Not All Video Game Adaptations Are Terrible: The Best Ones That Prove It

'Mirai Ninja' Is the First Video Game Adaptation

With every eagerly awaited adaptation of a game for the big screen, there is always a lingering question: "Will this finally be the one that impresses?" It's hard to forget the disappointments of House of the Dead, BloodRayne, and Alone in the Dark, which left such a negative impact on our perception of the entire genre. However, if we detach ourselves from the expectation that each adaptation must be the groundbreaking first, we can discover a few hidden treasures.

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The video game movie genre had a strong start with Mirai Ninja (also known as Future Ninja: Stealth Joy Cloud Device Side Story), a direct-to-video release in 1988 that was based on an arcade game by Namco. This film marked the directorial debut of Keita Amemiya, a highly acclaimed visual artist who was never deterred by limited budgets when it came to his imaginative projects. The costumes, creatures, and weapons in Mirai Ninja are intricately designed, blending elements of science fiction absurdity with the aesthetics of feudal Japanese architecture. Despite its DIY charm reminiscent of films like The Evil Dead and El Mariachi, Mirai Ninja fully embraces its own unique identity. The performances are genuine, and the sword fighting sequences are expertly choreographed, enhanced by laser light shows and explosive action.

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'Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie' Is Surprisingly Violent

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For any avid anime enthusiast, Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie (or simply Street Fighter II: Movie, as displayed on the title card) holds a significant place alongside the countless OVAs and films of the ‘80s and ‘90s, such as Akira, Ninja Scroll, Lily C.A.T., and Cyber City Oedo 808. The initial scene bears a stronger resemblance to Fist of the North Star rather than any subsequent live-action adaptation of the long-standing fighting game franchise. Consequently, this movie showcases an unexpected abundance of blood, in addition to the notoriously controversial shower scene featuring Chun-li. Moreover, it even possesses those inadvertent attributes, like the underlying homoerotic undertones depicted in the robust camaraderie between Ken and Ryu. Such stylistic elements were characteristic of that era, and Street Fighter II wholeheartedly fixates on the portrayal of the male physique. Half-naked bodies dominate the screen, each character more muscular than the previous one. DJ, in particular, exhibits a physique that oddly brings to mind Rob Liefeld’s rendition of Captain America.

Despite lacking irony, the absence of concern for absurd costumes among famous characters and the minimal plot, the movie does not fail to deliver intense, action-packed fight scenes showcasing distinctive styles and powers. However, it feels more like a prolonged first act, building up to an island tournament that never materializes. While some fan favorites receive their fair share of screen time, the movie disappoints in the treatment of its main character. Chun-li, for instance, spends a significant portion of the film in the hospital after a fight where she is both inadequately dressed and too evenly matched with Vega. It becomes evident that this adaptation of a fighting game operates under different rules and expectations, ultimately leaving viewers unsatisfied.

'Doom' Boasts Now-Household Names Karl Urban & Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson

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Before becoming a household name, Karl Urban portrayed John "Reaper" Grimm in the 2005 Doom movie. Originally based on the film Aliens, the game has come full circle with this story of space marines battling monsters in narrow corridors. Directed by action veteran Andrzej Bartkowiak (who may or may not have also directed Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-li), the movie follows a simple and satisfying formula. Additionally, it features a refreshing departure from his usual roles with "The Rock" engaging in a superpowered WWE brawl with Urban.

While the demon-infested world of Doom 3 was visually stunning thanks to Stan Winston Studios, the game was not exactly exemplary. John "Reaper" may be the Doomguy, but only in the sense that he is a character in the Doom universe. This film represents the abandoned trajectory of the franchise before the reboot series transformed Doomguy into the Doom Slayer, recapturing the essence of the original games with their heavy metal aesthetic. Instead, Doom takes on a borderline horror movie vibe, but still manages to be an entertaining addition to the B-movie genre, fitting in well with films like Dog Soldiers and Predators.

'Castlevania' Spawned a Netflix Spin-Off

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Travel back in time to 2016 and announce to anyone that "the Castlevania show will be exceptional," and the expressions on their faces would tell the whole story of the remarkable success that Castlevania has become on Netflix. With an incredible voice cast and guided by Adi Shankar, the series has transformed the horror genre of Castlevania into a gripping and coherent narrative. Originally intended as a live-action film trilogy, the animation style of Castlevania lends itself perfectly to intricate creature designs and intense, bloody action. Out of all the unique content that Netflix has acquired over the years, from The Dark Crystal to Spriggan, nothing was more unlikely than the triumph of Castlevania.

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‘The Witcher’ Is Both a Book and a Game Adaptation

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The Witcher may be an exception. It's not that it wouldn't be successful, but rather that it would be incredibly successful. This Netflix series is the second attempt at bringing Andrzej Sapkowski's fantasy novels to life, with the previous attempt, The Hexer, not being well received in Poland. While technically not a game adaptation, it's worth mentioning for fans of CD Projekt Red's trilogy. Those games, particularly The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, were highly praised for capturing the essence of the books and establishing a point of reference for future adaptations. The show itself offers impressive fight scenes and introduces breakout stars like Anya Chalotra as Yennefer and Freya Allan as Ciri. Watch it on Netflix.

