Video game adaptations are often a failure. At least in the cinema. And apart from a few counterexamples like Mario or Unchartedvideo game adaptations are clearly not unanimous. Paradoxically, on the small screen, we are still treated a little better. With series like Arcane or The Last of Usseries adaptations of video games are generally better handled. The proof with these 8 examples:
Halo
Halo, it was the flagship license of the X-box. It is perhaps even the most emblematic franchise in the history of video games in terms of FPS. The first part, released in 2001, became a absolute reference in the genrethanks to its physical, intense and ultra-fluid gameplay, and thanks to a science fiction universe perfectly written and developed over the course of the opuses. In total (not counting the derivative games) the saga Halo account 7 shuttersthe last of which was released in 2021. Fans have been asking for a film adaptation for a very long time. Unfortunately (or fortunately?), you will have to make do with the small screen. Developed in 2022 by Kyle Killen and Steven Kanethe series unfortunately never manages to fully achieve the intensity of the video game. Taken by Pablo Schreiberthe show manages to recreate the atmosphere and the universe of the game quite well. But the plot, too long, and the aesthetics sometimes a little cheap, failed to really pay homage to the exclusive video game of the box. And even if the series is nothing to be ashamed of, perhaps we expected too much. Too bad, because we love our Master Chief John-117.
The Witcher
Since 2019, the series The Witcher is developed on Netflix. To the base, The Witcherit is a series of novels written by Andrzej Sapkowski. Faced with the success of this modern heroic fantasy story, CD Projekt Red decided to produce its own video game franchise adapted from The Witcher. From 2007 to 2015, three video games The Witcher saw the light of day. Faced with the importance of this universe in modern pop cultureNetflix decided to seize the myth and distribute its own series The Witcher. For the occasion, Henry Cavill becomes the face of Geralt of Rivia. Even if the series is led by a classy artistic direction that matches its ambition, The Witcher doesn't seem to last long. Fans seem less excited about this season 4, which will suffer from the departure of Henry Cavill, replaced by Liam Hemsworth. And then, to choose, we prefer the animated film The Witcher: The Wolf's Nightmarealso produced by Netflix.
Fallout
Released this year on Prime Video, Fallout knew how to find its audience. Developed by Lisa Joy et Jonathan Nolan, Fallout could already count on a largely convincing cast dominated by Ella Purnell et Walton Goggins. To the base, Fallout is therefore a Post-apocalyptic RPG which takes place in a retrofuturistic universe inspired by the 1950s. The player wanders through a dystopian version of America, plunged into post-nuclear war chaos. Without mentioning the derivative games, Fallout is currently constituted 6 opus which span from 1997 to 2018. A cult license which has therefore been relatively well respected by Amazon.
Gangs of London
And yes, the recent series of Gareth Evans is adapted from a video game. Created in 2020, the English series, led by Joe Coleis a muscular action proposition that takes place in the depths of London crime. To caricature, it's a bit Peaky Blinders contemporary on steroids. The video game, perhaps a little less known to the general public, is an action-adventure game developed by SCE London Studio and distributed by Sony. It was released exclusively on PSP a 2006. Just like the series, the game's plot is set in a dark and violent London, in which the gamer must choose a gang of their choice to conquer the city. As for the series, it is available in full on Canal+.
Cyberpunk : Edgerunners
Released in 2022 on Netflix sous la direction de Yoshiki Usa et Masahiko Ootsuka, Cyberpunk is a muscular and aesthetically superb animated series, which is a worthy heir to cult productions like Akira or Ghost in the Shell. Video game derivative Cyberpunk 2077the series tells the story of a street child who tries to survive in a futuristic city obsessed with technology and transhumanism. In just 10 episodes, Cyberpunk has established itself as one of the essentials of the year 2022 on the big N platform. Cyberpunk 2077for its part, was created in 2012 by CD Projekt Redthe Polish studio which also created the famous series The Witcher. Announced in 2012, the project was long overdue since it only saw the light of day in 2020 after numerous postponements. Its launch was at the heart of controversies and complaints from players linked to certain bugs, certain disappointing performances, and an aesthetic which sometimes lacked finishing touches. The game also made the news thanks to the presence of Keanu Reeveswho played Johnny Silverhand, a rebellious, anti-corporation rocker. A tantalizing RPGwhich unfortunately did not completely convince. There remains the series, which is of excellent quality.
Castlevania
From 2017 to 2021, Warren Ellis developed an animated adaptation of Castlevania. Available on Netflix, the 4-season series recounts the violent adventures of Dracula, who, after the assassination of his wife, decides to take his revenge on the people of Wallachia. On the other side, magician Sypha Belnades, demon hunter Trevor Belmont and Dracula's own son join forces to bring peace. Originally, Castlevania is a legendary series of video games produced by the Japanese studio Konami. The very first part of Castlevania was born in 1986 on the NES. The games (there are more than one thirty) are famous for their gothic atmosphere, their intense explorations, and thanks to gameplay that mixes action and platform games. Since 2020, Konami has released several retro collections of Castlevania for modern consoles, but there haven't been any big new games since Lords of Shadow 2 (2014).
The Last of Us
We're back to live-action with the famous adaptation of The Last of Us. Taken by Pedro Pascalthe series, which currently only has one season, has been a huge success. Developed by Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazinit must be said that the series respects its base material enormously. Produced by Naughty Dog and distributed by Sony, The Last of Us released in 2013 on PlayStation 3 and instantly becomes cult. In a post-apocalyptic world devastated by infected, the gamer follows Joel and Ellie: a man broken by the loss of his daughter and a teenager immune to infection. The game mixes exploration, survival, and close combat with infected people. An artistic direction that the series has managed to reproduce with great fidelity. In 2020, PlayStation releases a second partwhich takes place 5 years after the events of the first game. Currently, HBO working on season 2 of The Last of Us which should be released sometime in 2025.
Arcane
This is relevant with the release of season 2 of Arcane on Netflix right now. But Arcane is perhaps the best video game adaptation on the small screen (and perhaps even in general). Developed by Riot Games, Arcane takes place in the universe of League of Legends. If the series is anchored in this emblematic environment, the story prefers to focus on characters, timelines and events which are not greatly developed in the games. Arcane explores the conflicted relationship between two sisters: Vi and Jinx. We won't tell you more, because we are sure that you have already devoured the first 3 episodes of season 2 of Arcane, already available on Netflix.
