Like the pilot episodes of TV shows, the opening cinematics of games must hook the viewers with interesting scenes and set the tone, while giving them a glimpse of what’s in store for them, lore, graphics, and mechanics-wise. Most gamers will think of top-rating and current AAA games when thinking of the greatest opening cinematics.
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However, there are games with great opening cinematics that tend to get overlooked or have been forgotten to time. These titles have incredible opening cutscenes that could make movie directors green with envy.
7Resident Evil: Directors Cut
Arguments could be made thatResident Evilis not underappreciated or forgotten, asthe franchise is still alive and well, though maybe not everyone has experienced the original game’s Director’s Cut. It featured some exciting changes from the base version ofResident Evil 1, including a demo for the sequel, changes to the enemy and item placement, and a brand-new opening cutscene.
Featuring an FMV version of the original opening of the STARS members making a daring escape to the Spencer Mansion, the opening cutscene injected some much-needed humor.
6Parasite Eve
This PS2 cult classic garnered a sizeable fan base, with die-hard fans clamoring for a remake to revisit the game with updated graphics and controls. However, many have forgotten the existence ofParasite Eve, even if there are stillrumors circling about a remake.
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The opening of the originalParasite Eveis one to be remembered, with epic guitar riffs interspersed with inspiring piano melodies, as well as captivating scenes of the heroine and her daring exploits, giving players a glimpse at the challenges and themes awaiting. With players following the story of Aya who must stop the antagonist Eve from wiping humanity, it’s very fitting the music rouse and motivate players.
5Legacy Of Kain: Defiance
TheLegacy of Kainseries is another victim of the passing of time, and many folks that were once fans have moved on from the classic series. However,Legacy of Kainis not without its merits, with its ownunique take on the vampire mythos, continuing Raziel and Kain’s journey from the previous installmentSoul Reaver.
Featuring an incredible narrator issuing a challenge to the players, an epic score, and a montage of awesome ass-kicking, players would be ready to take on the gauntlet of challenges awaiting them.
4Vampyr
Though lauded by many game review and critic sites,Vampyrseemed to fly under the radar of most gamers, fading into anonymity before too long.
Set in Victorian London,Vampyrsees newly awakened vampire Johnathan Reid grappling with the horrors of his new condition while continuing with his position as a doctor. The premise is all kicked off within the opening cinematic that hints at the mysteries that will unravel throughout the game, as well as seeing Johnathan’s embrace into vampirehood. The scene is told through uniquely artistic graphics, with the swelling of gothic string instruments and percussions to heighten the bloody horror.
3Infamous
Infamousfeatures perhaps one of the shortest opening sequences, but what it lacks in length, the game makes up in style. Pressing start on the title screen launches the player right into an explosive beginning as a shockwave ripples throughout the city, and all hell breaks loose. The player character miraculously survives the explosion, roused back to consciousness by a mysterious voice that seems to know him. The scene is set very succinctly with minimal dialogue and exposition, an impressive case of show and not tell.
Immediately after awakening, control is handed over to the player with no further explanation or context. However, this would hook players into continuing, so they can unveil the mysteries hiding inInfamousfor themselves.
2Fist of the North Star: Ken’s Rage
A forgotten PS3 relic of fighting games,Fist of the North Star: Ken’s Ragefeaturesan exciting roster of characters, design, combos, and music, all of which is featured in its opening movie.
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Starting with a beautiful scene of a flower field decaying to a sour piano note, the scene then devolves to a woman plummeting from a building as the heavy guitar riffs kick in. The scene cleverly transitions from her tears to the scars on Kenshiro’s torso, where he readies to battle against Outlaw. The opening is exciting, punchy, and at times beautiful, effectively pulling in the player and readying them for action.
1Prototype
Now lost to the passing of time,Prototypewas a fantastic game that earned itself fans and praise. Players assume the role of Alex Mercer, a complex, layered characterstraddling the line between hero and villain. The opening cinematic hints at his grey-shaded nature with him admitting to the reputation presumed of him, as well as setting the scene for the world.
Now ravaged by a plague, with Alex Mercer as one of its victims, players see a torn urban jungle infested with biomass tendrils and zombie-like creatures. Mercer demonstrates his inhuman abilities such as super-speed, strength, and two spiky arms capable of tearing humans apart. The entire cinematic is shot like a movie, and just as engaging as a major blockbuster hit with action, a thrilling story, and an excellent score.
