The Last of Us, Hogwarts Legacy, and Mass Effect 2 Nail Their Opening Acts
Three major story-heavy games made a strong first impression this week—The Last of Us, Hogwarts Legacy, and Mass Effect 2—each proving that the “opening act” can hook players immediately and sustain the impact all the way to the final credits.
Instant-hit openings: The Last of Us, Hogwarts Legacy, Mass Effect 2
The Last of Us delivers its emotional punch right away. Set in a post-apocalyptic world before society fully collapses, the action-adventure follows Joel and his daughter as they face the first wave of infected. During an escape with Tommy’s brother, Sarah is killed by a soldier—an early-game sequence presented as a clear demonstration of the harshness of the setting and the cruelty of the world built by Neil Druckmann.
Hogwarts Legacy, meanwhile, leans into an early “wow” moment. In the game’s opening minutes, the protagonist discovers control over Ancient Magic. The adventure begins during the carriage ride toward Hogwarts, when a dragon attacks the train, destroying it—while Professor Fig narrowly saves the player. From there, the story line moves through strange caves, Scottish Highlands, and even the Wizarding Bank at Gringotts before the player ever fully steps foot in Hogwarts itself.
Mass Effect 2 takes a different approach by overturning expectations from the start. The prologue of the second entry in BioWare’s trilogy is described as especially shocking because the protagonist, John Shepard, dies—then is later “resurrected” through the Lazarus project. The reveal is framed as a clever way to allow players to customize Shepard’s appearance, while also delivering a dramatic opening that reframes what players thought they knew about the series.
Why these openings matter
Across very different genres and story structures, the common thread is impact. Each game’s early moments are positioned as the kind of content that grabs attention immediately—whether it’s an unforgettable death scene, a spectacular early journey through iconic locations, or a sudden status change that reshapes player expectations for the rest of the campaign.
What to watch next
- The Last of Us Remake availability is highlighted, with the article noting it is listed for purchase on Amazon.
- Hogwarts Legacy continues to be used as the example of Ancient Magic discovery and a dragon-driven opening set across multiple major spaces.
- Mass Effect 2 is spotlighted for the Lazarus resurrection premise that supports character customization.
