10 Games with Amazing Opening Levels

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that these opening sequences are nothing short of masterpieces. They immediately pull you into the game’s world and set the stage for an unforgettable journey.

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s particularly important to create a lasting impact when sharing information, given the limited time people tend to spend on content.

In terms of enjoyment, video games share a comparable benchmark, and there’s a risk of alienating players if they’re not engaged within the initial hour of gameplay by your chosen title.

Aim is to immediately engage players upon entering your realm, ensuring they sense the value of their investment.

Setting the right atmosphere or style for the game from the start – be it an action-packed shooter, challenging platformer, or immersive role-playing game – is crucial to captivating players and keeping their attention throughout the entire experience.

Many game titles grab your attention by either showcasing their key events and intriguing gameplay elements, or by adopting an explosive, cinematic approach right from the start. Let’s explore some examples that make a grand entrance with their initial stages.

10 Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

All Aboard

We could forever debate the topic of video games vs. movies, but never has a game felt more like a movie than the opening sequence of Uncharted 2: Among Thieves.

There’s no question that the scene where Nathan Drake clings for survival while scaling a train on the snowy peaks of Tibet has a truly cinematic feel to it.

It’s worth noting that after playing it again, the entire experience feels like stepping into a high-octane Tom Cruise Mission: Impossible film. This could be the reason why the final scene of the latest MI movie seemed heavily influenced by it.

While aiding Nathan Drake in his perilous ascent towards safety, you’ll come to appreciate that no other studio excels at immersive gameplay quite like Naughty Dog.

9 Sonic Adventure 2

A Thrilling Escape

In “Sonic Adventure 2”, players were able to fully control the Sega icon, Sonic, in a three-dimensional environment for the first time on the Dreamcast. The game’s opening stage, “City Escape,” offered an exhilarating experience as it allowed players to enjoy the joy and satisfaction of controlling the famous blue Hedgehog in a level filled with downhill thrills.

In this stage, Sonic is attempting to dodge a colossal military vehicle while skateboarding along the steep inclines of San Francisco. This level smoothly manages to blend every leap into platforming, looping sequences, and rail sliding.

Among the standout features of this stage is the catchy pop-punk tune titled “Live and Learn,” which echoes throughout the scene. Each listen prompts an irresistible urge to nod your head along with it, and it ranks among the top themes in Sonic’s collection.

8 Super Mario Bros

A Beloved Relic

We would be amiss if we didn’t mention the amazing opening level from Super Mario Bros.

Although World 1-1 may not have the dramatic flair found in other levels we discussed earlier, it doesn’t require it. This level embodies the straightforward fun that makes Super Mario such a beloved series.

The platformer game style has been significantly influenced by the foundational elements established by Nintendo’s famous character, laying waste to them with his head, resulting in numerous levels centered around pure enjoyment.

As I navigated through the stage, the clever design of the level seemed almost intuitive. It subtly guided me in mastering Mario’s movements, without explicitly instructing me on how to play – a genuinely smart approach. In essence, the level spoke for itself, making it clear and easy to understand, much like learning a new skill by doing it yourself.

For example, when you initially meet a Goomba for the first time in the game, it subtly hints that you should jump on it, although it doesn’t explicitly tell you to do so. This clever design is the reason why the initial level in Mario is frequently regarded as one of the best tutorials ever created.

It’s possible to argue that World 1-1 played a significant role in making the original Mario game one of the greatest platformers ever made.

7 Psychonauts 2

Mind Bending, much?

From the initial platformer that set the stage with basic mechanics, to the mind-blowing journey offered by Psychonauts 2, which takes you on a wild ride through a bizarre and distorted mindscape.

In a refreshingly bold move, the series didn’t shy away from exploring the boundaries of oddity. However, it was the arrival of the second game that truly stole the show when it came to over-the-top eccentricity.

During his internship, we see Raz diligently working, however, unlike traditional fieldwork, he’s confined to a cubicle, constantly tapping on a keyboard.

Initially, it seems like you’re merely putting on a show to uncover Dr. Loboto’s secret, but that facade quickly fades. What follows is not what you’d expect – the ordinary world morphs into a disorienting, anatomy-themed rollercoaster ride.

6 Prey

Shattering the Illusion

In an unexpected twist, the title “Prey” (2017) immediately sets you off balance. The narrative commences by showering you with substantial plot points as you find yourself on your first day at work, aptly named ‘First Day on the Job.’ Despite the initial calmness, everything appears unusually routine as you undergo a diagnostic test with a research team.

