What is your favorite video game intro?

[S@tanicoaldo]

What is your favorite video game intro?

I really like Dark souls cinematic intro but I have to say the best one in my opinion is the Soul calibur III intro. The best game in the series and so epic and dramatic.

It could very well be a intro for a RPG

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d282VuRIvQU

[Choyrt]

Icewind Dale. I literally thought of it instantly. My god, what a great introduction!
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4doBkbcmuSg)

[Toastkart]

Those are both good ones, but not much can compare to the atmosphere of the opening of Planescape: Torment (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgqX82-HRYE).

[Tengu_temp]

A single intro? Hoo boy, that's a tough choice - so many good options to choose from!

But I'll probably go with Namco x Capcom (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eanxcTWC75A). I love this style of animation, the song is pretty great, and it's very intense and gets you pumped for the game.

[Hiro Protagonest]

The opening credits of Octodad: Dadliest Catch. :smalltongue:

And while it's not an intro, Sang-Froid: Tales of Werewolves is the only game to have a great loading screen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMGC6JHEpEA).

[GolemsVoice]

Intros. Intros never change (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dquq8DABdw8)

However, the second game has the better "War. War never changes" narration, with the gem "Spears of nuclear fire rained from the skies. Continents were swallowed in flames and fell beneath the boiling oceans. Humanity was almost extinguished, their spirits becoming part of the background radiation that blanketed the earth. A quiet darkness fell across the planet, lasting many years."


That's just incredible.

[Tengu_temp]

And while it's not an intro, Sang-Froid: Tales of Werewolves is the only game to have a great loading screen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMGC6JHEpEA).

Civ disagrees! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-54ZeOraes)
(Not Baba Yetu, surprisingly.)

[KillianHawkeye]

I always thought Master of Orion 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpeBD86U8dk) had a great intro movie. Not only is there a pretty badass speech, but it also visually explains everything that happened since MoO 2.

[Zevox]

Hm, I don't know that I have a single favorite one. I honestly skip most of them most of the time, and even those I do see often don't stand out to me.

I think Persona 3's (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzHpCOPsVbo) is unusually memorable for me. Partly because of the music, partly because of how trippy it is, partly because in retrospect is actually sort of tells you what happens in the end.

Then of course there's Super Smash Brothers: Brawl's (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wq7ReYOLrP0), which is just epic, especially with the actual latin song.

Oh, and who can forget Donkey Kong 64's (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4xWB4M5QPI)? It's just so silly you can't help but enjoy it. :smallsmile:

[Fri]

Wild Arms 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-5WOV2YRGU) Intro. Accept no substitute.

[Grif]

The one game that introduced me to World War 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tb8PQXPOkCc).

[Poison_Fish]

Oh Yes. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zStn70Ot4r0)

Also Deus Ex: HR's trailer theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6nn98QR9I0) was quite good.

[A Rainy Knight]

I'm really fond of the opening to Atelier Meruru. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdVCKkgV5TY) Something about it just really captures that atmosphere of whimsy and friendship and adventure that I love about the game. Every time I start it up, I find myself watching the whole opening again.

[BobVosh]

Nostalgia makes me say KKND Xtreme. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIyVxDZnHrQ)

[Hiro Protagonest]

Civ disagrees! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-54ZeOraes)
(Not Baba Yetu, surprisingly.)

I know other games have pretty good loading screen music, I have Crusader Kings II (although the reason I don't like that loading screen is because I have to look at it for about three minutes straight, and the first half it won't let me alt-tab out), but it's more just background music.

[MLai]

Intro to Suikoden 3.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLcaFpp9N_w

I've never played the game. But after watching the intro and reading about the plot of the game, I wish it's an anime. The only thing that mars it are the Donald Duck people. Get rid of them, and any other cutesy mascot races, and it's perfect.

And music by Himekami is great.

[factotum]

Got to be Magic Carpet (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WzhJ9tPeEo) for me. It looks pretty primitive these days, but I think it's still awesome!

[Landis963]

Ooh, I'm torn.

There's the Dark Souls (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylFzJ3wRgHw) intro, but that's heavy on the lore stuff and that could fly right over someone's head.

However, I think my absolute favorite has to be the DX:HR intro, starting from the throwback conspiracy scene (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZc3gSGf23k) leading all the way to the title cutscene (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xi89lLqOEUo).

[The_Jackal]

I have to go for Borderlands 2. Cool, funny and great music.

[Choyrt]

Oh my god so many good suggestions here.

[Cespenar]

Rome: Total War (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvZWOG8QkOg), obviously. All with in-game graphics no less.

