Best RPG Intros/Attract Modes

[Jorpho]

When I recently had the opportunity to play Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, it was with some dismay that I stared patiently at the title screen and came to the realization that it wasn't going to switch to an attract mode.

Perhaps an attract mode would be somewhat superfluous for this game; after all, few (if anyone) will probably ever see it displayed on a big monitor in a games store. Besides, the game is a bit on the short side, and perhaps any kind of intro would simply give away too much.

But still, it got me to thinking about some of the really great intros/demos/attract modes I've seen on console RPGs previously. Super Mario RPG has got to have one of the best ones; it's flashy and it's backed by one of the best tracks in the entire soundtrack. Chrono Trigger would probably come in second for similar reasons. Earthbound's also comes to mind; although it doesn't actually show that much, it's still quite tantalizing, and once again it comes with awesome tunage.

What RPG intros do you like?

[Queen Of The Felines]

Suikoden II. The music still gives me chills.

Kristine

[tylerwillis]

Final Fantasy X2. Say what you will about the game being girlie and unfun and un-FFish, but the YRP intro on a projector in full 5.1 remains one of my best video game moments ever.

[dreamcaster]

In my opinion, Final Fantasy VIII still has the best FF intro sequence.

Following that it's (out of the ones I've played): X-2 > IX > VII > X

[Richter Belmount]

ys intros for the turbo duo

[Tron 2.0]

Ys
Xenogears
PSO
Suidoken II
Ys IV
Star Ocean II

[EricRyan34]

I would have to go with Final Fantasy VIII on this one, I think its probably the best intro in all games.

[Skyway_Recreation]

i like chrno trigger, the pendulem rocking back and forth and the music jsut give me this nice warm fuzzy feeling

[VG_Maniac]

The opening FMV of the PSX version of Chrono Trigger.

[pragmatic insanester]

wild arms (i enjoy the music and the animation is nice too)

[Chainsaw_Charlie]

Rpg intros

FF1 and 6

[Griking]

I think that Blizzard games have the best intros by far.

You may not consider it a RPG but Diablo II had a great pre-game video. The same can be said about WOW.

[nik]

I think that Blizzard games have the best intros by far.

You may not consider it a RPG but Diablo II had a great pre-game video. The same can be said about WOW.

That game is in my RPG hall of fame, played that forever online, the first online co-op game aside from Diablo that I played... and I think many others.

[FantasiaWHT]

The opening theme of Phantasy Star II still gives me chills whenever I hear it! God just thinking of it now makes me want to go whip it out and listening to it hehe. The intro mode wasn't bad either, because it gave you a MUCH NEEDED pan around the complex overworld.

Considering how likely you were to die if you couldn't find the next town in time in that game... it came in handy to watch that hehe

[crazyjackcsa]

Shining Force III on the Saturn had a hell of an opening, So did Panzer Dragoon Saga.

[LiquidPolicenaut]

Best intro for me still goes to Lunar: EB on the Sega CD. It's still such a beautiful opening with awesome music (thankfully the whole entire game stays at that same level).

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[Lord Contaminous]

Tengai Makyo/Far East of Eden Zero (Super Famicom)

IMO the intro to this is way much better than Chrono Trigger's.

[blue lander]

My vote goes for Phantasy Star II, too. Fantastic music, and it's quite useful to get an overview of the world map.

I'm also partial to the intro from Dragon Warrior II for some reason.

[Lemmy Kilmister]

Where the hell's the love for Suikoden III's intro? It's probably the best anime intro in a game I've ever seen.


wild arms (i enjoy the music and the animation is nice too)

I agree. That was a cool intro.


Tengai Makyo/Far East of Eden Zero (Super Famicom)

No doubt, no doubt.

[Sailorneorune]

One vote for Phantasy Star IV... I love the music and also the still anime screens that appear in the intro.

I admit I've got a soft spot for PSIV... it got me into RPGs alongside Beyond Oasis, which has a nifty intro too.

-sailorneorune

[Haoie]

Dang, all the good 1s have been covered.

You know, you shouldn't be overly impressed with opening movies, since by and large they certainly don't reflect the quality of the game itself.

Actually comes to think of it, the PS era is plagued by flashing FMVs mixed with terrible gameplay, both in RPG and other genres.

[MrSmiley381]

Dragon Force. Hands down sweetest intro for me ever, since it led to the cool title screen animation, which used the same music for the final boss battle. Talk about linking from beginning to end.

Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne had had two sweet intros, and that music was cool.

[roushimsx]

Panzer Dragoon Saga's 30-some minute introduction was pretty damn nice and well done.

Final Fantasy VI's introduction was pure tits, with the mechs going over the snow.

Also gotta second the introductions for SMT3:Nocturne.

I hear Shadow Hearts has a nice intro, but I've yet to see it.

[Amy Rose]

I completely agree with Final Fantasy VI (that music...), VIII (shame about the rest of the game :P) and Phantasy Star Online.

One that hasn't been mentioned yet is Kingdom Hearts. I don't care how flawed the actual game is, the opening FMV is fan-freakin'-tastic. I used to start a new game, watch intro, reset, repeat. Hotness.

[MegaDrive20XX]

Another vote for Final Fantasy VI

VII was damn good, PSO had a gorgeous intro of course.

I also vote for FFIV Advance (the new intro added was quite lovely)

Final Fantasy V intro is a personal favorite of mine as well.

[DragonMaster Sam]

I like the opening videos for Snatcher when you play a new game.

[mrsuit]

I would go with final fantasy 8.

[Jorpho]

Tengai Makyo/Far East of Eden Zero (Super Famicom)

No doubt, no doubt.

I took a gander and while I must agree that it is technologically very impressive, it didn't do that much for me otherwise.

I really should take a look at my hard-won copy of FFVIII based on these rousing endorsements.

[skaar]

I've always been greatly amused by the Ninja Gaiden II opening. Sure it's not an RPG but it was so wonderfully cheesy.

[Atma Shiro]

I would have to say the Opening of Lunar Silver Star Story Complete for the Psx.

[DTJAAAAMJSLM]

Final Fantasy VIII has my favorite intro cinema.

[Ulticron]

Albert Odyssey for the Sat. Listening to that old man tell the tale of Fargasta with the dramatic music in the background was awesome. It set the tone for a real story book feel.

[FantasiaWHT]

I always enjoyed the "storybook" intros in the Shining series!

[Jasoco]

I absolutely adore Super Mario RPG's intro. So awesome. As well as Earthbound. Both do pretty much the same thing. Show the characters in miscellaneous game environments fighting and playing and interacting.

Awesomeness.