Vault 101 from Fallout 3. There's so much interesting and cool setup as you spend the first 40 minutes of the game inside the vault before the giant metal vault door opens and you take your first steps into the bright sunlight of the Capital Wasteland
Sancus EDM like their games..... that makes no sense, one clip with bad quality does not have to change the WHOLE VIDEO into bad quality. But I agree with bozoid57
I hate it when a game makes an enemy invulnerable or goes to cutscene to make you lose for story reasons; it just feels like fake bullshit and breaks the immersion. If you need the player to lose just making beating the enemy unrealistic.
TobyTheWookiee no need for an obstacle. they said in the begginning of the video that the levels had to suck gamers in with their inventive design OR gameplay. so basically it's not mandatory for it to have gameplay. besides, something so unique like "welcome to rapture" doesn't even need any gameplay to amaze and become memorable.
What about Halo CE? Or Halo 2? They by far had one of the best introductions through introducing game mechanics, enemies, and weapons, all while epic battles ensue. Especially HALO 2 with the destruction of other stations, an outside space mission, epic cinematic, Sgt Johnson, and the final bomb cinematic. It was both intelligent and epic!
I see how that eliminates halo 1 as it was pretty difficult, but halo 2 did a lot better and why not include remastered halo 2 which was much more colorful, epic, and less bland. But as far as teaching a game without it being forced, both halos did well. Halo 3 i wouldn't include simply bc after waiting to use the AR once again and it being hyped, it became useless in the first mission.
TheSUPERPOTATO2000 I know! And I would pick Halo 4's opening level over any of these. The chilling opening scene along with the escape sequence at the end. It was all pretty stunning. But even then, I think that would only get an honorable mention at best.
I know right? The Ceres Space Colony was pretty awesome, and onimous too! Then you got to fight Ridley. After that, they give you 1 minute to escape because of the self destruct system. Should have been mentioned :/
Dead Space 2 had one of the coolest openings I have ever experienced. Also, Halo CE, Rayman Legends, Mass Effect 2 if you count the part where you get spaced as a first level, and if your a Naruto fan Ultimate Storm 3 was epic.
Ugh portal so overrated. That game was so boring IMO EDIT: No, stop asking. I was not "Too dumb to finish the first level" This is 100% my opinion. I don't see why people feel the need to say I have bad taste and I am a dumbass for not liking a game. Valve isn't paying you you don't need to Kiss their ass that much.
+1, some of these games are not as iconic as ME2 opening. Gameplay wasn't too great, most was cinematic awesomeness but hey The Last of Us is here too...
Super Metroid comes to mind. That first area with the base about to explode and the screen starts to tilt as you head for your space ship racing against the timer.
I knew she was gonna die, but I thought she was going to get torn up by the infected. But instead she gets killed by the very people you'd think would help. Also, the way the captured her death scene was pretty gut wrenching, especially the performance on that scene, was a perfect opening for narrative game. But yes, I didn't care for her, up until that tiny part.
BioShock's intro in the HN?? Seriously? Tha intro is awesome, i got chills everytime Ryan says: "RAPTURE" Then the song comes up and the city appears....fucking WOW! And once again, and again, Devil May Cry always underrated on WM. What about Devil May Cry 3 and that fucking awesome intro? The rainy night with the full moon, Dante and Vergil fighting at the top of Temen-Ni-Gru, while Lady tell the tale of Sparda. And after that, the fucking amazing showdown that Dante make in his office... How the fuck that Intro is not even on this video?!?!
***** And the *prologue* of *The Last Of Us* wasn't? The prologue of *Ori and the blind forest* required the same amount of constant interactivity as the prologue of *The Last Of Us*
Brian Villanueva move right only at world 1-1 and you'd die in less than a second. See that goomba? Maybe I was exaggerating on only needing to press right, but Green Hill zone can be finished with a blind fold on by a person who never played it if I were to tell them that all they needed was to press right and press jump randomly.
BabyBlueFord City Escape makes every intro look like a joke in comparison. I do not see any other intros roading around at the speed of sound or got places to go or following their rainbow.
City Escape is more ridiculous than anything, it's mainly remembered for that truck chasing you, and the theme of it. But, past that?, it doesn't leave much to the imagination asides from a few set_pieces.
Yeah, Megaman X. Egoraptor went over pretty well why it just _works._ Dark Cloud 2. It starts withe the _second_ main character, just as shit goes on. And the area and details seen in the closing cutscene for this prologue leads to some serious speculation of the relationship between the two games, up to and including Terminator/Judgement Day levels of time shenanigans. Star Fox Adventures. Sexy blue fox babe in tribalwear. That is all. Zelda, Link to the Past. Wild speculation of "Zelda is your..." aside, that moment you first step out your door, and rain transparency effects show what a beast of a machine your SNES is, The pacing of the castle as the first 'dungeon', it's "T'was a dark and stormy night" done perfectly. And the non-attacking NPC soldiers show that the mooks you're killing in the overworld are people, and you're right in the middle of Agirahim's coup. I love mise en scene. With that: Demon's Crest, also SNES. You want you get right into the action right away? Pff, Shadow of the Colossus has dialogue and horsetravel sandbagging you until the game really starts. Demon's Crest? Here, have a 5-second cutscene and a _giant fucking undead dragon _*_boss,_*_ bitch!_
Someone gave Dark Cloud 2 a shout out quick shower them in cookies and milk! Yes nothing beats "those monsters are in my farther's (seda) room? farther!
I could see RE4 as #1. Here's why: 1. It doesn't fuck around. 5 minutes of quiet then boom first ganado. 2. No tutorial. All trial and error. 3. It sets up the plot, characters, and situation. 4. It has the first major boss-type enemy encounter 5. It shows you this game isn't afraid of One-Shotting you from said enemy. 6. It likes to showcase the fact that it's enemies don't go down easy 7. It's tense throughout. 8. It has fantastic level design.
