Its incredible how good FF7bopening is. Its like an improved version of the already masterful Blade Runner opening coupled with epic Uematsu music and then going straight to the bombing mission soundtrack from that epic 'Hollywood opening'
No doubt you’ve captured some of the best here - would be cool to get a whole series ranking if possible, really enjoy when you do the comprehensive approach.
There are so mamy amazing intro scenes ❤ My favourite out of all of the games are X-2 as i adore Yuna, Rikku and Paine and it's just so much fun. A much more light hearted FF which i love. Great to see the other intros included here. Thank you for the great video!
FFIV, VI, VII and IX all have fucking fantastic intros that introduce you to the characters, the story and induce tension. And incredible music. THese 4 and FF tactics also happen to be the best final fantasies. Not a coincidence.
The scene that hooked me on FFXVI was the full fight between Phoenix and Ifrit. Just the whole 'greek tragedy' feel to it. Especially great voiceacting there
Bro, I was just thinking about this yesterday and this video came up in my recommended (maybe my computer can read minds now hahaha!). Amazing video! And FF4 is what made me think of it, definitely one of the greatest intros imo
Great video! In the FFVII intro the moment the camera pans out over Midgar to show it in full, the logo appears on the screen following the sweeping search light, and the horns swell into a climax is just chef's kiss. So I am in agreement that the FFVII intro is nothing short of spectacular.
FF IX is my favorite as well. That long intro with Vivi arriving at Alexandria, the princess' abduction plan unfolding during the play, and then the escape via the forest that partially turns to stone still blows my mind to this day. But I respect Erek's list and that of anyone else's regarding FF intros. These games are just so good. ✌🙃
@@Sronmar that intro cutscene in IX before the game start menu is also epic. The one in XII is also so awesome to watch. But for me, nothing beats that in-game blitzball intro in X
@@Sronmar yeah, they were invaded and defeated by another empire and a big part of the story is about the last descendant of the royal family attempting to defeat the empire and reclaim her throne
Definitely agree with all these picks but that opening of VII is just GOAT. That pull out from aerith as you see midgar then the cut to the train still gives me tingles with the music is just chiefs kiss 👌
I think I spend a lot of time on TH-cam but never seen that top video anywhere that is a cool idea especially for FF. I will watch it now! See you on the other side!
Final Fantasy VI, to this day, has one of the greatest intros of any game I've ever played. The FMV version of it provided with the PS1 port even provides some additional character context, but the original is still wonderful.
I would encourage you not to sleep on FF-Type 0! Although many of the hardest hitting parts of the intro were mirrored (and exceeded) by the XVI opening, Type 0 still nails a very dark setting within the opening cutscenes. Thanks for sharing your opinions! They're always great to witness
@@thaneros I rewatched it immediately before booting up 16 for the first time so that it was fresh in my mind for comparison. Having heard how dark it was I had to measure it appropriately. But yeah having my heart absolutely crushed within 30 minutes of booting up type 0 for the first time was not something I was expecting!
Another great list. Final Fantasy X intro just goes off, it keeps blowing your mind. I still love Final Fantasy IX tho, even though it's more simple and less bombastic, it's still very charming with the whole theatre theme, great music and great characters coming together in a very creative way.
Excellent choices as I can't argue much against them. While far from my favorite FF game and it's just the opening cutscene, but FF8 I thought opened brilliantly. And FF7 is beautiful with Aerith and panning up to here the train rumble along with the Opening Bombing Mission song is so good
FFX is an incredible intro to a game. Borderline perfect! I just started FFVIII for the first time and that sword fight intro, the fire cavern and Dollet mission are so good at introducing the game and characters
Fantastic video man! I agree 100% The Intro of FFVII is just the best. I feel like that even the music plays a big part here as every piece of music related to Midgar or Shinra has some unsettling part in it, mostly some weird harmonies. As soon as you get out of Midgar, the music starts to feel more happy, open and free. I'm not sure if what I said would actually hold up if you looked at it from a music theory perspective but it feels like that. 😎
I'm pretty sure that might be intentional! If not - it's very coincidental. We don't even see the sky until several hours into the game, so I'm sure it's meant to be!
