OPINION – Video game adaptations have been a popular topic in the entertainment industry for decades. From the early days of Super Mario and Street Fighter to more recent adaptations like The Last of Us, the success of these adaptations has been varied. While some, like The Last of Us, have been critically acclaimed and well-received by audiences, others, such as the Resident Evil movies and Netflix series, have been less successful.

 

 

One of the main challenges in adapting video games to other mediums is the fact that the mediums of film and television are vastly different from that of video games. Video games rely heavily on player interaction and the ability to control the outcome of the story, while film and television are passive mediums that rely on the audience to simply watch the story unfold. This disconnect can make it difficult to translate the elements of a video game that make it engaging and enjoyable, such as the player’s ability to control the outcome of the story, into a film or television show.

Another challenge in adapting video games to other mediums is the fact that the majority of video games are not written with a linear narrative in mind. Many popular video games, such as open-world games, are designed to allow players to explore and discover the story at their own pace, rather than following a set path. This can make it difficult to craft a cohesive narrative for a film or television show, as the non-linear structure of the original game may not fit well with the more traditional narrative structure of film and television.

 

 

The very first adaptations were pretty bad to average

 

The first – rather successful – video game adaptation to date is the 1993 film Super Mario Bros. The film, which starred Bob Hoskins as Mario and John Leguizamo as Luigi, grossed over $20 million at the box office and was met with mixed reviews. Despite its commercial success, the film was criticized for deviating too much from the source material and for its poor characterization of the main characters.

The 1994 movie adaptation of Double Dragon, based on the popular arcade game, was a critical and commercial failure. The film was criticized for its poor acting, weak plot, and lack of connection to the source material.

The Street Fighter movie adaptation, which was released in 1994, was also a critical and commercial failure. The film was criticized for its poor acting and lack of faithfulness to the source material.

The 1995 Mortal Kombat movie was an adaptation of the popular fighting game of the same name. The film was directed by Paul W. S. Anderson and starred Robin Shou, Linden Ashby, and Bridgette Wilson. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, the movie was a box office success and grossed over $122 million worldwide.

 

 

Angelina Jolie ups the ante, but the two Tomb Raider are still rather average

 

The next video game to be adapted was another best-seller franchise: Tomb Raider. Two Tomb Raider movies were made starring Angelina Jolie: “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider” (2001) and “Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life” (2003). They were based on the popular video game franchise of the same name. Both films were commercial successes but received mixed reviews from critics.

In “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider,” Jolie played the iconic character of Lara Croft, a skilled and adventurous archaeologist who embarks on a journey to recover a powerful ancient artifact. The film featured action-packed sequences, as well as a touch of fantasy, as Croft battled against a secret society in an effort to save the world. The movie was praised for its visual effects and Jolie’s performance, but criticized for its lack of character development and a weak storyline.

In “Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life,” Croft sets out on a new mission to find Pandora’s Box, a powerful artifact said to hold the key to eternal life. The film was a more ambitious effort, with a larger budget, and improved action sequences and visual effects. However, critics felt the movie suffered from a convoluted plot and a lack of emotional depth.

Both films were criticized for their lack of depth in the story and character development, and for focusing more on action and visual effects. Despite these criticisms, the films were successful at the box office and helped to establish Jolie as an action star. The movies were not critically acclaimed but it was a commercial success and loved by the audience.

Overall, the two Tomb Raider movies starring Angelina Jolie were a mixed bag of success. They were able to capture the spirit of the video game series and deliver thrilling action sequences, but they did not live up to their full potential when it came to story and character development.

A more successful Tomb Raider video game adaptation is the 2018 film with the same title, which starred Alicia Vikander as the iconic character Lara Croft. The film grossed over $275 million at the box office and was met with positive reviews from critics. It was praised for its action sequences and Vikander’s portrayal of Croft, as well as its faithful adaptation of the source material.

 

 

Mediocrity abound, but Resident Evil still gets its paycheck

 

The Resident Evil franchise has had a long history in the entertainment industry, starting with the survival horror video game series in 1996 and branching out into multiple adaptations, including six live-action movies and a recently-cancelled Netflix series.

The Resident Evil movies, directed by Paul W.S. Anderson and starring Milla Jovovich as the protagonist, Alice, followed the story of a corporation known as the Umbrella Corporation and their creation of bioweapons which leads to a zombies outbreak. The movies were a financial success and grossed over $1 billion worldwide, but were criticized for deviating from the source material and for their over-the-top action sequences.

