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[BocoDragon]

and of course, the godly Resident Evil Outbreak intro
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HcxMvprYa0

Wow.. That's really tasteful and artistic.

I'm guessing it's a rat's eye view of the Umbrella assault on Birkin and his transformation, with the rats spreading the t-virus around Racoon City, causing the zombie outbreak?

 

[SAB CA]

More Modern Intros:

Hard Corps: Uprising
Rune Factory Frontier

Suikoden 3 Intro

It is one of my favorite videogame intros, in large part due to the distinct music and how it perfectly captures to feel of the game's story. Very epic.

The similar Suikogaiden openings are also very good:

Suikogaiden vol. 1
Suikogaiden vol. 2

When I saw the Suikogaiden Intros, after getting to like Nash in Suiko 3... I really felt like I missed something special. Suikoden 3's was really special... I was disappointed when I saw Suiko 4s, due to the 3D CG, but I came to appreciate "La Mer", the song itself, alot.

Because campy Saturday Morning Cartoon CG openers are a relic from the 90's that don't fit the tone of most games today.


That said, I have fond memories of Tomoyasu Hotei's Russian Roulette music video playing before the JP version of Onimusha 2.

Russian Roulette? Anyway, I'd rather see the tone shift back, rather than lose the art of old intros and gaming in general.

Ok, maybe not a total shift, but I don't think there's no place for "Saturday Morning Cartoon Openers" in this day and age. Especially when you see the kind of graphics something like Ni No Kuno or Naruto UNS push. Animated-like 3D and animated toon sensabilities should just merge into new games, really.

Let's have more 90s anime goodness.

Rival Schools

Evil Zone (Japanese version)

Love the Evil Zone OP. "Kiss in the Dark" gets hummed by me randomly every once in a while, even now. Love the whole episodic nature of the games story modes, too; I'd love to see more games based around making each segement into an episode, with it's own OP and ED themes and videos (Phantasy Star Universe did this, and I loved it.)

Some still have them. The question is, do you bother to watch them more than once these days?

Absolutely. Watched God Eater Burst intro each time I start the game. Watch Growlanser each time, too. Solid timing, solid cinematic direction, and catchy music will always be worth spending a few minutes with.

IMO more fighters' intros should resemble the concept of Soul Edge/Blade's, instead of just being some sort of...montage.

Comically, KoF XIII's was pretty much both montage and a thematic intro! I liked that it offered the best of both worlds. P4A's was very nice, too. I laugh each time I see Teddy walking out, all serious, because... well, he's Teddie.

Yeah I absolutely love the "music video"-style clip before the start screen. If you ask me, that is videogames. Gives you a similar rush to a great TV intro sequence every time you turn it on. So many great ones in the PS1 and PS2 days...

Very true. It's one of those things that fills in the elements that makes something more "Game" rather than "Cinematic Experience". They really help set up the feeling of the experiences.

 

[Currygan]

Soul Calibur 2 also has one of the best intros, imo. Fantastic music, camera shots and editing

 

[LuchaShaq]

Persona 4 intro is great.

Persona 3 intro is GREAT

The opening not the pre game movie in deadly premonition is fucking amazing.

Mass Effect 2 opening (again not intro movie) was fucking fantastic.

 

[jaz013]

I miss intros like these on soccer (fútbol) games:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tu74sFJJu0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koswIw4S7DE

specially the cheering when pressing START.

Also, a other nice intro by the same guys:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NQKAsvlKcE

I think these "anime style" intro are really fit for adventure or action types games.

 

[Bobby Roberts]

Kinda surprised I'm the first to post this, although maybe that speaks more to my taste than to the idea anyone on GAF actually "forgot" anything.

This intro so summed up everything I wanted from any game in the series that playing the actual game (and honestly, most games in this series) seemed like a quiet echo of the badass potential the intro promised. More than either of the movies or that goofy webseries, this 4 minute intro encapsulates the appeal of these games better than anything else.

Mortal Kombat: Armageddon

 

[The Take Out Bandit]

More Modern Intros:

Hard Corps: Uprising

Came here to post this.

HCU intro is so completely fantastic. Cool character designs, high action animation, it tells a story concisely to set you up for the action of the game, and has a KICK ASS soundtrack. easily one of my favorite intros since Arcuss Odyssey on Genesis.

