I can understand the bias concerns with VII but the first hour of VII is definitive S tier. For me, it’s easily the best opening hour. X is up there as well.
Glad to see 6 at the top. It’s my favorite so I agree. But I still get goosebumps when I play the beginning and how it sets up the wonderful steam punk atmosphere with sweeping majestic history and a mysterious mission - then cuts to one best tracks in the FF series. It has a wonderful building of tension and expectation that allows it to stand out compared to the technically superior and flashy openings that came in later games.
This is a great video - totally different than just a tier listing of FF games in general but instead the opening scenes. I think FF8 and FF12 are by far my two favorite opening scenes. FF8's music ties so well with the movie trailer vibes between Seifer vs Squall. FF12 is just one epic storyline and it harkens back to the old school RPG games I remember playing that deal with political turmoil! It's like going through a storybook come to life. FF6 would round out my 3rd place just because it's my first FF game and nostalgia beats it to that place setting.
Also a massive final fantasy fan. Nostalgia definitely kicked in in ff 8 as it's the first one I ever played. So was really glad to see it in the S tier. 😁
Personally I strongly believe that VII doesn't just have the best opening in the series, but probably the best opening to _anything?_ Let's put it this way- _there is a metric-ton of backstory to FFVII._ The world has been taken over by a mega corporation, there was gigantic war that was fought a few years earlier, there's a fictional resource that's being pumped out of the world that's effectively killing it, there's resistance groups, super-soldiers, an ancient race of people, the list literally goes on and on. Now most of this isn't required knowledge for the opening to the game, and a lot is put on the backburner to be told later on, but the confidence to just _drop_ you into the world is something I think everyone should take notice of. There's no wall of exposition, no title-crawl to explain what's happening. Think about this for a second: Final Fantasy VI (Which has an excellent intro btw) had less going on, and took at least about a minute to quickly give a very broad background check the first thing that happens when you start. In stark-contrast, the only real exposition drop you get in the first hour is Barret evangelizing his beliefs while you descend in an elevator with him. _That's wild._ And I think the reason why it works is the context of what you're doing. The act of you participating in the opening terrorist attack weirdly plugs you into the world in a way that covers a ton of bases. Also the visual storytelling is so on-point. The opening dolly shot to show the entirety of Midgar isn't just a technical flex for the Playstation, it's showing you in uncertain terms who is in control: _Whoever is in that gigantic building._ I always like to compare that shot to the opening of the first Star Wars and seeing that Star Destroyer fly over you: Oh, _that_ must be the empire. I know VII get's a lot of bias, and nostalgia, but sometimes something is just plain good. That opening is something that should be taught in classes.
I completely agree. It starts fast, informs of things when they’re relevant, and just immerses you in the world to figure out the rest on your own. The bombing mission, the train ride, and then Seventh Heaven. It’s just perfect.
@@sebastiancintron29 Besides what most people talk about: The horrendous level-design. That game drove me nuts multiple times specifically _because of that._ Like it's referencing ideas and even story structure throughout that game without understand what it's referencing worked in the first-place.
The Seventh Heaven also encapsulates a great way to do exposition in-general. If your characters are talking about stuff, and it feels like they're just bringing it up to inform the player: Then something is broken. You just did/had this big event, so you've given a reason for characters to naturally bring stuff up in conversation.
FFVII is my favourite in the series and my favourite game of all time. Having said that, I’m putting FFXVI down as the best opening. The way it throws you into an epic Eikon showdown between Phoenix and Ifrit just blew me away and the tragedy of the story that soon followed was brutal!
FF7, I was like holy s*** so cool! I was only 8-9 years old with my limited English. FF6, FF8, FF10, and FF13-2 are an S to me as well. 4, 4-TAY, 9, 13, 13-LR, 16, Crisis Core, Dirge of Cerberus, and World of Final Fantasy are an A. 5, 12, 14, 15, and Dimensions are a B. 2, 3, and 10-2 are a C. Crystal Chronicles games, Dimensions 2, FF11, and some of those on the mobile I haven't played and/or I exclude since there are (were) so many out there.
