We all know them. We eagerly anticipate them at every big gaming event from E3 toThe Game Awards. They’re the big sales pitch any publishing giant expertly crafts to get video game fans ready for their next big project: trailers. Without epic trailers that engage curiosity, intrigue, and excitement, the video game industry as a whole might not be where it’s at today.
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Like movies and TV shows, video game fans are always keeping their ears to the ground for the next big thing, and 2022 is no exception. The year was chock-full of big world premieres of new titles and thrilling new trailers for games we’ve already eagerly been anticipating.
10Silent Hill 2 World Premiere Trailer
Make no mistake, fans ofKonamiproperties have long been wondering what’s to come of their biggest series likeCastlevaniaorMetal Gear Solid. The publisher has been rather quiet on the AAA gaming front. That is, of course, until the gaming giant unveiled the forthcoming remake ofSilent Hill 2among other Silent Hill projects.
The trailer gives fans a recreated visit to the horrific town and a look at the protagonist, James Sunderland, in all of his current-gen glory,for better or worse. While the scenery is familiar to fans, the thrill of seeing the beloved survival horror title primed and ready for modern consoles is enough to get us all pumped for the coming release.
9Sonic Frontiers Launch Trailer
The speedy blue hedgehog has seen a bit of a resurgence mostly thanks to the success of his theatrical films. But fans were elated with the announcement ofSonic Frontiers. The game was released in November 2022 and was preceded by a killer launch trailer backed by the legendary Queen track, “Don’t Stop Me Now.”
The trailer highlights the open vistas and spectacular 3D platforming Sonic is known for. While the game might not be a full-blown open world, the trailer goes to great lengths to show off brilliant levels or regions akin toSuper Mario Odyssey.
8Star Wars Jedi: Survivor World Premiere Trailer
The Game Awards for 2022 was jam-packed with thrilling announcements and showcases from many of the biggest upcoming games. The sequel to Respawn’sStar Wars Jedi: Fallen Ordermade a seismic splash during the program with a gripping trailer depicting Cal Kestis knee-deep in the work of a Jedi a few years after the events of the first game.
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New enemies such as a gnarly wampa were showcased during a snippet of what’s to come in the year ahead for Cal. Gliding on Pterodactyl-like creatures, using the force to turn stormtroopers' blasters against them, and the tease of dual-wielding lightsabers were just a few highlights in this preview.
7Death Stranding 2 World Premiere Trailer
Almost everybody in the gaming community has long been wondering when we’ll hear about Hideo Kojima’s next big project. During the summer, we learned that he is working withXboxto craft an exclusive title for the platform. But it was at The Game Awards that he pulled back the curtain on the sequel toDeath Stranding, simply dubbed DS2.
With Léa Seydoux’s character, Fragile, positioned front-and-center in the trailer, it seems Sam Porter Bridges may fall into a supporting role in this title set sometime after the events of the first game. As any good trailer is known to do, it left us all with so many questions.
6Judas World Premiere Trailer
It’s been almost a decade since the mind behindBioShockand BioShock Inifinite, Ken Levine, and his team at Ghost Story Games have even taken the spotlight. At the game awards, their upcoming game entitled Judas was revealed with a stellar world premiere trailer. Is it BioShock? No. But does it feel like BioShock? Absolutely.
Fans of Levine’s work will instantly recognize the design style of the game. This first-person shooter contains elements from BioShock we’re all familiar with, like wielding elemental powers in the main character’s left hand. There’s no mistake that this is a spiritual successor of sorts, and you’ll receive no complaints from fans.
5The Callisto Protocol Launch Trailer
The launch ofThe Callisto Protocolhas been rather divisive. From the creator behind the beloved survival horror game,Dead Space, comes a new story that plays out in the same vein. Whether you are on board with this new tale of terror or not, the launch trailer is undeniably cool.
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While it doesn’t feature any of the gruesome red-band-level death sequences, there’s plenty of grisly combat on display in a visceral montage of Jacob’s journey into the heart of Callisto. Horrific monstrosities akin to the Necromorphs of Dead Space fame abound. If this trailer doesn’t get you hyped for the game, nothing will.
4Final Fantasy 16 “Revenge” Trailer
Final Fantasy 16has been on the upcoming slate of games for some time now. However, with the new trailer that debuted at The Game Awards, fans finally learned when they can expect the much-anticipated title: June 20, 2025.
The trailer seems aptly named considering the narration invokes a sense of vengeance. The showcase held back nothing as it depicted Final Fantasy 16 in all of its combat gameplay glory. The explosive trailer also gave us a glance at the popular fiery summon, Ifrit, among others. This one is truly a feast for the eyes.
3Starfield Story Trailer
Bethesda announcedStarfieldsome time ago. Fans of their games have had to patiently await more news of the developer’s shift to the realm of sci-fi. Thankfully, fans were treated to a look at the world and story they can embark on in a trailer that debuted during a summer Xbox showcase.
While the trailer isn’t filled with riveting action from top to bottom like the Final Fantasy 16 or The Callisto Protocol trailers, it opens to an expansive new sci-fi world starting on New Atlantis, a city on a distant populated planet. It also sets the stage for what fans can expect from a gameplay perspective.
There’s so much to say about this bite-sized piece of the zombie mayhem we’re in for. But the game isn’t at all as dreary as the setting sounds. The trailer showcases many colorful and humorous characters that you, the player, will encounter along the way.
Let’s not forget about the majesty of brutal zombie slaying. Gore is front and center in this trailer. There’s even a bit of comedy at play. If this trailer is any indication, Dead Island 2 promises to be a rip-roaring good time.
1Crime Boss: Rockay City World Premiere
We all loveGrand Theft Auto. But imagine a virtual world with more sophisticated criminal organizations and law enforcement set in Florida during the 90s. Did we also mention it’s a first-person adventure? Welcome to Crime Boss: Rockay City. This explosive trailer debuted at The Game Awards and showcased the talent behind this exciting new title.
Let’s be honest, who’s going to turn down an opportunity to play a game that features Michael Rooker, Michael Madsen, Kim Basinger, Damion Poitier, Danny Trejo, Danny Glover, Vanilla Ice, and the legend himself, Chuck Norris, all in starring roles? This list of performers is enough to make this trailer a killer highlight of 2022.
