10 Best Directed Video Game Cutscenes Ever
1. Completing The Mission - Metal Gear Solid 3
Despite the reputation that Metal Gear Solid has built up over the years it still stands as one of the forerunners of cinematic gaming. And with cut scenes as long as these, they damn well be some of the best in the business.
Metal Gear Solid 3 delivers on all every last bit of narrative that it promises with the final battle against The Boss. It's a heartbreaking scene as she hands Snake her signature weapon and asks him to finish his mission. The camera switches perspective and the player watches as Snake raises the gun and points it at the camera, symbolically killing a bit of himself as he does so.
The genius of this scene lies in Kojima's patented use of player interaction within the scene itself. As Snake stands, gun pointed towards The Boss it is the player that has to pull the trigger and end her life. No prompt or indication, instinctively, they just know. Or just press the square button, but still the point stands.
The moment is tense and filled with regret, as soon as the button is pressed, bringing the player in line with how Snake feels in the moment. The camera then lingers above the field as the white flowers turn blood red and one of the greatest scenes in video games comes to a close.