Movie Adaptations of Video Games I’d Kill To See


Posted by The Shogun on 05 Dec 2010 / 1 Comment


The video games industry has had a lot of Hollywood attention lately with the movie adaptations to popular games such as Max Payne and Prince of Persia hitting the mainstream in recent years. Now with the much anticipated future release of Uncharted hitting cinemas in the near future, it looks like this trend is set to continue. The overwhelming popularity of video games of late has made the film industry sit up and start creating movie adaptations of our favourite video games. However as many people will know, this has been a far from successful process and in parts have been poorly received by critical fans. Street Fighter – Legend of Chun Li is perhaps one of the worst films I’ve seen in the last few years saved only by a decent cast doing their best, and Max Payne certainly did not live up to the pedigree set by it’s gaming predecessor.

Despite this we live in hope that the film industry will get things right and produce something fitting of the experience we’ve come to expect on our PC’s and gaming consoles. So presented to you are ten video games that should definitely be adapted into feature film.

10.) Mini Ninjas

[note_box]When the Evil Samurai Warlord, with the help of an ancient magic, turns forest animals in to an army hell bent on world domination, Hiro must lead his small band of Ninjas on an exciting journey through a disintegrating world, to battle the magical hordes of twisted Samurai and eventually confront the Warlord in his Fortress of Doom.[/note_box]

Why this would be Awesome

A Pixar animated movie along the lines of Kung Fu Panda and Up could be a great movie for the Christmas holidays. Mini Ninjas would fit the bill because the animation style is both visually stunning in 3D, with some great backdrops on which this adventure animation could take advantage of.

9.) Panzer Dragoon

[note_box]

The game universe is set in the distant future, thousands of years after a great war between humans and their biologically engineered weapons.

By the time of the game, humans have regained some level of organization, forming everything from small tribes to large nations. One nation, The Imperials, have discovered a tower that gave them access to large amounts of ancient weapons which they used to beat back and control the ever-present monsters in the world. The Imperials were corrupted by their power and became conquerors of other people as opposed to liberators from a violent world.

[/note_box]

Why this would be Awesome

A great game on the old Dreamcast machine, I think this deserves a mention as there’s a very deep 10 episode long story that’s both interesting and moving. I think it would be interesting for Joss Whedon to take this down the Avatar way in mixing CGI with live action actors and of course, top quality special effects.

8.) Prototype

[note_box]The game follows the story of Alex Mercer who wakes up on a morgue slab in the basement of Gentek, a large and influential genetic engineering company based in Manhattan. Alex escapes and sets out to recover his memory and find out exactly what occurred. He soon discovers he now possesses powerful shapeshifting abilities that grant him superhuman strength, speed, agility, durability, weaponry and the ability to “consume” people to gain their memories, skills and appearance. With no memory of his previous life, Alex is forced to track down and consume those related to the conspiracy in order to uncover the truth [/note_box]

Why this would be Awesome

Alex Mercer’s confused state of mind would make for a great, audience learns as protagonist learns type of story. One where the details are slowly revealed as Alex finds out more about what’s happening with him. Would be the type of film which would borderline action-horror.

7.) Gears of War

[note_box] The Gears of War series takes place on a fictional Earth-like planet named Sera. The planet had a history of conflict that took Sera to the brink of destruction. This shocked the people into a rejection of their destructive ways, leading to a golden age. The Golden Age came with one key problem: lack of a power source. Humans discovered liquid Imulsion, which flows underground, and became a key.Humans were attacked across the planet by the Locust, a race of beings that dug their way out from underground. It’s from there that you play as  a human soldier on the frontline.[/note_box]

Why this would be Awesome

A testosterone filled game made for men. Sounds just about perfect for Michael Bay. With a female in heavy armor, over the top explosions and ridiculous firefights might just make this a blockbuster hit. Think Starship Troopers but with a lot more grit and a lot more hard hitting bullets.

6.) Grim Fandango

[note_box]Grim Fandango takes place in the Land of the Dead, where recently departed souls make their way to the Ninth Underworld. For sinners, this is a four-year journey made on foot, and many do not complete it, being eaten, “sprouted,” or ending up taking jobs at way-points along the route. However, more virtuous souls receive assistance, the most virtuous getting passage on the “Number Nine” train (“Double N”) that cuts the journey down to four minutes. The travel agents of the Department of Death act as the Grim Reaper to escort the souls from the mortal world to the Land of the Dead, and then determine which mode of transport the soul has merited. [/note_box]

Why this would be Awesome

Done in the style of Corpse Bride, this seems like the perfect fit for Tim Burton. Depicting a dramatic comedy animation of a man’s journey to the Ninth Underworld could certainly hold it’s ground as a very good feel good movie as the audiences feels sympathy for the struggles of this undead character. Would be interesting to have a quick and witty writer to hold this movie in good stead.

