E3 2019 is underway, and as is the case every year, the event has been filled with fantastic game trailers showing off the best of what the big publishers have to offer. Some of these trailers feature only pre-rendered cinematics that give us a look into a game’s tone and story, while others show actual, honest-to-goodness gameplay. Both have a role, and several trailers shown during E3 2019 have us particularly excited. These are the best E3 2019 trailers. We will continue to update with new trailers as more publishers finish their conferences.
Cyberpunk 2077
Last year’s E3 presentation for Cyberpunk 2077 got us pumped for the science-fiction RPG from CD Projekt Red, but the trailer shown at the Xbox E3 conference this year was even better. It was a cinematic rather than gameplay demonstration, showing off the aftermath of a heist that leaves protagonist V on the brink of death. It was flashy, informative, and polished, but it was who appeared in the final moments that made it special: Keanu Reeves! The actor will have a supporting role in the game, and he even made a live appearance on stage to celebrate the news. It was far better than seeing him sadly eating a sandwich on a bench.
Halo Infinite
343 Industries wasn’t ready to show us Halo Infinite gameplay just yet – at least not of combat — but the studio brought an impressive trailer to E3 2019 that set the stage for the game’s campaign. Beginning with a lonely pilot floating through space in a Pelican dropship, we soon see the Master Chief floating unconscious nearby. He’s rescued and has the power in his suit restored before we see a destroyed Halo ring in the distance. Cortana’s voice can be heard talking to the Chief, suggesting there could be an attempt at reconciliation … but maybe not truth.
Forza Horizon 4: Lego Speed Champions
The best trailers leave us a little bit perplexed, and Playground Games certainly managed to do that with Forza Horizon 4: Lego Speed Champions. The expansion, which is available June 13, re-creates famous cars from the original game in Lego bricks, and you can race them alongside their real counterparts. Environments, obstacles, and even bystanders are all made out of Lego as well, and the absurdity of the whole thing is appreciated. After the Hot Wheels expansion in Forza Horizon 3, we probably shouldn’t have been surprised, but here we are.
Elden Ring
Bandai Namco could have just written “From Software and George R.R. Martin are making a video game together” on the screen and we would have been happy. The Elden Ring announcement trailer gave us more than that, however, showing Norse figures hammering on anvils and a creature that looks similar to a particularly challenging boss from Dark Souls III. Enormous weapons and fiery spells are par for the course in From Software’s work, but we can’t wait to play Elden Ring when it comes to Xbox One, PS4, and PC.
Doom Eternal
We really didn’t need another reason to buy Doom Eternal – the excellent 2016 game was reason enough. That didn’t stop Bethesda from giving the game a lengthy segment during its press conference. Alongside an excellent gameplay demonstration for the campaign, we also saw a trailer showing off the new “Battlemode.” A unique take on multiplayer that pits two demons against a single slayer, it’s a three-round “fighting” mode that will put your strategy and skills to the test. It is very loud and explosive, and we want it right now.
Deathloop
One of the few true surprises from the Bethesda conference, Deathloop is an all-new IP from studio Arkane Lyon. Set in a version of France plagued by “madness,” the game stars two rival assassins who are in a constant battle to kill each other. When one of them dies, however, they don’t actually die – they wake up in an area known as the Black Reef. It has elements of Edge of Tomorrow, which is a very good thing, and with Arkane promising to deliver a gameplay experience that fans of its past work will love, we can’t wait to actually see it in action.
GhostWire: Tokyo
The other big surprise from Bethesda’s conference came courtesy of Tango Gameworks. Rather than announce another The Evil Within game, the studio revealed GhostWire: Tokyo, an eerie action-adventure game with supernatural elements. The Leftovers-like setup sees people in the city vanish out of thin air, clothing still left where they were standing. The trailer features shadowy, masked figures and an enormous explosion of energy, and it was presented by the extremely enthusiastic creative director Ikumi Nakamura.
