Feature: 10 PS4 Trailers from E3 2016 You Need to See

Sing it back

by Sammy Barker Sat 18th Jun 2016

Do you know what E3's good for? Trailers. Every publisher and their puppy puts out about a bajillion clips over the course of the week, but some standout better than others, of course. Here are ten videos that we reckon you absolutely have to watch if you haven't already. And if you have, then maybe consider watching them again – they're that good.

ABZU

It's Journey – still the best game available on the PS4 today by the way – set under the freakin' sea. What more could you possibly want?

Days Gone

Considering we were expecting Days Gone to be some crude Twisted Metal-esque black metal experience, its sentimental trailer really touched. Plus, that whole "broken road" line ain't bad, is it?

Detroit: Become Human

There are some terrible lines of dialogue in the Detroit: Become Human trailer – "You can't kill me, I'm not alive" – but Quantic Dream did a really good job of illustrating the importance of your actions in this high-stakes short.

God of War

The moment when Kratos walked out of the shadows, we knew that God of War was going to be good – and let it be known that we were staunchly against bringing the bald-headed bad ass back prior to this week. Some are lamenting the "Dadification" of gaming, but it strikes us that gamers – and, indeed, developers – are just growing up.

Gravity Rush 2

Meow! Gravity Rush 2 may not have got the stage time that it so richly deserved, but we lapped up this brief look at Kat's latest after the show – and we've been purring with satisfaction ever since.

NieR Automata

After the disappointing TMNT: Mutants in Manhattan and flat Scalebound demo, who'd have thought NieR Automata would be the game to save Platinum's dwindling reputation? Freakin' NieR.

Spider-Man

This one was masterfully done. There had been rumours that Sucker Punch was making Spider-Man, but they turned to Insomniac Games a little nearer to E3 2016. The problem is that no one believed them, so when the Ratchet & Clank maker's logo was followed by the Marvel icon, the penny finally dropped.

Titanfall 2

Now that the beta testing's over, the complete Titanfall experience is coming to the PS4 – and it's got a campaign. This one definitely had the "old" Infinity Ward touch to it, and it's no surprise, with Respawn's team built upon the foundations of the Call of Duty developer.

The Last Guardian

The Last Guardian, good grief. If you've ever loved an animal, then this trailer will tug at the old heart-strings. Our favourite bit: "What's wrong? Are your wings broken?" All of the f**king feels.

Watch Dogs 2

Watch Dogs 2's personality-laden approach took us by surprise at first, but it's really grown on us over time. We absolutely love the demoscene-esque graphics that populate this trailer, and it's a great showcase of all of the crazy stuff you can expect to get up to in San Francisco.

What was your favourite trailer at E3 2016? Are there any awesome clips that didn't get a place on our list? Don't mention the Zelda video in the comments section below.

What was your favourite PS4 trailer at E3 2016? (85 votes)

ABZU1%
Days Gone8%
Detroit: Become Human8%
God of War31%
Gravity Rush 26%
NieR Automata 0%
Spider-Man24%
Titanfall 24%
The Last Guardian9%
Watch Dogs 2 0%
Other9%

Please login to vote in this poll.

As the Editor of Push Square, Sammy has over 15 years of experience analysing the world of PlayStation, from PS3 through PS5 and everything in between. He’s an expert on PS Studios and industry matters, as well as sports games and simulators. He also enjoys RPGs when he has the time to dedicate to them, and is a bit of a gacha whale.

1
get2sammyb
Sat 18th Jun 2016

The only other one I'd add is Battlefield 1, but I think they're being a bit disingenuous as there's no way the game looks like they're suggesting.

Oh, and Death Stranding!

2
Heavyman99
Sat 18th Jun 2016

@get2sammyb They were pretty on the level about Battlefrank's graphics in the leadup. It was just everything else that sucked. I have no reason to think they'll be lying about Battlefield 1's look asides from some video editing.

3
Splat
Sat 18th Jun 2016

God of War.

I have been burnt out on the series for awhile now but that trailer has me all kinds of hyped.

4
get2sammyb
Sat 18th Jun 2016

@Heavyman99 Yeah, you're right, I suppose Battlefront does look amazing. Well, if Battlefield 1 matches the trailers, then...

5
sub12
Sat 18th Jun 2016

""It's Journey – still the best game available on the PS4 today by the way""

Can we pull your credentials? Maybe you can go and work for Polygon...

6
get2sammyb
Sat 18th Jun 2016

I see the @sub12 bait worked.

7
sub12
Sat 18th Jun 2016

@get2sammyb

I'm just trying to right a wrong buddy!

8
playstation1995
Sat 18th Jun 2016

God of war .the man.the myth.the legend.God of war my favorite playstation franchise of all times

9
Remito
Sat 18th Jun 2016

That god of war gameplay was breathtaking but my favorite e3 thing was horizon zero dong.