5.) Splinter Cell Conviction

[note_box]Sam Fisher is a retired elite Black-Ops agent called the Splinter Cell. Three years have passed since the death of his daughter but Sam Fisher has not finished business. After he gets word of who might have killed her, he goes out on the hunt. [/note_box]

Why this would be Awesome

A classic story of super agent gone rogue. Fill it with some great cutscenes and heartstoppingly tense stealth and I think we’re in the game (no pun intended). Of course there could be a younger “origins” story based on the earlier Splinter Cell games but I feel that Conviction holds the best story of the lot.

4.) Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

[note_box] The player controls the series’ trademark hero, Link, in the land of Hyrule. Link sets out on a quest to stop Ganondorf, King of the Gerudo tribe, from obtaining the Triforce, a sacred relic that grants the wishes of its holder. Link travels through time and navigates various dungeons to awaken sages who have the power to seal Ganondorf away forever. (Story best explained here).[/note_box]

Why this would be Awesome

Probably the most contentious on the list and most fans will argue for it to never hit the big screen but done well and we could be onto something here. The game itself is too long for a single film so perhaps a saga would be more in order? A film going in the line of Lord of the Rings scale might win the fans over but hey, it’s a long shot.

3.) Halo

[note_box]The main trilogy of games center on the experiences of the Master Chief, a cybernetically-enhanced human super-soldier, and his artificial intelligence (AI) companion, Cortana. The Master Chief aids future humanity in battling the Covenant, a theocratic alliance of alien races that worship an ancient civilization known as theForerunners, and a parasitic organism known as the Flood.[/note_box]

Why this would be Awesome

One of the more popular choices on the list I’m sure, the Halo universe is vast. And I mean very vast. There’s a great backdrop to what you experience in the game and this could certainly be exploited in a Star Wars-esque fashion. Of course the iconic Master Chief could always have an origins story and this is what the film could be about. Alternatively a story on the lines of ODST wouldn’t be half bad too. But expect a very Star Wars/ BSG style to the film and we’ve got a sure-fire winner.

2.) Assassins Creed

[note_box]In 2012, Desmond Miles is kidnapped by Abstergo Corporation and is forced to use the Animus, a machine capable of replaying the genetic memories of his assassin ancestors. This then becomes a battle between Desmond and the Templars as he tries to find the legendary “Pieces of Eden”. [/note_box]

Why this would be Awesome

A complex and intricate storyline that should weave audience’s imaginations into the game. Mix in a combination of amazing assassinations in super slo mo, mini twist endings to assassinations could bring an almost Sherlock Holmes feel to a very good action film set in the past.

1.) Mass Effect

[note_box]You take the role of Commander Shepard starship Normandy, the last hope for all life in the Galaxy. Saren, a rogue member of the elite and untouchable Spectre agents, has discovered the secret to unleashing an apocalyptic force upon the galaxy, and only you stand in his way. To save the lives of billions, you must do whatever it takes to stop Saren and prevent the return of an ancient force bent on the destruction of all organic life. [/note_box]

Director: J. J. Abrams

Lead Actor: Matthew Fox as Commander Shepherd

Why this would be Awesome

Hands down one of the best games in the past decade, Mass Effect is amazing in the story it can weave adding a bit of starship fighting, romance and politics and we’ve got the makings of a great sci-fi. The amazing characters portrayed in the film should have Avatar levels of CGI applied for realism with more humanoid species using more innovative make up designs. Think Star Trek (2010) but a totally different universe and amazing visuals.

Notable Mentions

These were some films I considered for making the list however some of them missed out either due to the fact that other movies have been produced and similar to the game or else I’ve not played the game personally therefore cannot vouch for in this article.

  • Diablo
  • Metal Gear Solid (cinematics alone probably rack up to a full length movie
  • Half Life
  • Starcraft
  • Heavy Rain
  • Abe’s Odyssey
  • God of War
  • Bioshock (never personally played so cannot say)
  • Final Fantasy VII (properly based on the game’s story)
  • Enslaved: Odyssey to the West

No doubt a lot of titles in this list will probably never make the big cinematic stage or even be looked at but it’s interesting to ponder and hypothesise. Good news is that there are a few on the list that do stand a good chance of being made and above all else I personally hope that they’re taken seriously and proper effort is given to such great material. The game summaries were mostly taken off Wikipedia and self-written so don’t correct me on any slight storyline absences.

If you think I’ve missed any that you think should have been included or think I’ve made a huge mistake in terms of the list, then leave a comment below and let the debate roll on.

Written by The Shogun

Soul Editor, Writer and Creator of TheUrbanShogun.com