Top 10 Game Trailers of 2015

Posted on January 5th, 2016 by Motiejus Ovsianikas

With 2015 behind us, our team at CGTrader sat down to pick the top 10 game trailers that left us with a lasting impression. And what a year it was- full of controversy both in terms of highs and lows, bringing us games that will be remembered for years and some that had better not come out... But all of that aside, let's see what promises were made by developers during the year in the form of trailers!

Keep in mind, these are our top picks for the best trailers and in some cases the cover of the book did not represent the content, as we have learned the hard way.

Witcher 3 Cinematic Launch Trailer

The first two installments of the Witcher series have struggled to find their identity, changing mechanics as they went along and increasing quality standards in each step. However, this all changed with Witcher 3. From the very first game demo, the third installment of the game captivated audiences with what can now be described as a new standard of polish in an open world game. The cinematic launch trailer perfectly captures the morbid reality of the life of a witcher and the dangers that come with it - from the carefully chosen locale that contrasts the beautiful and the terrifying to the realistic portrayal of the combat, this was a home run in all respects.

StarCraft 2: Legacy of the Void Cinematic Trailer

With the long awaited end to the Starcraft 2 trilogy that graced us with another jaw dropping cinematic from Blizzard entertainment. This time it features a fierce battle between two alien races. Both the inspiring design of both factions brought to life with state-of-the-art cg and the fast pacing left us wanting more. If only Blizzard could produce a whole movie of that quality… but alas, that remains out of reach for now.

Star Wars: Battlefront Reveal Trailer

Many fans speculated, whether the Star Wars battlefront sequel will ever see the light of day. The announcement of the new Star Wars movie - The Force Awakens set things off in 2014 with its reveal and finally, in 2015, after a decade of waiting we saw the first glimpse of the new entry into the Battlefront series. At this point we can safely say that everyone was filled with excitement when watching the trailer featuring iconic settings and a heated battle to show off the new tech from DICE. In the end, the game turned out to be visually stunning, though lacking longevity perhaps - but the trailer remains a great piece of artistry nonetheless.

Final Fantasy VII Playstation Experience 2015 Trailer

You wouldn’t think that a game from 1997 would see fans requesting a remake 18 years down the line. But Final Fantasy 7 with its cult following and endless requests achieved just that. The first trailer, shown at E3 2015 was already a riot, but during PlayStation Experience 2015, the developers Square Enix really hit it off! The trailer shows drop-dead gorgeous interpretations of locations familiar to fans of the series and we are left hoping Final Fantasy VII will capture our imagination once again.

World Of Warcraft: Legion Cinematic Trailer

Most people reading this article probably have heard of World Of Warcraft in one way or another. The seemingly endless story of the game will receive a further expansion and with it, of course, another trailer from the now famed cinematic department of Blizzard. And what an effort this was - claiming the hearts of fans and CG admirers alike. The level of craftsmanship that has been put into every scene of the cinematic is impressive - to say the least. Here’s hoping that the Warcraft movie, which is scheduled to launch in summer 2016, will blow us away the same way.

Halo 5: Guardians Launch Gameplay Trailer

The Second entry by 343 industries into the main line of the famed Halo series, Halo 5: Guardians sparked much discussion before its launch about the story of the game. The launch gameplay trailer is a mix of CG and in-game footage encompassing both story elements and fast-paced action scenes. From the different location to massive vistas the trailer managed to capture quintessential Halo - a blockbuster shooter with a thrilling story. As we found out, the game wasn’t all that the trailer promised, but enjoyable for what it is.

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided Announcement Trailer

As one of the most recognizable cyberpunk titles, Deus Ex showed it had what it takes with Human Revolution in 2011. Everyone wondered where the franchise would go next, and this year our questions were answered with the Mankind Divided trailer showing a world torn by technology showcasing intense fight scenes and various gizmos and gadgets used for combat. The design of the environment and characters further emphasize the cyberpunk setting with a mix of a desolate atmosphere and high technology and character combining flesh and mechanical modifications.

Ori and the blind forest Trailer

Perhaps a less well known title compared to the giants that populate the rest of the list, Ori and the blind forest felt like playing a story crafted by Hayao Miyazaki. The trailer is an emotional roller-coaster from beginning to the end, leaving us with the expectation of a magical journey ahead. The game was as big of a treat as the trailer, featuring a fantasy forest filled with both awe inspiring scenery and frightening foes to battle, making it a stand-out title when it comes to artistic vision this year.

Fallout 4 Launch Trailer

There’s no denying this year was a treat to open-world fans. Between Just Cause 3, Witcher 3 and Fallout 4 we got enough open world space to explore for this and the next year. The trailer shows several factions in a conflict of interest and the player at the center of it, having to choose who to side with, capturing the Fallout feel of creating your own story, that the franchise is known for.

Doom E3 Trailer

Doom is a classic that was bound to see a sequel sooner rather than later and this year’s E3 trailer delivered in spades. The brutal action brought up to today’s standards really got our blood pumping in anticipation for the return of this classic. The trailer features the familiar setting of colonized Mars with mutated humans and other monstrosities being disposed of in brutally creative ways.

Editor‘s choice: 100ft Robot Golf Playstation Experience Trailer

I can’t remember the last time I had a sincere laugh when watching a trailer. This trailer managed to capture the essence of chaotic fun in its first go. Seeing gigantic robots beating down skyscrapers with golf clubs, as they attempt to score while running up the sides of said crashing buildings has a charm of its own. In short- it’s chaotic, hilarious and looks like a hell of a lot of fun as this year’s VR launch draws close.

What was your favorite trailer of the year? Leave a comment and let us know!