Board 8 > Jesse Ranks Video Game Intros - The Rankings

(+) Yeah! (+)

Sorry about whatever happened though.

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I would love to see the top write-ups, but take care of yourself first, I always say.

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Thanks for understanding, everyone. I dont mean to be so mysterious, I just havent been feeling well physically lately and I didnt want to go into much detail about it. Hopefully its all due to stress, which theres been a lot of thanks to a job assignment (which I regret taking on). I actually do feel like I could use a good project as a diversion right now, but this one wasnt doing it for me.

While there were some fantastic intros near the top of the list, and very few intros I actually disliked, I felt like there were a lot of intros where I had nothing worthwhile to say because you have to know something about the game for them to mean anything. And before I took a long pause with this, I had at least 30 more write-ups to get through that were all going to say pretty much the same thing.

Anyway, so long as people dont mind me skipping to the stuff I really liked, Im game to give it a try.

OK

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I don't think people should fault you/anyone for not sinking energy into something if they aren't getting anything out of it.
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I guess Ill resume with #20 and see how this goes.

20. Chrono Trigger (PS1) - DomaDragoon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1Sb9CZEz9A

Somehow despite being a huge fan of this game on the SNES and having played it through more times than I can count, I had never seen this sequence before. Admittedly Im doubtful this intro would have ranked nearly as high if I didnt know the game so well, since its tough to get much of a sense of the plot or characters from it. But this intro really leans into the nostalgia factor, starting with a photograph of the characters that makes me feel like Im looking at a picture of old friends. And then that sweeping theme song kicks in at around 0:50, which immediately brings back so many memories.

One aspect of the game that clearly comes across from the intro is the theme of time travel, as we see the years rapidly turning backward and forward with the movement of a clock. The action sequences that follow are well animated, and at least most of the time, manage to avoid looking like an episode of Dragon Ball. Some of these clips do a better job than others of bringing out the personalities of the characters, such as the part where we see Magus in the moonlight giving an unsettling smile.

I do think the intro is lacking in story overall, but like I said, that hardly matters if youve played the game before.

And because Ive kept everyone waiting for so long, Ill put up one more tonight.

19. Metal Gear Solid 3 - FBike1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mx76RGHbfms

Im sure Im not the first person to make this observation, but as I watch this intro, I keep thinking its the start of a Bond movie. In fact, Id go so far as to say the theme song managed to out-Bond the songs for most Bond intros, and Im surprised the singer Cynthia Harrell hasnt been asked to do one of those movies yet. Shes clearly a talented vocalist, and this is an excellent song.

Music aside, this intro has great production values on par with a movie, which still look good around 15 years later. I really liked the visual effect where you see the continents of the world distorting in shape as they converge, and then blowing around like leaves in the wind. Even something as typically dull as the credits seems intriguing the way the words scroll across the screen.

But my favorite aspect of the intro is the montage of newspapers of major historical events during the Cold War, which gives the sequence context as grounded in reality. That tells me this isnt purely some game about taking out a bunch of bad guys, but will also have a captivating story with societal ramifications. And since a good plot is something I look for in a video game, that definitely makes me want to play it (believe it or not, I have yet to play a Metal Gear Solid game).

Overall, this is a great intro that gives you a feel for what the game is about without giving away anything too important about the plot.

18. Stardew Valley (through 2:42) - MetalmindStats
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PunlIGPlRYA

I have long had a fondness for narratives about alienation caused by modern society, especially with regard to tedious work in an office cubicle. I am a believer that humans were never meant to spend most of their waking hours hunched over a computer indoors working away for a paycheck just to afford some pleasant diversion that makes it seem worthwhile as the years pass by.

So its probably no surprise this intro speaks to me, with its darkly humorous depiction of an office that treats its workers like expendable machines. We see a green light illuminated next to the word work, with a separate light for rest. The view scrolls by cubicles, one of which is empty with the word terminated prominently displayed, and even a skeleton collapsed at one of the cubicles. And it in this context we see the main character read the letter given to her by her grandfather, which he once told her not to open until the day she feels crushed by the burden of modern life. I feel like I probably would have opened the letter much sooner than XX Years later, but I digress. That act of opening the letter and learning of the farm sets in motion the plot of the game as an escape, and its an excellent way to establish the premise.

