i love main menus

Summary

This video explores the importance of main menus in video games, arguing that while they may seem trivial, they play a key role in setting the tone and enhancing the overall experience. The creator discusses how a well-designed menu can serve as a game's first impression, much like a handshake. Various games, from Kingdom Hearts to Doom, are analyzed for how their menus convey themes through music, visuals, and functionality. The video concludes by reflecting on how console menus have evolved and the nostalgia tied to memorable startup screens.

Takeaways

• 🎮 Main menus in games serve as the first impression, much like a handshake, setting the tone for the game experience.
• 🎶 Music and visuals in main menus are key to conveying the game's themes, even though many players don't initially focus on them.
• 🌊 Kingdom Hearts' main menu is highlighted as an example of a strong emotional and thematic introduction, with the artwork and music creating a tranquil, memorable scene.
• 🔄 Many games, like Fallout: New Vegas, use their starting locations and menus to gently ease players into the game world.
• 📜 Main menus can also evolve and adapt, such as Half-Life 2's, which updates based on where the player left off in the story.
• 🕹️ Some main menus feature interactive elements or thematic animations, like Black Ops 1’s tie-in with the game’s narrative or Doom 2016’s gritty and intense theme.
• 🎵 Nostalgia plays a big role in the appreciation of menus, with mentions of iconic ones from the Halo series and Jet Set Radio for their music and vibe.
• 📽️ Some games even use their menus to provide story recaps or context for returning players, such as Yakuza 0, The Witcher 3, and Batman: Arkham Knight.
• 💾 Console menus used to have unique personality and memorable features, like the Xbox 360's slices or the original PlayStation's orchestral score, but modern ones have become more corporate and bland.
• ⚙️ Despite the trend toward simpler menus, games that creatively integrate art, music, and thematic elements in their menus can offer a unique, immersive experience that enhances the game as a whole.

Q & A

What role do main menus play in a game's overall experience?

Main menus provide a game's first impression, similar to a handshake. They can set the tone, convey the setting, and give players an idea of what to expect from the game through visual design, music, and theming.

Why is the main menu of *Kingdom Hearts 1* considered one of the greatest, according to the video?

The *Kingdom Hearts 1* main menu is praised for its simplicity, emotional depth, and connection to the game’s narrative. The artwork of Sora, a piano rendition of ‘Dearly Beloved,’ and the sound of waves evoke the game's opening location and themes.

How does *Fallout New Vegas* execute the idea of a 'humble beginning' similarly to *Kingdom Hearts*?

Both *Fallout New Vegas* and *Kingdom Hearts* introduce players to a small, familiar starting point. For *Fallout New Vegas*, it's the town of Goodsprings, and for *Kingdom Hearts*, it's Destiny Islands. These locations help players get used to game mechanics before the larger adventure.

What is a recurring element of *Kingdom Hearts* menus that leads to fan debates?

The recurring element is the main menu music, 'Dearly Beloved,' which changes slightly in each game. Fans often have different favorites, sparking debates over which version or collection has the best rendition.

What is the video’s take on the balance between simple and complex main menus?

The video suggests that both simple and complex menus can be effective. It contrasts the simplicity of *Kingdom Hearts* with animated menus like *Halo 3*, stating that a simple menu isn't inherently worse than a complex one, as both serve their purpose depending on the game.

How does the main menu of *Half-Life 2* offer a subtle but effective way to remind players of their progress?

In *Half-Life 2*, the background of the main menu changes depending on where players last left off, offering a subtle reminder of their progress in the story.

What are some examples of games that use main menus to offer story recaps?

*Yakuza 0* provides a 'previously on' style recap when switching protagonists, while games like *The Witcher 3* and *Batman Arkham Knight* recap the story during loading screens.

How does the video compare the menu design of the PlayStation 2 to later PlayStation consoles?

The PlayStation 2's menu is described as visualizing gaming experiences and feeling like a gateway to the game, while the PlayStation 3's orchestral menu builds anticipation like a stage play. The PS4 menu is seen as a downgrade, but the PS5 recaptures a more immersive experience.

How does the video critique the modern Xbox menus?

The video criticizes modern Xbox menus for being bland, corporate, and lacking the character of earlier iterations like the original Xbox dashboard, which had a unique, alien-like design.

Why does the narrator express nostalgia for console menus of the past?

The narrator feels that older console menus, like those on the Dreamcast, Xbox 360, and Nintendo Wii, had more character and memorable features compared to the more utilitarian, streamlined menus of today.