It's been 15 years since one of the most impactful video game trailers in history was released

Its unforgettable reverse-play sequence and dramatic tone made it one of the most memorable video game trailers ever, even though the final product turned out very differently. Ever since Resident Evil burst onto the scene in 1996, zombies have been a recurring enemy in horror and/or action video games, to the point where they've become somewhat overused. However, back in 2011, a spectacular trailer had us dreaming of a game that was different. It was Dead Island, unveiled with the trailer shown below, which made a huge splash in the gaming world. And yet it didn't show a single second of gameplay—it was purely a cinematic sequence. It was a three-minute segment focused on a family trapped in a hotel during a zombie outbreak on the tropical island of Banoi. The most striking aspect was its narrative structure: most of the video was told in reverse, beginning with the image of a little girl falling from a window and then moving backward in time to show how that tragedy had come to pass. All of this was accompanied by melancholic music by Giles Lamb. The story depicted the desperation of a father and mother trying to protect their daughter as zombies stormed into her bedroom. The use of reverse editing, slow motion, and a dramatic tone made it feel more like a short film than a video game commercial. It was praised for its approach and quickly went viral in the media and on social media, with some gamers even commenting that the trailer alone deserved an award. However, this three-minute video promised a more emotional experience than the game ultimately delivered, and the game itself wasn't particularly well-received. That said, over the years it has achieved cult status among fans of the genre.What happened to Dead Island? What happened with Dead Island? Well, as it turned out, it was just another zombie-slasher. While it's true that it had a story, it was incredibly generic and completely overshadowed by the action—with hundreds of zombies to take down, tons of loot, and progression elements. In short, with a 71 on Metacritic, it did turn out to be a good game, but it fell far short of what that heart-wrenching trailer promised. Interestingly, the sequel also featured a very eye-catching trailer, though it took a completely different direction, as it was full of humor. Dead Island 2 went through what's known as 'development hell,' and no fewer than nine years passed between its announcement (2014) and its release (2023), during which time it was handled by several different studios. Surprisingly, it was quite well-received, making it a highly recommended game for anyone who enjoys wiping out the undead. Follow MeriStation USA on X (formerly known as Twitter). Your video game and entertainment website for all the news, updates, and breaking news from the world of video games, movies, series, manga, and anime. Previews, reviews, interviews, trailers, gameplay, podcasts and more! Follow us now!