Video game adaptations have been a popular genre in Hollywood for years, offering captivating stories with built-in fan bases. While they can be well-received, achieving success with these adaptations can be challenging. Despite this, recent hits like Pedro Pascal’s The Last of Us and Jonathan Nolan’s Fallout, starring Ella Purnell and Walton Goggins, have garnered praise. However, these are just the recent examples of the acclaimed adaptations in the genre.
5 Forgotten Video Game Adaptations
Jonathan Nolan’s Fallout has reignited discussions surrounding video game adaptations. Based on the game series of the same name, the show has garnered widespread acclaim for its cast performances, execution, and immersive world-building, portraying the aftermath of dire consequences.
With a second season already confirmed, fans eagerly await the continuation of the story and character arcs. In the meantime, while awaiting the return of the post-apocalyptic series, viewers can indulge in other noteworthy adaptations that are worth revisiting.
Tomb Raider (2018)
Released in 1996, the action-adventure video game Tomb Raider quickly became a hit. With its female lead character, it seemed ripe for a Hollywood adaptation, drawing parallels to the beloved on-screen adventurer Indiana Jones. The game spawned three cinematic adaptations, initially featuring Angelina Jolie and later Alicia Vikander in the titular role.
While the earlier movies faced criticism for their portrayal of the game’s essence, the 2018 installment is often regarded as the most faithful adaptation. Despite underperforming at the box office, it succeeded in capturing the essence of the game franchise and earned praise for staying faithful to the source material.
The Tomb Raider film series is available to stream on Prime Video.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
Based on the action role-playing video game Cyberpunk 2077, the animation series developed by Trigger garnered widespread critical acclaim upon its release. Praised for its ability to capture the essence of R. Talsorian Games while carving its own narrative path, the show is hailed as one of the best video game adaptations to date.
The show follows David, a street kid navigating the futuristic, technology-driven metropolis of Night City as he embraces the life of an edgerunner. Fans have lauded the series for its gripping storytelling and fidelity to the source material. Boasting strong character development, realistic consequences, and exploration of societal themes, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners shines as a testament to the success of adaptation.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is available to stream on Netflix.
Mortal Kombat (2021)
Similar to Tomb Raider, Mortal Kombat has undergone multiple adaptations, with the 2021 film standing out as a faithful adaptation compared to Paul W. S. Anderson’s 1995 version. This recent installment offers a more faithful portrayal of the game series, featuring a diverse cast, accurate depictions of fatalities, an R-rating, and closer adherence to the source material.
Despite these improvements, the film did not fare well commercially or critically. However, a sequel to the 2021 movie is currently in development, marking the fourth installment in the franchise. Simon McQuoid is set to direct, with Lewis Tan set to reprise his role as Cole Young.
Mortal Kombat (2021) is available to stream on Max.
Castlevania
While numerous video game adaptations have often struggled to meet expectations, Netflix’s Castlevania has also earned its place among some of the best video game adaptations for its adept handling of the source material while forging its own path.
With its compelling characters, plot, and stunning animation, the series creates a rich and engaging narrative. Based on Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse and Castlevania: Curse of Darkness, the series ran for four successful seasons, even earning a spin-off series, Castlevania: Nocturne, released in 2023.
Castlevania is available to stream on Netflix.
Arcane
Based on Riot’s League of Legends universe, Arcane primarily focuses on the intertwined stories of two iconic characters, Jinx and Vi, as they navigate the complex and often violent city of Piltover and its oppressed underbelly, Zaun. The show received praise for its cast’s performance and for being an enhanced adaptation.
Exploring complex themes like social inequality and technological dependence, the series not only performed exceptionally well among the fans of the game series, but it also gained the attention of people who have not been familiar with the League of Legends.
Arcane is available to stream on Netflix.