One minor gripe I had with the sequence is the bus ride seems kind of unnecessary. I think that segment could have been more interesting if we saw the background scenery change and become more rustic along the way, but that surely would have been difficult to depict in such a short time. Nevertheless, it does leave me intrigued to see more of Stardew Valley.

Been seeing a lot of Stardew Valley stuff lately. Bro's been playing tons too.

You do have a ranking of the rest right? Even without write ups it'd be nice to see where everything landed.

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pjbasis posted...

You do have a ranking of the rest right? Even without write ups it'd be nice to see where everything landed.

Yeah. I could post a complete list of ranking order when I get done with #1.

Glad to see at least the top 20 being done. I can understand not wanting to spend so much time on the "meh" intros.

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Don't know how I missed this. Sad nobody nominated FFX, FFIV DS, New Vegas, Halo 2+3 or Bioshock. Hopefully FFVIII is still in the top 20!

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Sorry to hear about your condition, hopefully it'll get better soon.

Also, regarding my noms which have dropped
AoE2 - It has a longer version and I considered nominating that one and I'm glad I didn't now. And I always felt the animation is decent enough, even for its time.
Tales of Abyss - Aw, that was one of my favorite songs! And I actually nominated it mostly for the song. Different strokes, etc.

And hype for the top 20!


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17. Darkest Dungeon - Pirateking2000
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlRBzoKN4NY

I confess that I kind of disliked this intro the first time I watched it, but it really grew on me the second time around and each time thereafter. I think the narrators unusual manner of speaking threw me initially, but once I got used to it, I realized it actually makes his story seem all the more captivating. And its far more interesting than the bland narrators we get on so many other intros.

The visuals have a distinctive style that worked well to depict the events written in the letter. I like the way the scenes are generally presented as dark and dreary in appearance, while blood red is the one color that consistently stands out through the sequence.

But my favorite element of this intro is the writing. You dont get a lot of video games with lines like I lived all my years in that ancient, rumor shadowed manor, fattened by decadence and luxury - and yet I began to tire of conventional extravagance. Even aside from the narrator's powerful voice, the vivid language is extremely descriptive. And the intro had such an unexpected and dramatic ending with the narrator choosing to shoot himself once he had finished writing the letter.

Overall, this was a very effective and memorable intro.

16. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker - pyersword
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCKUR_XBNYk

Generally, an intro thats all backstory told through text with still pictures doesnt make for that interesting an intro. But it works so well here by presenting each screen like its a scroll passed down from generation to generation retelling an iconic mythology.

In fact, Link is depicted as a legend from long ago, with boys dressing in green to emulate him. And Link certainly feels plucked from an iconic mythology in this intro when he first appears along with a wonderful rendition of the classic Zelda theme. I also like the way that triumphant song slowly fades away to sorrowful music when the story chronicles the return of Ganon.

I feel I should have much more to say about this one given its high placement, but I dont really. I just very much liked the overall presentation.

Should I do one more tonight even though its late and I should be sleeping? Yes, I think I will.

15. Dead Space - Murphiroth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmNEXtaEc9Q

Holy shit, this is a creepy intro. I really like the sense of isolation you get from the clips of space, with the eerie echo effect on the vocals of the classic nursery rhyme. But I was not prepared for what comes next in this intro.

Despite its unsettling tone, Twinkle Twinkle lulls you into thinking the intro will have a slow-paced tone before it suddenly hits you with that intense static distortion noise, along with the visuals of some horrific scene (which is so fleeting its tough to understand exactly whats going on). Then you cant help but wait anxiously for it to happen again as the song resumes (accompanied by visuals of the devastation left behind inside the ship). And that static part happens with increasing frequency until an almost overpowering prolonged sequence with the most horrifying visuals of all. Finally the intro ends perfectly with Twinkle Twinkle once more, a song thats tough to ever hear the same way again.

