Summer of Gaming: Unveiling the Largest Trailers

The summer season has always been a hotspot for gaming excitement, but it also brings a curious shift in player behavior—where anticipation often outweighs actual gameplay. Instead of diving into titles, fans eagerly gather around trailers, soaking in the first glimpses of upcoming releases. This surge of interest is fueled by major industry showcases, the spiritual successors to E3, which unveil bold new projects and highly anticipated sequels. These presentations offer a window into the future of gaming, revealing experiences that will define the months and years ahead—and naturally, they command massive attention.

To pinpoint what’s resonating most with players, we analyzed every trailer published on IGN over the past few weeks and identified the 10 most-watched videos from this year’s Summer of Gaming. From explosive reveals to long-awaited sequels, these trailers represent the biggest moments that captured the gaming world’s imagination. Here are the most popular ones.

1. Resident Evil Requiem

**View count: 2.1 million**

It’s no surprise that Resident Evil 9, titled Requiem, topped the charts. Fans have waited years since Resident Evil Village launched in 2021, and with Ethan Winters’ story concluded, the spotlight now shifts to a new protagonist—FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft. The debut trailer introduces her in a tense, office-based setup before plunging into a ruined Raccoon City, echoing the oppressive horror of Resident Evil 7. The shift in tone, combined with Capcom’s signature dread, confirms that Requiem is set to deliver a deeply unsettling experience. For horror fans, this is everything they’ve hoped for.

2. Invincible VS

**View count: 2.1 million**

The animated Invincible series on Prime Video has a massive following, and now that momentum is translating into gaming. Invincible VS is a 3v3 tag-team fighter that doesn’t hold back on the brutal, bone-shattering action fans expect. One standout moment? Invincible obliterating Bulletproof’s head in a single punch. The trailer also teases epic clashes, including a potential city-leveling showdown between Invincible and Omni-Man. With characters like Atom Eve and Rex Plode joining the fray, the game promises chaotic, high-octane combat that’s already generating serious buzz.

3. Game of Thrones: War for Westeros

**View count: 1.5 million**

Despite the divisive ending of Game of Thrones, the franchise remains a cultural powerhouse. War for Westeros taps into fan desire for alternate outcomes with a cinematic “what if?” scenario. The trailer features Jon Snow dueling the Night King—one-on-one, unlike the show’s chaotic battle—and includes jaw-dropping moments like Daenerys and Drogon being shot down by a ballista. Jaime Lannister fights in a massive four-way clash, hinting at real-time strategy gameplay. The ultimate twist? Jon is killed and turned into a wight—sparking fan theories that this could be the true ending fans have been craving.

4. ILL

**View count: 1.3 million**

While Resident Evil Requiem dominates the horror spotlight, ILL emerges as a dark horse with its grotesque, rust-soaked aesthetic. The trailer showcases disturbing enemies—multi-limbed horrors, bobble-headed infants, and decayed zombies—thanks to a detailed dismemberment system. But it’s not all grim: the game injects pitch-black humor, like a zombie toddler being kicked into a barrel pile. This blend of terror and twisted comedy makes ILL stand out in a crowded survival horror field.

5. The Expanse: Osiris Reborn

**View count: 1.2 million**

Owlcat Games, known for deep isometric RPGs like Pathfinder, is taking a bold leap with The Expanse: Osiris Reborn. This new title ditches top-down views for a third-person, cover-based shooter that feels like a spiritual successor to Mass Effect. The trailer blends cinematic flair—floating grenades, alien face crystals—with solid gameplay footage. For fans longing for a modern sci-fi RPG with weighty combat and narrative depth, this could be the answer.

6. 007 First Light

**View count: 835,000**

IO Interactive’s James Bond game, First Light, finally got its moment in the spotlight during PlayStation’s State of Play. The trailer presents it like a real 007 film, introducing a younger, less seasoned Bond alongside fresh takes on M and Q. Expect glamorous locales, vintage Aston Martins, and high-stakes espionage. With the polish of the Hitman series behind it, First Light looks poised to deliver a truly authentic Bond experience.

7. ROG Xbox Ally X

**View count: 822,000**

Hardware always draws attention, and the ROG Xbox Ally X is no exception. While not an official Microsoft device, this upgraded handheld from Asus builds on the success of the ROG Ally, offering better performance and seamless integration with Xbox Game Pass and cloud gaming. As part of Microsoft’s “This is an Xbox” vision, it reinforces the idea that Xbox gaming isn’t limited to consoles—it’s a cross-platform ecosystem, and this device is a powerful piece of that puzzle.

8. Atomic Heart 2

**View count: 796,000**

Despite mixed reactions to the original, Atomic Heart 2 is doubling down on its surreal, Sovietpunk aesthetic. The sequel looks vastly more ambitious—featuring space stations, wall-running, hang-gliding, mechs, and expanded world interactions. The retro-futuristic visuals remain as striking as ever, and the announcement of The Cube, a multiplayer spin-off set in the same universe, shows developer Mundfish is committed to building a full franchise.

9. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds

**View count: 720,000**

While Mario Kart World looms, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is making waves. Sonic’s recent resurgence—fueled by successful movies—has boosted interest, and the trailer delivers with an all-star roster: Hatsune Miku, Ichiban Kasuga, Joker from Persona 5, and even Minecraft’s Steve. Themed tracks and crossover chaos suggest