Alicia Vikander Elevates the 2018 'Tomb Raider' Adaptation

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The 2018 Tomb Raider is an adaptation of a textbook. The game Lara Croft: Tomb Raider stood out for two reasons: interactivity and the popular polygonal makeup of the titular heroine. Without the gameplay, it becomes a recycled Indiana Jones storyline. The film is actually based on the 2013 reboot, which took a grounded approach inspired by horror films like The Descent to explore Lara's origin. The sassy, busty Lara Croft is no longer present, but instead there is a sympathetic survivor. Despite occasional clashes between gameplay and story, the 2013 game proved to be a strong foundation. This film acts as a second draft, addressing flaws without sacrificing intensity.

Tomb Raider has a unique advantage in the game-to-movie canon: one of the best actors in the industry. Alicia Vikander, who gained 12 pounds of muscle for the role, brings invaluable humanity to the concise script. She understood that her next Oscar wasn't going to be won through a tomb, but surprisingly, her character allows for a wide emotional range. With a talented cast including Dominic West and Walton Goggins, every element, from the script to the direction, is finely tuned to deliver genuine moments of drama.

Most importantly, the film takes a more indirect approach to capturing the exhilaration of the games compared to the impressive first-person shooter scene in Doom. The action sequences effectively convey specific objectives and potential failures, eliminating the need for Lara to speak to herself or rely on objective markers. While screenwriters may worry about adapting characters who are primarily silent, as is the case with Lara in most of the games, language extends beyond mere dialogue. The success of Tomb Raider in this aspect is a testament to its exceptional craftsmanship.

'Mortal Kombat' Enjoys Two Strong Adaptations

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The two Mortal Kombat movies, while sharing a title, represent contrasting sides of a coin or the varied colors of a palette-swap ninja. Arguably, the 1995 original serves as a more superior film, acting as the elusive sequel to Big Trouble in Little China and compactly encompassing the expansive universe of the games within a campy adventure. Conversely, the 2021 reboot, though lacking the presence of the eponymous Mortal Kombat, remains truer to the essence of the franchise, introducing the unnecessary "Arcana" plot device. However, it earns acclaim for its well-deserved R rating and an exceptional cast featuring Joe Taslim, Hiroyuki Sanada, and the audacious Josh Lawson. While not masterpieces per se, both films align with the martial arts movies of their respective eras. The original emanates lightheartedness and amusement, whereas the more recent installment embraces the gore. Both movies warrant viewing and constitute a formidable duology. No other Mortal Kombat films exist, leaving us with a happily-ever-after conclusion.

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'Werewolves Within' Is the Rare Comedy Video Game Adaptation

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Werewolves Within is a rare comedy that takes inspiration from a game, which is not a common source for comedies. The humor in the movie is derived from the chaotic multiplayer gameplay experience of the VR game, released in 2016 for PlayStation 4, Oculus Rift, and HTC Vive. Similar to the game Mafia, players gather in a circle and engage in a witty battle of deduction to identify the werewolf among them in disguise. This leads to loud and lively conversations filled with crackling low-quality audio over the Internet. The in-game characters, with their comical appearance, create a delightful contrast with their voices as they passionately accuse one another.

The 2021 film takes the medieval setting and transports it to a snowy Vermont town, while still keeping the comical cast intact. Featuring comedic talents such as Harvey Guillén, Michaela Watkins, and Sam Richardson, the film offers a rare opportunity for Milana Vayntrub to showcase her charm. The filmmakers skillfully capture the emergent comedy within the game and also tap into the inherent hysteria found in contained horror films like The Thing. Just imagine, "I know you gentlemen have been through a lot, but when you find the time, I'd rather not spend the rest of this winter tied to this couch!" It's almost like the perfect idea for a film with a tie-in game, and the ensemble cast delivers the electrifying setup flawlessly.

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‘Arcane’ Is Adapted From the Popular ‘League of Legends’ Game

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Ubisoft supervised and developed the game Werewolves Within, which doesn't guarantee success like in the case of Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within. However, this seems to be the ongoing trend. Riot Games, known for their game League of Legends, successfully ventured into television production with their Emmy-winning show Arcane. Collaborating with Fortiche and creators Christian Linke and Alex Yee, Arcane is widely praised as one of the best game adaptations.

When considering League of Legends from a television perspective, it becomes a complex world where tiny characters shoot laser beams at each other. Who are these characters? Who controls them? And why? Interestingly, there is a rich lore behind the multiplayer online battle arena game, and Arcane effectively showcases the compelling drama within it. The animated visual style adds a painterly touch to the steampunk setting, effectively portraying the emotional turmoil of its central character. Emotion, a rare ingredient in the genre, is skillfully incorporated in Arcane, setting a new standard for future adaptations, when appropriate. And while we anticipate the release of Mirai Ninja 2, Arcane remains a standout achievement.

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‘The Last of Us’ Might Be the Best Video Game Adaption of All

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The Last of Us on Max, starring Pedro Pascal as Joel Miller and Bella Ramsey as Ellie Williams, has delivered an adaptation that may very well be the finest of them all. With intentional and meaningful changes from the source material, the series successfully captivates viewers while maintaining the accuracy of the beloved game's adaptation. Its overwhelming success with audiences has earned it a Season 2 renewal and the Emmy nominations it has received are dispelling the notion that video game adaptations are undeserving of acclaim.

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