By Gianna Mulvey
It’s no secret that video game adaptations are notorious for receiving poor reviews and disdain from fans of their respective series. In recent years, the tide has begun to shift in favor of better adaptations, with hits such as Castlevania, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, and Arcane, which all happen to be animated. The video game adaptations that seem to fail the most, like Silent Hill and the Resident Evil movies, are all live-action. So why are animated video game adaptations so much better than live-action ones? With the recent success of HBO’s The Last of Us, I thought I would share my take on why video game adaptations fail and what can make them successful, as such with The Last of Us.
The biggest reason, I think, for the downfall of video game adaptations is that the creators of the adaptations forget the source material and fail to appeal to or consider the fanbases. The directors of these films and shows get caught up in what they think is a good story while using minimal characters, mechanics, and details from the games. The crews working on these adaptations must get excited to create a film or show based on a famous video game but most likely get caught up in the process of creating something new and quickly begin to lose sight of what makes the games so popular and beloved in the first place. This reason, I believe, is most prominent with the live-action adaptations because live-action is more “Holly Wood” than the animation genre. The animated adaptations can focus on what makes the video games popular and loved because there is little pressure to live up to the standards that live-action films and shows have to.
The Last of Us tv show has quickly become one of the best video game adaptations to date. Fans of the series and newcomers alike can agree that the show is a joy to watch and a marvel in terms of its writing. But why is it so successful? For starters, the director of the game is also one of the directors of the show. Having someone who played a crucial role in the creation of the game working directly on the show is a plain and simple recipe for success. Although the show takes a few steps away from the game, the essence and core of the story are still strongly apparent in each episode. Another reason for the show’s success is that there was no pressure to create more seasons (although it just recently got renewed for a second season) and yield a significant profit. The show’s purpose was to tell an emotional story in a format that nongamers could enjoy and experience. Without the pressures of profit, longevity, and with a director who knows the story of the game inside and out, there was little room for failure for this video game adaptation. Future video game adaptations should definitely note the popularity and success of The Last of Us. The show appeals to multiple audiences and continues to tell a powerful and emotional story that made the game so popular in the first place. With a heap of talented actors, a phenomenal soundtrack, and beautiful sets, everyone should give this show the time and attention it deserves.
