10 Video Game Prologues Better Than Most Full Games

by

A video game’s opening moments are just as important for grabbing your attention as the beginning of a movie or book. Many games have successfully pulled me into their stories with a great introduction, and sometimes, they’ve been too effective at it.

Many great video games start with impressive introductory sequences, and sometimes these openings are so well-made they actually surpass the quality of the game itself.

Many of these games really affected me deeply. A big part of that was how they started – they often mixed intriguing mysteries, strong emotions, and a sense of grand scale in a way that felt truly special and unmatched.

10. BioShock Infinite

There’s Always A Lighthouse

I was completely captivated by the development of BioShock Infinite. I actively followed news and discussions online, connected with the developers, and eagerly counted down the days until its release.

Each BioShock game starts strong, but the opening to Infinite is truly exceptional – one of the best in video game history. It accomplishes more in its first few minutes than some games manage in their first five hours.

Approaching the lighthouse by boat, while discussing complex ideas about time travel and quantum physics, is impressive, but even better is climbing to the very top. The lighthouse is filled with a haunting atmosphere and a constant feeling of unease, all building to the unforgettable sight of Columbia.

The opening of this game is incredibly intense and frightening – it packs more scares and suspense than many games manage throughout their entire length. While the rest of the game is also excellent, the intro is truly outstanding.

9. Half-Life

We’ve Got Hostiles!

Half-Life was truly unique when it came out in the 1990s. No other video game, and certainly no other shooter, offered a similar experience at the time.

The action movie scene was full of sequels starring tough guys who constantly made jokes. While there’s nothing wrong with that type of character, the genre felt like it needed a fresh approach.

What always impressed me about the beginning of Half-Life is how ordinary it feels. You play as a regular person on their way to a very boring workday, which makes the sudden, incredible events that follow even more impactful.

It feels like a complete game in itself – simply living as a scientist, developing cutting-edge technology, and building relationships with colleagues.

I’ve finished Half-Life around fifty times now, and I’m still consistently impressed by how captivating the beginning of the game is.

8. Mass Effect 2

This Is My Favorite Game In The Citadel

The first Mass Effect started slowly, focusing on introducing the game’s world and letting players customize their character. That approach worked for that game, but Mass Effect 2 required a more impactful opening.

Everything is complete chaos. The Normandy is under attack, most of the crew has been killed or injured, and Commander Shepard is caught right in the middle of the fighting.

This opening is particularly shocking if you’ve played the first Mass Effect, because Shepard experiences a lot of hardship right away. It’s very impactful and almost feels like a separate, complete story on its own.

Most sequels don’t begin like this, immediately highlighting how vulnerable the characters are. This impactful opening is a major reason why Mass Effect 2 remains one of my all-time favorite games.

7. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons Of Liberty

Snake Tales

I remember the opening of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty so vividly, probably because I first experienced it with the demo included with Zone of the Enders.

I played the game demo repeatedly, really getting to know the opening level, which involved a large tanker. That single tanker section felt complete enough to stand on its own as a full game experience.

The game’s detail is incredible, and it’s still amazing how much you can do with the ship. Even something simple like shooting ice at the bar and seeing it melt is more visually impressive than many modern games.

Playing the opening of Sons of Liberty really hooked me – it was clear from the start that Hideo Kojima was building something special, and it ended up being one of his best games, in my opinion.

6. Doom

Cool Personified

The 2016 Doom wasn’t just a successful revival of a classic franchise; it showed that first-person shooters still had plenty of innovation left, and it remains my personal favorite game in the series.

The game’s strong start is a major reason for its success, immediately showing players that Doom had returned and was poised to reclaim its position at the top.

I really enjoyed Doom 3, but it lacked the quick action and straightforward excitement that originally drew me to the Doom games.

Doom revitalized fast-paced, action-packed gameplay, and cemented the Doomslayer’s place as a legendary hero.

What’s truly clever is how the narrative deliberately cuts itself off, demonstrating a complete disregard for the plot in favor of chaotic, destructive energy.

5. Final Fantasy 7 Remake

Soldier First Class

Even though it’s bittersweet finishing my second time through, I’m already excited to play Final Fantasy 7 Remake again when it comes out on the new Switch in 2026.

I want to replay the exciting opening sequence. It was truly groundbreaking when it first appeared on the original PlayStation.

The remake heavily relies on nostalgia, but it does so with amazing accuracy and detail.

Raiding the mako reactor, with the game’s music playing and hearing my teammates talk, remains one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had in a video game over the last ten years.

Some games barely ever reach the level of accomplished design that this opening does.

4. The Walking Dead

A Wild Ride

I loved the TV show, which was based on the comic book, and I was eager for a video game to play while waiting for new seasons.

I didn’t just get a video game. I got an entire secondary series to become addicted to.

The first episode of Telltale’s The Walking Dead starts brilliantly, building suspense through details in both the immediate action and the wider environment.

While chaos erupts around him, Lee Everett sits in the quiet stillness of a police car as he’s taken to jail. It’s a moment of reflection amidst the crumbling world outside.

Like Lee, you’re entering the world with a strange but compelling blend of cautiousness and calm, and that’s a good thing.

3. The Last Of Us

Emotional Damage

Anyone who played video games around 2013 likely remembers how powerful the beginning of The Last of Us was. A lot of players have seen that heartbreaking opening cutscene more times than they care to admit.

This game is incredibly replayable, and I’m still amazed by the opening sequence every time I play it.

As a fan, I have to say the way the game shifts you from playing as Sarah to Joel is just brilliant. It really throws you in at the deep end – you start feeling totally lost and vulnerable, like you have no idea what’s going on.

The beginning is really important because it immediately throws you into an ordinary world that’s suddenly and dramatically changed, and you’re at the heart of it all.

The level of acting, writing and emotional impact is still second to none.

2. Death Stranding

Once There Was An Explosion

Hideo Kojima is a master storyteller, and his game Death Stranding is a great example of his skill in crafting compelling beginnings.

Death Stranding creates a world that feels internally consistent. Despite being strange and dreamlike, it presents itself with a remarkable honesty.

The game immediately pulls you into a whirlwind of emotions, setting the stage for a truly captivating experience – one of the best games of its time.

The way Kojima uses music to guide you, then to frighten you and then to ease you, is incredible.

The game builds to a truly terrifying moment – one of the scariest I’ve experienced in any video game – and manages to deliver a powerful impact very quickly.

1. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

Nate On A Train

Naughty Dog is famous for making games that feel like playing through big-budget Hollywood movies, and no game showcases that talent better than Uncharted 2: Among Thieves.

Truly perfect games are rare, but Uncharted 2 comes very close. Naughty Dog was at the peak of their abilities during this time, and the game’s opening sequence perfectly showcases that.

Even now, the game’s seamless blend of story, exciting moments, tension, and interactive play is remarkable. The escape from the train and subsequent journey through incredibly realistic snow, as the mystery of Nathan’s situation is revealed, is truly captivating.

It’s a thrilling start, combining the fast-paced action of a James Bond opening with the beautiful, sweeping visuals of an old Hollywood adventure movie.

Read More

2025-10-28 16:11