10 Video Games I Knew Would Be Masterpieces from the Opening Sequence
The article argues that a game’s opening can signal the quality of the experience to come, especially when players are deciding whether to invest many hours. It presents ten games whose first sequences convinced the writer they were masterpieces, from cinematic action openings to quieter scenes that establish character and tone.
Examples include *Ghost of Tsushima*, whose Battle of Komoda Beach leads into Jin Sakai’s escape, and *Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty*, whose rainy New York tanker sequence sets a neo-noir tone. The 2018 *God of War* is praised for opening with a funeral and introducing Kratos and Atreus’ relationship; the excerpt also notes the original *Mass Effect*’s success and the high expectations facing its sequel.
In short
- Strong openings can make a game feel unmissable.
- The list spans modern releases and foundational classics.
- Cinematic direction and character help set the tone.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A carefully crafted opening can establish a game’s tone, characters and world while showing players what its storytelling and play have to offer. When it does this well, it gives a persuasive early reason to trust the experience and invest many hours in it.
The case against
An opening is only a small part of a much longer game, so a striking first sequence cannot establish that the whole experience is consistently excellent. Some games take time to find their rhythm, and judging them too early may undervalue quieter openings or later strengths.
Explained simply
Video game openings introduce players to a story, its characters and the way a game plays. Because many games take dozens of hours to finish, a strong first sequence can help players decide whether to continue.
Ghost of Tsushima follows Jin Sakai, a samurai caught up in the Mongol invasion of Japan, while Metal Gear Solid 2 begins with a covert mission in rainy New York. God of War (2018) centres on Kratos and his son Atreus as they set out after a family bereavement.
The series and characters often have histories that newcomers may not know, but these games use their opening scenes to establish the relationships and mood needed to follow the story. Mass Effect is another science-fiction role-playing series highlighted for setting a high bar with its first game, which shaped expectations for its sequel.
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