I think if it were purely based on opening cinematics then VIII would be way out on its own. That opening video is just incredible in every aspect. Based on the first hour though I would say VI, VII and VIII.
Love the tier list except I think 6 should be A. You gotta do a tier list also on Persona games opening and world of Warcraft games opening too! Would be awesome to see
Endings next 😁 Thats gonna be a hard on though but can’t wait to see that video when it comes if you do it! And I actually agree with a lot of your list event though I haven’t played XV or XVI so I’m not counting those in I would say my favorite openings would be IV, and VIII. Just love that opening where you get introduced to Balamb Garden. Something about schools and training stuff just exited me a lot when I played it back in the days. Oh oh and X-2 for pure nostalgia! Come on that game gets way too much flag
I do think IX is S tier for openings as I think you forgot to include the rest of the play and theater part with kidnapping Garnet in the first hour. My bias is showing through as I love the into to IX a lot as it captured me when I was younger.
I'm currently doing a Final Fantasy run and haven't played 16 (I just finished 15) so I didn't watch the end section of this video. I will say as someone who started with FF4 as a kid, I have 4 and 6 pretty high. I didn't play 7 until much later and I will assure you that your bias isn't coming through. I think it introduces the setting and the main characters very well. I don't think S-tier is outlandish whatsoever. Good list as a whole I think.
Phooey on those people that judge your opinion. I remember 8 really hit for me as a kid. That music was insane! I gatta agree with you there, that it is stronger than 7. 10 is still epic to this day I love how it sets up the story. 14 has cool cinematic intros for the expansions but that would be a different topic haha. 16 set a new standard for us all. Honestly, I agree with your picks. I almost thought 13 could have been a B since the cinematics are stunning. Other than that good job mate!
FF16 has one of the best openings to any game I've ever played, and while I enjoyed the rest of the game, it didn't come close to what those first few hours established imo
16 definitely has the best opening. It successfully made me care about everything happening in its world. It made me hate Annabella so much. And it made me cry as I'm watching what's happening to Joshua near the end of the demo I would put 8 right after 16. That cinematic opening is too good. The music is incredible. And during that cinematic, you see some random sentence ("I'll be waiting for you", "If you come here, you'll find me", etc), then way later into the game, when Squall and Rinoa say the promise at the flower field, you suddenly realize that was the promise you saw in the opening. It's so cool, I'll never forget that opening 10 is my third, and the reason is the same as 8: You see your team sits silently near Zanarkand, with To Zanarkand playing in the background. Everyone looks sad, the atmosphere is heavy. Then Tidus saying his iconic line "Listen to my story, this maybe our last chance". This opening already hooked me in, but then way later into the game, when you finally get to Zanarkand for real and understood everything, you see this opening one more time. And this time, the feeling is just indescribable
I don’t know why, I still think 15 is the best one by far, even though it’s unfinished in story, such a shame. The vibe is so strong. 16 is too cliché, which doesn’t look like a final fantasy.
FFVII is top of the list for me. Great cinematic, straight into a dungeon, then it slows down when you get to Sector 7 and met everyone. It’s perfect. VIII has a better opening cinematic but the moment just dies right after it for me. If it just threw us straight into the Dollet mission it might rank above VII. I love XII, it’s probably my second favorite overall, but yeah, the beginning is fairly dull. On the other hand, I’d say the first hour of XIII is pretty solidly A tier for me. Lastly, if XVI didn’t have the part with Titan and Shiva and just opened with Clive as a teen, I’d like it better. As is, it just feels so slow. Low B Tier for me.
Agree with all except id put VI in A tier. It's my favorite FF but I don't think the first hour stands with 7,8,X.....also in 8 the whole Dollet scene is pretty fantastic.
I think it deserves to be there. You have majestic exposition showing parts of the world, the magi war, steam punk setting. Glimpse of Kefka and Vector. Then Vicks and wedge in their magitech armour with the mysterious girl to build intrigue. Finally, the slow trudge and the gradual reveal of Narshe as one of the all time best tracks in the series plays. It’s very different from the flashy scenes in 7, 8. And X which are technical showpieces but matches them in how it’s presented, with world and tension building, whilst increasing intrigue.