I agree, one the first games I remember playing as a kid and the atmosphere of the Space Pirate ship still sticks with me to this day! I don't know if Nintendo ever did an HD Remaster for the Wii U on the game, but if not, they should! It is truly a timeless classic in every sense.
Hmm, I always enjoyed Doom's Opening Level, it's what really started a series that is still played to this day, 20 years later, and, for more recent games, I have a soft spot for Wolfenstein, The New Order's opening level.
Claire and Leons scenario A intro was better then RE4. Just seeing the after math of the outbreak in Raccoon city the destruction and death just stands out more to me
***** I disagree Re 2 was my first game it just had a better set up as did the first game those definitely set the tone of opening levels in the franchise
The810kid lmfao better set up on the first game? you must be talking about the remake or are we forgetting the biggest overused statement from the ps1 version "wait dont open that door" XD
I think that's a great list. Also I think the intro for Super Metroid is good. Because it is a foreboding atmosphere on a space station with the crew dead.Then you find the baby Metroid and you fight Ridley for the first time.
not in particular order Arriving the city and the apartment building in Silent Hill 2, Johnny Cage vs Reptile in Mortal Kombat 9, The Pillar of Autumm in Halo CE, El Cairo Station from Halo 2, Sierra 117 in Halo 3, the Master Chief's awakening in Halo 4, the Bob-omb field in Super Mario 64, Inside the Deku Tree in Ocarina of Time, Mission 1 from Metal Slug 2, 3 and 5, Stage 1: The Jungle in Contra, E1M1-Hangar in Doom, Sequence 1 from Assassin's Creed 2 and Brotherhood, the first level from Crash Bandicoot 1, 2 and 3, Luigi Raceway from Mario Kart 64.
I'm not a huge Sonic fan, but I always loved the way city escape started Escaping from a helicopter, taking part of it's wing or w/e and using that to go down the hills. Then later on you're being chased by a massive truck. Not to mention the music is great too!
It sets up the game perfectly. The level design trounces most modern fps. John Romero designed that level last as by then he knew everything that was in the game. It deserved even an honorable mention
One of my all time favorite game intros is Tell Tale's Walking Dead season 1 - riding in the back of a cop car on the way to prison when all hell breaks loose...what a great way to start that series
mgs2: the tanker prolog is not on the list?! wtf? for me the best video game intro of all time! a unique cinematic and gameplay experience and unfortunatly the best part of the game
Aero7SVR My dad bought Dead Space 2 on the PC. I (9 years old at the time) would watch him play it and I was scarred. ;-; The prologue was where Issac talks to this guy where the guy gets suddenly stabbed by an alien and morphs into one... *graphically*... Freaky stuff man....
nightshadow wolfpaw I was and still am too much of a puss to play that game. Near the ending of Dead Space 2, where that undefeatable alien comes in was super hard. I mean come on! They didn't even put anything saying not to kill him! My dad spent like 4 hours trying to defeat that monster before realizing you don't have to kill him, you just have to get passed him..
I liked the beginning of Dead Space 2, starting with a straitjacket, and while doctor who was looking for you turns into a necromorph right in front of you, and you have to escape with your arms still locked inside the jacket and with no weapons, was something that got me into the game immediately
I think that Bioshock's opening shoulda been more than just an honorable mention, that first moment of seeing rapture and listening to that music score at the same time is something purely magical.
Really? Green Hill Zone only an honorable mention?C'mon,it's so much more lively,and colorful than World 1-1,not to mention less linear.How the hell was World 1-1 on the list and not Green Hill Zone?That's just stupid.Well at least it was there i guess...
I think World 1-1 and Green Hill should both be in honorable mentions. Sure they are fun and colourful and express a vital plot point, but they don't feel different from the other levels in the game. The lack of dialogue really seperates it from being in the actual list. Games that have strong dialogue that can express theme, plot points and setting are far more likely to be nominated first. An example is, you guessed it, Half Life 2's opening.
NOTE: What I said there is only regarding openings, not levels. Half Life 2 wouldn't even be on the list if we were talking about actual levels and not just openings, as Half Life 2 doesn't exactly have levels.
Blank ᅚ Yes,but like,who doesn't know these levels?Both Green Hill and 1-1.Sure they aren't that different or have dialogue,but they are like icons for gaming openings/levels.
At the end of the opening of the Last of Us when the title rolled up, I had a tear in my eye, Alone in the room, I stood up and I clapped and boldly stated out loud "That is how you start a fucking game!".
Sonic the Hedgehog's Green Hill Zone 1 is an honorable mention? Really? It's #1 of all time (my opinion)! Wonderful level design and a wonderful soundtrack introduced myself and many other Nintendo fans to the world of Sega. Super Mario Bros. World 1-1 is about right and deserves no less than an honorable mention. Otherwise, a good list. Too bad they missed Metroid Prime's intro stage Halo's "Pillar of Autumn."
"Night of the Funeral" from MOTHER 3 was great. Surprised it didn't make it since that Chapter gets you prepared for the things to come and sets up huge amounts of plot to begin with.
+Patrick Tuohy It isn't its good but it also is when re started going down hill. re revelations was good but nowhere near re 1 or 2 the originals in my opinion are probably 2 of the greatest re games of all time. same with silent hill 1 and 2. I think the guys must have been drunk when they made the list. that or the list represents an individuals opinion within there ranks.
here is why it's the best. No fixed camera. better inventory system. far less clunky combat system. better atmosphere. less pontless puzzles. much more creepy setting. more interresting and cooler enemies. the only better thing about the old ones were the soundtrack from RE2
Ok if you say so. If it wasnt for re 1 and 2 there would be no 4 and the fixed camera created more suspence since you never knew what was around the corner. Yes it was thrilling at parts but it doesnt make it better. As for the puzzles they made it more interesting. They keep you thinking on your feet.
