Asura's Wrath vs Wyzen.
The game was full of crazy setpieces, but that was one that stood out for me.
The game was full of crazy setpieces, but that was one that stood out for me.
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What is the most impressive set piece in gaming?
- Thread starter TheCrackedJack
- Start date
The Madagascar segment in UC4 was great, but since I had seen it a dozen times before I played it it didn't have quite the affect on me. Sadly there really weren't any other big set pieces in the game. UC2 train, collapsing building, and UC3 ship and plane beat it.
Gears of War 4 had a really amazing bike scene.
Forza Horizon 4's Halo and Flying Dutchman showcase.
Yesss! Such an amazing fight. I had no idea what I was getting into.
Gears of War 4 had a really amazing bike scene.
Forza Horizon 4's Halo and Flying Dutchman showcase.
Yesss! Such an amazing fight. I had no idea what I was getting into.
For me, Ori and the Blind Forest sticks out. The music, the drama ratcheting up, and the visual design.
I think the problem here is that the topic is a little ill defined. What is meant by "impressive", for instance? Are we talking scope? Physics? Complexity? Or something vaguer like how "cinematic" the scene was? I guess the key criteria is that the set piece be playable and not be a cutscene or QTE fest. A lot of the set pieces people are listing are basically cutscenes. For example, something like the first time you leave Earth in Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare doesn't really count. Sure, jumping into your craft, and flying up into space and taking part in a huge space battle without any loading is visually spectacular, but the transition to the space battle is basically a cutscene.
The Call of Duty series has featured some visually spectacular set pieces, but the problem tends to be how obviously a set piece they are. Crysis set pieces were often part of the gameplay. They didn't scream, "Look at me, I'm a set piece," so blatantly. (Although remember Crysis 2 literally had a Press F to look at Cool Thing Happening" button.) As an illustation, take the set pieces in Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. The Golden Gate bridge sequence, or the sequence in "Traffic" where you jump off the bridge and jump from one vehicle to the next. It's a great set piece, but the fact you are magnetized to the vehicles is blatant. It's a far cry from the Crysis: Warhead train sequence where you could jump off the train, get in a car, drive alongside the train for a bit, jump out, jump onto the train -- and the physics were handled perfectly.
One of the things about first person games is that taking control away from the player is far more overt. The artificiality of cinematic set pieces is more difficult to hide. Think back to classic Uncharted set pieces and how often you were partially losing control of Drake in order for something cool to happen or to make sure you saw the cool thing. How often Drake's movement was being constrained to prevent the player breaking the set piece. (I'd argue Uncharted 4 is a bit better about this, though.) A lot of what people think of as great set piece design is unfortunately tied to the player losing control of their character in various ways, and there's no simple way to fix that. Open world games like Far Cry have elaborate set pieces that are essentially dynamically generated through emergent game design. You shoot a helicopter, it crashes, and that starts a chain reaction. It's basically what Crysis did but with the game intentionally going haywire. You shoot a dude, and his partner goes to shoot you, but then a bear falls out of the sky and crushes him. And then a plane crashes into nearby barn and starts a grass fire, and so on.
There's also Half-Life 2. Some very visually impressive set pieces, particularly in Episode 2. But of course Episode 2 has fully precanned destruction. I'm not sure how impressive I consider making debris fall down in the exact same way every time to be in the grand scheme of things.
This I agree with. The Crysis series featured huge sprawling set pieces. Even Crysis 2 which was a more constrained game had you engaging in these spectacular battles in the streets of New York where you were almost always in control. Heaps of physics, large numbers of NPCs, and so on. Basically any major battle in Crysis 1 was a set piece that leaves a lot of modern games for dead in terms of environmental reactivity. That mission in Crysis 1 with the tanks, or that mission in Warhead with the train. Crysis 3 also had some spectacular set pieces where you were set loose in a huge environment.