I'd bump 9 up JUST a little personally BC it is bias for being my fave game of all time LMAO but I genuinely agree with your ranking overall 👀 ALSO 100% AGREE WITH THE PLACEMENT OF 16 That intro sequence single handed had me buzzing and hyper for when the game actually dropped and it was NO disappointment at all >:D
11 was weired because its a super emotional scene that gets you ready to play an insane game... And then the game is boring as crap. Same as the Old Republic mmo
Kinda agree overall except for 9... imo should b atleast an a cause it puts you into the overall feel of the rest of the game so well... but its my fav ff so im not neutral 😅
I can't help but agree with your list mostly. I may have moved FFXII up a little more, but I think I enjoyed the 12 minute mini movie that set the stage for the story more than you did. That's cool though, I probably wouldn't have placed it much higher anyway.
I love how there is like to sides of FF fans. Those who love X and VI and then those who love xii and xiii for example. I dont know why its ecspecially those games but i´ll take it. I like X, dont get me wrong but for me it was was of the weaker ones which I dont understand. I really tried to like it more but it didnt work. Probably the same for some when it comes to xii and xiii. XIII really is one of my favourites after IV and XVI. (This is not about the openings but about the games as a whole)
It's mostly scyfi vs fantasy. Most people like one or the other more and it shows in your favorite FF. Personally, I love 8 partly because hunting dragons with spaceships and lasers is cool as hell.
I don’t think the evaluation of FF8 is fair. Picking only the opening cutscene from FF8 and saying it's better than FF7 Bombing Mission. The cutscene is iconic, but the first hour of FF8 is not too good beyond the cutscene. Imo FF8 goes to B category in front of FF1.
The video playing when he was talking about it was literally the A Realm Reborn (2.0) opening with a female Hrothgar (not to mention what he described was literally the ARR opening).
The cinematic that was playing when he was talking about XIV was literally the scene that happens when you start a new character in the modern day. So he did, in fact, use footage from the current and active FFXIV. Yes, it does get great, and it soars to really high highs, but it takes *dozens if not hundreds of hours* to get to that.
aside from 15 which I would rate a bit lower I agree with everything you said and ranked. I wish companies paid more attention to the intro, for example with Black Myth Wukong I went hooooooolyy sh*t just from the intro and that hype lasted the whole game.
Imo ff6 atmosphere and theming is the most over rated in the series, the dark gritty steam punk setting is just really depresssing and feels like they tried really hard to make pixel graphics look realistic but lost the charm of pixel graphics in the exchange along with the time skip in the middle of the game, and the character building doesnt get good until a fair bit into the game when you get espers to learn magic and abilities 1,4, and 5 are all greatly more enjoyable for me than ff6
@@GenesisVII call me a sucker for lavish weddings 😜😂 plus the music was beautifully done. And the huge shock of the initial battle revealed later in the game definitely left an impression…
Which is YOUR best Final Fantasy Opening? Let me know!
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15 by far, then type-0, 8, 9, 7
I can understand the bias concerns with VII but the first hour of VII is definitive S tier. For me, it’s easily the best opening hour. X is up there as well.
I do love FF7s intro a lot!
7 is arguably the best intro! 6 doesn't even come close but 10 is definitely right behind 7.
I'll just say one thing: Y.R.P....in position. It's showtime, girls 💃🏻
Not gonna lie if I put the sequels, prequels and spinoffs on here it would be up there haha!
Good list. Here is my list (first hour or so):
S: 16, 7, 6
A: 10, 15, 4
B: 9, 8, 1, 5
C: 12, 2, 13
D: 3
Glad to see 6 at the top. It’s my favorite so I agree.
But I still get goosebumps when I play the beginning and how it sets up the wonderful steam punk atmosphere with sweeping majestic history and a mysterious mission - then cuts to one best tracks in the FF series.
It has a wonderful building of tension and expectation that allows it to stand out compared to the technically superior and flashy openings that came in later games.