+maniacal gamerz actually the fixed camera didnt create more suspense since you knew there would most likely be a zombie around the corner and you could often hear the enemies far ahead so no suspense or tension there. and the puzzles only slowed down the game and made it alot less interresting because of all the backtracking, and made it artificially longer doing nothing but running around mostly. and to the first argument, yeah so? are all sequels automatically worse than their prequels?
Everyone crying about City Escape not being on the list, yet am I the only one who liked the Helicopter Ride in Dead Rising? Frank's theme, which represents the theme of Dead Rising pretty well, plays as you have to take pictures of the town of WIllamette being taken over by the undead. Not to mention, there are several key moments to take pictures of and they even grant you extra PP (experience) that helps you with the normal game! Don't believe me? Just search for the Intro in Dead Rising. It's pretty cool and even gives you a head start on leveling up in the main game if you take pics at the perfect moments
I enjoyed the opening stages for Metal Gear Solid 2, Ratchet and Clank 1-3, Borderlands 2, Sonic Adventure 1 and 2, Shadow Warrior, Super Mario World, Super Mario 64, and Link to the Past, and quite a few others.
all 3 God Of War games had insane first levels: the boat battle which culminates in facing the multi-headed Hydra introduced us to the first of the GoW trilogy. then, to kick off the 2nd game, you fight soldiers while avoiding, entering, and eventually battling the re-animated Colossus of Rhodes statue. in the final installment, things kick into high gear as you continue where 2 left off/ended. as Zeus gives his speech (rallying the gods to fight with him), Kratos climbs Mount Olympus on Gaia's back to get his revenge. Hercules sends a legion of skeleton warriors, while Poseidon brings forth towering water infused horse-like creatures with claws, all as you traverse the titan's body (inside and out) and the mountain to face the god of the sea himself, Poseidon. it never lets up until you murder him in glorious fashion as your quest to take out Zeus comes to a head, coming face-to-face with the king of the gods. but that's where things get interesting and the game (and your quest) truly begins. another great beginning stage was the first level of Contra: Hard Corps. it begins are you are given orders to stop an unmanned robot running rampant through the city. crashing through robots and aliens in your armored truck, you burst on the scene guns a blazing. after wiping out sentries, you take out a machine that crashes into a building. said building collapses as you climb it to the top witnessing a giant mech trashing the city in the distance. the mech attacks as do you until it finally explodes. after that, you ride some rotating platforms as the last one breaks and careens down the street, taking out cars one after another. finally, you confront the unmanned robot that isn't unmanned at all. just when you think the battle is over, he levels the building in the distance and has a second form. all to catchy/rockin' tunes. helluva way to begin a game imo.
Personally would have thought the first level of the ORIGINAL Tomb Raider for PC would maybe be up there. It's a fantastic level in the snow mountains that prepares you for not only one of the first most epic adventure titles available, but for one of the most memorable franchises ever.
Might be just a personal favourite, but Prince of Persia: Warrior Within had an impact on me in the first level. That burning ship, chopping the heads of enemies and cutting them in half, a kickass rock theme from Stuart Chatwood, and of course, the deadly dominatrix Shadhee. Yeah, that sucked me in hard and I was thinking the whole time: Wow! This is gonna be awesome! After completing the Sands of Time, I really thought how it might actually surpass it's predecessor, but boy it did. Prince of Persia: Warrior Within had the best opening in the trilogy and it still sends shivers down my spine. Some may not agree with my opinion, but that intro shocked me and left me in awe. Warrior Within is still my favourite game of all time. :D
Some choices that would have made my list: - Mass Effect 2 (The Normandy gets attacked) - Final Fantasy VII (Blowing the Sector 5 Reactor) - Goldeneye (The Dam) -Fallout 3 (Growing up inside Vault 101)
Clock Town (First 3 Day Cycle)-The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask Space Pirate Frigate Orpheon-Metroid Prime Dive to the Heart-Kingdom Hearts The Maharaja's Treasure Vault-Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time City Escape-Sonic Adventure 2
God of War 2 - fighting the colossus Dead Space - flying to the Ishimura Final Fantasy 6 - crossing the snowy plains Meal Gear Solid - unforgettable moment when Snake rides up the elevator as the title screen appears. Super Metroid - just an awesome intro level Silent Hill - the alley way still remains one of the most terrifying scenes in video gaming Final Fantasy 7 - the assault on the reactor.
Nowadays, there are more opening levels in recent times like Green Hill Zone of Sonic Mania, the train level of Bloodstained Curse of the Moon 1, and Geothermal Tower of Cyber Shadow.
#4: Of course, the most striking part of the first level: while it STARTS with the type of campy fight scene the first game was famous for, the tone quickly changes, and the player finds out quickly how much darker this is going to be...
I think The Edge from Mirrors Edge is a very good prologue as it subtlety announces every thin you can run into until about chapter 4, then the game keeps it fresh from then on, topping my list for number 9 on my best games of all time.
Mario level 1-1 is probably the most iconic and recognizable game level of all time. I also expected the opening of Zelda: A Link to the Past in this list.
Electrical engineering, is pretty smart. General relativity... Pretty fuckin' smart. The intro stage to Megaman X- FUCKING.....GEEEENNNIUSSS!!!!!
Riding on cars! DUDLE DUDL DU!
Shooting lemons
Egoraptor's best Sequelitis episode hands down. ^_^
jumpin shootin
Brendan McCabe Shouda called him jump n shoot man.
Wolfenstein: The new order and God of War 3 had great opening levels too...
Also Dead Space 2
The opening in God of War 3 was so epic....should've made the cut easily.
Mass Effect 2 and 3 had tremendous openings
Poseidon shinanigans was epic, a boss battle right out the gate lol
i was expecting god of war 3 opening to be first but it didn't even make the list what the hell???
