10 Terrifying Horror Video Game Openings
8. The Last Of Us
One could argue about whether The Last of Us is a survival horror, an action/adventure or just "Uncharted with zombies and crafting". What isn't up for debate, mind, is how unnerving the opening scene is.
It starts off idyllic, with single dad Joel returning home for an evening with his daughter. Which is soon ruined by the sudden and overwhelming outbreak of the cordyceps virus wreaking havoc on the USA.
Whilst it sounds rote, what makes this terrifying is that there's no slow build. There's no intervening news or radio broadcasts given players time to warm up and prepare for the carnage.
Just Joel, his brother Tommy and daughter Sarah, fleeing in the middle of the night as not-zombies tear the town apart. Much like Dawn of the Dead, the confusion and panic is rife. Cars crashing, buildings on fire, your friendly neighbours being munched on by fungal lunatics.
And then, the most terrifying moment a parent has to witness: Joel's daughter accidentally shot in his arms.
It's teeth-clenching, it's terrifying, and it's only the first twenty minutes of the apocalypse.