Your favorite opening movies/cutscenes
- Thread starter Joker
- Start date
Rydeen
In-KWEH-dible
I removed my thanks so that I could thank this post twice.
Jason Tandro
Banned
- AKA
- Jason Tandro, Doc Brown, Santa Christ, FearAddict, Thibault Stormrunner, RN: Micah Rodney
Best Opening Cutscenes In Gaming
Digging up a nostalgic treat for my sister's birthday from the annals of Youtube got me thinking about a subject that I think would be great for conversation. Badass openings to video games - specifically opening cutscenes or pre-title demo reels. Stuff that gets you amped up to play the game, not the game itself.
My favorite ones are more in the vein of badass hype fests versus the slower and more dignified openings. Yes Ocarina of Time has one of the most beautifully serene and nostalgic title screens of all time, and it can excite you to play a game in its own way. But for me, I lean more towards the action-packed side of the spectrum.
Here's a few of my favorites:
Final Fantasy X
Appropriate to start with a Final Fantasy one. This one I'm cheating a little bit because it's technically not the opening cutscene. It is however the first FMV of the game, and is the first bit of the game I ever saw (thanks to my PS2 demo disk). It's just such an intense opening with the awesomeness of Blitzball displayed to its full potential all while the slightly creepy antics of Auron are going on in the background. And need I even mention that fucking song? Badass. It's almost as badass as...
Final Fantasy VIII
How do you prove to your fans that you've mastered the graphics and sound potential of the Playstation? This opening. This three-minute behemoth which showcases not only key scenes from the game, but also an astounding fast-paced duel between two of the main characters in the game all set to that timpani and latin choir. If you have a choice between metal and choir, I prefer choir every day of the week. Just an absolutely gorgeous opening.
Soul Blade (Soul Edge)
Taking a step away from Final Fantasy and this will be my last one for right now, so others can get their word in EDGEWISE. SEE WHAT I DID THERE, SOUL EDGE PUN. Okay.
Soul Edge, and its PSone port which for some reason was renamed Soul Blade, opened with this incredible demo reel. This may be my absolute favorite opening of any video game ever, and I know that's a high claim... If you have not seen this. If you have, you'll get why, but for those of you who haven't watch it.
First off that song. God damn that Synth Rock bit of glory blends rock with orchestra especially a wailing violin conveying both the intensity of battle and the majesty of the games environments. Then you've got the story within the story told by these images, showcasing the world in all its glory, from Gothic castles to Japanese temples and the vast canyons of Southwest America. You get a feel for each characters fighting style, personality and even struggles within just a few seconds of screen time each.
As a bonus, you also get a bit of obligatory Sophitia nudity which I have to say while there wasn't that much was a rather provocative choice for the opening to a game, especially considering this played in an arcade where teens and kids were often seen hanging about. This also displayed some impressive graphics for the time, really making the environments pop. The cutscene perfectly conveys the beginning of a quest to me in a way that very few openings can claim to have accomplished.
Also, 1:54. That's the moment the opening goes from having me entranced in the awesomeness to absolutely jittery with bloodlust eagerly ready to kick some ass.
Yes, Soul Blade / Soul Edge was a touch buggy and tough to control. It wasn't the fighting game we needed, but it had the opening we deserved.
Digging up a nostalgic treat for my sister's birthday from the annals of Youtube got me thinking about a subject that I think would be great for conversation. Badass openings to video games - specifically opening cutscenes or pre-title demo reels. Stuff that gets you amped up to play the game, not the game itself.
My favorite ones are more in the vein of badass hype fests versus the slower and more dignified openings. Yes Ocarina of Time has one of the most beautifully serene and nostalgic title screens of all time, and it can excite you to play a game in its own way. But for me, I lean more towards the action-packed side of the spectrum.
