20 Best Video Game Opening Levels Of The Last 10 Years

8. Establishing Motive - Firewatch

Ready for a gut-punch? Play Firewatch's introduction.

Spoilers follow...

It barely has any 'gameplay', more you choosing a selection of responses to numerous real-world scenarios, highlighting how a relationship was drastically affected by a mental illness. The sequence is handled in a way that directly addresses the player as Henry, the main character. It's incredible just how moving the 'level' (the first instance of interaction, anyway) is, letting you have minimal agency in what's happening, other than to take everything in, and consider the ramifications of what you personally would do, should a loved one suffer something like dementia.

Ultimately, this forms the catalyst for why Henry takes the 'fire watching' position out in the middle of the Wyoming wilderness, and forms the basis of Firewatch's core question: Can you truly avoid or run away from life's hardships?