Everyone knows that a good trailer can really build up the hype for a movie, but games are no different. Typically, people don't think of game trailers in the way that they think of trailers for movies. The truth is, though, that they can have just as powerful an effect on the viewer. I've noticed that in this console generation, game trailers have become much bigger and more professional, even riving movie trailers (hence the launch of gametrailers.com). So, let's take a look at the very best game trailers in the last few years.
7. The Conduit- "Story Trailer"
I'm not just putting this one on here because I'm a fan of the game. This trailer honestly surprised me with its production quality. Although it shows actual gameplay, which most of the trailers on this list will not, it has all the makings of a Hollywood blockbuster trailer including a gravely-voiced announcer and epic trailer music that appears no where in the game. It certainly builds up the hype, though, and it actually shows you what the game plays like, which is a plus.
Also check out the trailer for The Grinder. The Jason Statham sounding guy makes the trailer at least 30% more epic.
6. Metal Gear Sold 4- "War Transforms Us"
This was not an official trailer from Konami, but God knows Kojima doesn't make the most exciting (or short) trailers for his Metal Gear games. This trailer, however, is downright epic and did its job in really making me want to play this game. It uses various scenes with Beauty and the Beast characters and ends eerily enough to leave you wanting more. It pinpoints the brutality and intensity of the scenes with the excellent choice of music.
5. Assassin's Creed- "Lonely Soul"
Ah, game trailers with licensed music. Nothing like them. When it's done well (more on that later) it really hits home. When it's done poorly, well...
In any case, this trailer does more right than wrong. The song goes very well, especially accompanied with the slow motion gameplay. This trailer in particular, caught my attention about the game as it did with many other people.
4. Gears of War series- lots of stuff
Since its launch, the Gears series seems to have become somewhat famous for its trailers. It seems to be for a reason that most other trailers lack. Whereas most of the time the trailer tries to ignite intrest with a tour-de-force of epic action, the trailers employ another tactic- emotion. While the choice of theme or music may seem strange it does leave you thinking. In short, you remember it. There are may fine examples of this, but the most famous is the first and most memorable trailer using Gary Jules' version of the song "Mad World."
But there are many more unique trailers from the Gears series. Check out "Rendezvous" which makes effective use of poetry and "Last Day" which is also quite emotional.
3. Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep- "Birth By Sleep"
Little did players of Kingdom Hearts 2: Final Mix know, but the game's secret ending was actually a trailer for the next game. And what a trailer it is. The game still hasn't been released, yet I've been anticipating it ever since this secret ending was discovered. Not only is what is happening considerably epic, but so is the original score in the background. It is definitely one of the best teasers ever, in my opinion. It doesn't explain what is going on, but it makes you wish it had. Here it is, translated and in HD.
2. Dark Sector- debut trailer
I cannot possibly put together this list without mentioning Dark Sector. You may not know that Dark Sector was the first "Xbox Next" and PS3 game ever announced. It was no surprise that when the trailer premiered, it caused quite a bit of buzz. It looked fantastic, maybe not by today's standards but at the time it was running on the first true "next gen" graphical engine- Unreal Engine 3. Not only that, but the trailer provided a decent look at how the game played. It looked awesome, to say the least- perhaps the start of a great new sci-fi series. Anything that mixes science fiction and tradition Japanese music has to at least catch your interest, right? Unfortunately, the game over went a major overhaul and became extremely generic. It's really too bad we'll never get to play that original version because it looked really good.
And finally, the number one game trailer ever made....
1. Halo Wars- "Cinematic Trailer"
This trailer was never intended for release. It was an internal promotional thing at Microsoft that somehow leaked onto the internet and was consequently pulled down. Fortunately, many curious eyes watched it in that short time. It's too bad that Microsoft never released this trailer publicly because, frankly, they would have sold more copies. Trailers typically build up hype for something that is already anticipated or they announce something new in a grand way. It was different with Halo Wars. Many, many people, Halo fans included, were skeptical about buying the game. This trailer was so good that it actually sold copies. People that were on the fence changed their mind and people who had no interest whatsoever felt compelled to try it out. It's that good. I imagine that if a Halo movie was ever made, the trailer would be something like this. The trailer was completely cinematic (with the best CGI I've ever seen- literally!) and used music from the movie Transformers. There is only one good copy available on the internet that I know of, and I have it for you. Enjoy.
No comments:
Post a Comment