The PlayStation brand has become strong courtesy of the many amazing video games made by Sony's first-party studios. These AAA games let players experience epic and emotional stories with some excellent gameplay to boot.
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Given how major studios have identified how important it is to capture a player's attention from the get-go, it's easy to see why these bombastic PlayStation games boast some incredible openings. Fans love jumping into these games with a bang and never looking back.
8 Marvel's Spider-Man
An Energetic Opening As Players Step Into The Shoes Of The Web Crawler
Marvel's Spider-Man
- Released
- September 7, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood, Drug Reference, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Insomniac Games
- Genre(s)
- Action, Adventure, Open-World
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Fans were glad to get their hands on Marvel's Spider-Man, a title with incredible production values that shows off its budget from the very moment the game starts. After a barrage of easter eggs that fans will try and decipher, players step into the shoes of Spider-Man as he responds to a police emergency.
As the music blares, players learn how to swing efficiently and take enemies out in combat. This culminates in a fight against Wilson Fisk where players take out the kingpin and incarcerate him, only to find out that this power vacuum would be occupied by another nefarious party who doesn't keep the well-being of New York City in mind.
7 Detroit: Become Human
Connor Must Talk Down A Deviant And Save A Young Child
Detroit: Become Human
- Released
- May 25, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Developer(s)
- Quantic Dream
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
The beauty of Detroit: Become Human stems from its branching decisions that are on full display in the very first scene that players can take part in. It's easy to see why this opening was used to preview the game's focus on telling an interacting narrative.
As Connor, players must investigate the house for clues before stepping out into the balcony and talking down a deviant. This is easier said than done, and players must make the right choices to ensure that the young hostage is safe and secure.
6 Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
Drake Wakes Up In A Train On The Verge Of Falling Off A Cliff
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
- Released
- October 13, 2009
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Naughty Dog
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Adventure
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4
Naughty Dog's Uncharted 2 wowed everyone with an action-packed opening that fans still can't get enough of to this day. The game starts with a cold open where players control an injured Drake in a train teetering on the edge of a cliff.
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Players must help him navigate the vertical compartments as the train starts falling bit by bit. As he nails the final jump, Drake looks back on the events leading up to this moment, introducing the plot of Uncharted 2 and setting the stage for another grand adventure.
5 God Of War Ragnarok
Thor And Odin Meet With Kratos And Show Just How Serious They Are
God of War Ragnarok
- Released
- November 9, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Santa Monica Studio
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
2018's God of War started with a bang, and the sequel wouldn't be left far behind. After being hunted down by Freya, the heroes head back to their home and assume they're safe, only for Odin and Thor to come at their doorstep.
Following a tense conversation, Thor uses Mjolnir to smack Kratos square in the jaw and send him flying. It's a shocking moment that sets the stage for an epic boss fight where Kratos is resuscitated midway through and completely outclassed before the God of Thunder takes his leave.
4 Marvel's Spider-Man 2
A Fight Against Sandman Is A Great Way To Kickstart This Sequel's Events
Marvel's Spider-Man 2
- Released
- October 20, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood, Drug Reference, Mild Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Insomniac Games
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action-Adventure, Superhero
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
The technical achievement of Insomniac Studios can't be mentioned enough, with Marvel's Spider-Man 2 being a great example of how well the studio works with the PS5 hardware. The SSD is pushed to its fullest extent from the get-go when both Miles and Peter stop Sandman from wreaking havoc in New York City.
Watching Miles being sent across the city with a single punch is an impressive showcase of the SSD, with players being introduced to the game's new mechanics as they take out Sandman in a bombastic boss fight that sets the stage for an epic story.
3 The Last Of Us Part 1
One Of The Most Emotional Openings In Video Game History
The Last of Us Part I
- Released
- September 2, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Naughty Dog
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
While most PlayStation games wow players with an epic spectacle, this is not the case in The Last of Us Part 1. The game starts off by establishing a cute relationship between father and daughter before the onset of the zombie epidemic.
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Joel and Sarah escape with Tommy as they try to make sense of the events taking place in the city. However, after their car is wrecked, Joel and Sarah escape on foot only to encounter a member of the military. He's ordered to shoot them down and almost kills Joel before Tommy steps in to save them. However, all is not well, with Sarah catching a stray bullet in the carnage that leads to her demise in one of the most emotional and tear-jerking moments in gaming history.
2 God Of War
Kratos Helps His Son Hunt Before Fending Off A Foreign Threat Who's No Joke
God of War
- Released
- April 20, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Santa Monica Studio
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Players expected Kratos' journey to start with a bang in the God of War reboot, and Santa Monica Studios doesn't disappoint. After a relatively calm series of events, players cremate the body of Kratos' recently deceased wife before embarking on a hunt with his son that establishes their frayed relationship.
However, all is not well, and Baldur's appearance makes it clear that things are about to reach a head. His uppercut sends Kratos soaring through the sky and initiates an epic battle where Kratos pulls out every trick in his book to incapacitate this invulnerable god.
1 Final Fantasy 7
The Bombing Mission Is An Iconic And Legendary Video Game Introduction
Final Fantasy 7
- Released
- January 31, 1997
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood, Fantasy Violence, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation (Original), PC, iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PS4
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Nostalgia-tinted glasses are certainly a thing, but fans can't deny that the opening of Final Fantasy 7 is something truly special that established just how amazing this JRPG was going to be. Players control a mysterious ex-SOLDIER who takes part in a plan to blow up a Mako reactor in Midgar.
The amazing music and excellent visuals blew everyone's minds back in the day. After setting up the bomb, Cloud and Barret must deal with a Guard Scorpion before escaping the premises, ending an epic mission that has become legendary in the eyes of many.
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