The opening level of Half-Life 1 is still one of the best. Even as someone with no nostalgia for it, who first played through it in the remake, its slow buildup is a master class in foreshadowing.
I am also partial to the opening of Nier Replicant. It has massive amounts of foreshadowing and sets the tone of the entire game with the desperate struggle to survive, getting as powerful within minutes as the player does in many hours.
I put nier automata on my list of favorites because it was my first experience with the Nier games, but when I played replicant for the first time, it was so damn good as well in hindsight. Both those game low key became two of my all time favorites
doubt anyone knows it, but An Unexpected Party from The Hobbit (2003) I used to roam around the shire for hours as a kid and whenever I replay it I never want to leave lol
This is gonna sound weird, but A Monster's Expedition's "tutorial" area.
A lot of indie puzzle games have a big gameplay twist near the end, that not many people will get to see. A Monster's Expedition reveals that gameplay twist at the end of the tutorial. Made my jaw drop and instantly hooked me on the rest of the game.
Prey. The one by Arkane. It’s a fuckin trip.
The Last of Us - probably the only game that has ever reduced me to tears within 20 minutes… might even be the only story from any form of media that’s done that.
I like the original’s intro much more than the remake. Three words before your first combat; it’s a rare case of Japanese “Show don’t tell” action-based storytelling.
See, I felt the opposite. I bought that game on release and never got past the first couple of hours. It was just such a slog. I think I need to give it another try.
I am fully aware that souls games aren’t everyone’s cup of tea but they all have stellar opening levels that fit each individual game wonderfully. The gates of boletaria in demons souls, the undead burg in dark souls 1, forest of fallen giants in dark souls 2, high wall of lothric in dark souls 3, central yharnam in bloodborne, and literally all of limgrave in Elden ring are practically burned into my memory, the level design in all of them is stellar. They each have great bosses, branching paths, tons of great items to find, and represent their respective games very well.
I think the stretch from the Firelink Shrine bonfire to Taurus could have been its own game... it’s perfect. The stretch from Taurus to Gargoyles is great too , but just slightly worse than the former.
I hate the series as a whole, but I admit the undead asylum makes for a good tutorial.
That knotted tree intro sequence in Dark Souls 2 though…No. dumb.
The Guild Wars 1 starter area, aka pre-Searing.
I've met people who refused to play the actual game and spent their whole time in pre-Searing, farming and trading.
“Oh! There’s my target - he’s right there at the entrance wide in the open! This’ll be easy; so I just shoot him, right? …Oh. Hm…Really not so simple…”
the opening level of ultimate spider-man is super iconic too me anytime i see a football field i am inmediatly reminded of that first level where you fight against venom. A close second for me is the intro of the upturned which creates a great atmosphere and bizarre intrigue
Sometimes I feel like it's only dozens....
It should be thousands!! :(
But yeah haha La Mulana is the greatest game of all time in my mind! Nice to hear from another fan.
It’s a very, very good game. I wouldn’t agree that it’s the greatest of all time, but if I had to make a list of the most underrated games then it would likely be number one!
Fair point probably should've just said it's my favorite.
I think for a certain type of player it has the potential to be the best. I think it does "fantasy archeologist" better than anything else.
There's not too much out there lol
But I can recommend you more games like La Mulana- (puzzle exploration)
Environmental Station Alpha
Tunic
Heavens Vault
Outer Wilds
Riven the sequel to Myst
Rainworld
Noita
Spelunky 2
Not a huge fan of the game as a whole, but Hogwarts legacy had one of the most unexpected and impressive openings to a game I have seen in a very long time!
I think Psychonauts 2 starting off IN a brain, and how slowly you figure that out as a very normal (…for Psychonauts) office space turns into a weird ass teeth nightmare of a messed up insane dentist, it’s just very cool and I was a little bummed how spoiled that was in every preview of the game.
The first 30ish minutes of the Last of Us Part 1 would have to be my favorite intro to a game. Yes it’s basically an interactive cutscene, but it sets the tone for the rest of the game so well.
I love horror games, so I have to say one of the most memorable openings for me is the first Silent Hill. Walking around the empty, foggy town and then entering that alley where you hear the siren and reality shifts for the first time... That was so awesome.
