With Uncharted releasing later this month, there’s still an endless list of video games that will likely make their debut to live action in the coming years – and these are only some that we hope to see get the big screen treatment.
Dwayne Johnson recently teased his involvement with bringing “one of the biggest, most badass games to screen,” and gamers everywhere are picking their brains for what this could be – reports are claiming Call of Duty.
With Uncharted releasing later this month, there’s still an endless list of video games that will likely make their debut in the coming years – and these are only some that we hope to see get the big screen treatment.
8 Video Games That Deserve Live-Action Adaptations
Fortnite (2017)
Fortnite took the world by storm back in 2017 with an online battle royale mode. Players could join lobbies solo or co-operatively, looting and constructing areas in a bid to become the last one standing. Surprisingly, there aren’t very many films of this nature but if Fortnite is to arrive on the big screen, it may be something akin to Scott Wiper’s 2007 box office bust The Condemned – which follows a similar narrative only more grotesque and violent.
It’s likely a live-action adaptation of this video game will be lighthearted and comedic given its target audience – perhaps even incorporating popular avatars like Spider-Man.
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (2017)
The Resident Evil franchise hasn’t had much success when it comes to cinematic revivals. In 2002, Paul W.S. Anderson put his own spin on the series, which was met with heavy criticism for stemming away from the source material; the latest attempt to bring the games to life Resident Evil: Welcome to Racoon City remained far more loyal but lacked in depth.
When Biohazard released in 2017, fans were surprised by the darker elements in both narrative and characters, and were gripped by a compelling story that fulfilled traditional horror movie conventions. The seventh instalment could easily be a frightening blend of found footage and creature-feature meets slasher.
Alan Wake (2010)
If Alan Wake were to be adapted it’d probably be into an episodic format. The structure of the game itself is very similar to that of a TV show; consisting of six episodes, Alan Wake features a captivating, well-paced mystery-thriller narrative complete with surprising plot twists along the way.
Playing the game is like watching a limited series – should a network pick it up, HBO looks like the place to go – with an ongoing story driven by a new enigma in every chapter, and also includes its own recap to serve as reminder of past events crucial to progressing forward.
Far Cry 3 (2012)
While Far Cry did receive the feature length treatment – albeit forgettably – in 2008, it was hailed a “box office bomb” and panned by critics. The third instalment to the video game series is arguably one of the strongest entries with a greater focus on storytelling as well as developed characters – secondary antagonist Vaas went on to become a viral sensation in his memorable debut.
Since the character gathered a huge interest at the time, it’d be essential they cast the right person to deliver that monologue – and who better than voice actor Michael Mando?
Life is Strange (2015)
Life is Strange received highly favourable reviews upon its release in 2015. Praised for its particular handling of heavy themes and identity awareness, players would become immersed in how the game twists its time travel components alongside a dark thriller-mystery storyline. The dialogue is perhaps Life is Strange’s greatest weakness, coming across as dated and cheesy – it’s an easy fix for a possible live-action reboot.
Another fantastic aspect of the game is its indie-folk soundtrack; the music captures the tone superbly, working hand-in-hand with the narrative and pacing. Hopefully this is something that would stick should Life is Strange come to the screen.
LA Noire (2011)
L.A. Noire set the bar not just for Rockstar but for storytelling in video games. Set in 1947, the plot follows Detective Cole Phelps work his way up the ranks of the Los Angeles Police Department. Noire itself is a genre that deserves revisiting and this third-person adventure would be a great place to pick up from; while Cole’s intuition for the job heightens, his personal life grows increasingly entangled as he sets out to uncover an old conspiracy theory.
A few plot points and missions closely resemble real-life crimes of the 40s – notably The Black Dahlia – and with plenty to grasp viewers attention, a television format would be the best method to explore these stories.
Tales From the Borderlands (2014)
As far as Telltale goes, Tales From the Borderlands is maybe one of their most underrated video games. There’s a perfect mix of action and comedy in a well-executed, engaging non-linear story that keeps you on your toes. The characters are nothing short of loveable, conveying a powerful, genuine chemistry.
Tales From the Borderlands strongly maintains a Guardians of the Galaxy vibe which could further generate interest in a mini-series as well as appeal to the Marvel audience. Since a sequel to the game isn’t on the cards, it’d be nice to see the story continue through another medium.
Outlast (2013)
Abandoned asylums are never good news – they’re catnip for every rogue journalist unfortunate enough to live in a horror universe though. Outlast is a survival-based video game that relies on the protagonist evading and hiding from the asylum’s homicidal residents opposed to fighting them, letting the tension build naturally and creates an authentically terrifying experience.
When it comes to bringing Outlast to life, Mike Flanagan might be the best person for the job based on previous projects and the complex nature of the story.
About Uncharted
Street-smart Nathan Drake (Tom Holland) is recruited by seasoned treasure hunter Victor “Sully” Sullivan (Mark Wahlberg) to recover a fortune amassed by Ferdinand Magellan and lost 500 years ago by the House of Moncada.
What starts as a heist job for the duo becomes a globe-trotting, white-knuckle race to reach the prize before the ruthless Santiago Moncada (Antonio Banderas), who believes he and his family are the rightful heirs. If Nate and Sully can decipher the clues and solve one of the world’s oldest mysteries, they stand to find $5 billion in treasure and perhaps even Nate’s long-lost brother…but only if they can learn to work together.
Uncharted hits theaters on February 18th.
Jenna is a Film and Visual Culture graduate and freelance entertainment writer from Scotland. Her passion lies with TV and horror, where she will take any opportunity to geek out. Jenna spends her free time binging shows and looking to be spooked.