I still remember the mix of excitement and dread when booting up critically acclaimed games, knowing I might face an exhausting opening sequence. That initial barrier isn't just a minor inconvenience—it's a full-blown endurance test separating casual players from devoted fans. Games like Okami and Nier Automata demand you sit through cinematic marathons before letting you truly play, while Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain locks you in linear corridors for what feels like eternity. My colleague Rhiannon nailed it when calling Final Fantasy 8's opening a notorious slog—a sentiment echoed across Reddit discussions where gamers bond over shared trauma about gaming's slowest starts.

Red Dead Redemption 2 instantly flooded the conversation with players recounting its glacial prologue. Trapped in snowy mountains during that first hour, you're bombarded with exposition while gameplay mechanics trickle in slower than molasses. One Redditor's confession hit hard: "I lost my save and avoided RDR2 for months because restarting meant enduring that torture again." The collective groan was almost audible. Then there’s Assassin’s Creed 3, which committed the ultimate bait-and-switch by making you invest hours into Haytham Kenway—only to reveal he wasn’t the protagonist. Talk about wasted winter breaks! I got that limited-edition steelbook as a Christmas gift back in the day, and let me tell you, staring at Connor’s stoic face after six hours of setup felt like the gaming equivalent of watching paint dry.

But oh, the glorious payoff if you persevere! That’s the cruel irony—these openings guard some of gaming’s most transformative experiences. Other offenders haunting players include:

• 🗝️ Kingdom Hearts (2002): Destiny Islands feels endless before you touch a Keyblade

• ⚡ Forspoken (2023): Modern-day chatter overload before magic parkour kicks in

• 📦 Death Stranding: Walking simulator vibes dominate early hours

• 🛡️ Knights of the Old Republic 2: Peragus mining station—a masterclass in pacing failure

• 🐺 Twilight Princess: Herding goats? Really? After 20 years, it’s still meme fuel

What fascinates me is how these openings became cultural touchstones. Gamers don’t just remember the stories; they remember the endurance. That shared suffering creates bizarre camaraderie. I’ve bonded with strangers over mutual flashbacks to Assassin’s Creed 3’s sluggish intro—how we all wanted to scream when gameplay finally opened up after what felt like an entire workday. Modern titles have slightly improved pacing since 2024, yet these classics remain cautionary tales about first impressions.

Maybe it’s time we reframe these opening hours as sacred rituals. Like sipping bitter medicine before sweetness floods your senses. If you abandoned one of these masterpieces years ago, dig it out of your digital closet. Push through the frostbitten mountains of RDR2 or Haytham’s deceptive arc—what awaits is pure magic. Trust me, the view from the other side is worth every grueling minute. 🎮✨