I remember seeing that blitzball cinematic and the sin attack from FFX for the first time and I was honestly blown away that my PS2 was capable of such graphics. I told myself it will never get better than that 😂 but my golly what a feeling it was
For me personally 1. FF7- is mysterious and badass and instantly introduces us to the steam punk world of 7. 2. FF6- is an amazing opening and the music and early credits, they are attacking this quiet town so we start off as the villains. 3. FF9- has a beautiful and gorgeous opening and seeing all the characters in their retrospective places and how they naturally come together perfect and zidane and garnet flying through the city on ropes awesome. 4. FF10- is very cool and interesting and I instantly love how we meet all the party members and how they each kinda have a little movie that introduces them. 5. FF8- I'm not a fan of the game but I can say the opening hours of the game is very badass and modern and technology based. And the opening song is so fire.
Thanks Erek for such a great video here! I absolutely love FFIV’s intro as well as FFVI. So great to see Square’s early work cementing these excellent storylines with mind-blowing hook. Amazing to see them take the leap..back then and create an actual intro! And not to mention…FFVII’s intro was pretty much a movie production at the time. ✅ - Ryan
My top 5 FF Openings! 5: FFI. Saving the princess and crossing the bridge to Pravoka is just iconic. 4: FFIV. Cecil is conflicted with the King of Baron and after the Mist Incident, he vows to right his wrongs. 3: FFIX. Kidnapping a princess that wants to be kidnapped because her mother is notably different still intrigues me even after 24 years. 2: FFVII. The Bombing Mission is as iconic as leaving Cornelian lands in FFI. Shinra is evil, Cloud is cool and Sephiroth burning down a town gives you enough to go on for 30 - 50 hours alone. 1: FFVI. I still am convinced nothing will top the opening to FFVI. Why are we raiding Narshe? Why did the Esper in the mines react to Terra? Why does the Empire want Terra so badly? Who is Locke? Who are the Returners? No other FF comes as close to a perfect opening than FFVI.
The problem with the intro to X is that Tidus is in it, even more than the rest of the game. IX is much better, XIII is better, XV is also better. XV was not the most popular game, but the intro really showed what the game was about. Other than the complete miss on X, pretty good list. For best opening cinematic, Type 0 stands strong!
@@ErekLadd I found the gameplay a bit clunky and not terribly enjoyable, but I found the story beautiful and sad; possibly the most heartbreaking story under the FF banner. You may find it more enjoyable than I, if you can get it at good price I'd encourage you to try it!
It might be recency bias for me cause I just replayed X, but I find it hard to be topped. The campfire scene is a great fit for the telling Tidus' story and something I found out recently you get a major hint with the ability to name Tidus(only summons can be named).
Interesting!!! Never noticed that!! But yeah, I’ve got this as my top FG story & battle system. X is easily in my top 3 ever final fantasies. Such an amazing game!
The Intro scene itself is amazing, but the actual intro to the game itself is hot garbage to the point it ruined the game for easily half the younger players of the era who tried it out - though oddly it's way better on subsequent playthoughs which I wonder could've been deliberate.
@@Bozebo Hm, interesting take. Fair enough-- the intro scene is mostly what I was thinking of (freaking AWESOME). And the introduction to gameplay never bothered me-- on first play-through, it was my introduction to the Final Fantasy franchise, and RPG-style gaming entirely, so it was fun and novel and exciting to me. And on replay, I have all that nostalgia working for me. But I can recognise that the intro to gameplay in FF8 is certainly a far cry from, say, FF10.
Great lists ff7 opening with the bombing mission soundtrack and shot of the train might not only be the best ff, rpg, but has a case for the best opening in any entertainment median, ever.
I love FF9, but to me in comparison it's more of a slow build-up which works well in terms of it's own story building. That being said I really love FF9 though!
I’ve been so interested in playing XVI for a good while now and you just got me even more hooked. But rn I have the option to buy either 16 or 7 Rebirth so idk which one to choose 🥲🥲
Hmm.. good question!! I'd roll with Rebirth, it's the better game. But XVI is amazing in it's own right. I really enjoyed my time with a brand new Final Fantasy adventure!!!
