Dead Island trailer

[gavin19]

No clue what this is about or for, but it's being hailed as the greatest video game trailer ever - here.

Also some opinion from the Guardian and another article from Spadgy's MCV colleague, Ben, here. FWIW I don't agree with the article but thought it might be worth a read.

[njiska]

Honestly I thought the trailer was pretty over rated... at least until the very end. the peaceful serenity of the family arriving in the hotel. The realization that the child was his and that all this shit happened so fast, that was haunting.

Still don't think it deserves to be called greatest trailer, but it's a very nice piece of on it's own as a short.

[Daigohji]

I'm highly impressed with the trailer as a short film. However, as an advert, it doesn't make me want to buy the product it's attached to. I can't see the emotional impact of the trailer translating into the game, and without that element all that we're seeing is a Left 4 Dead style hack and slash fest. Well, unless they're aiming for an experience like Heavy Rain, in which case I might be interested. That's unlikely though. What I'd really like to see is the director of that trailer making a full length movie.

[Jon]

I don't think it would have been nearly as good without the music.

[AcidBath86]

Once I realized what was going on throughout the reverse effect, it caught my attention. Greatest trailer is a bit of a stretch. Was it intriguing? I thought so. I'll definitely look out for more information on the game.

[sjewkestheloon]

I found it pretty gripping and the last 10 seconds were haunting. Hopefully it's all for a good game!

[neorichieb1971]

Maybe I missed something in last 10 seconds, what is haunting about it?

[sjewkestheloon]

Maybe I missed something in last 10 seconds, what is haunting about it?

The fact that all the horror that you have experienced is just around the corner for the oblivious and happy family waving to their camera in a sunny island paradise. That and the incredible sound.

[Drum]

The greatest ever trailer for a video game doesn't have any gameplay. And is cringingly awkward and stupid. ok

[nem]

Not impressed.

Some dude edited the video to make it play forwards. Some of the animation looks like it's actually been animated to play in reverse.

[mesh control]

HEAVY RAIN PT2 CANNOT WAIT GREAT

[mesh control]

ZOMBIE CHILDREN IN THE WASTELAND

[cj iwakura]

Chilling production, but if you look closely, some of the facial expressions are really awkward.

Great as a short film though.

[TransatlanticFoe]

Yeah, I don't get it. It's a backwards cutscene of a zombie attack. All it inspired me to do was Wiki the game and find out it might be quite cool from a two sentence description. But a trailer for a game without any indication of gameplay automatically sucks arse. You may as well flash up subliminal logos in Coca Cola adverts if you're out to say "hey, there's this game called Dead Island coming out", because the trailer tells you naff all about the core product - i.e. how the damn thing plays.

Remember how cool the intro movie was for Resi: Code Veronica? Image if they slapped that up as a trailer - not exactly giving you any clues to how the game plays! It does, however, entertain me that many people are getting excited about this after seeing the trailer. Insert comment about the value of hype here.

[DocHauser]

The trailer looks like one of those anti-drink-driving ads you get in the UK. It has just the same heartstring-tugging emotional blackmail tactics.

Look, here's a child. Aw, they're dead. But how did it happen...they were killed by this MONSTER (zombie/drunk driver). Are you sad yet? What about now? Yeah, now's the time for your tears.

Maybe I'm being a bit harsh...

[Daigohji]

The trailer looks like one of those anti-drink-driving ads you get in the UK. It has just the same heartstring-tugging emotional blackmail tactics.

Look, here's a child. Aw, they're dead. But how did it happen...they were killed by this MONSTER (zombie/drunk driver). Are you sad yet? What about now? Yeah, now's the time for your tears.

Maybe I'm being a bit harsh...

Don't forget, families being (literally) torn apart has always been a component of the zombie genre. Look all the way back to Night of the Living Dead. What happened in the first scene? A woman's brother is killed right in front of her. If the Dead Island trailer is emotionally manipulative, it's only through following the traditions of the genre.

[1up]

I think the trailer hit the spot for me. Being a father to a little girl myself, I can only imagine how horiffic it must be to see your own child being attacked like that. The frustration and panic as the situation spirals out of control.

As mentioned it was great as a short movie, but not so great for a gaming ad. No gameplay is shown. It works more as a teaser? This is a game with zombies in it. It takes place on a resort. Combat will be up close, in your face, and it will have lots of melee so you can see our fantastic techniques we've put into gore and deformation.

[DocHauser]

Don't forget, families being (literally) torn apart has always been a component of the zombie genre. Look all the way back to Night of the Living Dead. What happened in the first scene? A woman's brother is killed right in front of her. If the Dead Island trailer is emotionally manipulative, it's only through following the traditions of the genre.

True, but that scene at the start of Living Dead isn't really mawkish and sentimental. No melancholy violin music or plinky-plonky piano music telling you that something REALLY SAD is happening, for example. Maybe there are comparable moments in other films, though, but I'm struggling to think of any at the minute - 28 Days Later, possibly, or the Dawn of the Dead remake. [Rec] also had zombie kids, I suppose.

[Heartwork]

Even less specifically than "families being torn apart," the whole thing that makes zombies good horror subject matter is that they're people. They're your friends, neighbours, family, etc. and they're trying to eat you. That's kind of always been the whole shtick behind zombies and horror. How many zombie movies have you seen where there wasn't at some point someone who the non-zombie protagonist knew who had been zombified?

[Khan]

just saw the trailer for this on steam, gotta admit it I was impressed with the whole thing and the music along with the scenes but I just hope it doesnt turn into another left 4 dead clone, I want to see more advanced bosses that take some REAL skill to kill (lighting a tank on fire and running isnt skill)

gimme some hardcore bosses



I hope to god this is a boss and I hope hes tough as nails!