Favorite Game Intros

[Hotfoot]

Here are some of my favorites, and rather than link them to everyone over AIM, I'll post them here.

First off, the Independence War introduction. At 15 minutes, it's like a short episode of a science fiction show, and it's pretty damn good at that.

Part 1
Part 2

Next up is another space game, Descent: Freespace. Seriously, even today this intro gives me chills.

Relive the awesome

And of course, Mechwarrior 2. While the first game had an okay intro, it wasn't until GBL and Mercs that things got REALLY good. Observe:

Ghost Bear's Legacy

Mercenaries


These day? I don't know, the modern intro sequences just aren't that good. What do you think?

[Batman]

I guess that depends on what you mean by 'modern'.
I thought the intro sequences for both IWDs were awesome, as was the one for MechWarrior 3. Also, Mech Commander.
Mech Commander
IWD
IWD2
MW3
Those were just the first I found, there may be higher quality versions available.

[Stofsk]

I'm sorry but those mechwarrior ones aren't that good. I mean I played Mercs (it was the first game I got with my first PC) and I loved it, but that intro always had me scratch my head. I mean, the commander is sitting right outside the doors when the dropship guy goes 'fuck this, I'm legging it'. There are no words to describe what a douche move that was.

Games like Mass Effect hook me in from the moment I press 'start'. But that could just be Bioware concentrating on the narrative over anything else. I'm not too familiar with other games, I mean Age of Empires 3 doesn't really having an 'intro' like the ones in this thread, it's just a short movie that encapsulates the theme of the game. Same goes for the Total War games. Titan Quest's intro is short and brief, and doesn't really set the plot up (since there really is no plot beyond 'your toon must destroy evil monsters'). The Witcher's intro is pretty sweet.

How important is the intro to the appreciation of a game? Is it supposed to introduce the game or the story for the game?

[Batman]

I'm sorry but those mechwarrior ones aren't that good. I mean I played Mercs (it was the first game I got with my first PC) and I loved it, but that intro always had me scratch my head. I mean, the commander is sitting right outside the doors when the dropship guy goes 'fuck this, I'm legging it'. There are no words to describe what a douche move that was.

Showing it was a douche move was pretty the INTENT of that scene, I very much suspect

How important is the intro to the appreciation of a game? Is it supposed to introduce the game or the story for the game?

I don't know if an intro is SUPPOSED to do anything other than look good (the NWN one certainly didn't) but I personally DO like if the intro provides some background and/or introduces you to the plot of the game.