Favourite pre-game content (intros, title screens and attract modes)

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I'm currently doing a little research into the state of pre-game content, such as title screens/menus, attract modes (gameplay previews) and intros, not including those that only play after starting a new game. Arguably such things are not particularly important - as far as promotion goes, trailers and video reviews do the job, and in-game content is what really matters - but I still feel that these things, when done right, can really enhance the presentation of a game, and can help to turn some of us who idle games for the cards into actual players and fans.

Given their arcade roots, fighting games have always done this well. Some JRPGs do a good job with intros too - Chrono Trigger/Cross combined a great intro with gameplay footage, Vagrant Story used it to present part of the plot, and I love FF13-2's pre-game intro even if it does feel a bit silly at first when a very similar intro plays after starting the game. :)

What are your favourites, and what games do you feel missed an opportunity in this area?

10 years ago*

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16 Comments

UselessB

Rage. The intro told so much story in just a few seconds. It gave a reason for the player to be starting from scratch in this odd hostile environment.

10 years ago

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yeeiser

Portal 2. The intro doesn't say a lot about the game but it's really exciting and it's the first time that you see a character in the saga

10 years ago

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MosesXIII

The awesome thing about Vagrant Story's intro is that you can actually miss a playable level if you skip the opening cutscene. Granted it's small, but still, I think that's a cool little bonus for people who actually are interested in the story.

10 years ago

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Dunther

Wow didn't knew that, I'll remember it when/if I'll finally start the game seriously

10 years ago

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MosesXIII

I haven't played the game in a few years, but IIRC it's just a couple rooms and a boss fight. Nothing fancy, really. It was more about the unique merger of cutscene and gameplay IMO.

10 years ago

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Dunther

I really like the L4D2 intro and I remember playing with the Super Mario 64 title screen, but I think there are too many good examples :D

10 years ago

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shockedfrog

I love playable/interactive (besides the menu) title screens. :) Mean Bean Machine is the first that springs to mind for me.

10 years ago

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