You’ll be able to’t make a primary impression twice.
A online game intro units the tone for what’s to come back. This stays true to today, however within the instances of FMV intros it was much more necessary. Within the grandiose period of the PS1, an intro was as thrilling to see as the sport was to play. It was a present, a cinematic deal with to whet the urge for food for the journey we had been about to embark on. A lot nostalgia is wrapped up in these intros; they’re echoes of reminiscences from our childhoods. However, instances have modified and recreation intros have developed with them, however the FMV’s have remained in our reminiscences.
Listed here are 10 of the best PS1 intros.
Last Fantasy VIII
Sandwiched between two beloved installments, Last Fantasy VIII is the PS1’s divisive Last Fantasy. To some it’s an underrated masterpiece unfairly maligned due to its proximity to its extra fashionable brethren. To others, it’s the unlucky center youngster, the awkward one which doesn’t quantity to the identical stage of success. It’s an argument that has raged for years and can proceed to take action. If there’s one space the place VIII can stand head and shoulders above the others, it’s its good intro.
Starting with the tide and backed by the sound of Nobuo Uematsu’s haunting Liberi Fatali, the sequence is a masterpiece. There are glimpses of scenes from the sport, however extra importantly, there’s a combat between Squall and his rival Seifer. It’s an intense battle, interspersed with photographs of Rinoa and the sorceress Edea. In the middle of the combat Squall receives his trademark scar, a results of Seifer slashing him with a gunblade. The tune, the combat and the innovative graphics set the groundwork for the epic story to come back. No matter whether or not the sport lives as much as the hype, there isn’t a better Last Fantasy intro than this.
Chrono Cross
It’s a robust gig to be the sequel to some of the beloved video games ever made. To today some would argue that Chrono Set off is the best RPG in historical past. Will anyone make the identical argument for Chrono Cross? Most likely not, however that doesn’t imply the sport is with out its personal deserves.
The FMV intro encapsulates most of what’s nice concerning the second Chrono recreation. The great tune “Time’s Scar” is our introduction to the sport’s strongest element — its good soundtrack. Starting with a shot of a e book, it’s a gradual begin, however it builds to a cacophony of brilliance. We transition from the e book to numerous photographs of scenes to come back within the recreation. Every one blends extremely properly with “Time’s Scar” because the observe turns into more and more frantic and epic. In truth, the intro wouldn’t work with out the music, however that’s true of the sport additionally. Yasunori Mitsuda has completed nice work within the business, however “Time’s Scar” is his opus. It gave Chrono Cross an iconic opening that stands the take a look at of time.
Dragon Ball GT Last Bout
As soon as upon a time this was probably the most accessible Dragon Ball recreation within the west. Fortunately these darkish days are lengthy gone and this dreadful factor has been consigned to the scrap heap of historical past. However to be truthful, it wasn’t all horrible. I promise, this isn’t misty eyed nostalgia. The sport is fairly poor, however it had a badass intro that provided westerners a glimpse of Dragon Ball’s future.
Cell, Buu, grownup Gohan and Goku’s candy new outfit. This epic intro had so many thoughts blowing moments for western Dragon Ball followers. It was an perception into issues to come back, and a portent of the poor high quality of Dragon Ball GT. It even had a rocking tune from Hironobu Kageyama, the identical man who sang DBZ’s “Cha-La-Head-Cha-La.” It’s an actual disgrace that this nice intro is caught in such a lame recreation.
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver
This spot might simply go to Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain. A brilliantly gothic intro in its personal proper; it depicts the homicide and resurrection of the eponymous Kain. Now a vampire, Kain swears vengeance on his killers. It’s a nice intro, however in some way the follow-up is even higher. The FMV was a factor of magnificence in 1999 and even now it nonetheless seems to be fairly rattling good. It’s astounding that it was produced on PS1 {hardware}.
