12 Greatest Opening Video Game Sequences Since 2000

2. The Last Of Us

From one amazing spectacle to another, we've previously mentioned how Naughty Dog like to flex their programming muscles - well with Last of Us it was time to elevate what's possible through the narrative of a video game to be right up there with them. Opening with a perfectly-acted cutscene between the truly gifted Troy Baker as Joel and Hana Hayes' Sarah, we then get to see the opening moments of the zombie outbreak from the point of view of the latter, alone in the house as distant explosions are heard and police sirens fly past the window. In itself it's a great way of establishing the impact of the virus without going overboard on any violence, and it also makes for when Joel appears to take care of her as a great moment between the two. Sadly as many assumed through the various press materials not showing Sarah at all, there lay in wait one of the biggest gut-punches in recent memory as when playing as Joel, you happen upon a soldier who in an attempt to quell the infection, fires on both Joel and Sarah. Joel manages to avoid the fire as he tumbles into a nearby ravine, but Sarah is not so lucky, leading to two of the most convincing, emotionally powerful and tearjerking performances you'll ever see in any video game, as Joel cradles his dying daughter until the game's title card reminds us that this is just the start of what we're in for. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgHeUdIS-eQ