While Im generally not a fan of jump scare horror, and I think this qualifies, the transition between the quiet and loud parts, and the way it builds up makes this work quite brilliantly. I also liked the details of the words written in blood on the wall, which suggests what has taken place on the ship without having seen it all take place. If I have any criticism of this intro, its that they didnt need to go as heavy on the gore near the end, since your mind pretty effectively fills in the details. But its a great intro overall for a genre that doesnt easily tend to grab my interest.

Dead Space's Twinkle Twinkle is so good.

14. The Binding Of Isaac - PrinceKaro
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UvCYpmsfNE

This intro makes me really sad. If theres one thing that bothers me most of all in movies, TV shows, or whatever, its stories about a child being mistreated. But this is also an extremely well-written sequence with a distinctive visual style, which leaves me curious where the story is going. So although I wouldnt say I enjoyed this intro, it made me care about the main character enough that it deserves a high ranking.

I also appreciate the way this intro tackles the always controversial subject of religion, with a modern retelling of the Biblical story of God telling Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. As the intro shows, the mother will do literally anything she believes God wants her to, even going so far as trying to murder her own child because a voice told her to. Whether that voice is actually God or the woman is insane is never made clear, but the intro suggests the problem with blind faith taken to its extreme. And unfortunately for poor Isaac, theres not a ram in sight in this story.

Anyway, this is a really strong intro, even if it was unsettling.

13. Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance - Hbthebattle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCpRhO1Wus4

I love the nod to Fantasia here (and for those who know the Magic Kingdom, to Mickeys PhilharMagic), with Sorcerer Mickeys silhouette taking the stage to conduct the intro. And it was a nice touch the way that theme kept returning throughout the intro, as if Mickey was using his magic to display whatever we see.

This intro also very effectively retold the events of the prior games in a way that seemed nostalgic, without feeling like a redundant recap of all the convoluted plot that came before. Its kind of weird that although I still havent gotten around to playing Kingdom Hearts III, just hearing this music and watching these visuals stirs quite an emotional response from me. Perhaps I just dont want to ruin the magic of the first two games by playing Kingdom Hearts III after hearing how disappointing it was to so many people. But Im getting off topic. The point is this intro is a great tribute to the series.

If I have any complaints, its that some of the combat scenes near the end went on a bit long and probably could have been trimmed down. But overall, this is a solid intro that resonated with me.

12. Super Metroid - MacArrowny
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86Z4bwdxn_Y

Super Metroid is one of my top 10 games of all time. While this intro pales in comparison to the sense of atmosphere you get while playing the game, its still an outstanding intro, especially for a SNES era game.

Of course, there are two sequences to discuss here, the one that plays on the title screen and the one when you start a new game (which because theyre nominated together, I have attempted to rank together as a whole).

I prefer the menu screen phase of the intro, brief though it is. The ominous music and side-scrolling pan over the environment where the baby Metroid is stored nicely suit the tone of the game. And it creates an almost sci-fi horror tone that makes me think of the Alien movies.

In contrast, the sequence after starting a new game is less concerned with setting the mood than telling a story. Thats not necessarily a bad thing, as it does effectively give us the entire backstory leading into this game. But some of Samus typed narration is a bit dry. And the sole voice acting in the sequence for the line the last Metroid is in captivity, the galaxy is at peace, is rather poor (although to be fair, voice acting in that era was rare and usually bad).

Nevertheless, this part of the sequence still works, thanks in no small part to the wonderful music. Another thing I really like during this sequence is the way you can actually see some of Samus face through the helmet. Its a minor detail, but it somehow adds a lot to humanize her character. The segment also ends strong with the hook of Samus having to return to the base immediately due to a distress call.

I doubt this intro would have ranked so high if not for my strong emotional attachment to the game, but its undeniably a very strong intro for its era.

I love the music yeah. Think the intro does a great job setting things up. I like the voice acting too, personally
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11. Mario Party 2 - -hotdogturtle--
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyg536OAtTg

This might seem an oddly high ranking for this intro, but it really appealed to me. The intro is deceptively simple, but is actually fairly clever. I like the way the story is conveyed through a play, and its never quite clear if the actors planned it this way or its going off the rails and Toad is improvising as the narrator to keep it all together.