Vault 101 from Fallout 3. There's so much interesting and cool setup as you spend the first 40 minutes of the game inside the vault before the giant metal vault door opens and you take your first steps into the bright sunlight of the Capital Wasteland
god of war 3? killing poseidon was pretty cool i thought
Or God of War 1 or 2, as well.
God of War sucks
Onimusha was better than god of war
chupamishuevos303 cool, im just saying i thought the opening for god of war 3 was good.
I agree with you
Its 2015, and yet a channel with 7 million subs, still don't have 720p videos...*Facepalm*
who cares, at least the content is good
It's because it only just got uploaded, just wait
A lot of things on their lists are not in HD. Watch some videos where they list or discuss newer content. Those are typically in HD.
Sancus EDM like their games..... that makes no sense, one clip with bad quality does not have to change the WHOLE VIDEO into bad quality. But I agree with bozoid57
ICantBeCrushed | Minecraft Artist omfg how many times do they need to explain why they don't upload in hd?!?!?!
Am I the only one who thinks they mentioned Corneria from StarFox 64 just so they could stick "Do a Barrel Roll" in there?
yeah hahaha cause in my own opinion the snes verion was so much better
bioshock only an honorable mention??
Yeah. When u see tha whale and the city in skale u'll be like woah! It's epic. I think the game is kinda boring but the opening is awesome!
Be glad, I'm still dumbfounded God of War wasn't an there. Not even Halo!
Joseph Su'a I thought god of war 3 was gonna be on there
It came out in 07, my god has it been seven+ years already?
Halo 2's opening was way better than Bioshock's and it didn't get an honorable mention :o
Sonic Adventure 2 City Escape hands down.
Rolling arouns at the speed of sound bitches!!!
I actually forgot about that stage.
Yea man that game opened up big. I was like ohhh shit
Hell yeah no doubt, following rainbows and shit homie!
Rolling around at the speed of sound. Got no place to go, gotta follow my radio
got races to go got live out my naturez!
So next will be top 10 final game levels right ?
Yup I hope so, would make sense and Arkham City has to be on that list
They should do top 10 final boss fights though.
Felix Boettcher Halo 3's final mission with the Warthog racing away from the crumbling Ark is also definetly going to be up there.
WatchMojo already did "Top 10 Video Game Final Stages," but "Top 10 Video Game Final Boss Fights" needs to be made.into a video."
AXHP Legend of Zelda, Mario and Legend of Zelda will be the top 7.
Wait wait wait...
God of War 3 didn't even get an honorable mention?
Holy shit, a new layout!
Love your vids
That opening level in mega man X isn't smart, it's.... FUCJING GEEENIUS
You got to love sequelitis
that game makes my dick ROCK HARD... love jump n shoot man
I hate it when a game makes an enemy invulnerable or goes to cutscene to make you lose for story reasons; it just feels like fake bullshit and breaks the immersion. If you need the player to lose just making beating the enemy unrealistic.
isn't it called highway tho
came here for this, not dissapointed
Bioshock's "Welcome to Rapture" is just an honorary mention? come on -_-
+iAmDaos That opening was grand, but I guess it's not so much a level since there is no real obstacle!?
TobyTheWookiee no need for an obstacle. they said in the begginning of the video that the levels had to suck gamers in with their inventive design OR gameplay. so basically it's not mandatory for it to have gameplay. besides, something so unique like "welcome to rapture" doesn't even need any gameplay to amaze and become memorable.
'Cause there is no real obstacle? Neither does TLOU's prologue.
What about Halo CE? Or Halo 2? They by far had one of the best introductions through introducing game mechanics, enemies, and weapons, all while epic battles ensue. Especially HALO 2 with the destruction of other stations, an outside space mission, epic cinematic, Sgt Johnson, and the final bomb cinematic. It was both intelligent and epic!
I always got lost in those ships since the hallways are so bland.
I see how that eliminates halo 1 as it was pretty difficult, but halo 2 did a lot better and why not include remastered halo 2 which was much more colorful, epic, and less bland. But as far as teaching a game without it being forced, both halos did well. Halo 3 i wouldn't include simply bc after waiting to use the AR once again and it being hyped, it became useless in the first mission.
CE turned into a horror game in those hallways XD
TheSUPERPOTATO2000
In the one room where you run into a darkroom and an elite yells at you, I almost had a FUCKING HEART ATTACK
TheSUPERPOTATO2000 I know! And I would pick Halo 4's opening level over any of these. The chilling opening scene along with the escape sequence at the end. It was all pretty stunning. But even then, I think that would only get an honorable mention at best.
Super Metroid? Super Metroid?!?!?!
I know right? The Ceres Space Colony was pretty awesome, and onimous too! Then you got to fight Ridley. After that, they give you 1 minute to escape because of the self destruct system. Should have been mentioned :/
Thank you!!
+CarozQH Super Metroid. Yep. Typical WatchMojo blundering.
+ArcaneAzmadi you do know they have people vote on this right?
CarozQH I would've also considered Metroid Prime.
Dead Space 2 had one of the coolest openings I have ever experienced. Also, Halo CE, Rayman Legends, Mass Effect 2 if you count the part where you get spaced as a first level, and if your a Naruto fan Ultimate Storm 3 was epic.
Ugh portal so overrated. That game was so boring IMO
EDIT: No, stop asking. I was not "Too dumb to finish the first level" This is 100% my opinion. I don't see why people feel the need to say I have bad taste and I am a dumbass for not liking a game. Valve isn't paying you you don't need to Kiss their ass that much.
Just shut up
I feel bad for you m8
I enjoyed it. There are way better games out there but it's in my top 100
Aww some one couldn't get pass the first level
Maybe your just to dumb to figure out the puzzles lol
wtf welcome to rapture should've been top pick. it's way more iconic than portal 2
You guy's REALLY need to start uploading in HD .-.
its faster to upload lower quality
Gabriel Rivera Who cares how long it takes as long as it looks good. Quality over Quantity
Kael Hyun its just the video quality tho
not that its 144p or anything like that
Raul Victor uhh they just uploaded HD just now, kinda weird
Raul Victor That's a Myth plenty of Old games look great in HD.
