Everyone knows that film adaptations of books can be a bit hit and miss, but when an adaptation of a video game is announced there is typically an overwhelming sense of nervousness because more often than not, game adaptations are not received well by critics and audiences alike.

Almost like the morbid curiosity that we feel when driving past a car accident, there is something magnetic and intriguing about the overall ‘badness’ of these adaptations that keeps us coming back for more, stemming sequels, franchises and remakes alike.

Therefore in this post I want to share with you my ten favourite game-to-film adaptations. Enjoy!

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10. Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)

Sonic is a hedgehog with special speedy powers who, after fleeing his home world, befriends a small-town sheriff. (James Marsden) Together they must defeat the evil genius Dr Robotnik (Jim Carrey) and scupper his plans for world domination.

“Confidence… a fool’s substitute for intelligence.”

9. Assassins Creed (2016)

Through a revolutionary technology that unlocks genetic memories, Callum Lynch (Michael Fassbender) is able to relive the life of his ancestor Aguilar de Nerha in 15th century Spain. Within these memories, Lynch learns he is descended from an ancient order of Assassins who, for generations, have been protecting a special artefact, the Apple of Eden, from the Templars. Along the way, Callum learns that the fight is still ongoing to this day and he must call upon his newfound skills and knowledge to continue the work of his ancestors.

“We work in the dark to serve the light. We are assassins.”

8. Doom (2005)

After research and communication stops at a remote scientific research facility on Mars, an elite Rapid Response Tactical Team are deployed to neutralise whatever threat may be out there. Despite their massive amount of firepower, they are faced with creatures hellbent on death and destruction and are picked off one by one.

“Kill them all, let God sort them out.”

7. Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001)

Lara Croft (Angelina Jolie) is an orphaned British aristocrat and fearless archaeologist who must team up with her enemies in order to find an artefact that controls time before it falls into the hands of the Illuminati. However, time is not on their side and they must find the artefact in time for a planetary alignment that only occurs every 5000 years.

“But time was stolen from us and its not fair”

6. Silent Hill (2006)

Rose’s adopted daughter Sharon suffers from night terrors and often screams out about a place called ‘Silent Hill’. Desperate to help her daughter, Rose (Radha Mitchell) takes Sharon to Silent Hill and finds herself trapped in an alternate reality of ash, monsters and cultists.

“Evil wakes in vengeance. Be careful what you choose.”

5. Need for Speed (2014)

Two years after being framed, by his partner, for a crime he did not commit, street racer Tobey Marshall (Aaron Paul) enters a secretive, high-stakes race in order to seek redemption and recognition, but above all, he wants the chance to enact revenge on the one who set him up.

“Racers should race, cops should eat donuts.”

4. Rampage (2018)

Primatologist Davis Okoye (Dwayne Johnson) shares a special bond with an albino silverback gorilla called George but when a genetic experiment goes awry and George is infected by a dangerous pathogen, along with two other creatures, Chicago becomes a battle ground and Davis must work with a team of geneticists to help save his friend.

“If animals like you, they lick you. If animals hate you, they eat you. You always know where you stand.”

3. Warcraft (2016)

When the orc world of Draenor becomes uninhabitable, a powerful warlock creates a portal to the world of Azeroth but when the humans who inhabit there do not appreciate being invaded and fight back. But when corruption is discovered the orcs and humans must unite in order to bring peace to their lands.

“If you truly love someone, you’ll go to the ends of the Earth to find them.”

2. Tomb Raider (2018)

Acting as an origin story of sorts, the 2018 adaptation of the Tomb Raider story sees Lara Croft (Alicia Vikander) push herself beyond her limits in a quest to find out the truth about her father’s mysterious disappearance. Along the way, she discovers a talent for archaeology and begins to earn her name of ‘tomb raider’.

“All myths are foundations of reality.”

1. Resident Evil (2002)

After a virus is inadvertently released within an Umbrella Corporation secret underground facility called ‘The Hive’, turning infected staff and lab animals in hungry zombies, the artificial intelligence system, the Red Queen, shuts the facility down and releases a lethal gas, killing all those still alive. An elite military unit, along with an Umbrella Corporation security guard called Alice (Milla Jovovich), must infiltrate the facility in order to shut down the computer and escape the Hive before the virus reaches the surface, and the rest of the world.

“You’re all going to die down here.”

So there you have it, my ten favourite film adaptations of video games. Do you have a favourite, let me know?

Until next time… x