Soul Blade was so great and then Namco got all high falutin' with the Calibur stuff. Hell no! Suzi Kim made that shit one for the ages. The only way to top that would be to get Galloglass, Hammerfall, or Huntress if they want to stick with a female vocalist to do an intro theme.

 

[PsychoSoldier]

Maybe I'm the only one, but everytime I see that Suikoden III intro, it always makes a little sad that the story never got continued past that point.

But as for recent examples, I do like the Musou series intros for over the top.

Warriors Orochi 2 is my favorite of these I think:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1g4QbwQzeA

 

[Htown]

Where my space sim fans at?

Descent: Freespace

Freespace 2

X-Wing: Alliance

 

[diztrukted]

Tales of Vesperia

 

[Host Samurai]

The N64 wrestling games

WCW vs NWO
WCW/NWO Revenge
Wrestlemania 2000
No Mercy
Virtual Pro Wrestling 1 & 2

All had fantastic intros that were all done using the in game engine and gameplay. The openings mimicked what was going on at the time storyline wise pretty much perfectly. Its pretty charming.

 

[Exhumed]

I enjoyed the Wild Arms intros myself, specifically 1 and 3. I considered it blasphemy to skip the intro after loading my game haha.

 

[Boss Doggie]

Because nowadays intros are made to be "cinematic", i.e. generic title drop and all that.

 

[Bobby Roberts]

Where my space sim fans at?


X-Wing: Alliance

There we go. Loved when I finally installed this fucker and booted it up for the first time.

 

[DukeTogo1300]

Pretty much all the Armored Core intros I can watch over and over again. I've always loved the Ridge Racer 4 intro (already posted), and I also really like the first Tekken Tag intro. I miss the old Namco.

One last one, the Hagane intro, which just did an amazing job with the cinematic elements for a 16-bit game.

 

[flattie]

Clockwork Knight 2 - my first taste of FMV introduction goodness.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EY9h5NJD4s8"]

I can't believe these video sequences used to be major selling points. I see, to remember games like FFVII and VIII flaunting how many hours of video they contained on the rear of the box.

 

[iworkatjunes]

I think all these intros are really bad.

That is why they stopped making them. People like me don't care about them so they don't either.

 

[Despera]

Suikoden III

A friend of mine who doesn't like RPGs bought the game because of this intro.

Shit was that good. Probably the only intro I never skipped.

 

[Canis lupus]

Tales of Vesperia

Liked it more than Graces f opening.

 

[Stop It]

I absolutely adore the intro movie of Soul Blade

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yxrpyv8SNS4

Tekken 2 had an amazing opening movie too

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVFnXKpiH5M

Really well directed, perfectly fitting music and shows a lot of story without any exposition.

These types really got me fired up for the game and they were enjoyable to watch in their own right.

I don't ever care for the intro cinematic nowadays.

You're not meant to end the thread with the first post. Soul Blade <3

Also The PAL Gran Turismo 2 intro If only just for the song.

 

[Rad-]

Suikoden III

Great intro. Shame the game was super disappointing.

 

[satriales]

First recent game that came to mind was Demon's Souls.

 

[RobotRocker]

Most recent one I can think of like this is Split/Second

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChKM23VtXh8

Gets me pumped every time I start up the game.

 

[Tankshell]

Where my space sim fans at?

Descent: Freespace

Freespace 2

X-Wing: Alliance

Freespace 2 intro (infact all the cinematics) were fantastic. Colossus FTW!

 

[Kusano123]

Going for nostalgia? Could only think of this one from the top of my head for now.

Psychic Force 2 for PSX

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvXa-peQQhQ&feature=related

Cheesy hotblooded anime intro.

Edit: Well there's Toshinden 3. Something more similar in vain with Tekken 2 intro.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSWmJPu53yM


Man, good old nineties.

 

[RagnarokX]

Kid Icarus: Uprising

 

[kurahador]

Great intro. Shame the game was super disappointing.

Nope. that would be 4, even the intro was shit.

 

[reminder]

Fun intros? I don't remember any intro as funny as Skull Monkeys:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKdADhk0HYo

The game is also contender for best cut scenes, best OST and best art style.