Mass Effect 2 Opening? Mass Effect 3 Opening?
Yeah, I'm really surprised ME2 didn't get at least an honorable mention.
+1, some of these games are not as iconic as ME2 opening. Gameplay wasn't too great, most was cinematic awesomeness but hey The Last of Us is here too...
I don't remember the openings, but I remember that those are both great games.
Tripcore
They are great my friend, they truly are.
I think they might count as a prelude, but ME2 and 3 had one hell of an opening.
Super Metroid comes to mind. That first area with the base about to explode and the screen starts to tilt as you head for your space ship racing against the timer.
"You may have a veery minor case, of serious brain damage." Love that phrase :D
in the last of us, I didn't care about Joel's daughter because she wasn't on the box so I knew she was gonna die
Thank you!!!
I didn't expect what we got, but I think
SPOILERS!!!
the death of Henry and Sam was much sadder.
I knew she was gonna die, but I thought she was going to get torn up by the infected. But instead she gets killed by the very people you'd think would help. Also, the way the captured her death scene was pretty gut wrenching, especially the performance on that scene, was a perfect opening for narrative game. But yes, I didn't care for her, up until that tiny part.
I didn't give a shit since we only saw her for 15 minutes, i didn't grow any love to the character
u heartless son of a bitch!!! that moment was sad mate. yes u only got 15 minutes with her, but still it was sad as fuck!
I cried at the prologue of Last Of Us. my mom called me a wimp and said there was no reason to cry.
BioShock's intro in the HN?? Seriously?
Tha intro is awesome, i got chills everytime Ryan says: "RAPTURE" Then the song comes up and the city appears....fucking WOW!
And once again, and again, Devil May Cry always underrated on WM.
What about Devil May Cry 3 and that fucking awesome intro?
The rainy night with the full moon, Dante and Vergil fighting at the top of Temen-Ni-Gru, while Lady tell the tale of Sparda. And after that, the fucking amazing showdown that Dante make in his office...
How the fuck that Intro is not even on this video?!?!
The prologue of *Ori and the blind forest* would have easily made it onto this list, had it have came out a few weeks earlier.
***** And the *prologue* of *The Last Of Us* wasn't? The prologue of *Ori and the blind forest* required the same amount of constant interactivity as the prologue of *The Last Of Us*
dragonv0942 But there was gameplay. It says opening levels, not cutscenes. Last of Us was more of a scripted gameplay, similar to Portal 2.
YES! It made me feel like the game was going to be something a little more epic, right from the start. I also cried a bit.
That was one of the best openings I have seen!
dragonv0942 that opening was just devastating...
Half-Life 3 better have the most fucking epic first level ever.
It aged better than hl1 and much better game than hl2. Hl3 is one of the best games ever made
WHERE THE FUCK IS SONIC ADVENTURE 2 INTRO STAGE?!?!
i want sanic ;n;
But its sooooo good
***** غشت
***** Floating around at the speed of light!!!
C'mon WatchMojo!
Uh Green hill zone?
It's iconic, but I can't really call it an amazing first level. You just have to press RIGHT
What about halo CEs one ???
ispitfire1 You say that but mario was on the list so...
Brian Villanueva move right only at world 1-1 and you'd die in less than a second. See that goomba?
Maybe I was exaggerating on only needing to press right, but Green Hill zone can be finished with a blind fold on by a person who never played it if I were to tell them that all they needed was to press right and press jump randomly.
I think City Escape is better.
But still I love Green Hill Zone.
I knew this was a bad list as soon as I noticed that City Escape was not the top pick.
Medachod It's not ENTIRELY bad, but it could be much better... The Last of Us was pretty emotional.
BabyBlueFord City Escape makes every intro look like a joke in comparison. I do not
see any other intros roading around at the speed of sound or got places
to go or following their rainbow.
Medachod I agree with your statement on City Escape, though. Definitely should've been taken off.
City Escape is more ridiculous than anything, it's mainly remembered for that truck chasing you, and the theme of it. But, past that?, it doesn't leave much to the imagination asides from a few set_pieces.
I Am Vertically Challenged The theme is exactly why it should be remembered.
No Green Hill Zone from Sonic?? I feel like that is such an iconic level to this day :(
It was in the honorable mentions.
BlazinVoid Okay thanks. I just skimmed the video at first.
***** No problem.
Yeah, Megaman X. Egoraptor went over pretty well why it just _works._
Dark Cloud 2. It starts withe the _second_ main character, just as shit goes on. And the area and details seen in the closing cutscene for this prologue leads to some serious speculation of the relationship between the two games, up to and including Terminator/Judgement Day levels of time shenanigans.
Star Fox Adventures. Sexy blue fox babe in tribalwear. That is all.
Zelda, Link to the Past. Wild speculation of "Zelda is your..." aside, that moment you first step out your door, and rain transparency effects show what a beast of a machine your SNES is, The pacing of the castle as the first 'dungeon', it's "T'was a dark and stormy night" done perfectly. And the non-attacking NPC soldiers show that the mooks you're killing in the overworld are people, and you're right in the middle of Agirahim's coup. I love mise en scene.
With that: Demon's Crest, also SNES. You want you get right into the action right away? Pff, Shadow of the Colossus has dialogue and horsetravel sandbagging you until the game really starts. Demon's Crest? Here, have a 5-second cutscene and a _giant fucking undead dragon _*_boss,_*_ bitch!_
Someone gave Dark Cloud 2 a shout out quick shower them in cookies and milk! Yes nothing beats "those monsters are in my farther's (seda) room? farther!
Undead Asylum from Dark Souls
I prefer castle Crashers intro level.
Dark Souls opening level just reminds you, how pissed you are going to be...
