Regarding video game film adaptations, there are various aspects to consider. Some, like the absolute travesty of Borderlands, fall short completely. Despite the collective negative experiences we’ve had from some of these adaptations, there are still games that could potentially make great movies. Recommended Videos include:

Games That Should Be Films

For a video game to be successfully adapted into a film, certain elements are crucial. One of the most important is for the team, especially the director and writer, to have a deep understanding and familiarity with the source material. Many movie adaptations fail at the basic level of catering to the fans due to an inexperienced team. So, take this list as if it were game adaptations made by a film crew that truly loves and knows the source material well:

Shadow of The Colossus

While opinions on Michael Bay may vary, he has delivered outstanding Bad Boys and Transformers movies. Let him loose on the beautiful and epic tale of Shadow of the Colossus, and watch those colossal giants come to life. To make this film work, it’s essential to have a director who can convey a sense of scale. This silent, wordless game tells a profound and heartfelt story of love and determination as the protagonist battles seemingly impossible odds. The game’s barren landscapes and epic battles against ancient gods create a sense of solitude and grandeur that would translate beautifully to the big screen.

Image via Bluepoint Games

The game’s silent narrative and intense battles against massive foes would make for a visually stunning and emotionally engaging film. The solitude and grandeur of the world would add depth and atmosphere to the story.

Nier: Automata

With its complex and winding storyline, Nier: Automata has the potential to be a fantastic standalone movie, exploring the dystopian/utopian world left behind by humans. While there is already a TV series, a condensed and concise film could do an excellent job as well. The interweaving storylines of the three central characters would create an exciting and expansive journey into the world of Yoko Taro. The combination of heartwarming moments and intense action scenes would make for a captivating cinematic experience.

Image via Square Enix

The game’s unique blend of emotions and action would translate well to the silver screen, allowing viewers to immerse themselves in the complex world and characters.

Half-Life

Half-Life has all the elements for a fantastic science-fiction action thriller, including an alien invasion, teleportation, and evil government marines. Gordon is the perfect hero, struggling against all odds and ultimately saving the Earth from an extraterrestrial menace. Half-Life revolutionized gameplay and storytelling, leaving a lasting impact on a generation. With the right direction, the fear, excitement, and thrills of the game could be brought to life on the big screen.

The game’s intense action sequences and gripping plot would make for an adrenaline-pumping movie that would keep audiences on the edge of their seats.

God of War

Father-son coming-of-age stories are always popular, and God of War offers a beautiful and emotional journey. The slow and difficult emotional growth of Atrius and Kratos explores themes of grief, past actions, and the need for love and approval. And of course, there are the epic fight scenes with a massive axe. A God of War movie could capture the emotional and visual journey of the father and son, with stunning shots and moments of melancholy. However, it wouldn’t be a true God of War film without including the intense fight choreography, which could be achieved with the help of an expert like Iko Uwais.

The game’s emotional depth and intense action would make for a compelling and memorable movie adaptation.

GTA IV

While other GTA games have been adapted or inspired by movies like Scarface and heist films, GTA IV offers a unique gangster story set in the gritty city streets. Niko Bellic’s hard life and lack of redemption make for a bleak and depressing narrative. GTA IV would create a film that showcases the seedy underbelly of the city and the struggles of its characters. It could be a refreshing and thought-provoking take on the genre, appealing to those who enjoy darker and more realistic stories.

Image: Steam

The city’s grey and wet atmosphere would add to the film’s mood and authenticity, making it a distinct and memorable cinematic experience.

Red Dead Redemption

Red Dead Redemption would be the perfect video game adaptation to bring back the Western movie genre to a modern audience. Rockstar has crafted an amazing storyline in their immersive and action-packed games, and both the first and second games have many moments that could easily be transferred to the silver screen. The development team’s ability to create cinematic pauses and emphasize the beauty and drama of the scenes would make for a visually stunning and engaging film. The Western setting and themes would resonate with audiences, providing a nostalgic and exciting adventure.

Screenshot by Destructoid.

