Judas looks like everything that BioShock fans could possibly want, as it bears plenty of similarities to the 2007 Irrational Games masterpiece. The elemental attacks, wrist tattoo, eerie atmosphere, and otherworldly setting are all vital components of Ken Levine's projects up to this point, and the first game by new developer Ghost Story is shaping up to be familiar in all the right ways.
Announced at the 2022 Game Awards alongside the likes of Hades 2, Death Stranding 2, and information about Cyberpunk 2077's Phantom Liberty expansion, Judas still remained the highlight for so many, as its trailer boasted atmospheric and presentational flourishes that make it better with each rewatch. Promotional material is essential to giving small, subtle hints about what the game will entail, and music is often a viable way to cheekily reference story beats that will feature in the main campaign. Judas uses an interesting, unnerving take on a popular tune, and it's surely a very deliberate choice.
Leave Her, Judas
"Leave Her Johnny" is the song that plays through the trailer of Judas, and though it's simple in lyrical substance, it sends a clear message. The tune is a sea shanty that dates back generations, and while its meaning is far from confirmed, it seems to allude to a ship in a state of disrepair, and its crew urging the captain to abandon it. "I hate to sail on this rotten tub, leave her, Johnny, leave her" is a telling sign that this might be true, and Judas looks as though its story and tone match this theme, with the titular Judas hoping to survive on a disintegrating starship while dangers lurk around ever corner.
The sea shanty nature of the number is also likely a nice to BioShock and its aquatic setting, which is much appreciated by those who have spent time in the wonderful, yet terrifying hallways of Rapture. Tonally it matches other projects that Ken Levine has worked on, and the way the song is edited, slowed down, and given an eerie echo to back it up makes it suitable even for a space setting. It's only an announcement trailer, but as Django Reinhardt and Bobby Darin's unique takes on "La Mer" and "Beyond The Sea" have become synonymous with BioShock, "Leave Her Johnny" could come to represent Judas.
Music Can Make a Trailer Great
Not unlike how "Beyond the Sea" had an impact on BioShock's promotional material, plenty of games use songs to set an atmosphere or drop hints to the main narrative. Gary Jules' "Mad World" in the trailer to Gears of War, Kanye West's "Power" in the teaser for Saints Row: The Third and, more recently, Shawn James' "Through the Valley" sets the tone for what would be the main theme of The Last of Us 2. The latter example is perhaps the most obvious mirroring of the story, as Ellie sings about bitter revenge and a lack of righteousness before brutally making her way through Seattle in search of Abby.
Trailers are a tough thing to get right, as it's important to give reason for excitement while reserving most of the story for when players finally get their hands on it. Some trailers like Dead Island and Cyberpunk 2077 are not indicative of the final product. Music is a fantastic way to give hints -- both subtle and overt -- about what a game will entail without completely ruining the surprise. "Leave Her Johnny" is an intriguing if simple song that could potentially hide some blatant story beats, and the way it is woven into the BioShock successor's trailer only adds to its immense atmosphere.
Judas is in development for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.