I cant get enough of the moment when Mario, in response to the Wario Land sign, walks up and just shoves Wario. Another great moment was after all the characters argue with each other over the name, when Peach steps up as if to restore calm and proudly introduces Peach Land. I think what makes it work so well is taking the Mario characters out of their traditional comfort zone and having them act as more than just token characters you control and move around. Its like they have lives of their own here.

Theres also a great payoff near the end when the Koopa Troopa goes to warn everyone about Bowser, and they appear to be concerned for a moment before they just return to arguing. Finally Toad is able to get them to do the right thing only by appealing to their inflated egos.

While this intro doesnt give us an intriguing plot hook, it nicely sets the tone for the lighthearted competitive nature of the game. So its a perfect intro for this type of game.

10. Half-Life 2 - Xeybozn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HBwxbWVb-M

I hadnt seen this intro before, and I have to say its a really intriguing sequence.

First of all, this is some fantastic voice acting. The character speaks in a manner not unlike a computer trying to simulate human speech patterns, with a stilted flow of words and pronunciation of syllables, but theres no doubt its a person speaking. This unusual way of speaking, coupled with the bizarre visual distortions involving the mans face, give the sequence a vaguely unsettling quality. And what works best about it is its difficult to pinpoint precisely why its so unsettling, since the sequence never clarifies if theres an immediate threat, let alone what that threat might be.

Although its a short sequence, I think that makes it work even better. It conveys a strong sense of story, despite the lack of narration or spelling out any plot details. Sometimes less is more, and this is a perfect example.

That Dream Drop Distance opening is awesome and I've totally forgotten about it.

Something I liked is that ir incorporated the pages/books into the cutscenes from the previous games.

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9. Horizon Zero Dawn - Player_0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-6PG3MDUkc (cut at 4:15)

This is some fantastic storytelling. In the span of a few minutes, this intro conveyed plenty of information about its unique world, the backstory of the infant who I can only assume will be a pivotal character (if not the main character), and left me eager to see more. The intro cleverly allows the male character to provide information to the viewer without resorting to literal narration by having him speak to the baby. But theres also plenty of information conveyed by the visuals themselves, which depict an undeveloped world inhabited by villagers who look like they must hunt to survive, while at the same time robots roam the land like monsters. That inconsistency between uncontrolled technology and tribal people beholden to ancient customs makes for a great hook.

It probably goes without saying, but the graphics are gorgeous, with a high degree of realism in both the faces of characters and the scenery. Even without playing the game, the environments seem very immersive, and the intro serves as a very effective overview of the world of the game.

Thats about all Ive got to say for this intro because it mostly speaks for itself, but its absolutely fantastic.

"Beasts of air, water, earth... and steel." is iconic

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8. Valkyria Chronicles - Great_Paul
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMTo45-gO5o

Let me start out by saying I adore this game. If you have any fondness for the genre of tactical RPGs and you havent yet played this masterpiece, you owe it to yourself to do so.

With that advertisement out of the way, let me get to the intro. Generally, I am not a fan of intros that are mainly a series of clips like this one, but this is a rare exception. The intro starts off with a distinctive and novel approach, showing the tank and characters being sketched out and then colored in, followed by the background. Its like the game is being created before your eyes, and I think its an effective way to pull in the viewer from the start. And the sequence brings back that theme by having the color fade from the characters at the end to return to the look of a sketch.

The musical score that plays out over the intro is lovely, and lends a sense of sincerity and humanity to what could otherwise be cold depictions of soldiers on a battlefield with some of the clips. But even beyond the music, theres plenty here to show the bonds formed between characters are every bit as important as the battles. For instance, we see a series of photographs of various moments, such as an unexpected shot of characters lounging on a beach next to the tank, which shows the characters will share experiences to remember.

As someone whos played through the game, I can also say theres a really big spoiler in this intro, but its cleverly portrayed in a way you would never notice if you hadnt played the game before.