[Winthur]

Black Moon Chronicles (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8QXXB1Kt3E) has a pretty awesome one.

So does Starcraft: Brood War. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GMOTrIjVao)

[BeerMug Paladin]

This has always been my favorite game intro (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AMw89H-Yjs). Something about it has just always made things seem epic, mysterious and yet, almost hopeless. It tells you the situation, but all it really means is you're probably going to hopelessly outmatched. Showing up 20 years late to a war? Yeah...

[Sylthia]

I'm rather fond of many of the Tales of intros. Ring a Bell in Tales of Vesperia is my favorite.

[erikun]

I didn't see it mentioned, so I'll put out Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DOKzTHaPfM) here. And if you're fine with text scrolls, Ogre Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MilFCISsW_g) is a nice one as well.

[NEO|Phyte]

Homeworld (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrW4jkQdmjI).

[Martok]

Birth of the Federation's introduction (http://youtu.be/J07qPcDApyM) remains my favorite, with second place going to the original Shogun Total War's intro (http://youtu.be/bXby75cye0Y).





Rome: Total War (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvZWOG8QkOg), obviously. All with in-game graphics no less.
While I didn't care for the game itself, I have to admit the opening was awesome.

[Farix]

Going full nostalgia here and gonna say its a toss up between the seriousness of G-Police (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4FrYesnQKY) and the funk of Interstate 76 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JCGZFQZkdc).

[Drasius]

How Dawn of War (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFkFo5SBx-g) hasn't been mentioned yet astounds me.

Same goes for Total Annihilation (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6mZZiI4ShQ), such epic music.

[Avilan the Grey]

Witcher 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZcsNE6wCHI) had a great intro. (Haven't played the rest).

Warhammer 4k intro (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJU5kUj6Puo) as well (better than the second).

Edit: Ninjad. :smallsmile:

[BlackSheep]

I really liked the way Half-Life made its intro interactive.

[Winthur]

I really liked the way Half-Life made its intro interactive.

Except when you're a 6 year old Polish man when you see this game for the irst time and having played Doom, Quake and Duke Nukem before which just put you into action and don't ask questions, you sit in this wagon while the voice is talking something incomprehensible and the segment seems to never end and you are like "K***a, this game sucks".

Now I like the game but I admit that having to go through the intro sequence upon every replay gets tedious.

[GloatingSwine]

Same goes for Total Annihilation (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6mZZiI4ShQ), such epic music.

Jeremy Soule never disappoints.

Anyway, if you had an Amiga, or knew anyone who did, This (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qw2W_Ap7m2k) was the king of the intros back in the day.

[Wraith]

Too many to choose just one. Top 5 be okay? :smalltongue:

"You are... And always will be.... a puppet...." (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DV_26f7-4E)


"Fithos. Luseth. Vithos. Venoset." (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q09quI356sQ) (Primarily for the music, but... eh.)

"Last I knew,I had trapped you for all eternity in a little place called Cania." (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3FlC1-HNos)

"Execute Request Order ADEPTUS ASTARTES ULTRA. Response Incoming...." (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qeNasdgBFU)

And of course:
"No! I can still save her!" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGD4OBSHBKc)

[groz_nez]

I love the intro to RAGE (especially the music), although the game isn't nearly as good as the intro.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZH_fTVwAgw

[Kudaku]

How Dawn of War (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFkFo5SBx-g) hasn't been mentioned yet astounds me.

I was about to post this one. While the actual storyline in the DoW games is at times... Uneven... That intro nails the feel of the game perfectly.

Personally I think I have to add the Battlefield 2142 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CintJYMqCbU) intro, though that might be in part because I have so many good memories tied up to it.

[Balain]

This will be hard.... I liked Wild arms 2 which was mentioned. But not my favourite...Same with Half Life.

Ni No Kuni (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tx1CtPx_vE) Was pretty darn good but long.

When it came out Ultima 6 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tccQXVrRRZE)Was awesome.

Then Ultima 7 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOlfENTbCVk) Came out and it too was awesome for the time. Not to mention the box was so simple and so awesome.

Wing Commander 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=he4G-TYh2CM) was also awesome.

Lands of Lore (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2np-2ZpbIoQ) with Patrick Stewart...Awesome.

The Gran Turismo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_pd935nAA4) intros were great, as was Need For Speed Hot pursuit 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdPFQafaYxY)

Sid Meier's Pirates (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzvbtZqDo2I) Awesome.

Hellgate London (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usouR9WV9OE) Was pretty Cool

The peasants (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QohuuqOtv54) always make me laugh, and This (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnDljhkO5jQ) was good.