This is a great video - totally different than just a tier listing of FF games in general but instead the opening scenes. I think FF8 and FF12 are by far my two favorite opening scenes. FF8's music ties so well with the movie trailer vibes between Seifer vs Squall. FF12 is just one epic storyline and it harkens back to the old school RPG games I remember playing that deal with political turmoil! It's like going through a storybook come to life. FF6 would round out my 3rd place just because it's my first FF game and nostalgia beats it to that place setting.
Also a massive final fantasy fan. Nostalgia definitely kicked in in ff 8 as it's the first one I ever played. So was really glad to see it in the S tier. 😁
Personally I strongly believe that VII doesn't just have the best opening in the series, but probably the best opening to _anything?_
Let's put it this way- _there is a metric-ton of backstory to FFVII._
The world has been taken over by a mega corporation, there was gigantic war that was fought a few years earlier, there's a fictional resource that's being pumped out of the world that's effectively killing it, there's resistance groups, super-soldiers, an ancient race of people, the list literally goes on and on.
Now most of this isn't required knowledge for the opening to the game, and a lot is put on the backburner to be told later on, but the confidence to just _drop_ you into the world is something I think everyone should take notice of. There's no wall of exposition, no title-crawl to explain what's happening. Think about this for a second: Final Fantasy VI (Which has an excellent intro btw) had less going on, and took at least about a minute to quickly give a very broad background check the first thing that happens when you start. In stark-contrast, the only real exposition drop you get in the first hour is Barret evangelizing his beliefs while you descend in an elevator with him. _That's wild._ And I think the reason why it works is the context of what you're doing. The act of you participating in the opening terrorist attack weirdly plugs you into the world in a way that covers a ton of bases. Also the visual storytelling is so on-point. The opening dolly shot to show the entirety of Midgar isn't just a technical flex for the Playstation, it's showing you in uncertain terms who is in control: _Whoever is in that gigantic building._ I always like to compare that shot to the opening of the first Star Wars and seeing that Star Destroyer fly over you: Oh, _that_ must be the empire.
I know VII get's a lot of bias, and nostalgia, but sometimes something is just plain good. That opening is something that should be taught in classes.
This comment is awesome.
I completely agree. It starts fast, informs of things when they’re relevant, and just immerses you in the world to figure out the rest on your own. The bombing mission, the train ride, and then Seventh Heaven. It’s just perfect.
Now compare that to how XIII tries to do a similar opening and fails spectacularly
@@sebastiancintron29 Besides what most people talk about: The horrendous level-design. That game drove me nuts multiple times specifically _because of that._ Like it's referencing ideas and even story structure throughout that game without understand what it's referencing worked in the first-place.
The Seventh Heaven also encapsulates a great way to do exposition in-general. If your characters are talking about stuff, and it feels like they're just bringing it up to inform the player: Then something is broken. You just did/had this big event, so you've given a reason for characters to naturally bring stuff up in conversation.
Can’t argue 16 as best opening it was amazing
FFVII is my favourite in the series and my favourite game of all time. Having said that, I’m putting FFXVI down as the best opening. The way it throws you into an epic Eikon showdown between Phoenix and Ifrit just blew me away and the tragedy of the story that soon followed was brutal!
I know FF14 is beloved, but the beginning is so boring, I could never get into it. I agree with these.
Ah, you like big festival fireworks bruddah, yah!
No nostalgia in putting VII in S.... one of the most iconic openings (and just iconic scenes in general) in gaming history.
FF7, I was like holy s*** so cool! I was only 8-9 years old with my limited English. FF6, FF8, FF10, and FF13-2 are an S to me as well.
4, 4-TAY, 9, 13, 13-LR, 16, Crisis Core, Dirge of Cerberus, and World of Final Fantasy are an A.
5, 12, 14, 15, and Dimensions are a B.
2, 3, and 10-2 are a C.
Crystal Chronicles games, Dimensions 2, FF11, and some of those on the mobile I haven't played and/or I exclude since there are (were) so many out there.
I think if it were purely based on opening cinematics then VIII would be way out on its own. That opening video is just incredible in every aspect.
Based on the first hour though I would say VI, VII and VIII.
