The "Mad World" commercial for the original Gears of War did absolute wonders for not only the song featured in the ad, but it also obviously helped garner interest for the game too.
With Gears of War 2's November 7 release date rapidly approaching, it was only a matter a time before we saw a similar TV commercial for the sequel. While "Last Day" won't necessarily excite potential buyers in the same way "Mad World" did, that's not to say it isn't a good ad spot.
For those familiar with the Gears storyline, it makes perfect sense, but I can't help but feel like casual viewers won't really understand why exactly a pack of muscular men are traveling underground in drill machines.
Oh, and if the ad's song, "How it Ends" by DeVotchKa sounds familiar, you've probably seen the movie Little Miss Sunshine before.
I like the song, and Mad World was a great ad, but I think for this one to be really effective, you'd need it to be at least three minutes long. The length of it just doesn't give you the impact that the song really needs to make an impression on you.
At least you gotta give em props for using Devotchka. Damned good band. But, just like Mad World, I think it would have helped immensely if they had used the actual sounds of what was happening on top of the music. Makes it more dramatic and such.
Agreed, the somber pace and the lines chosen from 'Rendezvous' made that trailer really good.
I liked this trailer, but as was said before, anyone unfamiliar with the storyline would not instantly want to buy the game...which is sort of the point of advertising.
Not as striking as "Mad World," but this one works. Damn, Gears is such a depressing game. Anyone have a link to "Rendezvous"? I must have missed that one.
I can't speak for those unfamiliar to the series, but to me, this ad is far more effective than Mad World was.
The first game's trailer was moody and intriguing, but ultimately wasn't convincing enough to persuade me to pick up the title and give it a try.
Having playing the game and now being familiar with the story, I can say can say that this clip is begging me to dive into a story of a forlorn suicide mission.
After watching Dom all but say farewell to his wife in the picture and Cole acknowledging/admiring life through his sniper rifle's scope, then hearing the lyrics "You already know how it will end" tells me that the team is ready to sacrifice themselves.
Marcus and his men will suffer; I need to see that in the game... and it better be a roller coaster all the way straight to Hell.
Addendum: I'll have to agree with the comments here that Rendezvous with Death is spectacular. The overtones of dying in battle were synced perfectly with every frame of that trailer.
I still appreciate this new ad, though, for its complete sense of being a somber farewell to everything.
Now, the game has to deliver that same forlorn feeling in both the story and experience.
I prefer this one. For what others have said and also because I can't stand that Mad World cover.
It worked in the movie it was made for, but nothing else.
@DaedHead
Actually, the one you linked to is apparently a fan edit. This is the real one, sans cliche music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMvMcwHdOgs
I thought the 'Mad World' promo was mighty ghey but this one takes the cake. Just because you like a band or a song and you also like GoW doesn't mean putting the two together is a good thing.
these gears of war spots are a metaphor! See the song and the action don't fit just like the story and the levels don't fit. What huh i'm on a train? this is the last level? Bomb? WTF is happening?!?!
I like it, but they really edited the fuck out of that song, and DeVotchKa is one of my favorite bands. But, the premise of imminent death in a game is extremely interesting, and I think this trailer helped show that.
Not to sound like a fanboy or anything, but wow... they truly elevate the whole sense of what the game is, or a game can be by making it cinematicly engaging.
The music coupled with the actions and whats going on (Granted I played the first one, so I don't know how it would look to someone who hasn't played it)... made that so epic that it almost brought a tear to my eye.
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11:43 AM on 10.24.2008 
