10 Video Games With The Best Opening Sequences
4. Mass Effect 2
Not many games open with the death of the main character, however, that’s exactly what happened in Mass Effect 2. The second entry in Bioware’s hugely popular sci-fi RPG opened with the destruction of the Systems Alliance star ship, the Normandy, along with most of its crew, including the returning Commander Shepard.
Following a conversation between the ominous Illusive Man and Miranda concludes with a comment on the importance of the Commander to the survival of humanity, the Normandy comes under fire from an unidentified enemy vessel.
Players take control as Shepard stumbles through the ship trying to save their crew but ultimately is ripped from the interior and shown floating through space as their oxygen expires. Players are left in shock as the game's title is displayed on the screen and sombre piano music plays.
The Commander is eventually revived by the Illusive Man, which somewhat dulls the impact, however, as far as cinematic openings go, this is indeed up there with the best. The sheer shock from the introduction serves its purpose in highlighting the danger that faces humankind and prepares the player for the fight to come.