Best Games With Seamless Transitions Between Cutscenes And Gameplay

As video games have evolved as a medium, so has the need for AAA high-budget titles to be as cinematic as possible. This is usually achieved with cutscenes that show stellar direction and help the game's story breathe as players get a break from the gameplay sequences. While most cutscenes could get by with a basic structure during the early years of gaming, it's clear that fans want more seamless transitions between story and gameplay moments to keep them on the edge of their seats.

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Many modern games have received the memo and make it a point to develop cutscenes that merge effortlessly with gameplay, leaving players wholly impressed as they gain control of their character after a beautiful in-engine cutscene that shows how far the industry has come. The technical fidelity on display here helps these stories feel more immersive and less jarring whenever control is taken from the player.

5 God Of War

The Single Take Is Executed Brilliantly

The God of War reboot is easily one of the most technically impressive video games that launched on the PlayStation 4, featuring a level of graphical fidelity and gameplay design that helps it stand out as one of the greatest action titles of all time. Many gamers love the idea of Kratos trying to be a better father in the realm of Norse mythology, in which he tries to escape his past. What helps this game's presentation stand out is the insistence on a single take that makes everything feel incredibly cinematic.

It's impressive how the game manages to retain this single take as players embark on a deeply personal journey to scatter Faye's ashes, encountering several helpful and villainous personalities in the process. While Ragnarok continues this single-take formula, the first game arguably did it better and didn't rely on cop-outs to change scenes, something that the sequel is guilty of during its final battle. The transitions between cutscenes and gameplay are so seamless that players won't realize they're in control until the HUD displays itself.

4 The Last Of Us Part 2

Naughty Dog's Stellar Cutscene Direction Is On A Whole New Level

The Last of Us Part 2 is one of the most divisive sequels in gaming history, with some people loving the story's bleak nature, while others lamented its focus on shock value over everything else. Regardless, there's no denying that this sequel's approach to storytelling is unique and does a great job of eliciting a ton of emotions from the player, with the elaborate cutscenes going a long way in helping the game's presentation stand out in the eyes of many.

It's a lengthier game than its predecessor that's stacked with action-packed set pieces. With strong cutscene direction, seamless transitions, and cathartic gameplay dominating the bulk of this experience, it's easy to see why The Last of Us Part 2 is one of the best PlayStation exclusives that players can get their hands on.

3 Uncharted 4: A Thief's End

The Set-Pieces Transition Between Cutscenes And Gameplay Seamlessly

There's a reason why Naughty Dog is hailed by many as one of the best first-party PlayStation developers around. The quality of their games is on another level, and this can be seen in the fourth and final Uncharted game featuring Nathan Drake, who ends his journey on a high note. The action-packed gameplay is in a class of its own, and players will love the sheer destruction happening around them during the game's many firefights and death-defying parkour moments.

All of this is further enhanced with amazing cutscenes that show the graphical fidelity of this game on full display, merging effortlessly with the gameplay moments to make for the complete package. It's arguably Naughty Dog's best game, second only to The Last of Us, with this reputation being upheld courtesy of amazing cutscene direction and stellar gameplay that makes every firefight come to life.

2 Marvel's Spider-Man

The Masterful Transition At The Start Of The Game Is A Taste Of Things To Come

From the very moment players start swinging as Spider-Man in one of the best video game introductions of all time, it's clear as day that Insomniac just gets it. Peter is a breeze to control, and story segments flow smoothly and make it clear when players are in control of things without any jarring transitions. It's a technical masterpiece with a strong first impression that sets the tone for an amazing adventure with the webhead.

Walloping enemies from the shadows before unleashing powerful combos as Spider-Man is a blast, and it's easy to see why this game effortlessly kickstarted a series of Marvel's Spider-Man games on the PlayStation. Swinging around New York, helping out its residents, and progressing in a story where the cutscenes are breathtaking without being too abundant is a huge achievement that Insomniac should be lauded for.

1 BioShock

The Cutscenes Are Used Sparingly And Smoothly Merge With The Gameplay

BioShock is one of the greatest video games of all time, featuring a mind-blowing story with a plot twist that will leave fans reeling at the implications. The game isn't overly reliant on its cutscenes to convey its narrative, preferring to focus on audio logs and voice calls to keep the story going at a seamless pace. However, whenever players are thrust into a cutscene, there's a huge chance that they won't even know they can control the character.

A great example of this is at the start of the game when the plane that Jack is on crashes, leaving him stuck in the water. Most players won't even know that they can control him until they see him floating in the water for a suspiciously long time. Another excellent example of the same is when players finally find Andrew Ryan, who reveals that Jack has been brainwashed into following commands with the phrase, "Would you, kindly?" It's a stellar moment where it makes sense why control is wrested from the player as they bludgeon Ryan to death with his golf club.

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By  Via Erhard