October 27th, 2012 | By Tom Christiansen
Tagged in: Giana Sisters | Hotline Miami | Montas | ravaged | The Iconoclasts | trailers
The IGM Trailer Park – Lot #2
This week I have scooped up five trailers that debuted roughly within the last week. Two platformer’s trailers compete for the pick-of-the-week, The Iconoclasts and Giana Sisters both feature bright colors and catchy soundtracks, but do they have enough to defeat Ravaged and it’s post apocalyptic launch trailer? Then there is Montas‘ and Hotline Miami’s trailers to contend with, or should we even consider Hotline Miami’s cinematic trailer on the same playing field? Heck, should we even consider Montas’ seven minute trailer, a trailer at all?
I ask a lot of questions. Don’t worry though, I have all the answers below.
Hotline Miami
Trailer Type: Launch Trailer
Platforms: Windows, OS X
Release Date: October 23rd, 2012
Developer: Dennaton Games
Official Hotline Miami Website
IGM’s Hotline Miami Review
This is an interesting trailer. While it features absolutely no gameplay, it does feature a unique angle on the seriousness of the game that a pixelated trailer just could not accomplish. The soundtrack and the slight pause given with each scene deliberately juxtaposes the frantic, violent, nature of the actual gameplay, an eye-of-the-storm, effect. The quoted accolades throughout the trailer reinforce the fact that Hotline Miami is not your typical top-down shooter. I give the Hotline Miami launch trailer a double-wide thumbs up.
The Iconoclasts
Trailer Type: Gameplay Trailer
Platforms: TBA
Release Date: TBA
Developer: Konjak
Official The Iconoclasts Website
Even though the trailer takes a half-minute to actually get going, once the gameplay footage starts, it’s actually quite fun. The soundtrack is catchy, the graphics are eye-catching, and the quick-cuts are just long enough to show off The Iconoclast’s mechanics before showing off something else. This was the first I’ve heard of The Iconoclasts, and I am hooked. Cut out the first chunk, and this trailer would be perfect, even so, the trailer holds up on its own just fine. I give it a double-wide thumbs up.
Ravaged
Trailer Type: Launch Trailer
Platforms: PC
Release Date: October 17th, 2012
Developer: 2 Dawn
Official Ravaged Website
IGM’s Ravaged Review
Just like the Iconoclasts trailer before, the Ravaged trailer takes too long to get into the actual gameplay, but once it does, hold onto your butts. The trailer starts with showing you how desolate the landscape of the world has become. Paris has frozen over, and apparently everywhere else has dried up. Science-be-damned, this is the world of Ravaged. A few seconds later and we’re in the middle of an action scene akin to a Michael Bay film: roaring cars, crazy vehicles, and of course, explosions. The Ravaged launch trailer easily gets two double-wide thumbs up.
Montas
Trailer Type: Gameplay Trailer
Platforms: PC and Mac
Release Date: 2013
Developer: Organic Humans
Official Montas Website
Clocking in at just over seven minutes, this is our longest trailer, this week. Or is it a trailer? If you ask me, this is more of a gameplay walk-through than an actual trailer. After all, the video is seven minutes long. What Montas does show off though, are some creepy bits of business. Office chairs moving around on their own and whatever that thing was at the end, along with the iconic dimly-lit rooms, really show off Organic Humans‘ intentions to mess with your sleeping schedule. This game has a lot of potential, but as far as trailers go, this one is trailer trash.
PICK OF THE WEEK – Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams
Trailer Type: Launch Trailer
Platforms: PC
Release Date: October 22nd, 2012
Developer: Black Forest Games
Official Giana Sisters Website
IGM’s Giana Sisters Review
The Giana Sisters launch trailer is this week’s winner. The trailer jumps right into the action, the scene cuts are the perfect length so players can get a wide grasp of how the game plays, the accolades are sprinkled throughout to support the quality of the game, and the soundtrack is sharp and fresh. This, ladies and gentlemen, is how you make a trailer. Of course, the Giana Sisters launch trailer gets two double-wide thumbs up.
Tom Christiansen (221 posts)
The Editor in Chief of IGM, Tom is essentially a nerdy Viking. He has a near constant craving for burgers and beer, and satisfies his instinct to pillage and plunder through video games. Tom stands tall, bearded, and doesn't care much for small talk. He loves talking about indie games though, so never hesitate to tweet him: @TomScott90 or email him: tom@indiegamemag(dot)com.