Either for its technical merits or its downright awesomeness? Mine is the scene from Modern Warfare where President Yasir Al-Fulani is bundled into the car and taken to the square where he's .... Okay, this is playable inasmuch as you can look around, but to all intents and purposes it's a cinematic.
Pretty much every Blizzard one - the Diablo 2 ones being my favorites. I still watch them all through every so often. And even though I stopped playing WoW 2 years ago now I still the Cataclysm video and squealed like a 3 yr old. The Starcraft 2 ones were OK but the Kerrigan flashback one was excellent. I was also completely obsessed (still am tbh) with the Soul Edge intro. Probably the best intro video ever. I still know the song off by heart Oh and the Sonic CD movie + song. The FF8 intro was awesome. The Super Mario World end credits were fantastic as well. Not quite sure its a cinematic though.. To stretch the idea of cinematics slightly I would like to include Dungeon Keeper. The introductory and post-mission descriptions of the lands are excellent. I would go on to say that Dungeon Keeper has the best overall sound design of any game I have ever played. I also loved the post-boss cinematics in Star Fox on the SNES. I used to gape in awe at the explosions. Thats all I can think of atm. Turns out I don't really have a clue about recent games at all!
Yes, what a fantastic game Dungeon Keeper was! The narrator's voice was excellent. Here's hoping its spiritual successor lives up to expectations.
Great Question: And it is without a doubt, the opening sequence to Warhammer Dawn of War – absolutely jaw dropping Its only 2mins long, and I urge anyone to hasn't seen it to watch it, and if you have, then watch it again!
Anything done by Blur looks immense. Parge mentioned Dawn of War. They did that Have a look at their website. You'd be amazed how many things you've seen in games and on TV that they have done.
So many great games with insanely spectacular cinematic sequences out there! I'm very fond of some of the ending sequences off Dead or Alive 4. They're beyond all expectations for a fighting game, I particularly like Tina's ending: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vey3SzinElg At present the ending for Shadow of the Colossus holds the spot in my heart for my favourite cinematic of all time, it's a little long winded but is a great ending to the story. Based on the trailer, I'm definitely going to get lost in the sequences for The Last Guardian... you can just tell it's going to be a beautiful story where the cinematic work is going to shine. Just love this trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHzHoMT5eRg The boy and the creature have a slight Neverending Story feel to them.
Wow tough question. There have been a few.... The Dawn of War II intro was awesome. I used to like the FMVs in between missions in C&C. The latest Star wars game had awesome videos/cut scenes (not so keen on the game) Il have to go away and think harder about this...
After hard thinking and lots of consideration, I'm going to have to narrow this down to 3: Silent Hill opening cinematic; FF7 Aerith dying and opening of Altered Beast.
So far it has to be Space Marine... the friggin' Trailers on that are fantastic. "We are the living weapons of humanity... the Space Marines". Metal Gear Solids cutscene's are always kickass. MGS3:SE's ending was truly awesome. Final Fantasy X - the cutscene's from that are friggin' awesome!
I remember when this happened and I was just like WTF NO!!! - ff7 when aeris dies. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9cvsdVnfws&feature=related
I remember turning my surround up really high for the opening cinematic for Metal Gear Solid 2. Good stuff right there. I also really like the scene that introduced Vamp on the "oil rig".
Is it just me or does Twin Snakes not look as good as the original MGS from the Playstation? Smoothing everything to become glossy and weird-looking isn't an improvement to me. Good stuff though, all the C&C FMV's are great. RA2 is the king.
I like the original Metal Gear Solids ninja scene more tbh. Especially seeing the final solider dangling in mid air because the ninja was stealthed. Good stuff right there.