Soul Reaver’s FMV confirms the darkish ending of Blood Omen is canon. Having succeeded in his quest for vengeance, Kain selected to deprave the pillars of Nosgoth. Now he guidelines the land as a vampire overlord. Within the years since, Kain has developed right into a extra demonic type and sired a brood of vampire followers. Amongst them is Raziel, the protagonist of Soul Reaver and Kain’s favourite servant. As Kain evolves, his servants comply with go well with till someday Raziel evolves earlier than his grasp. A livid Kain activates Raziel for rising wings, one thing he himself had but to attain. The vampire chief casts Raziel into an acidic void, which burns away his flesh and leaves him a vengeful revenant.
Voice performing was all the time a powerful level of the collection and this intro isn’t any exception. Raziel himself is our narrator and tells the story of his betrayal as we watch the horror unfold. This quick intro achieves a lot in just some minutes. It concurrently introduces a brand new protagonist while casting the previous hero because the dastardly villain. It supplies Raziel with a compelling arc and turns us in opposition to Kain in a single fell swoop. It’s one hell of an achievement.
You probably have by no means performed Soul Reaver, verify the intro out. Even if in case you have no real interest in the sport itself, the FMV is value watching. It’s that good.
Tekken 2
Is Tekken 2 one of the best PS1 entry within the collection? No, its rapid successor holds that honor. However does Tekken 2 have one of the best opening sequence? Hell sure it does!
There are many cool issues to see on this intro. Lei Wulong’s badass debut, Nina Williams’ pointless hotness, and King stumbling into some bins. Ah the reminiscences! Severely although, the most important factor of all bookends, the intro – Heihachi Mishima’s comeback. Heihachi’s climb ought to herald the return of Tekken’s huge unhealthy, as a substitute, it’s Satan Kazuya who have to be defeated.
In his ending within the unique, Kazuya Mishima flung his defeated father from the highest of a mountain. The sequel’s FMV picks up straight from this second and reveals Heihachi climbing again up the mountainside and vowing revenge. It’s arduous to really feel sympathy for Heihachi, he undoubtedly acquired what was coming to him. That’s the catch although. One way or the other, Heihachi is the nice man in Tekken 2. I imply, he’s nonetheless tremendous evil. However it seems our erstwhile hero is much more of a miscreant than his spiky haired daddy. Satan was a secret character within the unique recreation, a purple demonic palette swap for Kazuya. This secret units the stage for the plot of the sequel.
We solely glimpse Kazuya briefly, however what a glimpse it’s. The martial arts outfit from the unique is gone. As an alternative is an iconic Kazuya match – the purple go well with. Purple eyes full the brand new look and tells us that one thing is improper with the King of the Iron Fist. However that’s not all; regardless of the demonic possession, an angel lurks behind Kazuya. A combat for his soul awaits. So, is there hope for Kazuya? In a phrase, no. He’s going to die, return to life and, if something, get even worse. However it makes for a compelling picture and with it one hell of an intro.
Resident Evil
Oh you already know this one needed to make it.
This dwell motion monstrosity very a lot falls into the realm of “so unhealthy it’s good.” We see the STARS crew, together with Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine, strategy the Spencer mansion. However earlier than they will enter they’re attacked by monsters! Chaos, loss of life and unhealthy performing ensue because the crew run towards the obvious security of the mansion. Solely three members make it to the constructing: Chris, Jill and the in no way suspicious Albert Wesker. From there we take management of both Chris or Jill and the survival horror begins.
It’s a difficult proposition to have fun ‘unhealthy’ issues, however in a manner it sums up what RE is about. It’s goofy, it’s humorous and sure, to an extent, it’s fairly unhealthy. However that inherent goofiness is a part of the allure. Tacky cutscenes are a staple of the collection, notably given the campy villains that we might encounter by means of the years. Ramon Salazar, the Code Veronica twins, even Wesker himself, RE is filled with cornballs and has been from day one.
Sure, this opening is reasonable and stuffed with unhealthy performing, however is it actually so totally different from what comes later? It’s the good illustration of what RE grew to become; a horror story that is aware of to not take itself too significantly.
