A great intro can make or break a player’s engagement. The best game openings establish tone, mechanics, story, and identity—all within minutes. They’re not just tutorials; they’re statements of intent.

The Last of Us (2013) begins not with gameplay, but with heartbreak. You play as Joel’s daughter, witnessing the outbreak of a pandemic. In 15 minutes, the game earns emotional investment through narrative and subtle interactivity. The title card hits like a punch.

Half-Life famously starts on a tram. No enemies, no weapons—just a slow ride through Black Mesa. It builds tension, shows the world, and immerses the player through passive storytelling. When chaos erupts, the contrast makes it feel earned.

Bioshock drops the player into the ocean after a plane crash. Within minutes, you enter the haunting underwater city of Rapture. The game uses environmental storytelling, atmospheric design, and that famous “Would you kindly” setup—all layered into the intro.

What makes a game intro iconic?

• Immediate emotional or narrative hook
• Visual and mechanical clarity
• Foreshadowing of future gameplay or themes
• Player control integrated with exposition

Bad intros overwhelm with tutorials or cutscenes. Great intros teach by doing, inviting the player into the world through experience, not explanation.

In games, first impressions aren’t just about visuals—they’re about agency, tone, and trust. Nail that, and the player stays.