I could see RE4 as #1. Here's why:
1. It doesn't fuck around. 5 minutes of quiet then boom first ganado.
2. No tutorial. All trial and error.
3. It sets up the plot, characters, and situation.
4. It has the first major boss-type enemy encounter
5. It shows you this game isn't afraid of One-Shotting you from said enemy.
6. It likes to showcase the fact that it's enemies don't go down easy
7. It's tense throughout.
8. It has fantastic level design.
Nothing beats the GTA SA bike ride
I got two words for you: Metroid Fuckin' Prime. Alright, that three words but my point still stands.
I agree, one the first games I remember playing as a kid and the atmosphere of the Space Pirate ship still sticks with me to this day! I don't know if Nintendo ever did an HD Remaster for the Wii U on the game, but if not, they should! It is truly a timeless classic in every sense.
I wish I could play the first game, but I've only got #3 :( but hey, it's still a good one!
329link Well, if you have a Wii U, they released the trilogy for just $20 on the eShop, so you can play the first two. It's worth every penny.
Agree
Frijolero18 now I want a wii u even more! lol
Hmm, I always enjoyed Doom's Opening Level, it's what really started a series that is still played to this day, 20 years later, and, for more recent games, I have a soft spot for Wolfenstein, The New Order's opening level.
How come no one was shocked that Doom's E1M1: Hangar level wasn't on this list!!!!!!
Because none of these idiots have played Doom.
***** How does this comment chain make Doom overrated? Or are you just trolling to get people riled up.
How is mass effect 2 not on this list?!?!
+Supercell2 Because I'm sure people were complaining too much about how WM praised the Mass Effect franchise.
+Oscar Thomas well it's not WM's fault the franchise deserves it
+Salvador Vidaurri I agree, but people still manage to complain about everything they don't deem appealing to their ideals
Are you playing Megaman X on a toaster?
+ClassicGamerReviews Seriously its lagging like shi.t xD
Batman Arkham Asylum
Yeah, I was expecting it to make at least Honorable myself!
The Arkham games don't really have levels
How about rushing around helgen when a giant black dragon attacks just before your about to get decapitated unable to fight back?
FF7 Opening Bomb Mission? Very few openings are as iconic as that.
Claire and Leons scenario A intro was better then RE4. Just seeing the after math of the outbreak in Raccoon city the destruction and death just stands out more to me
Agree
***** I disagree Re 2 was my first game it just had a better set up as did the first game those definitely set the tone of opening levels in the franchise
The810kid lmfao better set up on the first game? you must be talking about the remake or are we forgetting the biggest overused statement from the ps1 version "wait dont open that door" XD
I think that's a great list. Also I think the intro for Super Metroid is good. Because it is a foreboding atmosphere on a space station with the crew dead.Then you find the baby Metroid and you fight Ridley for the first time.
Hot damn! Loving the new transitions mojo!
not in particular order
Arriving the city and the apartment building in Silent Hill 2,
Johnny Cage vs Reptile in Mortal Kombat 9,
The Pillar of Autumm in Halo CE,
El Cairo Station from Halo 2,
Sierra 117 in Halo 3,
the Master Chief's awakening in Halo 4,
the Bob-omb field in Super Mario 64,
Inside the Deku Tree in Ocarina of Time,
Mission 1 from Metal Slug 2, 3 and 5,
Stage 1: The Jungle in Contra,
E1M1-Hangar in Doom,
Sequence 1 from Assassin's Creed 2 and Brotherhood,
the first level from Crash Bandicoot 1, 2 and 3,
Luigi Raceway from Mario Kart 64.
Mortal Kombat 9's intro wasn't memorable at all. It was just a normal fight... nothing special about it
World 1-1?
fgcugghbkjvjckvlh
I'm not a huge Sonic fan, but I always loved the way city escape started
Escaping from a helicopter, taking part of it's wing or w/e and using that to go down the hills.
Then later on you're being chased by a massive truck. Not to mention the music is great too!
I'm surprised there was no mention of City Escape.
The intro with the most replay value, that's what counts in my eyes.
But to each their own I guess.
What the fuck? No DooM E1M1?
I know right that was my first thought when I saw opening levels. Half of what's on this list is nowhere near as iconic as Doom's opener.
It sets up the game perfectly. The level design trounces most modern fps. John Romero designed that level last as by then he knew everything that was in the game. It deserved even an honorable mention
man....you are right on
Apu Nahasapeemapetilon Exactly.
E1M1 - At Doom's gate. THE BEST opening level (and music) in FPS history!!!!
One of my all time favorite game intros is Tell Tale's Walking Dead season 1 - riding in the back of a cop car on the way to prison when all hell breaks loose...what a great way to start that series
Where is "Inside the Deku Tree"?
Exactly, It should've been
It should be on here, but overall OOT is still the best game ever, so this list is irrelevant
Well they put in The Freeway from Mega Man X, which is arguably the worst level in the game
mgs2: the tanker prolog is not on the list?! wtf? for me the best video game intro of all time! a unique cinematic and gameplay experience and unfortunatly the best part of the game
I agree entirely
Agreed! Mgs3's was cool too.
You guys forgot Metal Gear Solid 2! The First sequences as Solid Snake were epic!
Green Hill Zone is only a mention?! Go home, you're drunk
How the hell did Welcome to Rapture not make the list?! That was an incredible opening level!
Dead Space 2 absolutely HAS to be here !
Resident Evil 4 at #1 ? .... eh, close enough. lol
I know right. I think that dead space should have been at least a honorable mention.
Aero7SVR My dad bought Dead Space 2 on the PC. I (9 years old at the time) would watch him play it and I was scarred. ;-;
The prologue was where Issac talks to this guy where the guy gets suddenly stabbed by an alien and morphs into one... *graphically*...
Freaky stuff man....
