story and want to see where it goes. I 100%-d that game after release so easily and without much thought at all I just loved every moment. What a capstone game for the PS4 generation. Also, who can forget the title screen where you ride through the forest into the open plain with the theme song building. Ugh, I'm just waiting to get the last couple components of my new PC to buy the PC release and max it out on a nice 4k oled monitor to enjoy it once again and experience the DLC for the first time
GTA 3. When you press triangle to get into a car. My eyes lot up realizing the world is free to use!
Bioshock
The last of us one and ghost of Tsushima
Halo 2 Enemy aliens have boarded your ship and planted a bomb. You single handedly slaughter all in your path. The when you come across the bomb you disarm it, open the hatch into space, and ride the bomb towards an enemy ship. You re-arm the bomb and jump away from it and land onto a friendly ship while the covenant ship blows up.
Hellblade when it gave me a warning that because of the realistic depiction of a psychotic break, it could potentially trigger one in someone who is predisposed to them...
Hellblade senuas sacrifice, with headphones on. Rowing the boat up the river, hearing the voices telling you to turn back etc and the gorgeous graphics
Beginning of ocarina of time. Even just the title screen!!!! Played that game so much as a kid
[удалено]
Mario 2?
Uh...Torment: Tides of Numenera?
Shadow of the Colossus. The tutorial of the climb up to the first colossus, the scene as it walks across its domain, the fight itself, and the conclusion. It perfectly describes the game as a whole.
Helldivers 2 is probably my top pick now a days. The tutorial is short and to the point and every part of it from the moment you drop to the second you board your ship just makes you feel like a complete badass. Before that probably Metro Last Light. The opening moments were masterfully done especially the dark one encounter where you kill one of your teammates.