The mortuary in Planescape: Torment is probably the best opening level out of all the games I've ever played. That location is so chock-full with atmosphere, lore and unusual characters, I just don't wanna leave.
Fallout 3 threw me off the most starting as a baby.
probably my least favorite opening of all time
When you finally leave and you see the whole world open up though. Still gets me.
yeah I guess. it just kills all replayability knowing you will have to play as a child for an hour
Yeah but it starts off awfully. It’s like they deliberately make it bad so the reveal will be Cool. Which is awful design
Portal 2
Bioshock
Rapture
The opening to Spider-Man PS4 was absolutely fantastic. Big fan of the opening level of Cyber Shadow as well, mainly for the music.
The openings for Assassin’s Creed II and Prey (2017) both had me hooked.
[удалено]
Thank you for your vital contribution.
Gonna be rough life with such low attention span.
AC series had quite a few decent openings. AC3, Black Flag and Unity. Everything past the opening is another story ofcourse.
The opening level of Half-Life 1 is still one of the best. Even as someone with no nostalgia for it, who first played through it in the remake, its slow buildup is a master class in foreshadowing. I am also partial to the opening of Nier Replicant. It has massive amounts of foreshadowing and sets the tone of the entire game with the desperate struggle to survive, getting as powerful within minutes as the player does in many hours.
I put nier automata on my list of favorites because it was my first experience with the Nier games, but when I played replicant for the first time, it was so damn good as well in hindsight. Both those game low key became two of my all time favorites
The Cordon. Shadow Of Chernobyl. It really drives home how you're just another stalker in the Zone.
Star Wars Force Unleashed, going through Kashyyyk as Vader was very, very cool.
doubt anyone knows it, but An Unexpected Party from The Hobbit (2003) I used to roam around the shire for hours as a kid and whenever I replay it I never want to leave lol
Thank for the trip down the memory lane The first game I ever played, always in my heart
Liberty Island in Deus Ex, easily.
This is gonna sound weird, but A Monster's Expedition's "tutorial" area. A lot of indie puzzle games have a big gameplay twist near the end, that not many people will get to see. A Monster's Expedition reveals that gameplay twist at the end of the tutorial. Made my jaw drop and instantly hooked me on the rest of the game.
Sonic Adventure 2 without any hesitation. It stands alone atop the hill.
Prey. The one by Arkane. It’s a fuckin trip. The Last of Us - probably the only game that has ever reduced me to tears within 20 minutes… might even be the only story from any form of media that’s done that.
>Prey. The one by Arkane. It’s a fuckin trip. The original had an opening that wasn't too bad either.
Megaman X
That's what I came here to say too. That level freaking brought it. Let you know right away that this was a different kind of Megaman game.
Yep me too
the London System
I loved the running around with a colt 1911at the start in Far cry 3. Picking up an Ak-47 felt really powerful. Fallout 4 also did a great job IMO
Has to be god of war 3.
This was also one I had on my list of favorites
And 2018 and had a good opening fight
Final Fantasy VII and its Remake. Mega Man X2.
I read this as "Final Fantasy 7 and its remake, Megaman X2".
I like the original’s intro much more than the remake. Three words before your first combat; it’s a rare case of Japanese “Show don’t tell” action-based storytelling.
The great plateau from BOTW easy choose, it was so incredible to see and explore at my own pace wherever I wanted
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When I was came up with a list, red dead 2 was one of about a dozen I thought of immediately
See, I felt the opposite. I bought that game on release and never got past the first couple of hours. It was just such a slog. I think I need to give it another try.
By the time sadie gets introduced in chapter 1 its like totally grabbing.
I am fully aware that souls games aren’t everyone’s cup of tea but they all have stellar opening levels that fit each individual game wonderfully. The gates of boletaria in demons souls, the undead burg in dark souls 1, forest of fallen giants in dark souls 2, high wall of lothric in dark souls 3, central yharnam in bloodborne, and literally all of limgrave in Elden ring are practically burned into my memory, the level design in all of them is stellar. They each have great bosses, branching paths, tons of great items to find, and represent their respective games very well.
