Gamers Still Say This Is the Greatest Video Game Opening of All Time

June 1, 2026 - 13:05

More than two decades after its release, a single video game sequence continues to dominate discussions about the best way to start a story. Gamers across forums and social media still point to the opening of a classic 1990s adventure title as the greatest ever crafted. It is a moment that manages to be both visually stunning and emotionally devastating within the first few minutes of booting up the game.

The scene in question drops players into a world of breathtaking pre-rendered backgrounds and cinematic camera angles. Before the player even touches a controller, they are treated to a slow, deliberate pan across a lush, mysterious island. A narrator's voice, calm and haunting, sets the stage for a journey of discovery and loss. Then, within seconds, the tone shifts. A catastrophic event unfolds, stripping the player of their companion and leaving them stranded and alone. It is a gut punch that establishes the stakes immediately, turning a simple exploration into a desperate survival story.

What makes this opening endure is not just its technical prowess for the era, but its masterful storytelling. It does not waste time with tutorials or lengthy exposition. Instead, it uses the medium's unique power to make the player feel the isolation and fear firsthand. The combination of a sweeping orchestral score, the eerie silence of an abandoned structure, and the sudden, irreversible loss creates a memory that sticks with players for life. For many, it remains the gold standard of how to hook an audience, proving that a great beginning is not just about action, but about making a promise of the unforgettable journey to come.