An unexpected, powerful pitch comes hurtling towards you, shattering your grip on this world. A seemingly innocuous coffee mug metamorphoses into a menacing intruder, pouncing on the doctors.

Later on, you’d discover the startling revelation that you were part of a simulated reality all along. As time went by, you’d understand the reasons behind this deception as you gradually solve the mystery.

The exceptional instances of creativity demonstrated during their stellar performances are a significant factor that keeps Arkane recognized as innovative creators, despite the recent shutdown they experienced.

5 Spec Ops: The Line

Helicopter Minigun Barrage

Among the initial shooting games I found captivating, Spec Ops: The Line stood out significantly. To be honest, not many have managed to reach such a high standard since then.

The first chapter throws you into the deep end as Captain Walker and his team make your way into a reimagined ruined desert city of Dubai.

As I dove headfirst into this virtual world, the thrilling third-person action sequences served like tantalizing teasers, subtly suggesting the heart-wrenching narrative that was yet to unfold and leave me emotionally drained.

When it comes to satisfaction, can there be anything greater than unleashing a torrent of bullets at your adversary from a helicopter surrounded by skyscrapers, armed with a minigun? Simply put, anyone who enjoys fast-paced gunfire will feel as contented as a pig wallowing in mud.

4 Resident Evil 4

Fight the Entire Village

In the strikingly effective introduction of the horror game “Resident Evil 4”, Leon S. Kennedy ventures into a remote village with a nagging feeling that things are amiss, ultimately finding himself pursued instead.

The entire thrilling series of events revolves around enduring an assault from aggressive villagers. Regardless if they’re weak-appearing townspeople brandishing pitchforks or psychopathic individuals with chainsaws, it’s your mission to evade them or engage in close combat.

Should you manage to endure for a sufficient time, the church bell will toll, pulling the bewildered townsfolk into a hypnotic state and departing them, thus leaving you with more queries than solutions.

3 Detroit: Become Human

Making Life-Saving Choices

Become Human”, as they place you in control, requiring you to save another character.

In this thrilling part, I find myself assuming the role of Connor, an android, on a mission to track down a ruthless, rogue entity.

At the crime scene, you collect evidence and follow leads that eventually take you to a balcony, where you spot a suspect with a young girl in his grasp, precariously perched on a ledge.

The intensity multiplies significantly as the music swells, and it’s your decisions that determine whether or not you’ll successfully employ Connor’s talent.

The responsibility lies with you to tactfully engage with the suspicious individual, ensuring your choices are wise, in order to earn his trust sufficiently for him to help save the girl’s life.

2 Battlefield 1

Stories of War

2016 was a game-changer for me as a Battlefield fan. After some missteps in the series with games like Hardline, I was starting to lose hope. But then came Battlefield 1, and it brought me back into the fold. It offered a fresh take on the series, set during World War I, and it was an incredible experience that reminded me why I love this franchise.

In a refreshing twist for the franchise, Electronic Arts (EA) reinvigorated the Battlefield series by taking it back to its roots with a historical, immersive experience set in World War 1, making it the gritty backdrop for this first-person shooter game.

The game plunges you straight into the thick of things, beginning with a tutorial level that’s exceptional, almost legendary. It even warns you upfront that it doesn’t anticipate your survival.

The beginning offers a gripping glimpse into the brutal realities of war, depicting instances where valiant soldiers can unwittingly become sacrificial lambs.

After the upheaval subsides, you exhale with a sense of relief as you ready yourself for the upcoming confrontation against another tough adversary.

1 The Last of Us

Immediately in the feels

Without a doubt, one video game that captivates you right from its first chapter is The Last of Us.

In simpler terms, the developers crafted an emotionally impactful tale set within a small community, where a fictional Cordyceps virus, responsible for devastation in the game’s latter stages, wreaked havoc on post-apocalyptic America.

It’s quite astonishing how deeply involved and emotionally committed a player can get during the brief introductory scene of this game. Once it builds up to its climax, it becomes clear that The Last of Us won’t hold back when it comes to tugging at our heartstrings.

Witnessing Sarah being embraced tightly by her father, who was clearly terrified, left not a single person with dry eyes, making it an incredibly moving scene that should undoubtedly be at the top of the list.

2024-11-05 18:09