Escape sequences in video games are pure adrenaline, even if you’re comfortably seated in your gaming chair or on the couch. These moments are where the creativity of the level designer truly shines, often constructing and deconstructing environments to create an unforgettable cinematic experience.
Even after countless replays, the thrill remains the same. Though these sequences last mere minutes, or even seconds, there’s a huge amount of planning behind them, making sure every element is intuitive for you and providing a Hollywood-style action experience. So, if you are ready, here are some of the best escape sequences that will take your adrenaline to the max and make you feel like you’re the star of your own action film.
The Ginso Tree escape sequence in Ori and The Blind Forest is a perfect example of tension, precision, and tons of patience.
Your sixth sense must turn on because reflexes are everything: every jump is crucial, and even the slightest mistake means game over. It’s a perfect mix of tight gameplay, beautiful visuals (that you may barely stop admiring), and epic music. It’s a true test, challenging you to master everything you’ve learned up to that point. Patience is a virtue, and Ori knows it well.
Mirror’s Edge remains one of thebest parkour experiences in gaming, and the office escape sequence is a prime example of why. Evading enemies, transforming you into a ninja, dodging bullets as the elevator door closes, and the thrill of sliding under closing grates make you feel like you are a parkour expert.
Mirror’s Edge continues to be a cornerstone of the parkour genre, blending platforming mechanics with a first-person view. The only weapon you need is just to be as agile as a cat.
Lara Croft, much like Nathan Drake, often finds herself in deadly situations (though she’s been at it since 1996).
The mountain descent in Tomb Raider (2013) is just one of the many challenges she faces. Fleeing from a group of enemies, she ends up sliding down a treacherous waterfall (and if you fail, you’ll witness one of the game’s most brutal deaths). Lara then crashes into an abandoned plane, and as the glass creaks beneath her, she grabs a parachute just in time. After narrowly avoiding trees, she finally lands on the ground, injured but alive.
This sequence is so iconic that it even found its way into the film adaptation of Tomb Raider (2018), starring Alicia Vikander.
5Hunted Sequence - Beyond: Two Souls
Chapter: Hunted
In Beyond: Two Souls, a game that feels like an interactive movie, the train escape sequence is just one of many moments where Jodie is on the run, but at least Aiden’s got her back.
The sequence can unfold in various ways, from being immediately arrested to a chase on the train’s roof, continuing through the woods, culminating in a motorcycle escape, and potentially even setting an entire town on fire. Beyond Two Souls has it all; how it ends is entirely up to you.
The hospital escape sequence in A Way Out is a masterclass in cinematic transitions. The smooth switches between Leo and Vincent, combined with a sudden transformation into a 2D side-scrolling fighting game at one point, are nothing short of a chef’s kiss.
The two players must collaborate, each having their own cool moments that make you want to replay just to switch characters. Hazelight Studio continues to amaze us with its co-op titles, making A Way Out one of the best for its storytelling and cinematic approach.
The entire “Cliffhanger” mission of Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 could easily be compared to a James Bond film, with the snowmobile escape as the cherry on the top.
After a tense stealth sequence, chaos erupts as you fight off enemies to steal a snowmobile. Helicopters, fallen trees, icy slopes, other snowmobiles… everything tries to stop you. But you forge ahead, G18 in hand, dodging obstacles at high speed in a sequence of pure adrenaline. And then… the big jump. Goosebumps.
The title “Cliffhanger” is a reference to the Sylvester Stallone film of the same name, where the protagonist also engages in rock climbing.
One could easily make an entire list dedicated solely to escape sequences in the Uncharted series, but let’s not go overboard (we’ve only picked two, after all).
The roof sequence in Uncharted: Lost Legacyis a masterclass in level design. Set entirely at night, the use of lights, colors, and contrast is crucial, and Naughty Dog knows it well. Every element is carefully placed to help players intuitively understand their surroundings and find their way, creating an immersive and fluid escape experience. The combat alongside Nadine (thankfully on your side in this game) only adds to the epicness. And that zip line at the end? It’s the signature touch that makes the Uncharted series so beloved.
The helicopter sequence in Uncharted 2: Among Thieves will forever be remembered in the Hollywood-style action game moments. Imagine that ‘calm’ moment when you start climbing, only to have a military helicopter with a mini-gun appear out of nowhere, aiming right at you. Wrong time, wrong place (as Nathan Drake likes it).
The sequence continues with crumbling buildings and intense combat against enemies, all while the helicopter’s relentlessness adds to the chaos, creating an unforgettable cinematic experience. Considering this game was back in 2009, it’s impressive how well it holds up. Once this sequence concludes, you’ll probably need to catch your breath, too.
