One of the biggest changes in the way games immerse us is the introduction. What once could be accomplished by a few simple bars of text is now a work of art in its own right.
By "introductory sequences," I don't just mean opening cutscenes. I mean prologues, first levels, title seqeunces and, in some cases, expository sequences that provide the entirety of the setting and story background needed to create a fantastic gaming experience (looking at you, Half-Life 2). I'll be trying to limit the examples to one per series, as to not over-saturate the list with similar introductions.
So without, further adieu, here are some of my favorite intro sequences. I won't be numbering them, since I'm entirely sure how many I'm going to do, but rest assured, there will be a clear cut #1.
Enjoy.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
The Dangers of Magical Thinking
Taking a break from my "15 Years of Gaming" hiatus to give a couple examples of why Half-Life 2 is what it is to me (and why it's the background of this lovely blog you're currently reading).
The first are the so-called "Breencasts," various Big Brother style updates given by the villainous Dr. Breen during various stages of Gordon Freeman's adventure. Rest in Peace, Robert Culp.
If you look at the top rated comment (made by yours truly), you'll see what I mean. "Imaginatively spoken" is something I feel extends to all of Valve's games, honestly, but there's not better example than Dr. Breen.
The second example is less dialogue-driven (as in, none at all), but just as powerful. The G-Man is, without a doubt, the most enigmatic recurring character in all of video gaming. Kudos goes out to whoever compiled this.
There's a video preceding this one made out of Half-Life, Opposing Force, Blue Shift and Decay sightings, and while those are equally as mysterious, they aren't from Half-Life 2 or its sequels. So they aren't pertinent to this post.
Plus, I think three videos is as many as I can ask of you to watch.
I'll continue the 15 YOG stuff once I finish this scoring system I'm working on, and also play a few games from the last three years that I have missed. Laters.
The first are the so-called "Breencasts," various Big Brother style updates given by the villainous Dr. Breen during various stages of Gordon Freeman's adventure. Rest in Peace, Robert Culp.
If you look at the top rated comment (made by yours truly), you'll see what I mean. "Imaginatively spoken" is something I feel extends to all of Valve's games, honestly, but there's not better example than Dr. Breen.
The second example is less dialogue-driven (as in, none at all), but just as powerful. The G-Man is, without a doubt, the most enigmatic recurring character in all of video gaming. Kudos goes out to whoever compiled this.
There's a video preceding this one made out of Half-Life, Opposing Force, Blue Shift and Decay sightings, and while those are equally as mysterious, they aren't from Half-Life 2 or its sequels. So they aren't pertinent to this post.
Plus, I think three videos is as many as I can ask of you to watch.
I'll continue the 15 YOG stuff once I finish this scoring system I'm working on, and also play a few games from the last three years that I have missed. Laters.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)