Nothing is more iconic than the FF7 intro scene. It still gives me chills whenever I see it.
Same here!!
Just the first few notes of music and mood sets in
Its incredible how good FF7bopening is. Its like an improved version of the already masterful Blade Runner opening coupled with epic Uematsu music and then going straight to the bombing mission soundtrack from that epic 'Hollywood opening'
Couldn't agree more. What an opening!!! Also huge fan of Blade Runner here - love that movie!
So many great intros and they all do something different. My favourite intro scene is probably from FFVIII that one was epic!
I loved the CG back then! Totally mind blowing!
really? blech
@@StewNWT FFVIII gets too much hate! 😂
@@RPGStory naw it doesn’t get enough - too many people still delusional trying to pretend like it’s a good game
I just didn't like the level scaling. I spend so much time grinding to make fights easier in my jrpgs.... Level scaling kinda robs me if that.
No doubt you’ve captured some of the best here - would be cool to get a whole series ranking if possible, really enjoy when you do the comprehensive approach.
There are so mamy amazing intro scenes ❤ My favourite out of all of the games are X-2 as i adore Yuna, Rikku and Paine and it's just so much fun. A much more light hearted FF which i love. Great to see the other intros included here. Thank you for the great video!
FFIV, VI, VII and IX all have fucking fantastic intros that introduce you to the characters, the story and induce tension. And incredible music. THese 4 and FF tactics also happen to be the best final fantasies. Not a coincidence.
The scene that hooked me on FFXVI was the full fight between Phoenix and Ifrit. Just the whole 'greek tragedy' feel to it. Especially great voiceacting there
@@marvolom787 yep!!!! Great story and amazing voice acting to help it feel believable!!
Bro, I was just thinking about this yesterday and this video came up in my recommended (maybe my computer can read minds now hahaha!). Amazing video! And FF4 is what made me think of it, definitely one of the greatest intros imo
Great video!
In the FFVII intro the moment the camera pans out over Midgar to show it in full, the logo appears on the screen following the sweeping search light, and the horns swell into a climax is just chef's kiss. So I am in agreement that the FFVII intro is nothing short of spectacular.
Sooo epic isn't it? Thanks for watching!!
FF IX, X(this one's soundtrack is so epic that i downloaded it to hear in my car) and XII are my favorite intros
Great picks!
FF IX is my favorite as well. That long intro with Vivi arriving at Alexandria, the princess' abduction plan unfolding during the play, and then the escape via the forest that partially turns to stone still blows my mind to this day. But I respect Erek's list and that of anyone else's regarding FF intros. These games are just so good. ✌🙃
@@Sronmar that intro cutscene in IX before the game start menu is also epic. The one in XII is also so awesome to watch.
But for me, nothing beats that in-game blitzball intro in X
@@Bruce_Fernandes I don't remember most of it. Their nation was invaded or something like that? My brother played it and I just watched. 🙃
@@Sronmar yeah, they were invaded and defeated by another empire and a big part of the story is about the last descendant of the royal family attempting to defeat the empire and reclaim her throne
Definitely agree with all these picks but that opening of VII is just GOAT. That pull out from aerith as you see midgar then the cut to the train still gives me tingles with the music is just chiefs kiss 👌
The GOAT!!!!!
Goat
I think I spend a lot of time on TH-cam but never seen that top video anywhere that is a cool idea especially for FF. I will watch it now! See you on the other side!
Final Fantasy VI, to this day, has one of the greatest intros of any game I've ever played. The FMV version of it provided with the PS1 port even provides some additional character context, but the original is still wonderful.
Yeah I did enjoy the extra stuff in that for sure. Was just cool to see if anything!
I would encourage you not to sleep on FF-Type 0! Although many of the hardest hitting parts of the intro were mirrored (and exceeded) by the XVI opening, Type 0 still nails a very dark setting within the opening cutscenes.