Love the tier list except I think 6 should be A. You gotta do a tier list also on Persona games opening and world of Warcraft games opening too! Would be awesome to see
Man can't argue with these rankings at all
What they did to that village in IV was just tragic 😭
Yeah they went all in with the beginning of 4!
Endings next 😁 Thats gonna be a hard on though but can’t wait to see that video when it comes if you do it! And I actually agree with a lot of your list event though I haven’t played XV or XVI so I’m not counting those in
I would say my favorite openings would be IV, and VIII. Just love that opening where you get introduced to Balamb Garden. Something about schools and training stuff just exited me a lot when I played it back in the days. Oh oh and X-2 for pure nostalgia! Come on that game gets way too much flag
I do think IX is S tier for openings as I think you forgot to include the rest of the play and theater part with kidnapping Garnet in the first hour. My bias is showing through as I love the into to IX a lot as it captured me when I was younger.
Another great tierlist!
Totally agree with your S tier and for me, 7, 10 and 16 are just top tier on equal footing, each for their respective story.
I'm currently doing a Final Fantasy run and haven't played 16 (I just finished 15) so I didn't watch the end section of this video. I will say as someone who started with FF4 as a kid, I have 4 and 6 pretty high. I didn't play 7 until much later and I will assure you that your bias isn't coming through. I think it introduces the setting and the main characters very well. I don't think S-tier is outlandish whatsoever. Good list as a whole I think.
I agree with a lot of your list but here’s mine:
S: 16, 7, 10, 8
A: 6, 4, 9, 15
B: 1, 13, 5
C: 12
D: 2, 3
Phooey on those people that judge your opinion. I remember 8 really hit for me as a kid. That music was insane! I gatta agree with you there, that it is stronger than 7. 10 is still epic to this day I love how it sets up the story. 14 has cool cinematic intros for the expansions but that would be a different topic haha. 16 set a new standard for us all. Honestly, I agree with your picks. I almost thought 13 could have been a B since the cinematics are stunning. Other than that good job mate!
I pretty much agree with all of this, except I might move XIII up to a low B.
FF16 has one of the best openings to any game I've ever played, and while I enjoyed the rest of the game, it didn't come close to what those first few hours established imo
FFXIs opening cut scenes is pretty awesome
16 definitely has the best opening. It successfully made me care about everything happening in its world. It made me hate Annabella so much. And it made me cry as I'm watching what's happening to Joshua near the end of the demo
I would put 8 right after 16. That cinematic opening is too good. The music is incredible. And during that cinematic, you see some random sentence ("I'll be waiting for you", "If you come here, you'll find me", etc), then way later into the game, when Squall and Rinoa say the promise at the flower field, you suddenly realize that was the promise you saw in the opening. It's so cool, I'll never forget that opening
10 is my third, and the reason is the same as 8: You see your team sits silently near Zanarkand, with To Zanarkand playing in the background. Everyone looks sad, the atmosphere is heavy. Then Tidus saying his iconic line "Listen to my story, this maybe our last chance". This opening already hooked me in, but then way later into the game, when you finally get to Zanarkand for real and understood everything, you see this opening one more time. And this time, the feeling is just indescribable
By the way, you shouldn’t have missed Zero! It’s so so so underrated. I personally think Zero has the strongest opening. (If not the best)
I don’t know why, I still think 15 is the best one by far, even though it’s unfinished in story, such a shame. The vibe is so strong. 16 is too cliché, which doesn’t look like a final fantasy.
FFVII is top of the list for me. Great cinematic, straight into a dungeon, then it slows down when you get to Sector 7 and met everyone. It’s perfect. VIII has a better opening cinematic but the moment just dies right after it for me. If it just threw us straight into the Dollet mission it might rank above VII.
I love XII, it’s probably my second favorite overall, but yeah, the beginning is fairly dull. On the other hand, I’d say the first hour of XIII is pretty solidly A tier for me.
Lastly, if XVI didn’t have the part with Titan and Shiva and just opened with Clive as a teen, I’d like it better. As is, it just feels so slow. Low B Tier for me.
Agree with all except id put VI in A tier. It's my favorite FF but I don't think the first hour stands with 7,8,X.....also in 8 the whole Dollet scene is pretty fantastic.