Mat Ston lol still own the collectors edition of that game and it came with a graphics card of that scene showing step by step transformation :P
nightshadow wolfpaw I was and still am too much of a puss to play that game. Near the ending of Dead Space 2, where that undefeatable alien comes in was super hard. I mean come on! They didn't even put anything saying not to kill him! My dad spent like 4 hours trying to defeat that monster before realizing you don't have to kill him, you just have to get passed him..
Metroid Prime?
Reminded me of Super Metroid's Space Colony intro, both awesome :)
ceres station is better.
That was a great intro!
City Escape from sonic adventure two was awesome. Although that wasn't here, a couple of my favorites did make it onto this list.
Doom is on here right?
Right?
Wow
E1M1 was my first immediate thought before viewing 😭
Mine too
I liked the beginning of Dead Space 2, starting with a straitjacket, and while doctor who was looking for you turns into a necromorph right in front of you, and you have to escape with your arms still locked inside the jacket and with no weapons, was something that got me into the game immediately
Assasins Creed. That was a so what shall I call it? funny? interesting? not importend. I love it!
ACII actually.. damn the feels
ProcopioPutingtae ACU had a good opening
really? haven't played it.. i'll check it out.
ProcopioPutingtae the opening was great the rest was meh
ProcopioPutingtae Thats what i was saying!!!!
I think that Bioshock's opening shoulda been more than just an honorable mention, that first moment of seeing rapture and listening to that music score at the same time is something purely magical.
far cry 3 i think was the best intro
+Zeuscdb Nop, just a pretty good one
It was mostly annoying
flashback-cage-escape attempt-brother dies-leap of faith-dark. Ok, it was nice, but not one of the best.
I agree, it was a fantastic intro, it's not my fave tho
The first part of Final Fantasy 8 in Balamb Garden was pretty interesting, come to think of it, the starting part of 7 and 9 were good too.
Fallout 3 or NV?????
Warehouse - Tony Hawk Pro Skater. Learning the controls while singing "Superman" by Goldfinger. Classic.
Really? Green Hill Zone only an honorable mention?C'mon,it's so much more lively,and colorful than World 1-1,not to mention less linear.How the hell was World 1-1 on the list and not Green Hill Zone?That's just stupid.Well at least it was there i guess...
I think World 1-1 and Green Hill should both be in honorable mentions. Sure they are fun and colourful and express a vital plot point, but they don't feel different from the other levels in the game. The lack of dialogue really seperates it from being in the actual list.
Games that have strong dialogue that can express theme, plot points and setting are far more likely to be nominated first.
An example is, you guessed it, Half Life 2's opening.
NOTE: What I said there is only regarding openings, not levels. Half Life 2 wouldn't even be on the list if we were talking about actual levels and not just openings, as Half Life 2 doesn't exactly have levels.
Blank ᅚ Yes,but like,who doesn't know these levels?Both Green Hill and 1-1.Sure they aren't that different or have dialogue,but they are like icons for gaming openings/levels.
The games as a whole are icons. The Green Hill music is probably more of an icon, not the actual level.
Blank ᅚ Ehh...i would consider the level as well,but whatevs.
At the end of the opening of the Last of Us when the title rolled up, I had a tear in my eye, Alone in the room, I stood up and I clapped and boldly stated out loud "That is how you start a fucking game!".
Sonic the Hedgehog's Green Hill Zone 1 is an honorable mention? Really? It's #1 of all time (my opinion)! Wonderful level design and a wonderful soundtrack introduced myself and many other Nintendo fans to the world of Sega. Super Mario Bros. World 1-1 is about right and deserves no less than an honorable mention. Otherwise, a good list. Too bad they missed Metroid Prime's intro stage Halo's "Pillar of Autumn."
I know right! They put Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare number 2, but SMB's World 1-1 and Green Hill Zone at 10 and honorable mentions.
Backwards list
Modern warfare was pretty good
"Life is Strange"! The intro for that is just amazing!
Where was minecraft? Not even honorable mention?
Fuck minecraft, it just stupid game, and there is No Opening level
He's joking.
***** Don't feed the troll you fools
Bio shock infinite
No
+Carl50 No.
+Carl50 mm, no.
Mass effect 2. You are in a ship that disintegrates around you, get killed, wake up, jump out of bed and start shooting robots.
WatchMojo needs to realize, that there are other 16-bit video games besides Super Mario and Sonic.
well Mega Man X made it onto the list.
"Night of the Funeral" from MOTHER 3 was great. Surprised it didn't make it since that Chapter gets you prepared for the things to come and sets up huge amounts of plot to begin with.
Really, RE4 as number 1? meh. I don't get how people can think is the best RE to date
+Patrick Tuohy It isn't its good but it also is when re started going down hill. re revelations was good but nowhere near re 1 or 2 the originals in my opinion are probably 2 of the greatest re games of all time. same with silent hill 1 and 2. I think the guys must have been drunk when they made the list. that or the list represents an individuals opinion within there ranks.
I liked 4 but it's far from the best RE game.
here is why it's the best.
No fixed camera.
better inventory system.
far less clunky combat system.
better atmosphere.
less pontless puzzles.
much more creepy setting.
more interresting and cooler enemies.
the only better thing about the old ones were the soundtrack from RE2
Ok if you say so. If it wasnt for re 1 and 2 there would be no 4 and the fixed camera created more suspence since you never knew what was around the corner. Yes it was thrilling at parts but it doesnt make it better. As for the puzzles they made it more interesting. They keep you thinking on your feet.
+maniacal gamerz actually the fixed camera didnt create more suspense since you knew there would most likely be a zombie around the corner and you could often hear the enemies far ahead so no suspense or tension there. and the puzzles only slowed down the game and made it alot less interresting because of all the backtracking, and made it artificially longer doing nothing but running around mostly. and to the first argument, yeah so? are all sequels automatically worse than their prequels?