Thanks for sharing your opinions! They're always great to witness
I watch the intro to Type-0 regularly. "When 9 and 9 meet 9"
@@thaneros I rewatched it immediately before booting up 16 for the first time so that it was fresh in my mind for comparison. Having heard how dark it was I had to measure it appropriately. But yeah having my heart absolutely crushed within 30 minutes of booting up type 0 for the first time was not something I was expecting!
I will pick it up!!! Thank you for reminding me!!
Another great list. Final Fantasy X intro just goes off, it keeps blowing your mind. I still love Final Fantasy IX tho, even though it's more simple and less bombastic, it's still very charming with the whole theatre theme, great music and great characters coming together in a very creative way.
FFIX is super charming. I love it a lot!!
ffvii intro(remake too) is amazing, I always get chills
Great picks
Final Fantasy games indeed do know how to open a game for sure.
Excellent choices as I can't argue much against them. While far from my favorite FF game and it's just the opening cutscene, but FF8 I thought opened brilliantly. And FF7 is beautiful with Aerith and panning up to here the train rumble along with the Opening Bombing Mission song is so good
For sure!! The into cutscene to FFVIII is one of my favorites. So cool!
As soon as I saw the title of this video I thought of X and XI. Fantastic and informative video as always.
Great choices!!!!
FFX is an incredible intro to a game. Borderline perfect!
I just started FFVIII for the first time and that sword fight intro, the fire cavern and Dollet mission are so good at introducing the game and characters
The intro of FFVIII holds a special place in my heart. ❤️🥹
You're persuading me to get into the series after hearing you gush about some of these intros 😏 Excellent video Erek, really enjoyed this one!
How much more persuading do I need to do!?!? 😭😭😭🫣🫣🫣😵💫😵💫😵💫
@@ErekLadd 🐻🐻🐻
Fantastic video man! I agree 100%
The Intro of FFVII is just the best. I feel like that even the music plays a big part here as every piece of music related to Midgar or Shinra has some unsettling part in it, mostly some weird harmonies. As soon as you get out of Midgar, the music starts to feel more happy, open and free.
I'm not sure if what I said would actually hold up if you looked at it from a music theory perspective but it feels like that. 😎
I'm pretty sure that might be intentional! If not - it's very coincidental. We don't even see the sky until several hours into the game, so I'm sure it's meant to be!
I remember seeing that blitzball cinematic and the sin attack from FFX for the first time and I was honestly blown away that my PS2 was capable of such graphics. I told myself it will never get better than that 😂 but my golly what a feeling it was
I really enjoyed FFIX intro. The “kidnapping” of Garnet is epic.
There isn't a bad Final Fantasy intro. The worst one is probably FF3 and even that's fine
15 is the worst... and a sign of things to come aka the worst game in the series
For me personally
1. FF7- is mysterious and badass and instantly introduces us to the steam punk world of 7.
2. FF6- is an amazing opening and the music and early credits, they are attacking this quiet town so we start off as the villains.
3. FF9- has a beautiful and gorgeous opening and seeing all the characters in their retrospective places and how they naturally come together perfect and zidane and garnet flying through the city on ropes awesome.
4. FF10- is very cool and interesting and I instantly love how we meet all the party members and how they each kinda have a little movie that introduces them.
5. FF8- I'm not a fan of the game but I can say the opening hours of the game is very badass and modern and technology based. And the opening song is so fire.
Thanks Erek for such a great video here! I absolutely love FFIV’s intro as well as FFVI. So great to see Square’s early work cementing these excellent storylines with mind-blowing hook. Amazing to see them take the leap..back then and create an actual intro!
And not to mention…FFVII’s intro was pretty much a movie production at the time. ✅
- Ryan
100% a movie! Pretty sure this was like *the* first AAA budget game back then. Definitely showed!
@@ErekLadd Yes, it sure was!👍
You say that you like a game: shill
You find something you don’t like about a game: hater
Some people can never be pleased 🙂↔️
Tell me about it!!!!!
Ugh, stop being such a shill Hater! :)
(I'm with you. I read some comments and wonder if weak just watched the same video)
Great video! My favourite FF intro would definitely be 8 and 10!!!