Ufo enemy Unknown (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX0Cm3N_n6k) Simple but great.

Can't forget Day of The Tentacle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vJioAZ1oIY) or The Horde (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_KWkPl6-zs)

But the all time greatest is Double Dunk (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gA3qJLUMfVM)....Just kidding

[mistformsquirrl]

I always liked the Mark of Chaos (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3pOljQqvX8) intro myself.

I don't really have a favorite intro though; there's too many good ones out there.

[Grif]

Oh, I forgot this one.

Rise of Legends (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvXF3oGy-iE).

[Yora]

Not sure if it's my favorite, but as introducing the setup and context of the game goes, I think it's hard to beat Mass Effect 2. If you played the first game a few years or month earlier.

It does a perfect job introdcing the new villain as very dangerous and giving you a reason to hate them even though you know practically nothing about them, and it explains why ally with your shady new "friends" and why you have to start all over again assembling your team.
Making players care about a villain is hard, and ME2 really does it perfectly.

I also do have a very high fondness for the openings of FreeSpace 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJ-xcgBL1mY) and FreeSpace 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khIWdolT9xY). The opening of 1 is brilliant and the one of 2 gives you a tease of how awesome massive battles could be. And then the game actually delivers battles that are just as awesome looking. (Which at the time was rather unusual, space combat games were always much more plain looking than the cutscenes.)

And I just love the opening of Metal Gear Solid 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifPZsRgJIXE).
Special Mention to MGS3, which does the opening cinematic only after the first level, in true James Bond fashion. :smallbiggrin:

[Tengu_temp]

Except when you're a 6 year old Polish man when you see this game for the irst time and having played Doom, Quake and Duke Nukem before which just put you into action and don't ask questions, you sit in this wagon while the voice is talking something incomprehensible and the segment seems to never end and you are like "K***a, this game sucks".

Now I like the game but I admit that having to go through the intro sequence upon every replay gets tedious.

You played all those games when you were 6? Hoo boy, I'm not sure they're appropriate for a kid this young.

But then, I played the original X-Com/Ufo at age 8, so I'm one to talk.

[Winthur]

You played all those games when you were 6? Hoo boy, I'm not sure they're appropriate for a kid this young.

But then, I played the original X-Com/Ufo at age 8, so I'm one to talk.

One of my earliest memories is running away scared from Kabal's fatality in MK3. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0So_fD4SYmo)

[ShinyRocks]

I always loved the intro to Sudeki (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAKvSXdNhv4) on the Xbox. The game itself not great, but it's so stylish, and sets the scene perfectly. We need more shadow puppets in things.

And Resident Evil Code Veronica really impressed me. For a Dreamcast game, it looked amazing. And Claire's a total badass. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0MNzy2eV7I)

[factotum]

and FreeSpace 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khIWdolT9xY).

It's a great intro--the only real problem with it is that it spoils the existence of the Colossus, which is something you're not supposed to find out until some way into the plot! :smallwink:

[Iruka]

The nostalgia award goes to Monkey Island (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFVX7louz1I), but the one intro I watched again and again, just because I liked it so much, is that of Hexplore (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbZ5NjYZfG4).

[Thiel]

I've watched Kingdom Hearts II's intro more times than I care to count. Final Fantasy X's was pretty nice as well.
The opening to the original Baldurs Gate rocked eleven year old me's socks back in 1999, but that's mostly nostalgia.

[RedBeardJim]

Not sure if it's my favorite, but as introducing the setup and context of the game goes, I think it's hard to beat Mass Effect 2. If you played the first game a few years or month earlier.

It's a good one, but I prefer the intro to the original Mass Effect myself.

Well....what about Shepard? (http://www.youtube.com./watch?v=5tBFPy8sauw)

And then the first flyby of the Normandy, and the way the music starts ramping up as Shep walks through the CIC, culminating in the first relay jump. Just an awesome way to introduce a new universe.

[Abemad]

At the moment I really like the intro to Sins of a Solar Empire (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn54lCOq6pI) - it really adds a lot to an otherwise bland, but epic rts :smallsmile:

[Gecks]

I'll second the original UFO: Enemy Unknown intro, though my favorite was always the System Shock 2 intro (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dQp8gv2KBw) (didn't see it if anyone else mentioned it).

Not sure how it will play to this crowd, but I have a real soft spot for the NHL 99 intro sequence (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkdKksI_Fhk) as well.

[Telok]

I will always have a soft spot for the first Dungeon Keeper intro.

