As you are all well aware, games tend to start with an introdutory sequence that aims to present the game's setting and situation to the player. But Bethesda, the developer behind both Fallout and The Elder Scrolls goes to an extra lenght to do that, because in each game they award their consumers with something that had fallen out of the industry's radar: the opportunity for the player to develop their own background, like gamers were able to in the old classics.
Bethesda game intros are designed to incentive the player to do that. Take, as an example, the classic Elder Scrolls "Prisoner" which allows a great deal of roleplaying customization and story development, mainly because they ask you "What the hell am I doing here? Was my imprisonment justified? Who am I? How do I feel about it?"
The same is true about Fallout, even though it may be somewhat more restrictive, they still allow you loads of customization and a lot of time of deliberating while deciding how was your childhood, how you ended up becoming a courier, which role you served in the military and why you enlisted or why you have that law school degree and how you ended up marrying with a war veteran. The possibilities are endless, no matter how much people say Fallout 4 in particular was somehow dumbed down. (And yes, I do agree that it was "dumbed down", but I can understand the decision and certainly don't think it was to the degree people bitch about).
So! As usual, pick a topic, share your thoughts and let's talk!
Consider all Fallout games, even those not published/developed by Bethesda.
Morrowind's opening cinematic, while amazing for a main quest character, really lacked for any other. I would like to see this sort of thing expanded on more for other character-types, just to overview the province. Something like FONV did that well.
However, I like starting my games out with a dungeon and I liked Oblivion's better than Skyrim's. It was way too main quest-y, either way, but I found Oblivion's more interesting.
Which Bethesda game intro did you like the most?
I definitely enjoyed waking up in Doc Mitchell's house the best. Poking around his house for extra chems and an SMG was definitely a good way to get me into the game.
Did you take in account the freedom you are given in creating your character and background when you answered the previous question?
Yes. The Courier is a pretty blank slate and gives plenty of role-play opportunities.
Do you like cinematic cutscenes before the intro itself starts, like in the Fallout series? Would you like to see more of them in Elder Scrolls?
I love the cinematic cutscenes. I'd only want them in TES if they're done well.
Within the Fallout games, which cinematic intro did you like the most? Why?
New Vegas. Nothing says "War Never Changes" like a guy's face getting splattered by the AMR.
Do you have anything in particular you would like to see in a future Fallout or Elder Scrolls intro?
Nope! :D
You'll notice that I prefer Obsidian's stuff to Bethesda's. Why is that, I wonder.
My favorites are Fallout: New Vegas and Morrowind, if solely for their ability to set the vibe of the game and to give enough background. For instance, in Morrowind, a game about discovering and exploiting this totally alien island, you are dropped off in this strange town, with minimal directions and a few coins in your hand. In F:NV, you get all these contrasts, which is what that game is about, cowboys and tribals and power armor-wearing soldiers duking it out in the shadow of this pre-war relic of a city.
No, I didn't, but now that I think about it, these were two of the best in those terms as well. In Morrowind, you get let off the boat, make your character, and get out. In F:NV, the only information you're given is that you were a courier. Until Lonesome Road, it didn't matter how long or for what reason, only that you had, at one point, taken on the job.
I love 'em. They not only set the mood and give vital exposition, but they usually look damn good as well. That first sight of the New Vegas strip is quite wonderful, and the view of it in the distance from the Cemetery is enough to make you want to get there ASAP, or at least it was for me.
Definitely Fallout: New Vegas' intro. Something about the colors and the camera angles, and the flashing from faction to faction just gets me every time. I think I've only skipped the thing once or twice, honestly, and I regretted it every time.
No.