Yeah 8 & 10 are so good!
FFX intro exploded my kid brain back in 2001!!
Same here!!
FF8 has my favorite intro easily but 10, 13, 7, 6 & 4 also have great intros
My top 5 FF Openings!
5: FFI. Saving the princess and crossing the bridge to Pravoka is just iconic.
4: FFIV. Cecil is conflicted with the King of Baron and after the Mist Incident, he vows to right his wrongs.
3: FFIX. Kidnapping a princess that wants to be kidnapped because her mother is notably different still intrigues me even after 24 years.
2: FFVII. The Bombing Mission is as iconic as leaving Cornelian lands in FFI. Shinra is evil, Cloud is cool and Sephiroth burning down a town gives you enough to go on for 30 - 50 hours alone.
1: FFVI. I still am convinced nothing will top the opening to FFVI. Why are we raiding Narshe? Why did the Esper in the mines react to Terra? Why does the Empire want Terra so badly? Who is Locke? Who are the Returners? No other FF comes as close to a perfect opening than FFVI.
Great choices there!! You're right, the intro for FFVI is great food for thought. I'd love to get a peek at what happened before the intro!
@@ErekLadd I don't want a remake, I want a prequel.
IX isn't that explained in the story though? Cid and the tutor guy whatsisname in the tower in Treno were behind it.
@@Bozebo we're just talking about opening hours.
The problem with the intro to X is that Tidus is in it, even more than the rest of the game. IX is much better, XIII is better, XV is also better. XV was not the most popular game, but the intro really showed what the game was about.
Other than the complete miss on X, pretty good list.
For best opening cinematic, Type 0 stands strong!
I need to play Type 0! Might grab that soon I think.
@@ErekLadd I found the gameplay a bit clunky and not terribly enjoyable, but I found the story beautiful and sad; possibly the most heartbreaking story under the FF banner. You may find it more enjoyable than I, if you can get it at good price I'd encourage you to try it!
Its not a mainline game but the intro to Dissidia is so effing good.
I loooove dissidia!!!
It might be recency bias for me cause I just replayed X, but I find it hard to be topped. The campfire scene is a great fit for the telling Tidus' story and something I found out recently you get a major hint with the ability to name Tidus(only summons can be named).
Interesting!!! Never noticed that!! But yeah, I’ve got this as my top FG story & battle system. X is easily in my top 3 ever final fantasies. Such an amazing game!
Final Fantasy VII and FINAL FANTASY IX
No FF8??
Still some great intros here though.
The Intro scene itself is amazing, but the actual intro to the game itself is hot garbage to the point it ruined the game for easily half the younger players of the era who tried it out - though oddly it's way better on subsequent playthoughs which I wonder could've been deliberate.
@@Bozebo
Hm, interesting take. Fair enough-- the intro scene is mostly what I was thinking of (freaking AWESOME). And the introduction to gameplay never bothered me-- on first play-through, it was my introduction to the Final Fantasy franchise, and RPG-style gaming entirely, so it was fun and novel and exciting to me. And on replay, I have all that nostalgia working for me. But I can recognise that the intro to gameplay in FF8 is certainly a far cry from, say, FF10.
If I would be happy to shill anything, it'd be FFVII 😏
Same!!!! 🤣
Good picks. My top 3 are:
3. FFVI
2. FFVII
1. FFIV
Great lists ff7 opening with the bombing mission soundtrack and shot of the train might not only be the best ff, rpg, but has a case for the best opening in any entertainment median, ever.
Couldn't agree more!
🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻
How is ff9 not on here. Its 100 times more compelling than ff16, ff4, ff8 and nearly all of them
I love FF9, but to me in comparison it's more of a slow build-up which works well in terms of it's own story building. That being said I really love FF9 though!
I’ve been so interested in playing XVI for a good while now and you just got me even more hooked.
But rn I have the option to buy either 16 or 7 Rebirth so idk which one to choose 🥲🥲
Hmm.. good question!! I'd roll with Rebirth, it's the better game. But XVI is amazing in it's own right. I really enjoyed my time with a brand new Final Fantasy adventure!!!