When it comes to opening cinematics, nobody does it better than Blizzard. Nobody is quite sure what it is that this company knows about consistently crafting openings that could easily be entered into any respectable short film competition in the world, but there is no denying that their opening cinematics are some of the greatest treats in all of gaming.
While you could look all day and not find a bad one in the bunch, these are the 10 Blizzard openers that will simply leave you drooling in awe.
10. Diablo III: Reaper of Souls
Though history will likely remember Diablo III as a great game, it did have its fair share of detractors upon release. Many were simply disappointed with the game’s server issues, but there were also franchise fans that felt it strayed too far from its dark roots in terms of tone.
If you were among that latter group, no doubt your fears were alleviated by this sensational Reaper of Souls opener. The epic showdown portrayed in this cinematic made it clear to Diablo players everywhere that Reaper of Souls was going to give you as much dread and despair as your dungeon raiding heart could handle. It certainly doesn’t hurt that the game itself was stellar, either.
9. Starcraft II: Heart of the Swarm
Generally speaking, the Starcraft opening cinematics are among Blizzard’s best work. The deep mythology of this franchise offers a seemingly infinite amount of stories tell, and Blizzard never fails to present them with style.
However, there is just something especially compelling about this Heart of the Swarm cinematic. This depiction of Starcraft’s “darkest timeline” is simply haunting, yet there is a sort of chaotic beauty to seeing the ultimate Zerg rush depicted in such a grand manner.
8. World of Warcraft: Cataclysm
Cataclysm was a major expansion for World of Warcraft. Along with the usual expansion additions, Cataclysm essentially changed the entire landscape of World of Warcraft from a physical standpoint. It almost made it an entirely new game.
What better way could there be, then, to introduce such sweeping changes than to watch the legendary dragon Deathwing fly over the land and leave total destruction in his wake? This cinematic not only did an extraordinary job of conveying just how fearsome Deathwing truly is, but it successfully got WoW players ready to bow to the new world order of their favorite MMO.
7. World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria
Given that Blizzard uses the majority of their cinematics to portray epic conflicts of good vs. evil and set the stage for grand adventures, it’s rare that they actually get the chance to have a little fun.
Mists of Pandaria more than makes up for that lack of amusement. Essentially a World of Warcraft themed parody of kung-fu films, this brilliant cinematic showcases more charm than most entire games possess. Plus, that scene where the human hands a weapon slowly to his orc opponent as they stare down the kung-fu panda is just the greatest thing ever.
6. Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty
You would think that the 12-year wait between Starcraft and its official sequel would be have been a little easier to bear once the Starcraft II opening cinematic was released, but this brilliant piece of storytelling actually made it all the more difficult.
In a little under four minutes, Blizzard perfectly conveys everything that makes the Starcraft universe so great by showing a convict being sentenced to freedom as a fighting space marine. It’s a small scene, but by the time that the marine looks at the camera and utters the line “It’s about time,” any true Starcraft fan will be unable to resist getting chills.
5. World of Warcraft
Given what an overwhelming success World of Warcraft would eventually become, it’s easy to forget that the project was quite the risk when it debuted. Everquest was the undisputed king of the MMO, and many felt that no game stood a chance of dethroning it.
As they tend to do, though, Blizzard made it clear they were more than ready for the challenge with just an opening cinematic. Those that studied Warcraft lore were gifted with more than a few winks and nods during this three-minute opener while the rest of us simply watched in awe as this film-quality look into the world of Azeroth promised a grand adventure that the game would most certainly go on to deliver.
4. Diablo II
While Diablo II was not the first Blizzard opening cinematic, it is the one that really announced to the world what the game developer was capable of from a narrative standpoint.
The brilliance of this opener can be attributed equally to what we are and are not being shown. The story on display is a haunting tale worthy of the very best horror films, yet the true fear in this trailer are the implications regarding what is in store for the player. It’s a stunning introduction to one of the greatest games of all-time.
3. World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King
“My son, the day you were born, the very forests of Lordaeron whispered the name…Arthas.”
This appropriately chilling line begins what may just be one of the most intelligent cinematics in gaming history. You will not find any grand battles or large-scale world exploration moments here, but the sight of the Lich King mustering his troops while his father’s once hopeful – but now twisted – words of wisdom loom in the air is simply devastating. The Lich King is one of Blizzard’s greatest creations, and this opening cinematic cements his legacy as such.
2. Overwatch
There’s an old saying that nobody does Pixar movies like Pixar, but with respect to million film fans that would agree with that statement, I humbly submit this cinematic as a counter-argument.
Overwatch’s opener may borrow liberally from the style of the world’s greatest animation studio, but there is certainly a quality to both the action and humor found in this opener that is entirely unique to Blizzard. This is the studio’s most charming and endearing cinematic creation to date, and we can only hope that all of Overwatch’s future cinematics continue the high quality bar that’s been set.
1. World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor
It’s rare to be able to describe something as perfect and not have to add any disclaimers, but the opening cinematic to Warlords of Draenor is simply perfect.
In fact, it’s perfect on two levels. Even if you know nothing of this game’s mythology or the events being portrayed, this is the perfect opening cinematic in terms of entertainment value and technical prowess. However, if you are in the know regarding the serious ramifications this event has on the game’s mythology, then it achieves another level of perfection by shaking up World of Warcraft in a way that nothing else ever quite could.
Either way, it’s Blizzard at their very best.
This post was originally written by Matthew Byrd.
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