Chase scenes have been a staple of Hollywood films for many decades. Consequently, it's no surprise that such sequences have made their way into the gaming industry, as the ability to put players into the shoes of the character chasing or being chased offers a level of immersion that simply isn't possible in the film industry.
The constant improvements to game engines and console hardware have meant that developers can today make chase sequences longer, more explosive (often literally), and overall more memorable. Still, this list will look at chase sequences from the entire history of the gaming industry, as many studios have been able to create adrenaline-pumping moments in the 90s and early '00s, despite the limitations at the time.
10 Crash Bandicoot
The N.Sane Trilogy remake of the PlayStation 1 Crash Bandicoot trilogy did a fantastic job of revitalizing and modernizing the Bandicoot's many chase levels. However, it's the original game's first chase level that makes it onto this list, as the sudden change in pace was a shock to players back in 1996.
The boulder chasing after Crash is a not-so-subtle reference towards the first Indiana Jones film, Raiders of the Lost Ark. Despite this, chase sequences have become synonyms with the Crash Bandicoot IP, and they made a welcome return in the franchise's latest main console game, Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time.
9 Resident Evil 5
Resident Evil 5 is a classic case of a piece of media that is a victim to its predecessor's success; Capcom's game certainly wasn't bad, though it was seen as a disappointment due to falling short of the iconic Resident Evil 4.
One of the complaints that people had about the game was its increased emphasis on action. However, there was one action sequence that horror fans couldn't help but love: the humvee chase in Chapter 2-3. With a mounted gun on their side, players need to shoot down hordes of bikers, which is easier said than done while trying to outrun the Majini.
8 James Bond 007: Everything Or Nothing
There is a mission in 2004's Everything or Nothing which features James Bond chasing a tanker driven by Jaws while on a motorbike with flame and rocket attachments - this description alone should be telling as to why The Pontchartrain Bridge features on this list.
Not only was the mission a joy to play, but The Pontchartrain Bridge was also a fantastic technical achievement, as it made players feel like they were in the heart of a Bond film, despite the limitations of the sixth generation of home consoles.
7 Assassin's Creed II
A horse-drawn wagon chase may seem like an odd inclusion in a game all about stealth, though Assassin's Creed II's Rocky Road sequence is so well-crafted that the game would drop in quality without it. After speaking with Leonardo da Vinci, players will soon be trying to keep themselves and the legendary polymath safe from a constant stream of enemies while navigating a wagon.
Assassin's Creed II is considered to be among the Assassin's Creed franchise's best games, along with Black Flag and Odyssey, and the wagon chase sequence is one of the key reasons why.
6 Beyond Good & Evil
Beyond Good & Evil is no stranger to featuring on top ten lists, though unfortunately, the title often has "underrated" or "underappreciated" in it. Ubisoft's 2003 game was released to critical acclaim, though it struggled to succeed commercially.
One of the game's many great moments comes when a group of laser-firing robots starts to chase the game's protagonist, Jade. That's not all, though, as players will also need to leap over rooftops and avoid numerous flaming holes if they want to make it out alive.
5 Gears of War 4
Xbox Game Studios' Gears of War franchise has become one of Microsoft's most critically acclaimed IPs. The original main series trilogy was one of the highlights of the seventh generation of console, so there were high expectations when it was announced that Gears of War 4 was coming to Xbox One and PC in 2016. The game had many sequences that made the fourth main series game feel truly next-gen, one of which was the memorable, explosive motorbike chase in Act 2 Chapter 4.
4 Prince of Persia: Warrior Within
Considering how synonymous chase sequences are with the horror genre, it's surprising that Prince of Persia: Warrior Within has the only chase on this list that can be considered scary (unless you count Resident Evil 5).
Another factor of Warrior Within that differentiates it from the other entries on this list is that the players aren't just chased by Dahaka once; they're chased by the enemy multiple times throughout the game. The many chase sequences are perfectly befitting of the Prince of Persia franchise, as players need to utilize the Prince's freerunning skills to escape.
3 Uncharted 4: A Thief's End
There are many chase sequences from Naughty Dog's Uncharted franchise that could have featured on this list, though it's the Jeep/rope/motorbike sequence from Uncharted 4: A Thief's End that makes it onto this list.
Like many games on this list, players will need to suspend their disbelief to fully enjoy Uncharted 4's memorable sequence, as protagonist Nathan Drake somehow manages to hold onto a rope despite being blasted through a wooden structure and dragged behind a vehicle, while barely breaking a sweat. Still, the over-the-top action is all part of the Uncharted series' charm, and fans wouldn't have it any other way.
2 Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Similar to Assassin's Creed, the Metal Gear franchise may seem like an unconventional place for an action-pact chase sequence, given that the series is iconic for its emphasis on stealth, a genre that it helped revolutionize. However, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater's has a chase sequence that is a strong contender to be the best on this entire list.
Like many other entries on this list, players are on a motorbike, though Snake Eater's chase differentiates itself by putting players into a sidecar where they need to shoot down enemies to protect themselves and Eva.
1 Mirror's Edge
When Mirror's Edge was first revealed by EA, it quickly became one of the gaming industry's most highly anticipated releases. The bright visuals, unique first-person perspective, and fast-paced gameplay amazed gamers when the game's trailer was released on YouTube in 2008.
Mirror's Edge didn't quite manage to become the smash-hit that some were expecting, though it was well-received nonetheless. As many players expected, the game's first level, which was shown in most trailers, was an exhilarating experience as players escape from the fictional city's police force.