It's easy to see why most open-world games feel the need to start with a bang to entice audiences. After all, the market for this genre is oversaturated with so many titles that some sandbox games run the risk of becoming irrelevant without a bombastic opening.
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Thankfully, many open-world games fit the bill in this regard. From coming-of-age journeys to cinematic battles and everything in between, some open-world games do everything in their power to let players enjoy a great opening that sets the tone for the grand adventure to come.
8 Horizon Zero Dawn
Following Aloy's Journey To Maturity Is A Simple And Great Intro
Horizon Zero Dawn
- Released
- February 28, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen - Blood, Drug Reference, Language, Mild Sexual Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Guerrilla Games
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
Horizon Zero Dawn is an impressive debut title for a series with a tantalizing setting and rich lore. Without a good opening, a lot of the title's impact would've been lost on players, which is why Zero Dawn's beginning deserves all its plaudits.
Players control a young Aloy who was taken in by an outcast and taught her the skills to survive in a world full of hostile mechanical creatures. Learning the basics of combat, stealth, and movement as Aloy slowly transforms into a confident protagonist feels great, especially since the open-world doesn't overwhelm players from the get-go (a lesson that the sequel forgot to implement).
7 Assassin's Creed 2
Ezio's Boisterous Attitude Is Established In No Time
Assassin's Creed 2
- Released
- November 7, 2009
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Intense Violence, Sexual Content, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft
- Platform(s)
- macOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Back when Ubisoft was at the top of its game, the company developed one of the greatest video game sequels in the form of Assassin's Creed 2. It's hard not to like Ezio from the very moment he bolts out of a maiden's window and dishes out some clever jabs before making a break for it.
His family is introduced not long after as Ezio gets into a fight and competes with his brother to scale the top of a building. It's a great introduction to Ezio's happy life, which is why watching it get torn apart not long after is such a heartbreaking moment.
6 Cyberpunk 2077
Every Lifepath Boasts A Unique Introduction That's A Joy To Witness
Cyberpunk 2077
- Released
- December 10, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
Say hello to Night City in the best way possible by developing a unique and immersive Lifepath intro to meet faces that will become familiar in the game that follows. While Lifepaths were not as deep as one might hope, fans could still appreciate how they could decide V's background before their fateful meeting with Jackie.
The Corpo, Nomad, and Street Kid life paths all boast a unique opening that may be a bit too brief but do a great job of letting players enjoy a bombastic opening. After a montage where players bond with Jackie and his other allies, V and their new friend embark on a scintillating mission that sets the stage for Cyberpunk 2077's epic adventure.
5 Fallout: New Vegas
Getting Shot In The Head Is An Impactful Way To Start An Adventure
Fallout: New Vegas
- Released
- October 19, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Developer(s)
- Obsidian Entertainment
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Fallout: New Vegas wastes no time grabbing a player's attention with a short yet captivating opening. Players are tasked with delivering a sensitive item as the Courier, only to be accosted on their journey by Benny and his goons.
Not only do they steal the main character's package, but Benny also tells them how the game was rigged from the start before shooting them through the head. It's an iconic opening that fans love, setting the stage for a grand adventure as players make their way to New Vegas and get embroiled in a grand controversy where various powerful parties fight for control of this city.
4 Batman: Arkham City
Seeing Bruce Wayne Use A Brutal Counter To Break His Handcuffs Never Gets Old
Batman: Arkham City
- Released
- October 18, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Alcohol Reference, Blood, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Tobacco, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Rocksteady Studios
- Platform(s)
- PS3, PC, Xbox One, PS4, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii U, Nintendo Switch
Batman: Arkham Asylum was one of the greatest superhero games ever made, and it was clear that Rocksteady needed to do something different to help Arkham City have a greater impact on players. The integration of an immersive open world and improvements to the gameplay loop were appreciated, but what hooked both new and returning players was an incredible opening.
While Bruce Wayne voices his opposition to the creation of Arkham City, he's imprisoned by Hugo Strange and left seemingly helpless as the area's criminals swarm him. However, he underestimates the billionaire's combat skills, who uses a well-placed knee strike to break his handcuffs on a criminal's skull before making his way to a higher spot and acquiring the tools to become Batman with a well-placed airdrop.
3 Grand Theft Auto 5
The Game Captures A Player's Attention From The Very Start With A Pulse-Pounding Heist
Grand Theft Auto 5
- Released
- September 17, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Mature Humor, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Rockstar North
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action
- Platform(s)
- Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
GTA 5 was its heists, something that fans saw from the very moment they booted up the game. The prologue takes place in the snowed-in town of Ludendorff, making for a poignant introduction to the game's mechanics as Michael, Trevor, and the rest of the crew rob a bank.
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The cops arrive not long after, and the protagonists must shoot their way out of trouble as they try to outrun local law enforcement. Unfortunately, things don't go according to plan (in more ways than one) as Brad is shot and Trevor assumes that Michael has died. It's a great introduction as the plot moves a few years ahead and players control Franklin as he robs and brings a car back to his employer.
2 The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
Players Are Moments Away From A Beheading On The Executioner's Block Before Alduin's Destructive Appearance
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- Released
- November 11, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda Game Studios
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
Even after all the years that have passed, there's something about Skyrim's magical introduction that fans can't get enough of to this day. Players awaken in a cart that's heading to Helgen, the place where they'll be executed for their crimes shortly after creating a custom character.
Watching the heads roll on the block makes for an ominous introduction, and players brace themselves for their death... Only for Alduin to arrive and raze everything in his way. In the commotion, the player mounts a daring escape and allies himself with a member of the Stormcloaks or the Imperials as they're introduced to the game's mechanics before being dropped smack-dab in the middle of a gorgeous and massive high fantasy world that encourages them to go on impromptu adventures and carve out a legacy for themselves as the Dragonborn.
1 Marvel's Spider-Man 2
Starting Out With A Fight Against Sandman Is A Bold Way To Start The Game
Marvel's Spider-Man 2
- Released
- October 20, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood, Drug Reference, Mild Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Insomniac Games
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action-Adventure, Superhero
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PC
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is an excellent sequel that adds several new traversal options and lets players control two Spider-Men. The first game had a great cinematic introduction of its own, but no one expected the sequel to top it the way it did.
The game starts with a fight against Sandman that shows off Insomniac's technical improvements on the PS5, with Miles being sent flying back after a single punch before he glides his way back into the action. It's one of the many moments that cement the battle between Sandman and the Spider-Men as one of the greatest video game introductions of all time.
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