Watch Dogs Legion
Ubisoft opened its E3 2019 press conferences with one of its biggest upcoming games, Watch Dogs Legion. In a lengthy gameplay presentation, the publisher showed off how the game’s protagonist is actually anyone you happen to recruit for your organization. The city of London has been overtaken by an authoritative group after the passing of Brexit, and it’s up to DeadSec to organize a resistance. With permanent death for any character in the game and plenty of high-tech gadgets, Watch Dogs Legion looks to be the most innovative game yet released in the series.
Roller Champions
If you’re looking for something a little less serious, Ubisoft has you covered with Roller Champions. In the official announcement trailer, we see a futuristic take on a roller derby that uses a moving goal system to keep players on their toes — roller skates, that is. The game’s gorgeous art style is similar to something from DreamWorks or Pixar, and players interested in checking it out can do so via a free demo on PC this week. The full game will release for free in 2020.
Gods & Monsters
Ubisoft will also offer a lighter take on Greek mythology than you might have seen in a few other popular game franchises, such as God of War. Gods & Monsters stars a hero serving the gods in need of help as they battle mythological monsters. It’s an exciting premise, but it’s the game’s gorgeous watercolor aesthetic and brighter tone that really separate it. Despite just being announced, you’ll be able to play it on February 25, 2020.
Final Fantasy VII Remake
We finally got our first extended look at combat for Final Fantasy VII Remake during the Square Enix press conference. Midgar will be the main setting for the first part of the episodic release. The trailer shows a hybrid combat system that makes use of real-time combat, as well as a menu that can be used to do damage with “ATB” points. In the trailer, Cloud and Barret work together to take down an enormous Scorpion Sentinel, and it looks gorgeous running on the Unreal Engine.
Square Enix also shared that players will get their hands on the game on March 3, 2020, and a luxurious collector’s edition featuring a figure of Cloud is releasing alongside it. The final game will take up two Blu-ray discs’ worth of content.
Marvel’s Avengers
The show-stopping conclusion to the Square Enix E3 press conference – literally, it ended the conference — Marvel’s Avengers was shown for the first time. The game is being created in partnership with Crystal Dynamics and Eidos Montreal, and it will allow you to play as five of the Avengers: Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, Black Widow, and Hulk.
During the demonstration and trailer we saw, we learned that an event five years ago called “A-Day” caused the Avengers to disband, but they are brought back together after a new threat emerges. The trailer features combat on the Golden Gate Bridge, and it looks like the heroes will offer drastically different playing styles.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild sequel
A surprise announcement during Nintendo’s presentation this year, a sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is in development. Nintendo didn’t share a title or release window, but did show us a teaser that features both Link and Zelda as they investigate a mysterious energy source at the bottom of a valley. A monster is spawned from the region and a sharp mountain sprouts from the ground in the middle of Hyrule.
Breath of the Wild was an exceptional game, and Nintendo doesn’t look to be deviating from the formula. However, we have hope that Zelda will be playable in the sequel.
Luigi’s Mansion 3
Announced previously but given more time to shine at E3 2019, Luigi’s Mansion 3 had one of the best trailers from E3 2019. The game’s full reveal showed that it will be set in a luxurious hotel, and Luigi will have to locate Peach, Mario, and the rest of his Mushroom Kingdom friends to save them from ghosts. He will have help from “Gooigi,” a jelly-like sidekick who can be controlled by a second player.
The Luigi’s Mansion 3 trailer was so exciting because it also included a teaser for a competitive mode with support for up to eight players. The game is planned for release later this year, and we will be able to use several new abilities on the Poltergust G-00.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate DLC
One of the most welcome announcements from Nintendo at E3 2019, Banjo-Kazooie will be coming to Super Smash. Bros. Ultimate this fall. The duo will work as one fighter, with the ability to brawl as well as fire projectiles, and they retain the humor seen in the games on both Xbox and Nintendo 64. The trailer is one of our favorites because of its impressing trolling of viewers before giving them what they wanted.