The game’s rich storytelling and beautiful landscapes would create a visually captivating and emotionally engaging movie that would appeal to fans of the Western genre and action-adventure films alike.

Bioshock

Bioshock is a game that cries out for a horror movie adaptation, with its scary underwater god complex, mutant creatures, and claustrophobic tunnels. The games are filled with atmosphere and style that would translate terrifyingly to the screen. From the intricate Rapture architecture to the terrifying Big Daddies and Little Sisters, Bioshock has all the elements for a spine-tingling horror film. The tight and often leaky tunnels of Rapture would provide the perfect setting for some truly terrifying set pieces.

Image via 2K Games.

The game’s horror and suspense would make for a gripping and terrifying movie that would keep audiences on the edge of their seats.

Gears of War

Post-apocalyptic, alien-slaying war movies are always exciting, and Gears of War would be a great video game movie adaptation. The over-the-shoulder duck and cover action in the game is already reminiscent of many war films, and it leaves room for epic bullet-strewn set pieces. At its core, Gears of War is an action-packed game, but it also has its own aesthetic. The various war zones in the game tell stories, and the war between humans and the Locust has a moral dimension that could add depth to the adaptation. The combination of intense action and unique setting would make for a thrilling and visually impressive movie.

Image: Steam

The game’s action and aesthetic would create a movie that would satisfy fans of the genre and action cinema in general.

Majoras Mask

Everyone loves an underdog story, and Link’s eternal struggles against the world in Majora’s Mask would make for a captivating movie. The surreal setting and wild level design would add to the movie’s uniqueness and quirkiness. With four distinct biomes and a cute but devious antagonist, Skull Kid, who wants to destroy the world with the moon, the game has all the ingredients for a great adventure. It could be a kids’ movie or a more epic Lord of The Rings-style journey, depending on the direction. Guillermo del Toro would likely be a great choice to bring this game to the big screen, given his love for the dark and fantastical.

The game’s unique setting and characters would make for a visually interesting and engaging movie that would appeal to a wide audience.

Bloodborne

For a Bloodborne movie adaptation, it would have to be as miserable and hard to watch as the game is to play. The harrowing stories and hopeless creatures within the narrative need to be portrayed with the same bleakness and horror as in the game. The aesthetic of Bloodborne is dark and gothic, with vast gothic buildings and medieval outfits. The film could likely be shot in many Belgian towns without extensive props or extras. There is as much danger and hopelessness in most parts of London as there is in the game. Bloodborne is already a great tabletop game, and a movie adaptation could potentially explore even more of its dark and disturbing elements.

Image via Nexus Mods

The game’s dark and oppressive atmosphere would make for a challenging but potentially rewarding movie experience.

Dishonored

Dishonored has fantastic worldbuilding and a brilliant narrative that would make for an exciting detective movie full of revenge and politics. The unique city of Dunwall, with its industrial steampunk setting, provides a great backdrop for the story of betrayal and revenge. The contrast between the rat-infested slums and the decadent gentry makes for some interesting settings for Corvo’s stealthy murders. Like Bloodborne, the setting of Dishonored would be perfect for a movie adaptation that could showcase the world’s grandeur and grittiness. The story of Corvo’s fight for justice would be engaging and captivating on the big screen.

Image: Steam

The game’s world and narrative would add depth and intrigue to a movie adaptation that would appeal to fans of mystery and action.

Tony Hawks Underground

Tony Hawks Underground is a rags-to-riches story with a great storyline and memorable characters. Eric, the antagonist, is the perfect villain, constantly causing problems and trying to steal the protagonist’s success. The game has a lot of celebrity cameos that might need some modernization with CGI. The story of the two street kids fighting their way into professional skating is a heartwarming and exciting one that would translate well to the big screen. The amazing tricks, competitions, and photoshoots of the game would make for some fun action in a movie. The McTwist over the helicopter would be a highlight that audiences would surely enjoy seeing on the cinema screen.

Image: YouTube

The game’s energetic and fun atmosphere would make for a movie that would appeal to skateboarding fans and those who enjoy action-packed comedies.

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