Modern video games aren’t just about mashing buttons anymore; they’ve blossomed into incredible platforms for telling epic stories. Games offer a depth and immersion you just can’t find in other media. To move these grand tales forward and perfect their pacing, developers often break up the action with cutscenes. This practice, spanning decades, has gifted us some truly jaw-dropping cinematic moments. But here’s the twist: sometimes, these very moments are far more memorable, and frankly better, than playing the actual game.
It’s a common tale in gaming where video game cutscenes have completely stolen the spotlight. Occasionally, an average cutscene becomes a standout feature in an otherwise lackluster game. Other times, even truly amazing games find their gameplay overshadowed by legendary cinematics. This list dives into ten such instances where the cutscenes were the real stars of the show.
10 World of Warcraft
Many gamers from the late nineties and early 2000s remember the struggle. We’d see these incredible commercials or intro cinematics for games, only to find the actual gameplay looked nothing like them. World of Warcraft was a prime example. Its CGI short films were, and still are, masterpieces of animation, promising epic, hyper-realistic adventures.
However, anyone who jumped into Azeroth, especially back in its early days, knows the in-game graphics were… charmingly retro, to put it mildly. Even with updates, the game’s visual style prioritized accessibility over cutting-edge fidelity. This made those stunning cinematic cutscenes stand out even more, often being the most visually impressive parts of the WoW experience.
9 Resident Evil 2 (2019 Remake)
The 2019 remake of Resident Evil 2 is widely hailed as a masterclass in reimagining a classic. It’s stunningly beautiful and stays true to the spirit of the original, enhancing it where needed. But if there’s one feature that truly elevates the experience, it’s the incredible cutscenes.
The opening sequence, particularly the now-famous gas station scene, is a technical marvel. It’s one of the most visually impressive cinematics in modern gaming. The level of detail is astonishing, making everything from the characters to the environment (and yes, even a random burger) look unbelievably realistic. It sets a terrifyingly beautiful tone for the horrors to come.
8 Basically Every Sonic Game
Let’s be honest, for many Sonic the Hedgehog titles, the cutscenes often feel like the best part by a long shot. If you’ve ever navigated the often-frustrating world of a 3D Sonic game—think titles like Sonic Adventure or some of the Sonic Boom entries—you’re familiar with the series’ occasional struggles. Glitches and awkward controls have been a recurring theme, making the animated sequences welcome respites from the chaos.
Even critically acclaimed entries such as 2017’s Sonic Mania, which nailed the classic gameplay, presented cutscenes that arguably stole the show. The opening animation for Sonic Mania, featured here, is a vibrant, energetic, and wonderfully animated piece that captures the essence of Sonic perfectly – sometimes better than the actual button-pressing parts!
7 Two Bioshocks for Completely Opposite Reasons
The Bioshock series is often lauded, but opinions can vary wildly, especially concerning Bioshock Infinite’s ending. This contrast gives us two standout cutscene examples, famous for entirely different reasons. First, there’s the iconic “Would You Kindly” sequence from the original Bioshock. It’s a narrative triumph, a twist so masterfully executed it cemented the game’s place in history. We can’t say more without spoilers, but it’s unforgettable.
Then, there’s the “Sea of Doors” sequence from Bioshock: Infinite. This ending is far more controversial. Some loved its ambition, while others felt it undermined the game’s journey. Regardless of your take on its narrative implications, the cutscene itself was undeniably original, visually stunning, and thought-provoking. It sparked endless debate, proving its impact.
6 Nier: Automata
Nier: Automata is a game that rightfully earns both its widespread acclaim and its share of critiques. It’s a monumental achievement in gaming and a fantastic experience overall, yet it’s not without its flaws. One common point of contention is its sometimes uneven pacing, which can occasionally slow down the otherwise thrilling adventure. Thankfully, whenever the gameplay starts to feel like a bit of a grind (like its lengthy introductory mission), a breathtaking and epic cutscene often swoops in to reinvigorate the player.
Given that the game’s premise heavily features stylish androids like the protagonist 2B engaged in spectacular combat, it’s no surprise the cutscenes are exceptionally cool. You’ll see 2B gracefully dispatching enemies, colossal machines emerging from the sea to battle aircraft, and duels framed with artistic flair. These moments are pure eye-candy and a core part of Nier: Automata’s appeal.