10
SKC_Diamond
Sat 18th Jun 2016

@get2sammyb There's gameplay floating around here's a few clips
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mizPP-wYJCM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1RUNPEZHQc

11
ztpayne7
Sat 18th Jun 2016

Wait...how does Horizon not make this list? It was listed as your game of show. You can't say "it was a gameplay trailer so it doesn't count" because that's exactly what the God of War trailer was.

12
BAMozzy
Sat 18th Jun 2016

@ztpayne7 I would argue that Horizon's 'trailer' was launched pre E3.

Days Gone trailer was interesting but that game-play was what really had me hooked. LOL at Titanfalls 'Beta Testing' (although it already had a beta test before the first game launched. I must admit, I prefer the aesthetic look of the first to the more brightly coloured and less 'gritty' look of the new TF2 but the SP looks good.

I voted for Spider-Man though. Ecen though it was kind of leaked, it was still a surprise and considering its also made by Insomniac, its not 'cartoony' like Sunset Overdrive, Ratchet and Clank etc but more like Arkham series/film style. Still not sure about the white though and the cycle cleats on the boots...

13
BAMozzy
Sat 18th Jun 2016

@Neolit I don't think I will ever like that costume. The white really doesn't fit. I know they have tried a bit of creative licence with it but they obviously bothered to get the eyes and most of the suit right - just not the logo - its on the back too. Its too large - certainly in white for a start! A more subtle change on the classic design, I could possibly accept more readily - just hope they give us the option of different Spidey outfits because I certainly won't be using that...

14
LieutenantFatman
Sat 18th Jun 2016

Not sure why God of War is there but Horizon isn't. But nice to see Abzu up there, looks like an experience.

15
wiiware
Sat 18th Jun 2016

If there's multiple choice, the right answer is always "god of war"

16
Octane
Sat 18th Jun 2016

How are we not allowed to mention Zelda when it was clearly the best PS4 game at E3?

Also, @get2sammyb, I missed a lot of indie games at E3 this year, Sony didn't really have an indie reel. Was there not much announced? Maybe an idea for an upcoming article; PS4 indie games announced at E3

17
LieutenantFatman
Sat 18th Jun 2016

@Octane Agreed, more on the indie games! Both PS4 & Vita, please! Shame they were skipped this year.

18
BAMozzy
Sat 18th Jun 2016

I don't understand how Zelda can be the 'best' in show. Is it just because its Zelda? I have watched the game-play - a 30min video and really don't understand the hype. Visually the game looks washed out and the cel-shaded artstyle really doesn't do link or the world justice. Link himself doesn't look the best link I have ever seen - not the worst (Philips CD-i wins that although this reminded me of that Link). The game-play looks dated with speech bubbles and why can't you dig or slash grass for rupees? Whilst link has been able to use other weapons, Link and Sword is iconic yet in this your sword will break.
Compared to the Ocarina of Time, this really doesn't look as inventive, creative, colourful, progressive etc. They could have put out almost any rubbish, stick Link in and the Zelda name on it and people would be hyped because its a new Zelda game. I am not saying its bad or or the game won't be 'fun' to play but I didn't see anything special about this that if it wasn't Zelda (i.e didn't have Link, slight changes to the characters) and was releasing on Xbox (particularly) then a lot of people would be very negative about it!

19
get2sammyb
Sat 18th Jun 2016

@LieutenantFatman @Octane It was honestly quite quiet on that front to be honest. There were show floor demos of existing games, but not a lot was announced. I think they got it all "out of the way" in the weeks leading up to E3.

20
LieutenantFatman
Sat 18th Jun 2016

@BAMozzy True enough. But to be fair it's not just Zelda fans who do that, plenty of other games where people do the same thing. Oh wow, best game ever! Regardless of what's being show.

I can appreciate why they're hyped though, just don't understand why so many comments on a PlayStation site regarding a Nintendo game. I don't see Xbox fans on here, going oh wow new Halo!! Or whatever games MS showed. I'm glad there no E3 for smart phones. zomg, new angry birds! Now there's an ostrich!

@get2sammyb

Fair enough, they usually do have something so it's a bit unexpected. Maybe we'll see something later in the year.

21
BAMozzy
Sat 18th Jun 2016

@LieutenantFatman I admit I do mention Xbox games and would give them a mention in context (i.e top 10 of E3). Even when I mention/talk about 3rd party games, I am not always talking about the PS4 version. I am also going to defend MS and games if I think someone is being unfair (i.e MS are awful, Forza is rubbish without justification) but I do exactly the same with regards to PS/Sony on PureXbox too.

I prefer to be honest but if I thought a game that was best in show wasn't on PS4, I would make a point of saying my favourite PS game was 'x' with maybe an afterword to say my overall winner was 'y' and leave it at that - just a simple mention. Its the fact that people have gone on about Zelda that led me to make that comment. I loved Zelda but what was shown, had it been a 'indie' on Xbox or PS it would have fitted in the middle of those but as a AAA we would all be complaining about it. Its not the best place to have this discussion so I will leave it there...