The Call of Duty series has featured some visually spectacular set pieces, but the problem tends to be how obviously a set piece they are. Crysis set pieces were often part of the gameplay. They didn't scream, "Look at me, I'm a set piece," so blatantly. (Although remember Crysis 2 literally had a Press F to look at Cool Thing Happening" button.) As an illustation, take the set pieces in Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. The Golden Gate bridge sequence, or the sequence in "Traffic" where you jump off the bridge and jump from one vehicle to the next. It's a great set piece, but the fact you are magnetized to the vehicles is blatant. It's a far cry from the Crysis: Warhead train sequence where you could jump off the train, get in a car, drive alongside the train for a bit, jump out, jump onto the train -- and the physics were handled perfectly.
One of the things about first person games is that taking control away from the player is far more overt. The artificiality of cinematic set pieces is more difficult to hide. Think back to classic Uncharted set pieces and how often you were partially losing control of Drake in order for something cool to happen or to make sure you saw the cool thing. How often Drake's movement was being constrained to prevent the player breaking the set piece. (I'd argue Uncharted 4 is a bit better about this, though.) A lot of what people think of as great set piece design is unfortunately tied to the player losing control of their character in various ways, and there's no simple way to fix that. Open world games like Far Cry have elaborate set pieces that are essentially dynamically generated through emergent game design. You shoot a helicopter, it crashes, and that starts a chain reaction. It's basically what Crysis did but with the game intentionally going haywire. You shoot a dude, and his partner goes to shoot you, but then a bear falls out of the sky and crushes him. And then a plane crashes into nearby barn and starts a grass fire, and so on.
There's also Half-Life 2. Some very visually impressive set pieces, particularly in Episode 2. But of course Episode 2 has fully precanned destruction. I'm not sure how impressive I consider making debris fall down in the exact same way every time to be in the grand scheme of things.
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All the references in this thread to UC2, the end of Halo 3, the Modern Warfare Nike, the Mass Effect 2 suicide mission, etc, are making me really nostalgic for that mid-360/PS3 generation. So much good stuff there.
F.E.A.R. works as a great counterpoint (or exception rather).
It nails that John Woo style so well, shootouts, complete with debris and slow mo and doesn't take the control from the player, in fact, the whole "cinematic" angle is "directed by" the players actions. Though, it shines more in the closed spaces.
OP
OP
From a 2D/2.5D perspective I would go with Tropical Freeze or Rayman Legends. Ori is pretty good as well, however.
While UC4 was great, I'd still have to give it to either the Train or the Collapsing Building. Still get some me pumped after all these years. GoW III's opening and the Stranger fight in GoW are honorable mentions.
The first encounter with the stranger in God of War (2018) was quite spectacular with a strangely otherwordly and moody build-up.
Sands of Time's tower climb.
Wizardry 8's Ascension Peak.
TIE-Fighter's 5-1.
Freespace 2's "DIVE DIVE DIVE! HIT YOUR BURNERS PILOT!".
The transition from cutscene to gameplay at the very beginning of Jedi Knight.
Wizardry 8's Ascension Peak.
TIE-Fighter's 5-1.
Freespace 2's "DIVE DIVE DIVE! HIT YOUR BURNERS PILOT!".
The transition from cutscene to gameplay at the very beginning of Jedi Knight.
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Agreed, because up until that point we didn't know there was someone who could throw hands with Kratos and then he goes, "My turn." Straight chills.
Normandy level in Medal of Honor: Allied Assault. It's probably the first time I feel like I'm playing part of the cinematic scene and not just merely watching it unfolds.
This has yet to be topped. Was amazing back in time and still is. Perfect end sequece for an almost perfect game.
The Madagascar chase was epic but they kinda ruined it by showing it at E3, still I watched that trailer probably over 100 times lol. I remember them saying they cut out an epic set piece cause it conflicted with the story too, I wonder how good it would have been. My personal favs though are the plane crash and ship wreck in UC3, and the opening of GoW3. GoW 3 was filled with epic set pieces, one of the reasons I was slightly disappointed GoW 2018 didn't have more.