 

[beje]

Shogo M.A.D. automatically came to mind. One of my favorite shooters ever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-j94S-br9E

 

[ErikB]

Lucasarts Outlaws:-

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

(especially the 'titles sequence' at 1m40s)

Interstate 76:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JCGZFQZkdc

More games should have a proper titles sequence.

 

[RuinerPrime]

I really enjoy both of the borderland games intros...I like the music...and the character intros...and stuff...


BL1
youtube.com/watch?feature=related&v=zU6003JEYxA

BL2
youtube.com/watch?v=SzZ8YtuiVD4

 

[News Bot]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZwTYM1fHhA

Tekken Tag Tournament.

 

[Krabboss]

Super! SMAAAAAAAAAASH Brotherrrrrrssss!

Yep, so good. All three Smash Brothers have had great intros.

 

[msdstc]

Has anyone posted this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cf0EpML-AWM

Will never be topped.

 

[Shion]

I absolutely adore the intro movie of Soul Blade

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yxrpyv8SNS4

Tekken 2 had an amazing opening movie too

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVFnXKpiH5M

Really well directed, perfectly fitting music and shows a lot of story without any exposition.

These types really got me fired up for the game and they were enjoyable to watch in their own right.

I don't ever care for the intro cinematic nowadays.

Soul Blade and Tekken 2 have some of the best intros of all time.

The intro in WipEout 2048 is one of the best in recent years (imo).

WipEout 2048

RIP Psygnosis

 

[sub_o]

I love Chrono Cross' opening : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=923fVDDwaHo

Sadly the series seems to be dead now.

 

[Aku-Audi]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NQKAsvlKcE

Ganbare SO ganbare! One of my all time favorite games and intro songs.

Psychic Force had some good intros as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvXa-peQQhQ

EDIT: Beaten on the Psychic Force vid!

 

[News Bot]

Oh yes, how could I forget.

Parasite Eve
Parasite Eve II

 

[protonion]

Alundra

Just perfect.

 

[Nevasleep]

Vice City Intro

 

[Hypron]

Well some games still have awesome intro videos. The Witcher 1 and 2 for example. So awesome.

 

[strafer]

This man.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OwZNx7bsMo

NFS

 

[Silphonica]

I fucking love the intro to soul blade, earliest boner I ever remember was from that game.

 

[Shiloa]

Because campy Saturday Morning Cartoon CG openers are a relic from the 90's that don't fit the tone of most games today.

I don't know. I think there's a place for 'proper' intros like these. It depends on the game, but they really do help drum up interest and excitement. I mean, someone already mentioned TV shows - a good opening for a show really adds to it. Despite the ability to fast-forward, I always watch certain intros. Even the short ones: they really give an identity to the show. *BUM* *DOOOOOOOOOOO* LOST

 

[JordanKZ]

Soul Calibur 2 also has one of the best intros, imo. Fantastic music, camera shots and editing

Nailed it. As long as it's the GameCube version!

 

[v1oz]

Soul Calibur II on the Gamecube had an amazing intro.


...

 

[Zips]

Skimming over the videos posted in this thread, would it be fair to say that music video/assorted clip intros are generally done by Japanese companies, and Western companies (if they make one) tend to use them as added cutscene introductions to the game's story?

 

[wickedcapedkid]

Wow, this thread brought back a lot of memories.

I enjoyed Rockman 8's intro

and Tales of Phantasia is great too, as another pre-video intro ala Chrono Trigger.

I've also been partial to the Tobal 2 intro. Pretty slick music.

However, my favorite intro ever will always be Sonic CD's http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccpY14bXcug Toot toot Sonic Warrior.

 

[Shiloa]

The nature of games have changed. Before these were wonderful tools to help immerse the player into the game, as well as attract those who didn't know anything about it. But nowadays people can find out more from a game by just looking it up on YouTube or something similar, and a decent majority now just want instant gratification and jump right into the game. Why waste resources making an opening video only about 15% are going to watch?

This makes no sense.

A large % of people don't even finish games. Should they give up on endings?

Spoiler

In before: Most games don't have endings bla bla bla DLC bla bla bla

 

[The Albatross]

The intro for borderlands 2 is pretty good. Sets the stage very well. I wish that all games had an option where you could just load the game directly into your story/last save, rather than air through so many menus & screens