A rather seemingly random topic, but walk with me. After years of watching many-an-E3 showcase, Game of The Year Award shows and consuming more game trailers and hype reels than we should….what do game trailers mean to us? Are they still just visually appealing enough to keep us hooked? Emotional touchstones? Maybe a bit of the two? Let’s rewind a bit.
Once Upon a Trailer
Before the gameplay trailers, before the Twitter threads and the Instagram reels, game trailers only had to announce to the general public that “[THIS GAME] IS COMING SOOOOON!!!” That was enough to grab everyone’s attention! Kids would be on their best behaviours, chores got don (even the ones that weren’t assigned to anyone) Expectations would run wild.
Now we are at an age where trailers are scrutinized, analyzed, and depending on the finished product, developers could enjoy Heaven-on-Earth in the industry(looks at Laryon Studios) or be condemned to the community’s roasts(looks at SONY…and Concord.)
On Point Game Trailers
Personally, I just enjoy the blood sweat and tears that go into the creation of these trailers. Some trailers may be enough to give you anticipatory goosebumps, move you to tears or have you sitting there doubting the possible final product. So here, I decided to drop some game trailers I believe were simply L🔥T, irrespective of the final product:
1. Dragonball: Raging Blast 2
I like how this showcases each of the Saiyans’ individual struggles against their opponents and have to band together to defeat their enemies. The classic Dragonball transitions and flare were epic.
2. Starcraft II: Legacy of the Void
Starcraft II is quite the gem of an RTS game! The SCII installation is my first foray into the franchise and what an entrance. I love the story. The cinematics add just enough weight to the game to get newbies hooked. The epic scene where two Protoss High Templars merged into an Archon and annihilated that Zerg Ultralisk had me sold!
3. Mortal Kombat 9
Transitions, transitions, transitions! I can never stress enough how excellent or terrible transitions can make or break a trailer! But this was as excellent as most gory MK trailers. Accurately showcasing in-game moves in the trailer was also a nice touch, especially Mileena’s fight with Jax. Flawless victory!
4. Ori and the Will of the Wisps
One of the most moving games I had ever played, but don’t let the story and sway of feels fool you! This game is as difficult as its trailer manages to convince you that it is! It manages to portray the game’s essence quite well if you ask me. The trailer rightly captures the emotional gravity: You feel it before you play it.
5. Burnout Paradise Remastered
BACK IN THE GAME! I’ve only ever played Paradise within the Burnout franchise, and it’s certainly never too late. High-octane, high-stakes races through all manner of suburban environments, requiring quick judgements, a good pair of eyes and reflexes that determine if you make a dash for the win or a crash. This trailer basically lets you know right out the gate what to expect and quietly escorts you out the room if you know you can’t handle it.
6. Starcraft II: Heart of the Swarm
It’s one thing to play this branch of this stunning RTS game and watch all the ‘little’ units move around and do your bidding. This trailer gives you a much closer glimpse into what that ‘bidding’ may actually look like on a “real life” level. The carnage, destruction, hunger and rage are all well represented in this short but weighty trailer.
7. Black Myth Wukong
A game about one of the most famous deity-primates to ever grace all manner of screens, this trailer manages to give you a fresh perspective. A perspective from our beloved Monkey King, who is both loved and or hated by the gods and his journey to become the king we all know. The trailer does a good job giving you a fair idea of the amount of suffering you should expect in this awesome adventure.
8. Sid Meier’s Civilization VI
I wasn’t a CIV fan. Never played it-until this. The trailer had me awestruck. To watch how the pair of characters went from a humble sailor and wife, through the ages, to what seemed like a World War pilot and an astronaut. The change of ages was just breathtaking for me. The vocals for the musical score? Marvelous! Went snooping and found it on spotify! Sogno di Volare [The Dream of Flight]” by Christopher Tin. You’re welcome
9. Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate
One of my all-time favorite franchises since the 3DS. It always has me feeling like a badass anime-style, colossal-lizard, oversized-wolf, bird-wrangling, beast-slaying-machine! Have you SEEN the weapons?! The armor!? I might just go off tangent and end up talking about the game. This trailer is like a prayer for the Monster Hunter faithful, while converting the newbies.
10. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Do you know what it’s like to watch one of the greatest games that started out black-n-white, top-down with only 4-directional movement blossom finally into a fantastic, almost-realistic adventure game that redefines your childhood? That was what the first presentation of this game was to me. Like watching my childhood self grow alongside the game, seeing its transformation into something that redefined everything I once knew about gaming.
The Key to a Memorable Trailer: Staying Authentic to the Game
I believe it’s a safer bet making a game trailer that is as close to the heart and story of the game as possible. This makes the graphics and other possible shortfalls in the final product more forgivable. Also, if the game trailer stays as close as possible to the game’s core gameplay, players have a good grasp of what exactly to expect going in and set their expectations around that.
Game trailers are more than just marketing tools now. They’re first impressions, they’re emotional anchors. Sometimes, they may be better than the actual games. So to the companies that believe trailers shouldn’t mean so much, and downplay their trailers, don’t mess with our trailers ma guy! 😑