5 Super Smash Bros.
The CGI cutscenes sprinkled throughout the Super Smash Bros. series are always a highlight, and not just for their impressive animation and dramatic flair. In a franchise that’s relatively light on traditional storytelling, these cinematics offer tantalizing glimpses of what could be an ultimate crossover narrative. They make you dream of the epic Nintendo Universe movie that fans have clamored for.
Imagine a film where Mario, Link, Pikachu, Kirby, and Sonic team up – it would be a pop culture phenomenon! Then throw in characters like Donkey Kong, Cloud, Snake, and Sora, and you’ve got an event that would send ripples through the gaming world. The cutscenes, like the one from “The Subspace Emissary” in Brawl, brilliantly showcase this potential, making them more exciting than just another match.
4 Halo 2
Halo 2 is, without a doubt, a phenomenal game. Building on the groundbreaking success of Halo: Combat Evolved, it enhanced nearly every aspect of its predecessor. The gameplay was refined and exciting, the musical score was epic, the graphics were cutting-edge for their time, and the story was captivating. Plus, you had the legendary voice of Keith David as the Arbiter. Yet, despite all its gameplay triumphs, many of the most enduring memories from Halo 2 come from its incredible cutscenes.
Who could forget the chilling introduction of the Gravemind? Or Sergeant Johnson’s daring scarab hijacking? Any scene featuring the Arbiter was instantly iconic. And, of course, there’s the “Return to Sender” cutscene – an absolute masterclass in cinematic action. Hearing Master Chief utter, “To give the Covenant back their bomb,” was a moment that gave gamers everywhere goosebumps.
3 Jedi Knight: Dark Forces I & II
Much like the Halo series, the Jedi Knight games consistently delivered enjoyable action experiences with Kyle Katarn’s adventures holding up surprisingly well today. They remain strong entries in the vast library of Star Wars games. However, for all the fun of wielding a lightsaber and using the Force in-game, it’s often the early live-action cutscenes from titles like Dark Forces II: Jedi Knight that stick in our minds the most.
Part of their charm is undeniably their glorious cheesiness and how they seem blissfully unaware of their own delightful awkwardness. For Star Wars fans growing up in the long wait before The Phantom Menace, these live-action cinematics were precious. They offered a glimpse into the expanded universe, and despite their B-movie quality, they were eagerly consumed and remain fondly remembered.
2 Mass Effect 3
Mass Effect 3 holds a controversial spot in gaming history. It’s often cited as a game that, for many, significantly tarnished a beloved franchise with its widely criticized ending. Many players felt the final moments disregarded the impactful choices they had made throughout the epic trilogy. Because of this, the game’s exceptionally well-crafted cutscenes, particularly at the beginning, shine even brighter in contrast.
After two games focusing Commander Shepard’s adventures on distant alien worlds and deep-space vessels, Mass Effect 3’s opening brought the Reaper invasion to Earth in a devastatingly cinematic way. The initial assault on our home planet is a powerful, gut-wrenching sequence, depicting desperate attempts to flee. This emotional and visually spectacular opening makes the eventual disconnect with the game’s ending all the more jarring, highlighting the cutscenes as true high points.
1 Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3
Okay, this one might be a bit cheeky, but it’s hard to deny the sheer entertainment value here. Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3 is a fantastic real-time strategy game, part of a series that helped define the genre alongside giants like Age of Empires. Its gameplay is solid and engaging. Yet, what often steals the show are its utterly absurd, gloriously over-the-top, and wonderfully hammy live-action video segments.
The standout, without a shadow of a doubt, is Tim Curry’s portrayal of Premier Anatoly Cherdenko. Curry delivers a performance so unhinged, so delightfully manic, it’s legendary. Even for a man known for iconic roles in The Rocky Horror Picture Show and It, his Cherdenko is a masterclass in scenery-chewing. Whether you’ve played the C&C games or not, watching Tim Curry’s cutscenes from Red Alert 3 is an experience you won’t soon forget. “SPACE!”
From breathtaking CGI to hilariously campy live-action, video game cutscenes have a unique power. They can elevate a story, introduce unforgettable characters, or simply provide a dazzling spectacle that outshines the interactive elements. While gameplay is the core of any video game, these ten examples prove that sometimes, the best moments are the ones you just sit back and watch. These cinematics have carved their own legacies, reminding us that storytelling in games can take many brilliant forms.
What are some of your favorite game cutscenes that you think were better than the game itself? Share your thoughts and memories in the comments below!