The Netflix series, simply titled “Resident Evil,” was released in 2020 and was a reimagining of the video game series. The show received generally negative reviews from critics and fans alike, criticized for poor writing, weak performances, and a lack of connection to the source material. Despite its negative reception, the show was cancelled after one season.

Overall, the Resident Evil franchise has had a mixed reception across its various adaptations. While the movies were financially successful, they were criticized for straying from the source material. The Netflix series, however, was not well received and was criticized for its poor writing, weak performances and lack of connection to the source material. The series was cancelled after one season despite being a reimagining of the video game series. The franchise continues to be popular but this adaptation was not well accepted by the audience.

 

 

Assassin’s Creed: the next “leap of faith”… leads to a big fall…

 

The 2016 Assassin’s Creed movie, directed by Justin Kurzel and starring Michael Fassbender, was an adaptation of the popular video game series of the same name. The film followed the story of Callum Lynch, a descendant of a secret society of assassins, who uses a device called the Animus to relive the memories of his ancestor, Aguilar, in 15th century Spain, in an effort to discover the location of the Apple of Eden, an ancient artifact said to hold the power to control free will.

The film was met with mixed reviews from critics and a mixed reception from audiences. Some praised the film’s action sequences and visual effects, while others criticized the movie for its convoluted plot and lack of character development.

Despite its mixed reviews, the film was not a box office success, grossing $240 million worldwide against a budget of $125 million.

Overall, the Assassin’s Creed movie adaptation was a commercial failure and received mixed reviews from critics. The film was criticized for its convoluted plot and lack of character development. While it had some good action sequences and visual effects, it was not able to capture the spirit of the video game series and failed to connect with audiences.

 

 

“You know? For kids.”

 

The movie adaptations of the popular video game franchises Ratchet and Clank and Sonic the Hedgehog are examples of child-friendly adaptations. The Ratchet and Clank movie, released in 2016, follows the titular characters as they save the Solana Galaxy from an evil chairman. While the animation and voice acting in the movie are well-done, it received mixed reviews from critics.

Sonic the Hedgehog, released in 2020, is a live-action adaptation of the classic platforming game series. The movie follows Sonic, as he teams up with a small-town sheriff to stop the evil Dr. Robotnik from using Sonic’s powers. The movie received mixed reviews and it was criticized for the design of the character of Sonic before it was redesigned. The sequel, “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” released in 2022, also received mixed reviews and it was criticized for its lack of originality.

Overall, both Ratchet and Clank and Sonic the Hedgehog movie adaptations are targeted towards children, with their action-packed and humorous elements, but they failed to fully capture the essence of the original game. They also faced the common challenge of adapting non-linear narrative of the game into a linear one for the movies. The adaptations were commercial successes but received mixed reviews from critics. They were also criticized for their lack of faithfulness to the source material. These examples showcase the difficulties in adapting video games to other mediums and the importance of staying true to the source material.

 

 

The Witcher: only partly a video game adaptation

 

The Witcher Netflix series is a fantasy drama based on the book series of the same name by Andrzej Sapkowski. It follows the adventures of Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter known as a witcher, as he navigates the politics and conflicts of the continent. The series is only partly a video game adaptation, as it draws its inspiration from the source material rather than the games.

As of 2023, there have been two seasons of the show, with the third one set to premiere shortly. The first season was generally well-received by audiences and critics, but the second season received a more mixed reception among fans.

The series stars Henry Cavill as Geralt, and has also featured a number of notable actors in supporting roles. However, it was announced that after the third season, Cavill will be replaced by Liam Hemsworth. The reasons behind this change are not yet known. Despite the mixed reception of the second season and the upcoming change in the lead actor, fans are eagerly awaiting the release of the third season and the continuation of the story.

 

 

Uncharted: a mediocre attempt to adapt a beloved game franchise

 

The long-awaited Uncharted movie starring Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg is finally in cinemas. The film, based on the popular video game series of the same name, follows the adventures of treasure hunter Nathan Drake and his mentor Victor Sullivan as they embark on a dangerous journey to uncover a historical conspiracy.

One of the film’s biggest problems is casting Tom Holland as Nathan Drake. Although Holland is a talented actor, his portrayal of Drake lacks the charm and wit for which the character is known. Holland’s Nathan Drake seems more like a generic action hero than the charismatic treasure hunter we know and love from the games. Mark Wahlberg’s portrayal of Victor Sullivan, aka Sully, is similarly disappointing. Wahlberg’s Sully is not the wisecracking and dour mentor we know from the games, but the usual Mark Wahlberg.

The story of the film also falls short, with a convoluted and pointless plot that fails to capture the sense of adventure and discovery that the games are known for. The pacing of the film is also a problem, with slow moments that drag on and an over-reliance on CGI action sequences.

