There have been many video game adaptations for the silver screen, but few have actually achieved success. If anything, a successful video game movie is an anomaly. The following video games may seem like great starting points for a movie, but any actual adaptation would likely be a failure.
1. Mass Effect Series
There are few games as beloved as the Mass Effect series from Bioware. With excellent companions, a galaxy-spawning plot, and incredible voice acting, this space opera has something for everyone.
Due to its RPG-like nature with its Paragon/Renegade system and its branching story, it’d be impossible to make a movie that would satisfy all the fans. Even just choosing what ending to go with in Mass Effect 3 would be a nightmare, let alone which romance to portray for Shephard.
Mass Effect remains a series that might be best left as a video game.
2. Dragon Age Series
Another massive hit from Bioware is Dragon Age. There’s no question that there’s a ton of movie potential from any of the Dragon Age games. Netflix even has its own anime related to the universe.
However, an actual movie depicting the games would be a disaster. There is so much choice in Dragon Age that this is another game that would likely anger fans. One choice that someone didn’t make for their own game would likely make them disconnect from the movie as a whole.
RPGs, clearly, are tough to adapt to the big screen.
3. Overwatch
Let’s be honest here. Not even Blizzard can keep its own story straight with its hit game, Overwatch. There would have to be a lot of work done before a movie could even begin shooting.
4. The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim
Most gamers want a 1:1 adaption of a video game. They want to relive the moments they played by watching it occur on the big screen. Skyrim is a beloved game that helped change the world of RPGs.
Unfortunately, because of its huge scope, it would be a very, very, very long movie. Not even a trilogy would likely cover every quest and storyline in the game.
Some games are just too big for movie adaptations.
5. Baldur’s Gate 3
Paramount already proved that it could make a great movie based on Dungeons & Dragons. However, a movie based on Baldur’s Gate 3 is out of the question. Baldur’s Gate 3 is the ultimate RPG. It has tons of different choices, dialogue options, and ending variations.
It’d be impossible for a director and writing team to choose a route that pleases everyone. Baldur’s Gate 3 is definitely a game best left as it is.
6. Kingdom Hearts Series
If you have patience, then playing Kingdom Hearts is a gem. Its Disney and Final Fantasy twists are all well and good, but the story driving the game is what really makes it special. That said, the plot is extremely dense with spanning threads that just wouldn’t make it work as a movie.
A game series like Kingdom Hearts would require several movies and maybe even a few TV shows to fully capture and break down the winding plot of the games.
It’s a heavy investment that few studios would be willing to make or pull off.
7. Grand Theft Auto Series
A game that has its share of content controversies would never make it into today’s cinemas. With an emphasis on grit, violence, crude humor, and sexual content, Grand Theft Auto is very much an adult game.
It’d be difficult to make and market the movie without it being either banned or canceled by internet denizens.
8. Portal Series
One of the most beloved games to come from Valve is Portal. It’s a unique puzzle game with some unique and memorable characters. However, because the game relies on interaction, it’d be a pretty passive and boring experience for audience members.
The first few puzzles might be interesting, but considering the entire game is a puzzle, you can be sure the glean would wear off quickly.
9. Fallout Series
Now, here’s the thing with Fallout. As a television series with several seasons, this might just work. However, as a singular movie, or even as a trilogy, Fallout would not work well as a movie. There’s just too much lore, plot, and characters to cover in a single film.
You also run into the risk of angering fans when you choose certain plot endings that they didn’t choose. In a game that’s very much “Choose Your Own Adventure,” taking the choice out of a movie audience’s hands can make Fallout less engaging.
10. Sons of the Forest
Horror games typically fall flat on their face when it comes to movie adaptations. The Forest and its sequel, Sons of the Forest, would likely follow suit. Although the plot of the game is interesting, its focus is on survival. Adapting a movie of Sons of the Forest is possible, but there may not be enough content there for a full-fledged film.
That might lead writers and directors to invent some new lore. No fan enjoys new lore invented by adaptations.
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