Best Intro Ever

fapoo · 04-23-2012, 12:58 PM

The intro to left 4 dead is possibly the best video intro for a game ever. It works on so many levels.

-It sets the story up to the start of the game.
-It introduces all the characters
- as well as clearly providing a starting point to their personalities and relationships between each other.
-It introduces the enemies and their abilities.
-It introduces different concepts to how the game works (e.g. pipebombs, car alarms, witch+flashlight)
-It has tension
-It has action
-IT IS AWESOME.

The people who created the video need silly amounts of credits because I couldn't help myself but play No Mercy right after even though I just wanted to watch the intro only.

So just a kudos thread to the creators. After years of being released, it still brings joy...and terror.

tron00 · 04-23-2012, 03:06 PM

Agreed.. I've owned the game since the beginning and still will watch it every now and then. I like L4D2's intro, as well. These guys should write a movie script.

MartinKhan · 04-23-2012, 04:14 PM

Yeah, both L4D games have great intros, especially the original Left 4 Dead.

colbent · 04-25-2012, 09:21 AM

Not to turn this into another L4D vs L4D2 thread, but I think both intros are indicative of the tone of both games and how they're different.

L4D's intro is basically a short film. It's well written and acted and as fapoo laid out, it's very informative and teaches the viewer things about the game probably without them even realizing it. Not to mention that it creates genuine tension and suspense.

L4D2's intro on the other hand is a montage of scenes of the characters being really badass or funny. There's no tension or suspense since it's just a bunch of scenes thrown together. It seems more concerned with looking exciting and action-packed rather than teaching the player anything. The infected are actually shown doing things that they can't do in-game (the jockey slamming Elis head against a car, the charger throwing Elis through a wall, a common knocking the gun out of Elis' hands). Overall I think it's a much more superficial experience, kind of like how I feel about the game.

I realize that the L4D2 intro is supposed to be like a movie trailer, but Valve decided to make it that way. Judging from the L4D intro and the TF2 videos, they're totally capable of making genuinely funny and informative short films, so I'm not sure why they decided to construct the L4D2 intro this way. It's about as confusing as their decision to make a sequel to L4D in one year.

Spinx · 04-25-2012, 11:38 AM

Definitely agreed! It is by far the best game intro I have ever seen. Totally sets the tone and teaches you how to play at the same time. Thumbs up to Valve for this!

And I feel the same way colbent. I first played L4D2 expecting another amazing intro video and... Well, was feeling pretty let down afterward.

MartinKhan · 04-25-2012, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colbent

Not to turn this into another L4D vs L4D2 thread, but I think both intros are indicative of the tone of both games and how they're different.

L4D's intro is basically a short film. It's well written and acted and as fapoo laid out, it's very informative and teaches the viewer things about the game probably without them even realizing it. Not to mention that it creates genuine tension and suspense.

L4D2's intro on the other hand is a montage of scenes of the characters being really badass or funny. There's no tension or suspense since it's just a bunch of scenes thrown together. It seems more concerned with looking exciting and action-packed rather than teaching the player anything. The infected are actually shown doing things that they can't do in-game (the jockey slamming Elis head against a car, the charger throwing Elis through a wall, a common knocking the gun out of Elis' hands). Overall I think it's a much more superficial experience, kind of like how I feel about the game.

I realize that the L4D2 intro is supposed to be like a movie trailer, but Valve decided to make it that way. Judging from the L4D intro and the TF2 videos, they're totally capable of making genuinely funny and informative short films, so I'm not sure why they decided to construct the L4D2 intro this way. It's about as confusing as their decision to make a sequel to L4D in one year.

Well, I've to agree. I like both intros, but you're right, the L4D intro is by far better than the L4D2 intro, when it comes to "setting up the story". The L4D2 intro makes it look more like an action movie, like you said.

Sarevok08 · 04-26-2012, 03:59 AM

I'd go with the first being best. If you've NEVER played either, the first provides far more information and back story. The second, as said, is just a montage of shots, providing a little detail with the heading up the stairs to the chopper.

brabee · 04-27-2012, 02:58 AM

You got it all wrong. The best intro is The Sacrifice, because of the desperate-fight-for-live atmosphere. Aaaand tension.

Anyway, L4D intro is pretty cool, L4D2 is meh.

RainingMetal · 04-27-2012, 08:21 AM

The intros do reflect on the kind of environment and gameplay each game has to offer. Left 4 Dead 1's intro is gloomy and dark, much like the game itself. It also provides the basics. Left 4 Dead 2's intro is more action-paced, and assumes that the viewer already knows about the game.

Valve did make these intros very effective. And they said they weren't good at cutscenes!

MartinKhan · 04-27-2012, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brabee

You got it all wrong. The best intro is The Sacrifice, because of the desperate-fight-for-live atmosphere. Aaaand tension.

Anyway, L4D intro is pretty cool, L4D2 is meh.

That's not an intro, that's a trailer. Still, I've to agree, The Sacrifice trailer is awesome.

JustRed · 04-27-2012, 09:01 PM

1000 hours later and I still sit around gawking at the L4D intro, while people are waiting for me lol
(lost my spot more than once this way hehe)

NabsterHax · 04-28-2012, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brabee

You got it all wrong. The best intro is The Sacrifice, because of the desperate-fight-for-live atmosphere. Aaaand tension.