Damaged Sword: Shadow of the Templar’s
A member of the PC grasp race within the ’90s could have already been conversant in this journey gem. For the remainder of us although, it was the PS1 port that first launched George Stobbart. An animated intro, narrated by George himself, welcomes us to a small cafe on the streets of Paris. George’s peaceable Parisian retreat is interrupted by a sinister trying clown who quickly blows the cafe to smithereens!
Fortunately George survives and units about attending to the underside of the clownish thriller. We’ll transfer removed from the streets of Paris as George is drawn into an insidious plot spanning the globe. Nonetheless, every thing we see has its root within the intro. The clown’s bomb, his scheme and his mission, will ship George on his globetrotting mission. Damaged Sword is a humorous romp of an journey and this oddball intro is the right starting. There might be intrigue, hazard and far more homicide, however the enjoyable won’t ever cease.
Soul Blade/Edge
Now we flip to Namco’s different nice fighter. The primary recreation within the collection, this maiden enterprise doesn’t shine as shiny as its successors. It’s in no way a foul recreation however it’s a little tough across the edges. However what does shine is that absolute banger of an intro. Fittingly, the very first thing we hear is the voice of a narrator, an absolute staple of the collection.
“Transcending historical past and the world, a story of souls and swords, eternally retold.”
That’s the line he utters, after which the true motion begins. Soul Blade’s medieval setting actually helped the sport stand out among the many jam packed fighter crowd. When the intro kicks in we see that it is a recreation that’s distinct from its Namco stablemate Tekken. Overlook concerning the cyborgs, bears and devils, there isn’t a room for them right here. As an alternative we’ve a world of samurai, knights and pirates. Cervantes’ burning cranium on the climax is the intro’s iconic picture, however there are loads to select from. Every character is given a second to face out and they’re splendidly distinct.
“The Fringe of Soul” by Suzi Kim is arguably probably the most iconic online game tune of all. That’s a daring declare, however my god does it get the blood pumping. The tune is without end linked to our first introduction to Soul Blade’s implausible solid. Voldo, Mitsuragi, Siegfried and Sophitia amongst others. Most of us met these characters on this intro and Suzi’s observe thrust them into our hearts and minds without end.
Pandemonium
Does anyone bear in mind Pandemonium? I definitely do and that is the explanation why. Launched in ’96, this FMV was quick, however it confirmed precisely what the PS1 was able to. The absolutely voiced cutscene introduces Fargus and Nikki, a jester and sorceress respectively. The troublesome twosome are goofing off with a spellbook when Nikki by accident summons a monster that swallows their city complete.
It’s a disarmingly humorous scene for a recreation that revels in goofiness. In truth, what follows is a reasonably mundane platformer, however the intro makes Pandemonium extra memorable than it could in any other case be. Pandemonium is misplaced to time, however this cutscene shouldn’t be. The craft of the scene, the voice work and the graphics had been issues that had been unimaginable in a previous technology.
Steel Gear Strong
The Steel Gear Strong intro is a curious factor to look again on — it actually shouldn’t work. A direct sequel to 2 video games that most individuals had not performed, the intro is nearly all exposition. Strong Snake, clad in scuba gear, is headed for Shadow Moses as Colonel Campbell offers the lowdown on his mission. Inside seconds Campbell references Massive Boss, Snake’s nemesis within the earlier two video games. This was a personality that almost all of us didn’t know. It was a narrative most of us had not seen. However it didn’t matter as a result of consideration quickly shifts to the present iteration of FOXHOUND. That is the group led by Liquid Snake and it’s what instructions the participant’s consideration.
Along with Steel Gear 1 and a pair of, Hideo Kojima had made two graphic journey video games. With Snatcher and Policenauts he honed a cinematic fashion that he delivered to his signature collection in Steel Gear Strong. The intro is riddled with exposition and is missing motion however in some way it’s extremely watchable. That’s Kojima’s reward, to make mundane expository scenes riveting. Subsequent MGS intros upped the thrill issue, however this was Kojima at his middle-point. His first try and mix graphic journey with tactical motion resulted in magnificent simplicity: Snake, Campbell and a submarine. The remaining was superb historical past.
What are your favourite PS1 intros? Tell us beneath or on the discussion board!
