As far as game marketing is concerned, it is really tough to top a fantastic trailer. Trailers have a variety of purposes: to tease a game that is still in development or sum up the experience players can expect from an upcoming title - either way, they can generate enough buzz to stimulate a hefty number of game pre-orders.

At this year’s E3, there were a wide variety of trailers, both cinematic and gameplay focused, which premiered to some serious fanfare. For gameplay trailers, viewers expect a brief tease of one of the game's more thrilling sequence -- enough to generate buzz, but less information than would spoil the experience. Gameplay trailers this year ranged from those that showcased specific features of a title to those that highlighted one of the game's more thrilling missions. Some trailers might have showcased the experience that was in for gamers, but didn't do enough to highlight what makes that particular title unique amongst a ton of holiday season content.

We've come up with our top 5 favorites -- some that could have easily made cinematic trailers and others that supplanted a hands-on experience -- so let's get things started with number 5.

5. From Dust

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkdAssf3kJA

There is nothing like being able to play god. While certain games emulate that experience in one regard or another, From Dust makes their attempt with jaw-dropping visuals. The concept is definitely simple in execution, but the amount of possibilities available to the player help expand the playtime exponentially.

From Dust might be the title that goes criminally underappreciated after this year’s E3, but that doesn’t mean it won’t receive some serious accolades. Creating a civilization from nothing, and altering their lifestyles on a whim, has never looked this good. From Dust earned a pair of Game Rant's E3 2011 Awards nominations.

4. Far Cry 3

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uc_arVX3G6s

At the Ubisoft press conference, while gamers were eagerly anticipating the appearance of Ezio and company, a trailer appeared out of nowhere that, at first, was hard to pin down. Set in a familiar jungle environment, and featuring one of the most bizarre antagonists in recent years, this trailer didn't really all come together until the title, Far Cry 3, was revealed.

It was that simple reveal, at the tail end of the trailer, that made everything that had come before it that much more poignant. Knowing that all those moments were part of a larger free-roaming experience, and rendered in-game, got everyone paying attention. We knew Far Cry 3 was coming, we just didn't expect the reveal to take us by surprise.

3. Battlefield 3

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UwOrl036_A

Since the stunning reveal of Battlefield 3 gameplay footage earlier this year, many gamers have been clamoring for a closer look at the popular shooter’s next entry. It had been some time since gamers had seen anything apart from the Fault Line trailer series, but this E3 brought something really special.

Featuring a new mission that is all about the signature Battlefield vehicular experience rather than close quarters FPS combat, this trailer made every gamer who was already anticipating Battlefield 3 even more excited. Frostbite 2.0 never looked this gorgeous, and not just when it was rendering skyscrapers.

2.  The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flCxhcu1s84

Right along with Battlefield 3 as one of the most highly anticipated titles of 2011 is Elder Scrolls: Skyrim. Boasting a new engine, a ton of new gameplay mechanics and features, and the ability to take down dragons, this title is going to be the definition of epic in several key ways.

Past trailers for the game gave brief teases of Skyrim’s quests and combat, but our first real look at a quest, from beginning to end, came with a brand new E3 trailer. It wasn’t just one particular moment that took our breath away, it was the entire experience.

1. Bioshock: Infinite

[bitsontherun TPVdaDl2]

Though gamers had thought, at first, that they knew what they were getting with Bioshock: Infinite, the new E3 trailer for the game came out of nowhere to take our expectations to the next level. Despite gameplay mechanics that feel extremely familiar, Bioshock: Infinite takes several new concepts, like the skyline and "vigors," and explores every facet of them.

The story is now a bit clearer and the world of Columbia has had a few more layers revealed, and all that we've seen so far looks incredible. Irrational Games has never been one to disappoint, and if this trailer is any indication, we don’t expect them to start now.

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Which gameplay-focused trailer was your favorite from E3? Does spoiling the experience play into how many gameplay trailers you are willing to watch?

Also make sure to check out our Top 5 Cinematic Trailers from E3 2011.

Source: Game Trailers