5 Recent Video Games With the Best Openings

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The beginning of a video game is crucial. Within just a few minutes, players decide if the game’s world is interesting, its characters are engaging, and the gameplay is fun. While some games take their time to build up, the best ones immediately capture your attention. They do this through things like impressive cutscenes, memorable moments, or instantly addictive gameplay, hooking players right from the start and keeping them invested.

Video games have had some truly amazing introductions lately. Developers are getting better at combining story and gameplay right from the start, creating openings that grab your attention and show you how the game works. These openings use everything from heartfelt stories to exciting action and puzzling mysteries to prove just how impactful the first hour of a game can be. Here are five recent games that nailed their introductions and instantly made players excited to play more.

5) Final Fantasy XVI

Final Fantasy XVI quickly immerses you in its grim world and complex political conflicts. The game starts by introducing Clive Rosfield and the kingdom of Rosaria, while also setting up a continent torn apart by fights for power, valuable magical resources, and the incredibly powerful beings known as Dominants, who control the Eikons. The fight between Phoenix and Ifrit is a standout moment – one of the best I’ve seen in any game.

The opening is so impactful because it feels like watching a movie. Square Enix expertly blends epic battles, compelling characters, and a richly detailed world to quickly establish the game’s atmosphere. It’s visually impressive and tells a story of conflict, deception, and loss right from the start.

The game starts with a series of events that lead to one of the most surprising moments the series has ever seen. Once players fully take control of Clive, the story’s high stakes are immediately clear. These early events are powerfully emotional and create an introduction that stands out as one of the best in recent role-playing games.

4) Baldur’s Gate 3

Larian Studios starts Baldur’s Gate 3 with a remarkably inventive opening. Players wake up on a strange Mind Flayer ship, having been infected with a parasite that will slowly turn them into a monster. This immediately sets a fast-paced and intriguing scene, and the characters you meet soon after only deepen the mystery.

The game starts strong by naturally teaching players how everything works. Within the first hour, you’ll experience combat, make choices in conversations, explore the world, meet companions, and interact with your surroundings. Instead of lengthy tutorials, the game lets you learn by trying things out and encourages you to be curious.

The opening Nautiloid sequence immediately shows players the epic scope of the adventure to come. They face off against dangerous enemies like devils, dragons, and Mind Flayers before even reaching the first major location – a fantastic area in its own right. This impressive start helps explain why Baldur’s Gate 3 is considered one of the best RPGs in years.

3) Black Myth: Wukong

Black Myth: Wukong starts with an incredibly impressive scene. Inspired by the famous Chinese story Journey to the West, the game begins with a stunning battle between Sun Wukong and Erlang, a heavenly warrior who’s really fun to fight. This opening immediately shows off the game’s beautiful graphics and exciting, action-packed combat.

Game Science’s new game immediately draws you into its rich mythology with breathtaking cinematic sequences. The opening moments are epic, featuring colossal enemies, smooth combat, and beautiful environments. This sense of scale and challenge continues throughout the game as you become more powerful and face increasingly formidable bosses.

The game’s opening isn’t just visually impressive; it skillfully sets up the central mystery and the adventure to come. Players immediately grasp they’re entering a rich world brimming with legends, age-old feuds, and perilous obstacles. This blend of stunning visuals and detailed world-building makes it a truly unforgettable start to the game.

2) Prey

Arkane Studios’ Prey starts with a truly memorable and well-crafted opening – it’s still one of my favorites. You begin as Morgan Yu, experiencing what seems like an ordinary day. This opening is deliberately normal and realistic, helping you feel comfortable and immersed in the game’s world.

Okay, so things totally flipped on their head. Finding out Morgan was actually stuck in a simulation? That was a seriously mind-blowing twist, honestly one of the best I’ve seen in a game. One second I thought everything was real, the next I realized none of it was! It completely changed how I looked at the game and immediately made me need to know what was really going on. It just propelled the story forward in a way I wasn’t expecting.

The beginning of Prey is remarkable because it immediately captures the game’s core ideas. Prey is all about questioning what you see, exploring everything, and being rewarded for your curiosity, and the opening sequence does a fantastic job of establishing that – even before players realize what kind of game they’re in. It’s a truly clever and unforgettable introduction.

1) Clair Obscur: Expedtion 33

It’s rare to find a game that starts as powerfully as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Sandfall Interactive quickly draws you into a beautiful but tragic world where humanity is on the brink of disappearing, all due to the enigmatic Paintress. The story is interesting from the start, but the game truly shines – particularly after the scene on the beach.

The game immediately draws you in with its focus on the characters and the high stakes of Expedition 33’s mission. You quickly grasp how serious the situation is and the enormous pressure on those tasked with facing the Paintress. Every interaction and story moment emphasizes the urgent need to succeed.

What makes Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 stand out is its skillful blend of heartfelt story, beautiful visuals, and strategic turn-based battles. From the very beginning, the game draws you in with compelling characters and a distinctive art style, while also introducing its unique combat mechanics. By the end of the opening sequence, players are completely hooked and eager to see what happens next, making it one of the most captivating introductions in recent games.

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2026-06-01 00:12