I think it deserves to be there. You have majestic exposition showing parts of the world, the magi war, steam punk setting. Glimpse of Kefka and Vector.
Then Vicks and wedge in their magitech armour with the mysterious girl to build intrigue. Finally, the slow trudge and the gradual reveal of Narshe as one of the all time best tracks in the series plays.
It’s very different from the flashy scenes in 7, 8. And X which are technical showpieces but matches them in how it’s presented, with world and tension building, whilst increasing intrigue.
8 is my favorite opening followed by 7 then 10 I think
I'd bump 9 up JUST a little personally BC it is bias for being my fave game of all time LMAO but I genuinely agree with your ranking overall 👀
ALSO 100% AGREE WITH THE PLACEMENT OF 16
That intro sequence single handed had me buzzing and hyper for when the game actually dropped and it was NO disappointment at all >:D
11 was weired because its a super emotional scene that gets you ready to play an insane game... And then the game is boring as crap. Same as the Old Republic mmo
Kinda agree overall except for 9... imo should b atleast an a cause it puts you into the overall feel of the rest of the game so well... but its my fav ff so im not neutral 😅
I can't help but agree with your list mostly. I may have moved FFXII up a little more, but I think I enjoyed the 12 minute mini movie that set the stage for the story more than you did. That's cool though, I probably wouldn't have placed it much higher anyway.
I love how there is like to sides of FF fans. Those who love X and VI and then those who love xii and xiii for example. I dont know why its ecspecially those games but i´ll take it. I like X, dont get me wrong but for me it was was of the weaker ones which I dont understand. I really tried to like it more but it didnt work. Probably the same for some when it comes to xii and xiii. XIII really is one of my favourites after IV and XVI. (This is not about the openings but about the games as a whole)
It's mostly scyfi vs fantasy. Most people like one or the other more and it shows in your favorite FF. Personally, I love 8 partly because hunting dragons with spaceships and lasers is cool as hell.
I don’t think the evaluation of FF8 is fair. Picking only the opening cutscene from FF8 and saying it's better than FF7 Bombing Mission. The cutscene is iconic, but the first hour of FF8 is not too good beyond the cutscene.
Imo FF8 goes to B category in front of FF1.
Fair points, I should of gone into a little more detail with 8
Man’s really did the opening for the canceled 1.0 version instead of the opening of the current and active 14 version
I don't think I did...
The video playing when he was talking about it was literally the A Realm Reborn (2.0) opening with a female Hrothgar (not to mention what he described was literally the ARR opening).
The cinematic that was playing when he was talking about XIV was literally the scene that happens when you start a new character in the modern day. So he did, in fact, use footage from the current and active FFXIV.
Yes, it does get great, and it soars to really high highs, but it takes *dozens if not hundreds of hours* to get to that.
I made a new character just to capture the intro haha
My opening ranking:
S: 7
A: 10, 9, 8, 4, 6
B: 1, 16
C: 5, 15, 12, 13
D: 2, 3
Never played 11 and 14.
aside from 15 which I would rate a bit lower I agree with everything you said and ranked. I wish companies paid more attention to the intro, for example with Black Myth Wukong I went hooooooolyy sh*t just from the intro and that hype lasted the whole game.
I've heard nothing but good things from Wukong!
16 best opening in my opinion by far.
Imo ff6 atmosphere and theming is the most over rated in the series, the dark gritty steam punk setting is just really depresssing and feels like they tried really hard to make pixel graphics look realistic but lost the charm of pixel graphics in the exchange
along with the time skip in the middle of the game, and the character building doesnt get good until a fair bit into the game when you get espers to learn magic and abilities
1,4, and 5 are all greatly more enjoyable for me than ff6
Ah- that hurts. 6 is my favorite in the series and I absolutely love the atmosphere.
To me S tier is FF IX
Final fantasy XII arguably has the best opening though… VII close second.
Would love to know why just incase there was something I missed!
12 was a snooze fest and way too long
@@GenesisVII call me a sucker for lavish weddings 😜😂 plus the music was beautifully done. And the huge shock of the initial battle revealed later in the game definitely left an impression…