Technically, not the game that "started it all"... just the one that started to make it amazing
For the time that it came out, this game was revolutionary. The graphics and complicated gameplay and storyline were unlike anything I had ever played to date. Of course, now that I say that, I feel that I should add that it's actually got better gameplay and storyline than a lot of games today...
The thing that really stands out to me, as far as really setting it apart, is that this is the first time where I remember there being emotion in a game... the first one that was really meant to stimulate the player like that. But maybe that's just me.
I love this game, it really is a classic, and a must-play for anyone who likes action/adventure games.