Mechwarrior2: Mercenaries was pretty good too.

[Avilan the Grey]

I will always have a soft spot for the first Dungeon Keeper intro.

OOhh Forgot that one!

[Gamerlord]

I'm not sure I would say it's my favorite (Played too many games to say for sure), but I've always really liked the intro of the first Empire Earth, (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mEkVBOKx6Y) which I haven't seen anyone mention yet.

[T-Mick]

Metal Arms: Glitch in the System (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUuow-ygJUo) is a good one.

[Thiyr]

I particularly enjoy both versions of the intro to Freelancer. Short version (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHAPSs5XrSQ) is some interesting background with a minor side-thing spoiler, long version (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsWPFUzxgRU)is a huge plot spoiler, but it still worked imo.

[ArlEammon]

Lufia Fortress Of Doom Intro (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_-cTlvOj0o)

For bonus points, in Lufia one, you play through the intro as your ancestor and his friends, in their final battle with their arch enemies.

[Brookshw]

Lot of great ones so far. I'm throwing the bioshocks out there, especially the thirds foreshadowing.

[Abemad]

Farcry3 Blood Dragon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FG7E9gQDIE) is all kinds of retro awesome :D even though the game is a bit silly ;)

[Gandariel]

Starcraft II: Heart of the Swarm has a pretty awesome intro:

I... am the SWARM! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVbeoSPqRs4)

[Avilan the Grey]

Starcraft II: Heart of the Swarm has a pretty awesome intro:

I... am the SWARM! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVbeoSPqRs4)

Agreed. Blizzard, in general, are amazing.

[DigoDragon]

It is hard to pick just one!

I love the intro for Fallout 3. The narration is great, but the best part is when you hear the old radio playing "I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire" and it zooms out to the wasteland.

Wild Arms 3 has a really beautiful animated into sequence. Catchy song too (A little more the English version since I can sing to that one).

Another good one I liked a lot is the intro for Final Fantasy VI. The little history narration part is okay, but I really like when it gets to the part of the three magitek armors marching through the snow toward Narshe. The music just makes it seem so epic.


In fact, I think what all the good intros I like have in common is the music used for them. Seems to be what makes the difference.

[The Succubus]

"Imprisoned for ten thousand years..."

"Banished from my own homeland..."

"And now you dare enter my realm..."



"You are not prepared."


Say what you like about Blizzard, when it comes to cinematics, they are solid. WotLK comes a close second.

[Gandariel]

We could make a tournament :D

With votes, random pairings, etc.

Who's up for it?

[GungHo]

Depending on how willing you are to grow the concept of "intro"... Saints Row 3 (bank heist) and 4 (White House invasion) were awesome.

[mangosta71]

Mechwarrior2: Mercenaries was pretty good too.
Short and sweet. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4JvnQXv9UY) It's a beautiful setup for the rest of the game.

[ArlEammon]

Of course, who can forget this?

Deadly Alliance (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWvkOvJynF4)

[Thiyr]

Starcraft II: Heart of the Swarm has a pretty awesome intro:

I... am the SWARM! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVbeoSPqRs4)

A solid choice, though I prefer the Starcrafts HotS opening (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBSmo4JW4mk).

[Svata]

As was mentioned, Planescape: Torment, Dark Souls, and Fallout 3 all have amazing intros, as do ME 1 and 2. Not sure what else to mention...

[Farix]

Say what you like about Blizzard, when it comes to cinematics, they are solid. WotLK comes a close second.

I'd swap the two personally, TBC might have been the better expansion but WOTLK's intro (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCr7y4SLhck) was awesome, especially for those who played WC3.


Going into MMO intro cinematics, the three from The Old Republic: Return (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm4JEZudf0c), Hope (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAkcolVxDy0), and Deceived (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdgmH9Vv2-I) in particular are phenomenal. Might be pushing the definition of intro a bit but they do play before you create a character.

[Kislath]

Star Trek TNG: A Final Unity
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5YnZI1T83E

Is a really good one. The game starts just like an episode of the TV show, with a gripping bit of suspenseful action.

[Yora]

I'd swap the two personally, TBC might have been the better expansion but WOTLK's intro (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCr7y4SLhck) was awesome, especially for those who played WC3.

That one has great style.

"One day you shall be king, and inspire the strength of your people." :smallbiggrin:

[ChaosArchon]

This is from awhile so it might be nostalgia but I loved the opening cinematic for WC3. Also the opening for Starcraft 2 WoL was pretty awesome too.

Oh and also the Deceived intro trailer for SWTOR was fairly epic to me.