You didn't think we were doing all of these recaps just for fun, did you? Of course there have to be winners out of all of these trailers! Though let me tell you, these weren't easy decisions to make. E3 2014 was a treat to the trailer fan, with more visually-striking and heart-pounding previews in the pressers than any year in recent memory. Without further ado: The Trailer Jockey's top five of the E3 Press Conference Trailers!
#5. Valiant Hearts: The Great War
Our second best indie trailer and winner of the "Almost Made Me Cry" award, Valiant Hearts drove us straight into the center of a war that most people in this day and age simply don't that know much about. There's a sense of duty in the narration... the world may never know these people's stories, but they need to be told. Inspired by real letters from soldiers in the first great war, this game has history on it's side. Beautiful music, a bittersweet voiceover, and a setting that can be both bright and bleak at the same time. I swear, if something bad happens to that dog...
Valiant Hearts: The Great War
PC, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4, PS3
Release: 25 June 2014
Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Ubisoft Montpelier
#4. Dead Island 2 - E3 Reveal Trailer
There's a certain amount of trust going into selecting Dead Island 2 into the E3 top five. If you recall a certain reveal trailer for Dead Island, there's a chance that we could be misled again. I've been hurt before by this series. But that time was trying to be serious, and this one is far from it. Being an LA resident, it wasn't hard to pick out Venice Beach, but this time it was in a way that I've only been able to dream of. It's not always about what you see in a trailer, but what you learn. Zombies in bikinis: check. A west coast zombified to the max with every possible stereotype touched upon: double check. Swinging hammers from a tricked-out van: we're sold.
Dead Island 2
PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release: TBA 2015
Publisher: Deep Silver
Developer: Yeager Development
#3. Tom Clancy's The Division - E3 Trailer
What works best for The Division is the tale of two stories being told: the past and the present. No matter how horrifying, the past is past and you can't see it again. What matters is the present, and how the people are going to pick up the pieces. In a New York City ravaged by a deadly virus, The Division is the last line of defense against total anarchy, the only force pushing back. Watching the squad set up for attack from the civilian's perspective was really powerful; you see how readily these people were to fight for the little guy until the end. At this point, it's all that's left for them. A very powerful message for a game that hopes to return Tom Clancy to the spotlight.
Tom Clancy's The Division
Xbox One, PS4, PC
Release: TBA 2015
Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Ubisoft Massive
#2. No Man's Sky - E3 Trailer
Sometimes a trailer shocks you in all of the right ways. You go from seeing the same old games and themes being recycles and sold to you as new and different, and you believe them until a game like No Man's Sky comes around. Impressively massive (apparently the galaxy is infinite) and completely different than anything I've ever seen, there's a whole universe out there to explore. We visited multiple planets with vibrant and unique ecosystems, not to mention the dogfighting in space while traveling between them. Absolutely gorgeous and so intriguing, this trailer has me looking forward to seeing much more from Hello Games.
No Man's Sky
PS4
Release: TBA
Publisher: Hello Games
Developer: Hello Games
#1. Sunset Overdrive - E3 Trailer
I just can't get over how good this trailer is. I've probably watched it at least 25 times at this point, and it really never gets old. The cinematography is so tight, the camera moves in a way that makes us feel like our hero is consistently in danger while he remains the coolest cat in the city. It's one of those times when a cinematic trailer actually gives us some gameplay features at the same time: you can ride rails, zip line down wires with your trusty crowbar, and absolutely eviscerate your enemies with your arsenal. It also shows how the environment of Sunset City can work to your favor; it's ripe with opportunity to fry, chop, or vaporize your energy drink-crazed mutant enemy into a gooey pulp.
But to only pay attention to what we saw would totally do a disservice to what we heard. The writing was sharp and on point, from the first line ("Cover mechanic, right?") to the last ("Of course you can, it's a f***ing video game!"). It matched the pace and craziness of the video that it accompanied, setting us up with the story without feeling too dutiful about it. It feels like a game that's not only comfortable in its own skin, but one that will thrive in it. In an E3 full of games, there were 59 trailers featured on this site alone, Sunset Overdrive set itself apart from the pack by going against the grain.
Sunset Overdrive
Xbox One
Release: 28 October 2014
Publisher: Microsoft Studios
Developer: Insomniac Games
I would be remiss if I didn't give honorable mentions to the following: NHL '15, The Legend of Zelda Wii U, Magika 2, and Ori and the Blind Forest. It's going to be a merry holiday season.
