Best Film-to-Game Adaptations of All Time
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- Category: Blogs
- Published: Tuesday, 25 April 2023 23:23
When a film succeeds at the box office, viewers want more content to sink their teeth into. After all, if an intriguing story, setting, and characters have been introduced, then a two-hour film won’t be enough for voracious fans as they await a second release.
If a project is successful enough, then creators will work with other groups to create branded content. Even something like a Happy Meals theme from McDonald’s could be a callback to a blockbuster hit, along with other merchandising and retail products. The more popular a film, the more varied these experiences become.
But maybe the ultimate sign of success for a film franchise is earning a video game adaptation. If a film’s story is compelling enough, then video game developers can provide a second life for the story—one which players can control themselves. While many fans cross their fingers for video game releases, not all hit the mark.
Let’s cover some of the best film-to-game releases of all time, starting with shorter mobile and browser titles.
Short Games
Not all game releases are longer console or PC titles. In fact, some are short and sweet. For example, online casinos like FanDuel offer dozens of slots for players to choose from. Alongside titles like blackjack and roulette, slots are incredibly popular. Unsurprisingly, film hits aren’t uncommon in the world of slots.
Movies like JURASSIC WORLD, JUMANJI, and THE GODFATHER have all been immortalized as slot games—and that’s just to name a few. Meanwhile, mobile games take a more literal approach to their film counterparts. Marvel Contest Of Champions, for example, lets players step into the shoes of their favorite superheroes to battle it out.
However, none are quite as developed as the titles listed below, which are considered some of the industry’s best film-to-game adaptations.
James Bond 007: GoldenEye
Back in 1997, only one year after the film’s release, this video game left its mark on the gaming industry. At the time, the concept of first-person shooters (FPS) hadn’t been developed. There was no Halo, no Call of Duty. And it was GoldenEye that first introduced gamers to the first-person perspective of shooter games.
Not only did this steer the industry and introduce a compelling new format for shooter games, but the game was also a hit for its mission-based levels. They faced off against recognizable villains with unique weapons that fit in Bond’s super-secret-spy arsenal.
Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor
Compared to the other titles on this list, Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor takes a less literal approach to its source material. Rather than following the storyline of one of the JRR Tolkien books or films, this project lets players step into the shoes of Talion, a character on his own unique journey to discover the origins of the Rings of Power.
The game introduced a highly compelling nemesis system, which ranked all the enemy orcs that Talion faces. Players can even infiltrate enemy ranks, gaining intel that will help them complete their next mission. Combining elements of open-world and sandbox games, it drops players straight into the middle of a highly compelling Lord of the Rings world—one that uses interpersonal politicking as a core feature for either success or defeat.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Hailed as one of the best video game releases in the last ten years, this project went above and beyond a simple movie adaptation. Unlike other adaptations, this project truly puts the power in the player’s hands by letting them steer the storyline through dialogue-based decisions. On top of that, they have the freedom to choose missions and roles.
Viewed in this way, the game doesn’t just let players step into a highly believable Star Wars world—it lets them forge their own path to discover what kind of character they would be within that world. This is a top-tier fan experience for anyone in love with George Lucas’s space opera, even if they're not overly familiar with console or PC gaming.