It's absolutely crazy how many contenders the Uncharted series has for this topic. Another reason Uncharted 4 was a little disappointing outside of the Madagascar chase scene.
My personal favourite is still the collapsing building in UC2. I'll never forget the end when it's all over and all you can hear is the grandfather clock ticking away.
My personal favourite is still the collapsing building in UC2. I'll never forget the end when it's all over and all you can hear is the grandfather clock ticking away.
I'm still bloody amazed at how they pulled the endgame of lost legacy off, it's like they took the two super set pieces of 2 and 4 and slammed them together in a way that somehow works with it still feeling like player input is an important factor.
On a purest of pure gameplay front, Retro Studios DKC games are like a constant set piece ride from start to finish, like a platforming rollercoaster tour de force.
When they break out the mine carts it makes all other 2D equivalents including the series past, look quaint by comparison.
On a purest of pure gameplay front, Retro Studios DKC games are like a constant set piece ride from start to finish, like a platforming rollercoaster tour de force.
When they break out the mine carts it makes all other 2D equivalents including the series past, look quaint by comparison.
I honestly have no recollection of any Madagascar scene in Uncharted 4. I know I liked the game, but nothing sticks out from it as particularly impressive.
The ones that spring to mind for me are the beginning of God of War 3, and the plane crash in Uncharted 3.
This thread reminds me that I might have to finally get around to playing Lost Legacy.
The ones that spring to mind for me are the beginning of God of War 3, and the plane crash in Uncharted 3.
This thread reminds me that I might have to finally get around to playing Lost Legacy.
Graphically it may not be the best, but in Amnesia the Dark Descent in the first act the chase through the sewers was intense. Relentless, adrenaline pumping chase because it's the first time the game suddenly throws you in what otherwise was before a more subdued hell.
Also the alleyway opening to Silent Hill 1. That was way ahead of its time.
Also the alleyway opening to Silent Hill 1. That was way ahead of its time.
EDIT: I actually changed my mind.
The true answer is everything that happens after this scene.
Some of the best setpieces i have ever seen. absolutely mind blowing.
__________________________________________
It's hard to pick to be honest.
Lost Legacy's final chapter is something else because it's not just the madacasgar jeep chase, but also the Uncharted 2 train level, and then on top of that they have a crazy melee boss fight. it's absolutely nuts.
That said, those God of War setpieces were something else. GoW 2's opening was mind blowing at the time. More impressive than any PS3/Xbox One game at the time. The GoW 3 intro somehow delivered on the insane expectations set by the GoW 2 ending. Then they somehow topped it with the Kronos setpiece. Also, that Stranger fight with that insane build up and escalation was something else. The final boss fight was also a fantastic setpiece.
MGS3 had that amazing final two hours. THe chase through groznigrad and the runway leading to a boss fight and then another chase scene through the jungle. it was also amazing.
MGS3's Act 3 chase sequence played out like a cinematic movie but you could aim and shoot at any point. if it wasnt for uncharted games giving you complete control, this would be my pick.
Lastly, While I would have to give Lost Legacy the top spot, i want to mention this rarely talked about setpiece in GoW. It's when you are on the mountain and get ambushed by Baldur. Baldur then takes Atrius and gets on his dragon. Dragon takes off and kratos jumps after him. Now the dragon is flying and kratos has to go up the dragon where both Kratos and Baldur have a fist fight until the dragon crashes all the way down in the lake. Kratos rushes through the temple where a cutscene plays and they all get thrown into hellheim. All this without any cuts.
Some gifs:
The true answer is everything that happens after this scene.
Some of the best setpieces i have ever seen. absolutely mind blowing.
__________________________________________
It's hard to pick to be honest.
Lost Legacy's final chapter is something else because it's not just the madacasgar jeep chase, but also the Uncharted 2 train level, and then on top of that they have a crazy melee boss fight. it's absolutely nuts.