Here's a few of my favorites:
Final Fantasy X
Appropriate to start with a Final Fantasy one. This one I'm cheating a little bit because it's technically not the opening cutscene. It is however the first FMV of the game, and is the first bit of the game I ever saw (thanks to my PS2 demo disk). It's just such an intense opening with the awesomeness of Blitzball displayed to its full potential all while the slightly creepy antics of Auron are going on in the background. And need I even mention that fucking song? Badass. It's almost as badass as...
Final Fantasy VIII
How do you prove to your fans that you've mastered the graphics and sound potential of the Playstation? This opening. This three-minute behemoth which showcases not only key scenes from the game, but also an astounding fast-paced duel between two of the main characters in the game all set to that timpani and latin choir. If you have a choice between metal and choir, I prefer choir every day of the week. Just an absolutely gorgeous opening.
Soul Blade (Soul Edge)
Taking a step away from Final Fantasy and this will be my last one for right now, so others can get their word in EDGEWISE. SEE WHAT I DID THERE, SOUL EDGE PUN. Okay.
Soul Edge, and its PSone port which for some reason was renamed Soul Blade, opened with this incredible demo reel. This may be my absolute favorite opening of any video game ever, and I know that's a high claim... If you have not seen this. If you have, you'll get why, but for those of you who haven't watch it.
First off that song. God damn that Synth Rock bit of glory blends rock with orchestra especially a wailing violin conveying both the intensity of battle and the majesty of the games environments. Then you've got the story within the story told by these images, showcasing the world in all its glory, from Gothic castles to Japanese temples and the vast canyons of Southwest America. You get a feel for each characters fighting style, personality and even struggles within just a few seconds of screen time each.
As a bonus, you also get a bit of obligatory Sophitia nudity which I have to say while there wasn't that much was a rather provocative choice for the opening to a game, especially considering this played in an arcade where teens and kids were often seen hanging about. This also displayed some impressive graphics for the time, really making the environments pop. The cutscene perfectly conveys the beginning of a quest to me in a way that very few openings can claim to have accomplished.
Also, 1:54. That's the moment the opening goes from having me entranced in the awesomeness to absolutely jittery with bloodlust eagerly ready to kick some ass.
Yes, Soul Blade / Soul Edge was a touch buggy and tough to control. It wasn't the fighting game we needed, but it had the opening we deserved.
Claymore
3x3 Eyes
I couldn't have put it more beautifully. You clearly summed up why I absolutely love the opening to Soul Blade, and it's one of my fondest memories. It's that lightning in a bottle, somehow managing to capture the perfect blend of visuals and music that still sends a shiver down my spine to this day, effectively getting you pumped for the showdown that is about to take place. I love the character introductions and the story set perfectly to the changing music.
I would completely back you up on it being one of the best openings to a game ever.
You've taken my answer so I'm at a little loss as to another that I would nominate here.
Splintered
unsavory tart
Hm, well at the top of my head, I always love the Kingdom Hearts openings. Even with the pop music openings I generally am not fond of, it was catchy with the surreal scenes, and it's fun to later go back and see what they all mean. It's just really well done. Most of the KH openings apply to what I said, but the first one is special because it has that one moment where Sora falls after watching himself fall from the sky... and it was pretty cool
Street Fighter IV's opening. How do you get people excited for a revival of one of the most influential games?
Damn, that's really awesome to look at. Also really confusing sometimes, but mostly pretty. Also when the music switches, that's pretty great too.
I've said it before, but I place VIII and XII's opening really high up there. VIII because Liberi Fatali and the scenes are gorgeous.
XII because it's a story in its own right, a perfect way to introduce your setting, characters, and dilemma. It's sad that it is more epic than most of the game now that I think about it, since you're task is to prevent war, but still, it just is a wonderfully made opening.
SPEAKING of games that start you in a battle but then never go back to war
Lost Odyssey stands out because the design (armor design, not Kaim he looks ridiculous), a competent hero, and a pretty fantastic explosion with Kaim just looking out in the battlefield and getting swallowed in by it.
There's a lot of openings from Playstation that I remember with fondness, but they're mostly remixes of cutscenes, like Chrono Cross and Parasite Eve.