The Sacrifice trailer was quite impressive. Unfortunately it was ruined by all the L4D2 crap in it and the fact it let us know Valve was lying to the L4D1 community all along.

HawkeSolaris · 05-01-2012, 07:43 AM

L4D1 intro- I liked the Hunter part best. Louis getting pwned by Hunter ^^
L4D2 intro- Was kinda meh. Cheesy action movie style, which was fine in itself as it was a good production but still, compared to the original, was kinda meh.
Sacrifice trailer- Awesome. The noise as Bill throws the molotov always sends a chill down my spine. Zoey's expression to Bill offering her a cigarette never fails to make me smirk too.

04-23-2012, 12:58 PM	#1
fapoo Join Date: Apr 2012 Reputation: 0 Posts: 7	Best Intro Ever The intro to left 4 dead is possibly the best video intro for a game ever. It works on so many levels. -It sets the story up to the start of the game. -It introduces all the characters - as well as clearly providing a starting point to their personalities and relationships between each other. -It introduces the enemies and their abilities. -It introduces different concepts to how the game works (e.g. pipebombs, car alarms, witch+flashlight) -It has tension -It has action -IT IS AWESOME. The people who created the video need silly amounts of credits because I couldn't help myself but play No Mercy right after even though I just wanted to watch the intro only. So just a kudos thread to the creators. After years of being released, it still brings joy...and terror.

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04-23-2012, 03:06 PM	#2
tron00 Join Date: Jun 2009 Reputation: 21 Posts: 154	Agreed.. I've owned the game since the beginning and still will watch it every now and then. I like L4D2's intro, as well. These guys should write a movie script.

04-23-2012, 04:14 PM	#3
MartinKhan Banned Join Date: Mar 2011 Reputation: 2171 Posts: 4,318	Yeah, both L4D games have great intros, especially the original Left 4 Dead.

04-25-2012, 09:21 AM	#4
colbent Join Date: Sep 2010 Reputation: 12 Posts: 116	Not to turn this into another L4D vs L4D2 thread, but I think both intros are indicative of the tone of both games and how they're different. L4D's intro is basically a short film. It's well written and acted and as fapoo laid out, it's very informative and teaches the viewer things about the game probably without them even realizing it. Not to mention that it creates genuine tension and suspense. L4D2's intro on the other hand is a montage of scenes of the characters being really badass or funny. There's no tension or suspense since it's just a bunch of scenes thrown together. It seems more concerned with looking exciting and action-packed rather than teaching the player anything. The infected are actually shown doing things that they can't do in-game (the jockey slamming Elis head against a car, the charger throwing Elis through a wall, a common knocking the gun out of Elis' hands). Overall I think it's a much more superficial experience, kind of like how I feel about the game. I realize that the L4D2 intro is supposed to be like a movie trailer, but Valve decided to make it that way. Judging from the L4D intro and the TF2 videos, they're totally capable of making genuinely funny and informative short films, so I'm not sure why they decided to construct the L4D2 intro this way. It's about as confusing as their decision to make a sequel to L4D in one year.

04-25-2012, 11:38 AM	#5
Spinx Join Date: Nov 2008 Reputation: 7 Posts: 55	Definitely agreed! It is by far the best game intro I have ever seen. Totally sets the tone and teaches you how to play at the same time. Thumbs up to Valve for this! And I feel the same way colbent. I first played L4D2 expecting another amazing intro video and... Well, was feeling pretty let down afterward.

04-26-2012, 03:59 AM	#7
Sarevok08 Join Date: Apr 2012 Reputation: 0 Posts: 8	I'd go with the first being best. If you've NEVER played either, the first provides far more information and back story. The second, as said, is just a montage of shots, providing a little detail with the heading up the stairs to the chopper.

04-27-2012, 02:58 AM	#8
brabee Join Date: Dec 2008 Reputation: 36 Posts: 503	You got it all wrong. The best intro is The Sacrifice, because of the desperate-fight-for-live atmosphere. Aaaand tension. Anyway, L4D intro is pretty cool, L4D2 is meh.

04-27-2012, 08:21 AM	#9
RainingMetal Join Date: Jul 2009 Reputation: 95 Posts: 849	The intros do reflect on the kind of environment and gameplay each game has to offer. Left 4 Dead 1's intro is gloomy and dark, much like the game itself. It also provides the basics. Left 4 Dead 2's intro is more action-paced, and assumes that the viewer already knows about the game. Valve did make these intros very effective. And they said they weren't good at cutscenes!

04-27-2012, 09:01 PM	#11
JustRed Join Date: Jul 2011 Reputation: 68 Posts: 258	1000 hours later and I still sit around gawking at the L4D intro, while people are waiting for me lol (lost my spot more than once this way hehe)

05-01-2012, 07:43 AM	#13
HawkeSolaris Join Date: Jul 2010 Reputation: 386 Posts: 1,781	L4D1 intro- I liked the Hunter part best. Louis getting pwned by Hunter ^^ L4D2 intro- Was kinda meh. Cheesy action movie style, which was fine in itself as it was a good production but still, compared to the original, was kinda meh. Sacrifice trailer- Awesome. The noise as Bill throws the molotov always sends a chill down my spine. Zoey's expression to Bill offering her a cigarette never fails to make me smirk too.