That said, those God of War setpieces were something else. GoW 2's opening was mind blowing at the time. More impressive than any PS3/Xbox One game at the time. The GoW 3 intro somehow delivered on the insane expectations set by the GoW 2 ending. Then they somehow topped it with the Kronos setpiece. Also, that Stranger fight with that insane build up and escalation was something else. The final boss fight was also a fantastic setpiece.
MGS3 had that amazing final two hours. THe chase through groznigrad and the runway leading to a boss fight and then another chase scene through the jungle. it was also amazing.
MGS3's Act 3 chase sequence played out like a cinematic movie but you could aim and shoot at any point. if it wasnt for uncharted games giving you complete control, this would be my pick.
Lastly, While I would have to give Lost Legacy the top spot, i want to mention this rarely talked about setpiece in GoW. It's when you are on the mountain and get ambushed by Baldur. Baldur then takes Atrius and gets on his dragon. Dragon takes off and kratos jumps after him. Now the dragon is flying and kratos has to go up the dragon where both Kratos and Baldur have a fist fight until the dragon crashes all the way down in the lake. Kratos rushes through the temple where a cutscene plays and they all get thrown into hellheim. All this without any cuts.
Some gifs:
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Bayonetta 2's opening level (technically the "Prologue") is one for the ages.
You start with a cutscene that involves a fabulously dressed Bayonetta kicking a fighter jet out of the sky while Rodan drives a car up the side of a building, then you're on to fighting football-field-sized flying angels on back of said moving jet. Then it's on to the top of a speeding train being chased by another surreal building-sized angel tearing the landscape to pieces before Gomorrah -- your 400-foot hair dragon demon friend thing -- manifests, turns the sky blood red and swallows your best friend's soul into hell, leading up to an aerial fight in which you sprout angel wings while fighting the hell-dragon that is currently scaling skyscrapers.
Yeah, this works, too.
You start with a cutscene that involves a fabulously dressed Bayonetta kicking a fighter jet out of the sky while Rodan drives a car up the side of a building, then you're on to fighting football-field-sized flying angels on back of said moving jet. Then it's on to the top of a speeding train being chased by another surreal building-sized angel tearing the landscape to pieces before Gomorrah -- your 400-foot hair dragon demon friend thing -- manifests, turns the sky blood red and swallows your best friend's soul into hell, leading up to an aerial fight in which you sprout angel wings while fighting the hell-dragon that is currently scaling skyscrapers.
Yeah, this works, too.
Too many really.
One recent was the Titanfall 2 campaign,the level with the ship boarding. Spectacular
One recent was the Titanfall 2 campaign,the level with the ship boarding. Spectacular
God of War the thread. Pick any game.
Examples:
1 - Hydra
2 - The horses
etc.
Halo 3 warthog run is pretty memorable, even after all these years.
Hmm, trying to think of something smaller in scale but just as impressive...
System Shock 2 Shodan reveal is pretty stellar.
The FF7 weapons are pretty awesome for the time.
Examples:
1 - Hydra
2 - The horses
etc.
Halo 3 warthog run is pretty memorable, even after all these years.
Hmm, trying to think of something smaller in scale but just as impressive...
System Shock 2 Shodan reveal is pretty stellar.
The FF7 weapons are pretty awesome for the time.
McCreary absolutely killed it. I don't think there is a single track in the game that I didn't enjoy.
Uncharted franchise could easily fit a top ten, my favorite would be the plane one in UC3.
Also GTA 5 had a crazy plane chase with Trevor, it was kinda sick coming from an open world game.
Also GTA 5 had a crazy plane chase with Trevor, it was kinda sick coming from an open world game.
Toss up between GoW 3's opening, Uncharted 4's Madagascar Car Chase or Uncharted Lost Legacy's final setpiece for me.
I'm kinda leaning towards GoW 3's, just because of how over the top it is for a opening, but all 3 where just incredible.
I'm kinda leaning towards GoW 3's, just because of how over the top it is for a opening, but all 3 where just incredible.
To me, this set piece elevated gaming to a height I had never seen before. I still get chills when I think back to this scene. Probably one of my biggest gaming memories although I'm not much of a CoD fan.