While its not a groundbreaking intro, I think it is a beautiful one. And just watching it brought back a lot of memories for me of this amazing game.

It just occurred to me that by skipping to #20 the way I did, theres way more unpredictability to these final rankings than usual because theres no way to know whats left. I guess thats sort of a good thing?

7. Kingdom Hearts II - RyoCaliente
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgCSgNakvlo

This intro does an exceptional job of telling a story, without resorting to narration or spelling things out for the viewer, even more effectively than the intro to Dream Drop Distance. The gorgeous cinematic gives us a recap of the end of the first game in a way that seems new before jumping forward and showing Kairi a bit older. Then the intro nicely bridges the gap between the first and second games for all those who missed out on what came in between. And we see Sora go to his sunken place while Roxas emerges, setting the stage for the start of Kingdom Hearts II. Despite how needlessly complex the plot of the Kingdom Hearts games can be, its surprisingly easy to follow the way its depicted here.

Easily my favorite part of this intro has to be when Namins drawing of the spiral staircase comes to life. Its such a cool effect to see that transition from the sketchbook, and it makes the moment when Sora reaches Namin far more interesting.

Also, I couldnt possibly discuss this intro without getting into the song. Its a pretty good song, but more importantly, its a perfect fit for this intro and is timed to bring the maximum emotions and drama out of key moments with whats on screen. The backward vocals part seemed a bit weird to me the first time I heard it, but I actually like the sound of those portions now. And they make some thematic sense if you think of Roxas as Soras mirror image reflection.

Anyway, this is one of those intros that stirs plenty of nostalgia in me, but I think even if I didnt have that familiarity with it, I would still say its a fantastic intro.

Jesse_Custer posted...

It just occurred to me that by skipping to #20 the way I did, theres way more unpredictability to these final rankings than usual because theres no way to know whats left. I guess thats sort of a good thing?

The best way to organize small rankings is to start in the middle and alternate between high and low. Instantly creates dramatic tension as people worry about which side of the divide their nominations are

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NFUN posted...

The best way to organize small rankings is to start in the middle and alternate between high and low. Instantly creates dramatic tension as people worry about which side of the divide their nominations are

How about using a randomizer for post order without disclosing the number of the rank? The write-ups would take on more importance than ever!

Jesse_Custer posted...

How about using a randomizer for post order without disclosing the number of the rank? The write-ups would take on more importance than ever!

That's good, but to utilize that to its full potential, you gotta mess with people intentionally. Make a writeup focused entirely on the positives of something you dislike or the inverse, and shock everybody at the end when the ratings are completely different than they expected.

Last place: "This intro does everything it needs to. It introduces the characters well, builds the basics of the world, hints at the plot, and has music that ties in well with the cinematic"

...

"oops, forgot to mention the characters look atrocious, the world looks generic, the plot seems offensively stupid, the music caused me physical pain and as a whole, it was completely uninspired and incoherent"

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I think my heart has had enough excitement for 2020

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Nominating the Valkyria Chronicles intro was the first time I had seen it. I was having trouble thinking of a 4th, and I started looking at my game shelf for ideas. Saw VC and remembered that you were a fan so I looked up its intro and decided to nominate it. Maybe someday Ill play that game.

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One more for tonight and Ill do the top 5 tomorrow.

6. Civilization V: Brave New World - MetalmindStats
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14WWgs-vX50

This is an outstanding overview of human history through the 19th century, with a vital message for the future. It might seem like a simple message, but it is so often ignored. Although mankind will always look onward, yearning for more, searching for new boundaries, only to break through them with the understanding that this world is one which we all share. With this comes the responsibility of knowing the decisions you make today will have a lasting impact in the generations of tomorrow. Thats not just a nice sounding speech, its a reminder that this planet is all weve got, so wed better start taking care of it before its too late. And its a reminder that all nations of the world have to work together to achieve their common goals.

The intro also has a clear focus on technology, showcasing not only the wondrous new inventions (such as in the amusing segment where people panic as an early film of a train can be seen coming toward them), but also the horrors (such as the atomic bomb). While the intro is, at times, a bit arbitrary in the moments it chooses to focus on, while glossing over others, it all fits together so cohesively as a meaningful summary of humanitys progress.