On the positive side, Antonio Banderas gives a good performance as the main villain and the action scenes in the film are well done. However, these positives are not enough to save the film from general mediocrity.

Overall, the Uncharted movie is a missed opportunity to adapt a beloved franchise. It fails to capture the spirit of the games and delivers a generic and forgettable action movie experience. Fans of the series may be disappointed, but the film may also appeal to those unfamiliar with the games.

 

 

Halo: the Xbox game adaptation is another mixed bag

 

Halo, also known as Halo: The Series, is an American military science fiction television series developed for the streaming service Paramount+ and based on the popular video game franchise of the same name. The series premiered in 2022 and follows a 26th-century war between humanity and the Covenant, an alien alliance determined to eradicate the human race. Despite featuring a talented cast and impressive visual effects, Halo received mixed reviews and reactions from fans.

One of the main challenges of adapting video games to other mediums is the need to create a cohesive narrative while still staying true to the source material. This is particularly challenging for open-world games like Halo, which are designed to allow players to explore and discover the story at their own pace. In the case of Halo, the series creators decided to create a standalone story within its own “Silver Timeline” that is separate from the core canon of the franchise. This decision was met with mixed reactions from fans, with some praising the creative freedom it allowed and others criticizing it for not staying true enough to the original source material.

Another challenge of adapting video games to other mediums is the need to create engaging and satisfying action sequences. While the series featured impressive action scenes, some critics felt that it fell short in this regard, failing to capture the same level of intensity and excitement as the video game series.

Overall, Halo is a mixed bag when it comes to video game adaptations. While it features a talented cast and impressive visual effects, it struggles with staying true to the source material and creating engaging and satisfying action sequences. It’s not a bad show but not a great one either.

 

 

The Last of the Video Game Adaptation is the Savior?

 

The most recent adaptation is the HBO series The Last of Us which was released in 2023 and is based on the video game of the same name. The series was critically acclaimed and praised for its acting, direction, and faithfulness to the source material. The series follows the story of Joel, a smuggler, and Ellie, a teenage girl, who must journey through a post-apocalyptic world overrun by a deadly fungus.

The series, which stars Pedro Pascal as Joel and Bella Ramsey as Ellie, follows the journey of two survivors in a world overrun by zombies-like creatures caused by a fungal infection. The casting of Pascal and Ramsey, both of whom have experience in fantasy and action-adventure series, was a wise choice and the actors deliver powerful performances.

One of the key strengths of The Last of Us is its ability to effectively convey the emotional weight and intensity of the game’s story. The series manages to capture the game’s relentless darkness and unflinching humanity, making it a standout in the zombie genre.

The series also benefits from the involvement of Craig Mazin, the writer behind the critically acclaimed Chernobyl miniseries, and Neil Druckmann, the creator of the original game. Together, they were able to create a truly cinematic and immersive experience, one that feels true to the game while also standing on its own as a compelling piece of television.

However, it is not without its flaws. Some viewers may find the pacing to be slow and the series can be quite gruesome at times, which may not be for everyone. Additionally, the series does not offer much new to those who have played the game, but for those who have not, it provides a fresh and exciting viewing experience.

Overall, The Last of Us on HBO Max is a welcome addition to the world of video game adaptations. It manages to capture the emotional intensity and cinematic scope of the game, while also standing on its own as a gripping and powerful piece of television. It may not be perfect, but it is a significant step in the right direction for the often-maligned genre of video game adaptations.

 

 

A very tough challenge to make it good

 

In conclusion, video game adaptations have been a popular topic in the entertainment industry for decades, but the success of these adaptations has been varied. The challenges of adapting video games to other mediums such as film and television are vast, as the mediums are vastly different and the elements that make a video game engaging and enjoyable can be difficult to translate to a film or television show. Furthermore, the majority of video games are not written with a linear narrative in mind, which can make it difficult to craft a cohesive narrative for a film or television show.

The first video game adaptations like Super Mario Bros, Street Fighter and Double Dragon were critically and commercially failures, with the exception of Mortal Kombat. The Tomb Raider movies starring Angelina Jolie were commercial successes but received mixed reviews from critics. The Resident Evil movies were financially successful, but were criticized for straying from the source material. The recent Resident Evil Netflix series was not well-received and was cancelled after one season because they were a bloody mess.

Overall, while some video game adaptations have been successful, the majority have struggled to capture the spirit of the original source material and connect with audiences. It’s a challenging task to adapt a video game to a movie or series, but with the right approach and the right team, it’s possible to create a successful adaptation that appeals to both fans of the game and new audiences.

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