Intro to bulletstorm was the best intro I have ever seen if u haven't played it your missing out
Everyone crying about City Escape not being on the list, yet am I the only one who liked the Helicopter Ride in Dead Rising? Frank's theme, which represents the theme of Dead Rising pretty well, plays as you have to take pictures of the town of WIllamette being taken over by the undead. Not to mention, there are several key moments to take pictures of and they even grant you extra PP (experience) that helps you with the normal game!
Don't believe me? Just search for the Intro in Dead Rising. It's pretty cool and even gives you a head start on leveling up in the main game if you take pics at the perfect moments
+5persondude OMG YES I TOTALLY FORGOT ABOUT THAT
+5persondude Didn't come to mind until you mentioned it. That intro set up the game perfectly. Should've been included on the list
Parasite Eve. Nothing like going to an opera and everyone bursts into flames. Then the scene with the rat was just icing on the creepy cake.
I enjoyed the opening stages for Metal Gear Solid 2, Ratchet and Clank 1-3, Borderlands 2, Sonic Adventure 1 and 2, Shadow Warrior, Super Mario World, Super Mario 64, and Link to the Past, and quite a few others.
all 3 God Of War games had insane first levels: the boat battle which culminates in facing the multi-headed Hydra introduced us to the first of the GoW trilogy. then, to kick off the 2nd game, you fight soldiers while avoiding, entering, and eventually battling the re-animated Colossus of Rhodes statue. in the final installment, things kick into high gear as you continue where 2 left off/ended. as Zeus gives his speech (rallying the gods to fight with him), Kratos climbs Mount Olympus on Gaia's back to get his revenge. Hercules sends a legion of skeleton warriors, while Poseidon brings forth towering water infused horse-like creatures with claws, all as you traverse the titan's body (inside and out) and the mountain to face the god of the sea himself, Poseidon. it never lets up until you murder him in glorious fashion as your quest to take out Zeus comes to a head, coming face-to-face with the king of the gods. but that's where things get interesting and the game (and your quest) truly begins.
another great beginning stage was the first level of Contra: Hard Corps. it begins are you are given orders to stop an unmanned robot running rampant through the city. crashing through robots and aliens in your armored truck, you burst on the scene guns a blazing. after wiping out sentries, you take out a machine that crashes into a building. said building collapses as you climb it to the top witnessing a giant mech trashing the city in the distance. the mech attacks as do you until it finally explodes. after that, you ride some rotating platforms as the last one breaks and careens down the street, taking out cars one after another. finally, you confront the unmanned robot that isn't unmanned at all. just when you think the battle is over, he levels the building in the distance and has a second form. all to catchy/rockin' tunes. helluva way to begin a game imo.
Personally would have thought the first level of the ORIGINAL Tomb Raider for PC would maybe be up there. It's a fantastic level in the snow mountains that prepares you for not only one of the first most epic adventure titles available, but for one of the most memorable franchises ever.
Kinda surprised Prototype didn't get at least an honorable mention.
Tearing through an army with access to all your powers was pretty fun.
Might be just a personal favourite, but Prince of Persia: Warrior Within had an impact on me in the first level. That burning ship, chopping the heads of enemies and cutting them in half, a kickass rock theme from Stuart Chatwood, and of course, the deadly dominatrix Shadhee. Yeah, that sucked me in hard and I was thinking the whole time: Wow! This is gonna be awesome!
After completing the Sands of Time, I really thought how it might actually surpass it's predecessor, but boy it did. Prince of Persia: Warrior Within had the best opening in the trilogy and it still sends shivers down my spine. Some may not agree with my opinion, but that intro shocked me and left me in awe. Warrior Within is still my favourite game of all time. :D
Hey WatchMojo.com! I liked this intro a lot more better than the new. Can you bring this back for the new videos as well?
Wow I was very surprised to see RE4 at number 1 and Mario at 10. Very well devised list, mojo. I loved RE4 too
Assassin's Creed 2 that part where Ezio climbs the tower with his bro, the music plays and the opening title comes on screen.
Super Metroid! System Shock 2!! Doom!!! DOOM!!!
Some choices that would have made my list:
- Mass Effect 2 (The Normandy gets attacked)
- Final Fantasy VII (Blowing the Sector 5 Reactor)
- Goldeneye (The Dam)
-Fallout 3 (Growing up inside Vault 101)
Clock Town (First 3 Day Cycle)-The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
Space Pirate Frigate Orpheon-Metroid Prime
Dive to the Heart-Kingdom Hearts
The Maharaja's Treasure Vault-Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
City Escape-Sonic Adventure 2
God of War 2 - fighting the colossus
Dead Space - flying to the Ishimura
Final Fantasy 6 - crossing the snowy plains
Meal Gear Solid - unforgettable moment when
Snake rides up the elevator as the title screen appears.
Super Metroid - just an awesome intro level
Silent Hill - the alley way still remains one of the most terrifying scenes in video gaming
Final Fantasy 7 - the assault on the reactor.
Nowadays, there are more opening levels in recent times like Green Hill Zone of Sonic Mania, the train level of Bloodstained Curse of the Moon 1, and Geothermal Tower of Cyber Shadow.
#4: Of course, the most striking part of the first level: while it STARTS with the type of campy fight scene the first game was famous for, the tone quickly changes, and the player finds out quickly how much darker this is going to be...
Resident Evil 2 run to the police station, Final Fantasy VII reactor bombing, FFI through Garland's castle, FFX Sin attack on Zanarkand
Mass Effect 2? Walking through the Normandy as it crumbles to pieces was epic!
I think The Edge from Mirrors Edge is a very good prologue as it subtlety announces every thin you can run into until about chapter 4, then the game keeps it fresh from then on, topping my list for number 9 on my best games of all time.
Mario level 1-1 is probably the most iconic and recognizable game level of all time. I also expected the opening of Zelda: A Link to the Past in this list.
God of War 2 boss fight with Colossus of Rhodes is the best opening I've seen in years