The presentation is also excellent, with outstanding visuals (such as the details of the dust in the air by the film projector), and the really cool way the game title is displayed. And the narrators distinctive gruff but warm voice works well with the visuals. Its one of those intros thats easy to overlook, but is fantastic in every respect and Im glad it got nominated.

I really love the presentation of all the Civilization games honestly.
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pyresword posted...

I really love the presentation of all the Civilization games honestly.

So do I, it would be tough for me to choose a favorite. Ive actually been playing a lot of Civ VI lately after having just gotten Gathering Storm.

KH2's opening is so good, and I'm still floored remembering it was made for the PS2. Well, not using the in-game engine, but still.

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Finally we come to the best of the best. And fun fact, I had never seen four of the intros in the top 5 before they were nominated. So they sold me without any nostalgia, the sign of great intros.

5. Devil May Cry 5 - Murphiroth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiiW2lKu-og

This intro feels more like a clip from an action movie than a video game. In fact, it handles the action better than most movies of that genre.

But before getting to the main event of the intro, its worth mentioning that this sequence is also really good at portraying believable characters who come across like real people when theyre interacting with each other. Its the combination of the fantastic visual details in their facial expressions, solid voice acting, and the writing that takes the time to focus on such details as having Nero get bothered by second-hand smoke (and the exchange that follows about the vehicle smelling like ass made me like both of the characters).

Of course, we all know why this intro was nominated and its not the fun banter. Its the badass slow-motion when Nero jumps out to shoot up the bad guys in mid-air. Ive seen so many movies, TV shows, and games try to pull off a scene like this to varying degrees of success, but damn they got it right here. Theres a sense of artistry to Neros movements and even the blood splatter from his victims. And its almost hypnotic to watch as the perspective changes along with the spinning vehicle, while objects inside the van float suspended as if in space. And while Nero is the main focus, Nico gets a fun moment too, putting out her cigarette on one of the monsters.

Theres also a really nice attention to detail, such as the neon words Devil May Cry along the side of the van, followed by the number 5 appearing differently as an imprinted number on the vehicle, which is easy to miss. And as the final topper to an outstanding sequence, we see Nero, having done all these crazy stunts, once more bothered by the smoke and sticking his head out the window (followed by an amusing disclaimer).

Its not the kind of game I typically play, but this intro certainly grabs my interest and makes me want to see more of these characters. Great nomination.

Yay two in the top 20.

Big fan of the way the credits appear in the intro of DMC5 and Nero seemingly shooting an errant sign for no reason at one point only for it to end up lodged in a demon's head a few seconds later.

Also the music, Devil Trigger is a banger.

4. The Stanley Parable - Anagram
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzytQUZx4FU

This intro starts with such an ordinary premise, but presented in such a fascinating way. We see how Stanley is nothing more than a number, another cog in the wheel whose job it is to mechanically push buttons in front of a computer all day long. And the accompanying narration is actually a big part of what makes this work, read in a way that sounds like this could be a nature documentary. After the narrator tells us Stanley is Employee #427, he continues to refer to the character not as Stanley, but as Employee #427, emphasizing the dehumanizing aspects of the job.

Then comes the twist, and although I could tell from the start a twist was coming, I wasnt sure quite what it would be. Stanley (and the narrator now returns to actually giving him a name) doesnt get his usual orders, and we see that there are no other people around, as if theyve all just vanished. This is a really intriguing hook that makes me eager to find out what happens next, as the intro ends with the promise of Stanley finally leaving the confines of his tiny office.

Another really nice touch is the way the view pans out from Stanley starting at around 0:37, until we can see the entirety of Stanleys office with nothing else around it, as if his office is the entire universe and nothing else exists. This makes Stanley having to actually leave the office seem like a far bigger event, since its like he is venturing out into the unknown, where for the first time anything could happen.

And now Im tempted to get this game.

3. Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective - Zigzagoon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YX0ra5DXfOI

Like a good novel, this intro grabs you early on with an intriguing hook. Youre already dead.

In fact, the main characters inner thoughts read like a novel. My head feels fuzzy, kind of like Im swimming through darkness. You dont tend to see a lot of descriptive language like that in video games because they can just show you whatever it is they want you to know (as long as youre not talking about the Zork era). But this intro cleverly doesnt show you anything but a black screen with some dialogue when it begins. Because that puts you in the main characters perspective, and at that moment, all hes aware of is being conscious, and nothing more.

Then in a further stroke of genius, the intro shines a light on a woman as the main character becomes aware of her, followed by the man with the gun. Bit by bit, the important parts come into play, leading up to the big reveal. And I love the way the main character casually introduces that reveal, thinking I have just one little problem... Im already dead myself, as the lighting shifts to reveal the corpse at the center of the screen.

This is fantastic storytelling, conveying so much information in such a brief span of time. And to top it all off, the intro ends with a cliffhanger that makes me really eager to see what happens next. A mysterious voice inside the main characters head tells him this is no time to be lying around. Youre the only one who can save her! A hook within a hook. Not only are you dead, but you somehow have the power to save the living. Now thats how you do an intro!

While Im most impressed with the quality of the writing in this sequence, its also worth mentioning the music is really good too. I liked the way the song, much like the plot, comes together piece by piece. First, just the ominous synthesizer to get your attention, then the bass comes in, followed by that cool part at around 0:45 right after you first see the corpse, and finally the percussion is added near the end to enhance the building sense of tension. And then the music stops all at once when the mysterious voice interjects near the end. So the intro effectively uses music as part of the way it tells a story. Theres not a single thing happening in this intro that isnt intentional.

This intro was a wonderful surprise, and exactly the kind of sequence I was hoping to discover by doing this project.



Top 2 later today.

At this point looks like Persona wins either way

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I didnt expect that one to do so well and agree with everything in your write up! Awesome :)

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Stanley Parable is good, yes.

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2. Final Fantasy VIII - Anagram
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q09quI356sQ

Even after all these years, this still feels like a near perfect sequence, just like it did the first time I experienced it back in 1999.

You know youre in for something special when you first hear fithos. Going back to Aria di Mezzo Carattere in Final Fantasy VI, it was obvious Nobuo Uematsu wanted to interject some culture into the franchise. And with the technology of the PlayStation, Uematsu could finally realize the type of orchestral and operatic music that wasnt quite possible on the SNES. Not only was Liberi Fatali a breath of fresh air for video game music, but it was also a beautiful and epic song, which added so much emotional weight to what youre seeing on screen.

But theres clearly far more to this sequence than just the music. The pacing of this intro is phenomenal, starting slowly with the perspective gradually shifting over the water, as if in search of the person saying Ill be here. As the movement over the water accelerates, the terrain turns to barren land, conveying the sense of a long journey. And the environment alternates to reveal the woman waiting in a field of flowers for the hero (who we get a brief glimpse of).

Its pretty clear at this point this is a love story, with themes of separation and distance. And the way the main characters thoughts are presented as questions (why is she waiting, and for what) show its not simply a literal physical distance between the lovers, but an emotional distance that separates them. She is waiting for the hero to come to the tranquil place where they can be together, which begs the question what is keeping him from doing that.

Then as if to answer the question, we get the brilliant transition of the feather the woman lets go from her hand soaring into the sky, and coming back down as the gunblade landing before the hero in a dramatically different environment than the field of flowers. Now the bright blue sky is gone and the sky looks dark and menacing (with a corresponding change in the tone of the music). And we see the hero is a fighter, who understands how to use a weapon far better than he does why a woman would be waiting for him.

It is at this point the intro goes from beautiful and dreamy to badass almost immediately, as the game title appears like a flash of lightning. And we are treated to a brilliantly staged battle, alternating with scenes involving the woman. I really like the way the theme of the feather is echoed by a bunch of feathers appearing as Squall swings his blade, connecting the love story to the battle.

