10 Video Game Trailers That Lied To Us (But Were Still Awesome)

BioWare has a gift for devising role-playing IPs which focus on extensive character development, branching paths, and strategic combat.

Although Dragon Age: Origins follows this design, it didn't seem that way at first, thanks to, not one, but two misleading trailers. Nearly every frame in the We Are Grey Wardens teaser consists of decapitations, dismemberments, and crushing skulls. With Marilyn Manson scream-singing throughout, Dragon Age: Origins looked like the edgiest fantasy game ever.

Although Origins has gore, the gameplay is more centred around turn-based combat, dialogue trees, and developing relationships with NPCs.

Then there's the Sad Ashes trailer. Not only does the footage oversell the violence yet again, it depicts the human characters with realistically proportioned faces. But in the game, the people have more exaggerated and cartoonish features.

Despite the fumbled marketing, the fantasy IP was applauded for its cohesive world-building, relatable characters, and addictive gameplay. 

Since then, Dragon Age has become one of the biggest fantasy brands over the last decade. This feat is all the more impressive considering the advertising team hadn't a clue who their target audience was.