Film trailers are intended to build hype before their release. Video game trailers are no different. They also need to be spectacular to stand out from the crowd.
One cannot deny the importance trailers hold for the promotion of video games because the industry is set to reach a market value of $200 billion by 2023.
More often, we come across video game trailers that break the internet for the right and the wrong reasons.
In this post, we are going to talk about the best video game trailers known for their cinematic and production value.
Assassin’s Creed: Revelations
Assassin’s Creed: Revelations was created and published by Ubisoft in 2011. It belongs to an ongoing Assassin’s Creed series that first started in 2007.
In the trailer, we see the game protagonist, Ezio Auditore, about to commence his final quest against the Templars.
He reminisces about the series’ first protagonist, Altair, indicating that his story will come to a bitter end in this game.
It also features an original song “Iron” by Woodkid which captures the lifelong struggle of Ezio against Borgia’s and the Papal Armies.
Assassin’s Creed franchise is one of the best-selling game franchises. It has won several awards and also spawned a feature-length live-action film in 2016.
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Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain was created and published by Konami in 2015. It belongs to the Metal Gear Solid series, first released in 1987.
The trailer discloses glimpses of events through Solid Snake and his mercenaries will go through in the last part of the series.
It includes high octane action sequences and genre-defining gameplay. There is no in-game audio, but Mike Oldfield’s “Nuclear” is playing in the background.
Metal Gear Solid game series has won many awards over the years. A live-action film was also announced recently.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt was created and published by CD Projekt Red in 2015. It’s part of The Witcher game series that was first released in 2007.
The trailer shows a fantasy world in which game protagonist, Geralt of Rivia is shown hunting and facing off a foul creature to eventually killing it off.
It gets viewers hooked on it from the get-go. The monster-hunting skills and fast-paced combat scenes during the cinematic trailer leave the audience wanting more.
It won numerous awards after its release and was adapted into a live-action Netflix web series in which Henry Cavill played the titular character, Geralt of Rivia. It also received rave reviews.
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Batman: Arkham Knight
Batman: Arkham Knight was created by Rocksteady Studio and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. It is a part of the Batman: Arkham series that dates back to 2009.
The trailer shows Bruce Wayne AKA the Batman gearing up to face off iconic antagonists Harvey Dent and Harley Quinn to eradicate crime and corruption from the city of Gotham.
The action sequences, character development, and voice acting are unparalleled aspects of the trailer. It exhibits the phenomenal ride DC fans are going to take in the game.
Batman: Arkham Knight won many awards including Best Action/Adventure Game at the Game Critics’ Awards.
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Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2 was created and published by Rockstar Games in 2018. It is a sequel to Red Dead Redemption that was released in 2010.
The trailer showcases a series of countryside landscapes and settings of the old American Wild West.
Each scene references a part of American history, lawlessness, and cowboy life that sets an atmospheric mood for the world in which viewers would love to get lost.
Red Dead Redemption 2 received many awards and nominations for its gameplay and storyline.
Days Gone
Days Gone was created by SIE Bend Studio and published by Sony Computer Entertainment in 2019.
The trailer shows the title character, Deacon, who is on the hunt for his wife in a Post-Apocalyptic Oregon. He is faced with choices to fight for several camps against zombies and corrupt organization.
It makes an instant impression on viewers who are craving some zombie action. From choosing friends to fighting foes, it shows the ethical dilemmas gamers will be facing in the storyline.
Death Stranding
Death Stranding was created by Kojima Productions and published by Sony Computer Entertainment in 2019.
The trailer reveals many bizarre details of the game such as futuristic weaponry, black goo, babies in bottles, aging, and spectral corpses lying around.
It’s detailed and yet viewers find it hard to comprehend anything to connect the dots.
The most intriguing aspect of the trailer is the unveiling of film stars such as Mads Mikkelsen, Norman Reedus, and Guillermo Del Toro lending their motion capture and likeness for the game.
Death Stranding has won several awards including Best Game Direction at The Best Games awards.
The Last of Us Part II
The Last of Us Part II was created by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Computer Entertainment in 2020. It is a sequel to The Last of Us that was released in 2013.
The trailer shows a post-apocalyptic world. Ellie, the main protagonist, is covered in wounds and playing a song. She turns to Joel and reveals that she will kill every last one of the antagonists.
The Last of Us Part II is set five years after the events of the first part which was about love. The trailer gives away the theme for this part which is hate and vengeance.
The game has won the Game of the Year award in 2020. There is also a live-action TV series in development.
Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 was created and published by CD ProjektRed in 2020.
The trailer starts off with a neo-futuristic cyberpunk world. The lead character gets involved in a gang fight and loses his friend in a shootout.
It feels like a movie with out-of-this-world cinematics and game mechanics. It also features Keanu Reeves with voice capture and motion likeness which is breathtaking.
Final thoughts
Trailers set the stage for the main act. If they are not immersive and engaging, viewers may not wait for the finale.
And if you have an idea for a video to hype up your brand, then contact our video strategists today and see how we get your viewers all excited!