As the intro progresses, that pacing I referred to earlier intensifies, with Squall suffering a bloody wound to his face and becoming enraged. Suddenly we see the feathers once more, but now they are blackened, no longer white like before. And then the imagery shifts rapidly until we get a final view of the lovers coming together, as the hero bears the scar of battle.

The whole intro almost leaves you with the sense of having watched an entire movie, despite the fact that it lasted only around three minutes (which goes by very quickly), since so much story is conveyed in that time. Its actually kind of exhausting simply for me to try to analyze and summarize it all, and Im sure there are crucial elements I overlooked. All of which is to explain why this intro is so tough to rival. There has never been another sequence quite like it, and it made this game feel special before you even start playing.

But I still liked one intro even more...

1. GRIS - Player_0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2g9_d713gJo

Ill start off with a bold statement. This is the most aesthetically beautiful video game sequence I have ever seen. In fact, Ive never seen anything like it in any medium, and I would be interested to watch an entire movie like this.

Its perhaps no surprise the intro is a work of art when you look into its inspiration, the works of Spanish artist Conrad Roset. The striking art style in the intro is both highly detailed and simplistic at the same time, which calls your attention to certain details. For instance, the character has what look like thin sticks for arms and legs, devoid of any intricacies. But her face has plenty of details such as freckles, rosy cheeks, long eyelashes, and realistic lips. Her face is where the personality lies, and its an oddly transfixing image from the moment you first see it. But theres also so much beauty in the animation, such as the way the characters dress swirls as she levitates, and the mesmerizing motion of her body as she falls.

But this intro is more than gorgeous artwork. The music is also outstanding and is intricately tied into the story (which Ill get to in a moment). The vocals in the early part of the intro are hauntingly intoxicating, making me think of the mythological Sirens Song (albeit without the inevitable shipwreck). But the real magic happens with the music during the fall (starting at around 1:16), as a melancholy piano part is accompanied by soaring strings and the unique sounds of the harmonium (I had to look that one up to identify it). It all comes together to create a sound that is emotionally cathartic and soothing (the likes of which Ive hardly ever heard in a video game, aside perhaps from Celeste).

Okay, so weve established this intro has great visuals and music, but what about the story? Glad you asked. Theres a lot going on here, but its open to interpretation, which in my view makes for the most interesting kinds of stories. We first see the character perched atop the secure rock hand that seems to serve as her entire world. When she sings, she can even float above the surface of the hand, which calls into question why she even needs it in the first place. But then something goes wrong. We see the rock hand start to crumble, and almost as soon as it does, her voice fades. She reaches for her throat and trembles in utter terror at the prospect of having lost her voice, and all of a sudden, she can no longer float. But just as she is dependent on the rock hand, it completely crumbles to pieces and she falls. And as she hurdles through the sky, constantly falling, she becomes smaller and smaller in our view until she is nothing more than a tiny speck, and eventually becomes lost completely in the white clouds.

Like I said, its open to interpretation, but Im going to give it a try because analyzing stuff like this is something I enjoy doing. Without having played the game to know if Im right, I would say this story represents themes of anxiety and depression. The main character has lost something precious to her, represented by her voice (but probably not literally her voice), and without it, she feels her support has crumbled away, leaving her to fall and sink into depression. And as she does, she becomes smaller and smaller, feeling more and more alone, until she is lost completely. This suggests the game will be abstractly about the character finding her way out of her despair.

Suffice it to say, this is an intro that does everything just right, and makes me want to play a game I had never even heard of before this. And really, what more could you ask for in an intro than that?

oh wow

I haven't found time to keep up with the write-ups yet, will probably have something to say later. Though I haven't played GRIS so don't really have insight into how much the intro ties into the game's story

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smh ss2 deserved to win

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NFUN posted...

smh ss2 deserved to win

I did like that one, I had ranked it #30. And its possible it would have moved up more, since I normally make some adjustments as I go and rewatch stuff.

Fair

Out of curiosity, how would this compare to the other version I nominated?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zc4whvKFEdo

Neither probably hit what you value in an intro, but I realized after I nommed there were seven options and I chose probably the worse

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