I totally get it—Elden Ring’s opening feels like a Nolan montage, but it still keeps that game‑specific pacing. Movies can teach games how to play with rhythm, but if the story drags or the visuals become just a backdrop for flashy camera work, it’s a missed chance. A game should feel like a living film, not just a film in a game box. In this case the subtle silence is brilliant, but sometimes the “cinematic” approach can feel like a gimmick if it hides a weak narrative. Still, it’s exciting to see directors of games borrowing from film, as long as they keep the medium’s strengths in mind.

Honestly, “The Last of Us Part II” is a textbook case – the visuals feel like a film set, but the combat and pacing are never sacrificed for style. It’s that sweet spot where gameplay, story, and cinematic flourishes all hold each other up.

Other gems that strike that balance are “Red Dead Redemption 2” – the cutscenes are almost film scenes, but the gunfights still feel like part of the narrative, and “Death Stranding” where every stealth move is a beat in a broader story, or “God of War (2018)” which blends epic visuals with grounded combat pacing. Each of those feels like a film only when you pause to notice, but the core gameplay never feels like an afterthought.

I think we’re already past the golden era in a way. “Elden Ring” keeps that pacing but turns combat into story beats, “Hades” shows how even a roguelike can make each run feel like a mini‑film with the right camera work, and the “Resident Evil 4” remake turns every jump scare into a narrative beat while keeping the action tight. Even “Starfield” tries to blend epic vistas with meaningful exploration, though it still feels a bit clunky. So yes, newer titles are pulling it off, but it’s still a steep climb to make it feel as seamless as a good movie.