12 Greatest Opening Video Game Sequences Since 2000

4. Resident Evil 4

Resi 4's poignant left-turn in would reinvent the series so successfully, for many it was the change needed to make what was a previously cumbersomely-controlling mess into one they'd always wanted to be a part of. All the hallmarks of classic Resi were right there in the opening cutscene; overpowered world-threatening shadow-companies, espionage-esque mission goals... and godawful voice acting of course, but we wouldn't have it any other way. It was only when you got to control Leon for the first time that the industry-shaking over-shoulder gunplay made everything feel so fresh and new. Gears of War would use this style of gameplay to great effect in being as overblown as possible, but for Resi 4's introduction it was all about creeping through a seemingly-abandoned Spanish village in search of the missing President's daughter. Naturally it's not abandoned whatsoever, but what makes this intro so unique is the sheer fun of targeting specific body parts with the new aiming system, alongside the freedom of movement to clamber up ladders and rooftops, tackling the horde of infected villagers with occasional melee attacks whenever they got too close. The best bit is just as that feeling of being overwhelmed becomes too much and you're backing away into some nondescript shack, kicking away ladders full of enemies to survive a few seconds longer... they all withdraw and disappear, throwing the game's title card up and switching gears back to mystery and psychological horror. Resi 4's candidacy for the finest instalment in the entire franchise was established right there and then. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQ6sr7Bvl7Y