Street Fighter IV's opening. How do you get people excited for a revival of one of the most influential games?
Damn, that's really awesome to look at. Also really confusing sometimes, but mostly pretty. Also when the music switches, that's pretty great too.
I've said it before, but I place VIII and XII's opening really high up there. VIII because Liberi Fatali and the scenes are gorgeous.
XII because it's a story in its own right, a perfect way to introduce your setting, characters, and dilemma. It's sad that it is more epic than most of the game now that I think about it, since you're task is to prevent war, but still, it just is a wonderfully made opening.
SPEAKING of games that start you in a battle but then never go back to war
Lost Odyssey stands out because the design (armor design, not Kaim he looks ridiculous), a competent hero, and a pretty fantastic explosion with Kaim just looking out in the battlefield and getting swallowed in by it.
There's a lot of openings from Playstation that I remember with fondness, but they're mostly remixes of cutscenes, like Chrono Cross and Parasite Eve.
Joker
We have come to terms
- AKA
- Godot
Also, I really love this, especially the music.
Last edited:
Hisako
消えないひさ&#
- AKA
- Satsu, BRIAN BLESSED, MIGHTY AND WISE Junpei Iori: Ace Detective, Maccaffrickstonson von Lichtenstafford Frabenschnaben, Polite Krogan, Robert Baratheon
I loathe the opening narrative in Max Payne 3 because it basically shits over Max Payne 2 to validate its existence 
Running on pure nostalgia and the power of NAMCO GOD-TIER CGI
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty also had some god-tier cutscenes (HotS was a little weaker) and cinematography:
That ran on nostalgia fuel too!
Running on pure nostalgia and the power of NAMCO GOD-TIER CGI
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty also had some god-tier cutscenes (HotS was a little weaker) and cinematography:
That ran on nostalgia fuel too!
Last edited:
Lex
Administrator
Also, I really love this, especially the music.
I'll merge the threads, I was sure we'd had one of these before XD
You just reminded me of
Which might be the first CG opening I ever laid eyes on. I used to reset the console just to watch it (I was 6, gimme a break).
EDIT: Threads merged
Last edited:
Joker
We have come to terms
- AKA
- Godot
I really love the Demon's Souls one, if for nothing else than the really epic music.
ps onimusha 3 best opening ever? very possibly
Alex Strife
Ex-SOLDIER
For some reason, I've always liked Resonance of Fate's opening...
ForceStealer
Double Growth
Speaking of...
I don't give a wooden nickel about your legacy!
I don't give a wooden nickel about your legacy!
Kuja9001
Ooooh Salty!
- AKA
- roxas9001, Krat0s9001, DarkSlayerZero
Geostigma
Pro Adventurer
- AKA
- gabe
The over all expansion was over all pretty terrible , outside of some really well done raid mechanics here and there.
That said the cinematic Blizzard made for Warlords of Draenor is so fucking good.
The premise from a lore perspective is bonkers as fuck , but as far as "what if" scenarios go it's pretty nice to see a company have the balls to try and play one out in their main game.
While I'm still on a blizzard kick actually, not an intro but bad ass none the less
Spoilers on this one
edit:
fuck it might as well toss in RoS intro lol
That said the cinematic Blizzard made for Warlords of Draenor is so fucking good.
The premise from a lore perspective is bonkers as fuck , but as far as "what if" scenarios go it's pretty nice to see a company have the balls to try and play one out in their main game.
While I'm still on a blizzard kick actually, not an intro but bad ass none the less
Spoilers on this one
edit:
fuck it might as well toss in RoS intro lol
Last edited:
Cthulhu
Administrator
- AKA
- Yop
Diablo 3's cinematics are awesome and I really hope Blizzard keeps making them, they're like the rewards you get for playing - it was the same for Starcraft and the pre-PS3 era FF games (post-PS3 they became in-engine cutscenes, unfortunately - that, or they became indiscernible from the regular stuff. Contrast? That's the word. FFX and XII didn't have fully voice acted stuff yet (iirc)).