Five Legendary Movies Based on Video Games

We can all agree that adapting a video game into a movie is a complicated task, but the main choice that directors have to make and that viewers actually see on the screen is the following. Either to stick closely to the source material and risk alienating casual viewers, or take creative liberties and risk upsetting devoted fans.

(Funnily enough, when directors decide to take creative liberties and start messing with the core strengths of the game that already has thousands of fans, casual viewers often also do not enjoy it that much.)

The catch is that video games offer really immersive experiences and have many crucial aspects that are not easy to transfer to the movie, but that are completely important for conveying the value of the story and atmosphere. Many emotional journeys that video game players share with the characters of the game cannot be translated to a movie experience. However, when the adaptation is successful, both gamers and casual viewers are likely to enjoy it.

For video game fans, watching a beloved title turned into a movie is both exciting and nerve-wracking. They often hope to see their favorite characters and storylines brought to life, but too often, too many things get lost in translation. Even when a director tries to follow the source material closely, they can still end up losing the emotional depth. However, what gamers definitely don’t want is just visual references, but the atmosphere and the pacing. Even some branded games at online casinos Canada sometimes manage to convey the mood better than an expensive Hollywood movie.

In this article, we take a closer look at five well-known movies based on video games – Silent Hill, Resident Evil, Tomb Raider, Prince of Persia, and Assassin’s Creed – and how their creative decisions shaped fan reception.

The Haunting Locations of “Silent Hill”

Influenced by the legendary survival horror video game series, The Silent Hill movies have received mixed reactions from all types of viewers – gamers, critics, and casual audiences. The very first movie from 2006 is often paused for its immersive haunted visuals and recognizable unsettling style. Borrowing heavily from the initial two games, especially in terms of the foggy atmosphere of psychological terror, it also introduces new storylines and gives a fresh perspective. The change of the game’s male lead character with a mother on a quest with her adopted daughter seems to create even more emotional background for a deeper connection with the story. The movie successfully conveys the aesthetics of Silent Hill, even though it combines the two games.

The second movie, Silent Hill: Revelation (2012), is not as popular. It makes an effort to adapt Silent Hill 3, but all the effort is lost mainly in the rushed storytelling. The character development is also underrepresented, thus depriving the viewers of the psychological depth that is significant for the games. The storytelling intricacy is definitely lost on this one.

While the games explore themes of trauma, guilt, and internal struggles, both movies still focus more on superficial horror elements.

“Resident Evil”: The Core Strengths Missed

The Resident Evil movie series, which started in 2002, significantly diverges from the brilliant survival horror franchise. The games generally focus on slow exploration, lack of resources, and the tense atmosphere of survival, while the movies just jump through the basic story in the fast-paced action thriller style.

Moreover, the movies lack the legendary characters that many game fans hoped to see, and instead feature mostly Alice, the main character.

It is fair to say that the very first movie still maintains some recognizable features, such as the Umbrella Corporation and zombie outbreaks, at the same time bringing in some new storylines and characters. However, already in the first movie, we see the stylized fighting as a priority over the game’s signature subtle horror atmosphere.

The subsequent movies wander even further away from the games, jumping from action sequences to worldwide disasters and back, with characters lacking any comprehensive depth or connections.

Even to a casual viewer, it quickly becomes clear that the movies seem to overlook something very important; without knowing the games, it is hard to catch the meaning of the movies that becomes more blurred with every next movie, and eventually becomes boring.

Gamers, on the other hand, quickly understand that the movies lack the tension of the bio-organic horror grounded in strong narratives and eerie settings.

Rather, the movies emphasize spectacle rather than depth.

“Tomb Raider”: From the 90s to Reboot

The Tomb Raider movies have experienced numerous adaptations. The series started in the late 90s – early 2000s, with Lara Croft being featured by Angelina Jolie, embodying the actual movie style of the late 90s. This includes exaggerated action, exotic settings, and backgrounds, and the “larger-than-life” personality of the main character, together with some clichéd dialogue sequences.

Jolie’s acting definitely embodies the game’s character’s confidence and athleticism, but the movies were criticized for superficial, predictable, and shallow storytelling.

The 2018 reboot featuring Alicia Vikander was based on the game’s 2013 reboot. The main character was portrayed as a more realistic, clever, and vulnerable person. The movie expands more on the backstory – still very clichéd though – but also manages to represent the darker mood of the game. It dives deeper into personal growth, connection, and survival. The pacing was still quite inconsistent.

All three movies, however, completely lack the puzzle-solving catch that the games are famous for. 

The Creative Liberties of the “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time”

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is based on the well-known 2003 video game. On the surface, the movie represents several key aspects of the game, like the parkour-inspired action, ancient Persian visuals, and the concept of time-bending. However, the movie interprets the characters and narratives too loosely.

From the viewpoint of a gaming fan, the movie lacks in multiple aspects. The original Sands of Time game became so popular for its narrative that actually sticks together, interesting main character, and groundbreaking game mechanics focused on reversing time. The characters are way more morally nuanced than in the movie.

Even the romantic connection between Dastan and Princess Farah is based on shared development in the game, and is diminished to just a boring standard story in the movie.

Visually, the movie manages to reflect the action scenes and the acrobatic essence of the game. However, both the emotional richness and the philosophical quality were lost.

“Assassin’s Creed” – Visually Stylish But Emotionally Hollow

The Assassin’s Creed movie of 2016 was an attempt to adapt the famous game franchise. The movie seems to focus on the fundamental concepts of the game, including the combination of cutting-edge technology and the ancient background of the story.

The historical action and contemporary conspiracy are certainly a good mix, and they still work in the movie to a certain extent.

However, many fans and also casual viewers felt that it was insufficient. The contemporary plot overshadows the film, often sacrificing the more captivating historical scenes. The narrative lacks cohesive development, and the viewers quickly get lost and confused in the story.

The movie is quite attractive visually, but it fails to portray the richness of the game, including the philosophical elements. All the missions are squeezed into standard action and dialogue. Eventually, the movie is a striking visual experience, but it lacks emotional depth so badly that many viewers fail to explain what it is eventually about.