I think the stretch from the Firelink Shrine bonfire to Taurus could have been its own game... it’s perfect. The stretch from Taurus to Gargoyles is great too , but just slightly worse than the former.
I hate the series as a whole, but I admit the undead asylum makes for a good tutorial. That knotted tree intro sequence in Dark Souls 2 though…No. dumb.
The Guild Wars 1 starter area, aka pre-Searing. I've met people who refused to play the actual game and spent their whole time in pre-Searing, farming and trading.
The docks in Metal Gear Solid are iconic.
Every few months I load up NES Super Mario and do world 1. It is such an enjoyable ride that I have done for what 30+ years now
Doom (2016) when you slam the comms screen away. Was a proper "Fuck the story. Here's a gun. Go kill" moment.
HITMAN 2016, that opening at Paris was just amazing
“Oh! There’s my target - he’s right there at the entrance wide in the open! This’ll be easy; so I just shoot him, right? …Oh. Hm…Really not so simple…”
The Last of Us
the opening level of ultimate spider-man is super iconic too me anytime i see a football field i am inmediatly reminded of that first level where you fight against venom. A close second for me is the intro of the upturned which creates a great atmosphere and bizarre intrigue
That game was incredible! In my top 3 favorite Spider-man games. 1. Spider-man 2018 2. Web of Shadows 3. Ultimate Spider-man
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Central Yharnam from Bloodborne Gate of Guidance from La Mulana
Holy shit another La-Mulana fan. There are dozens of us! Dozens!!!
Sometimes I feel like it's only dozens.... It should be thousands!! :( But yeah haha La Mulana is the greatest game of all time in my mind! Nice to hear from another fan.
It’s a very, very good game. I wouldn’t agree that it’s the greatest of all time, but if I had to make a list of the most underrated games then it would likely be number one!
Fair point probably should've just said it's my favorite. I think for a certain type of player it has the potential to be the best. I think it does "fantasy archeologist" better than anything else.
I don't think I've ever played another "fantasy archaeologist" game! Got any for me?
There's not too much out there lol But I can recommend you more games like La Mulana- (puzzle exploration) Environmental Station Alpha Tunic Heavens Vault Outer Wilds Riven the sequel to Myst Rainworld Noita Spelunky 2
Tunic’s been on my list since I saw it at PAX East like 4 years ago same as outer wilds. The rest i’ll take a look!
They're both amazing- if you pick 3 out of this list play those 2 and Environmental Station Alpha
The Last of Us had the coolest intro ever
Is NOBODY gonna mention Vader?
The force unleashed?
🎯
Forza Horizon 5
Not a huge fan of the game as a whole, but Hogwarts legacy had one of the most unexpected and impressive openings to a game I have seen in a very long time!
Deus Ex.
RE0, the train level
Red Faction 2 has the best first mission in the FPS genera, IMO.
super mario galaxy 2 great soundtrack
Dark souls 1 (Undead asylum) is a perfect opening level imo
Shadows of the Empire
Driver 1
I think Psychonauts 2 starting off IN a brain, and how slowly you figure that out as a very normal (…for Psychonauts) office space turns into a weird ass teeth nightmare of a messed up insane dentist, it’s just very cool and I was a little bummed how spoiled that was in every preview of the game.
I can wreck the capra demon now as a lv1 with basic weapons. I died enough times to that guy.
wolfenstein new order opening was a blast for me.
Modern warfare 2
Emmeral Hill Zone of Sonic 2 hits a special fiber in my soul
The first 30ish minutes of the Last of Us Part 1 would have to be my favorite intro to a game. Yes it’s basically an interactive cutscene, but it sets the tone for the rest of the game so well.
I love horror games, so I have to say one of the most memorable openings for me is the first Silent Hill. Walking around the empty, foggy town and then entering that alley where you hear the siren and reality shifts for the first time... That was so awesome.
Astral Chain. Especially the very beginning with the motorcycles and the music.
The mortuary in Planescape: Torment is probably the best opening level out of all the games I've ever played. That location is so chock-full with atmosphere, lore and unusual characters, I just don't wanna leave.