If you’re reading this post, chances are you are a big fan of both video games and films. When I was doing research for this article I found that many of my favourite films already have a game version but most of them simply suck. They were either rushed through production to take advantage of the hype of the film or created as merely an add-on to the movie. I think if film-to-game transitions were created to stand on their own two feet, we might have had some more excellent games on our shelf. Here is a list of ten movies I think have the chance to become exceptional games.
Hanna (2011)
Hanna is the result of a top secret government experiment to tweak foetuses to become the ultimate soldiers. As a baby she is saved and raised by a skilled CIA operative to become the perfect assassin, with one goal in mind, to kill Wiegler who originally ran the soldier breeding program. The Hanna film would effortlessly transition into a game. There is an abundance of action that can be brought in and the idea of slaughtering trained masses of government agents with a fifteen year old girl sounds thrilling. With Hanna’s training in both hand-to-hand combat and various weaponry there will be a great deal of both shooting and close combat, a combination I’ve always enjoyed in games (Sleeping Dogs, Mirror’s Edge). The film also takes us through quite a few changes of scenery which I think would add an entertaining and appealing aspect to the game as I easily get bored of constantly running around the same environment and facing the same obstacles. I’m sure if this ever becomes a game it has a very good chance of becoming a firm favourite.
Constantine (2005)
What I love about this character is that he is not your normal hero, but the epitome of an anti-hero. Sure he has the qualities of a hero such as fearlessness and courage. But all his heroic acts are based on his selfish desire to secure his own place in heaven. What’s not to like? I would love to play as the chain smoking exorcist, Constantine. We’ve had our share of morally conscious good guys. It’s time for that breed of bad-ass hero that doesn’t have a problem with smashing his fist into an angel’s face. Constantine would do well as a game as it takes place in LA, making it an easy environment to relate to. At the same time we are taken on a journey as LA is turned into a demonic playground when creatures from Hell start entering Earth. You will be faced with a variety of sinister monsters and demons. But not to worry, you have a network of halfbreed angels and demons on your side not to mention an arsenal of arcane weaponry including a cross shaped holy shotgun and dragon’s breath. Constantine can become an exceptionally twisted esoteric shooter if given the chance. This is a title I can’t wait to see.
Kill Bill (2003-2004)
“The Bride” a.k.a “Black Mamba”, an ex-member of an assassination squad, seeks revenge on her former colleagues for trying to kill her... on her wedding day. The leader of this group is Bill, the protaganist’s main target. The overexaggerated gore and disturbingly eccentric characters of Kill Bill become quite inviting when one considers a video game version. There are two directions I can imagine a Kill Bill game title going. It could be created as an RPG, absorbing you into the plot and letting you follow in the footsteps of the tenaciously talented assassin, “The Bride”, as she sets off on her katana slashing journey to slay Bill. Then you can go the direction of a one-on-one fighter game. This will enable you to face all the characters as “The Bride” or allow you to fight as one of them, an attractive prospect I think. With the abundance of vividly unique characters, it would be a highly entertaining fighter game. Both ways I think are a feasible and viable venture for game developers and I’m sure it would result in an extremely satisfying gaming experience.
Priest (2011)
Priests are the legendary warriors who defended mankind from a vampire threat in a century long war. Some years after the end of the war reports of vampire attacks once again surface, forcing the Priesthood from retirement. I can easily see this film become a brutal epic. Priests are experts in close combat, especially when wielding their divine daggers. This could translate into an orgy of violently pleasant combos, much in the spirit of Devil May Cry. Your enemies also aren’t your normal pretty boy vampires but rather a deformed cross between a flesh hungry walrus and a Borderlands’ Skag. Except for fighting these beasts you will also face your old comrades, fellow Priests who have been ordered to exterminate you. Add in the prospect of achievements to complete and an online leaderboard and you will quickly see the gaming world competing to become the most superior Priest of all. There are a number of ways this game can be approached. But whichever way a game developer chooses to go, I’m sure it will produce an addictive, bloodthirsty game.
Mission Impossible (1996-2011)
After all these years of being treated to extravagant explosions, mind-blowing action scenes and tense undercover infiltrations, I would have thought that by now we would see a decent Mission Impossible title. I’m sure I’m not the only one who would like to walk in the shoes of spy legend, Ethan Hunt, snapping necks or choosing from a huge arsenal of unique spy gear to eliminate threats and complete missions. It sets a platform that can combine some of gaming’s most attractive elements such as skillful close combat, infiltration by means of either stealth or undercover identities and high tech weaponry. These are just a few examples. Mission Impossible has the potential to become one of the best spy games of all time. It truly baffles me that it hasn’t already.
Book Of Eli (2010)
Set in a postapocalyptic world, you follow the story of Eli as he makes his way west, as instructed by a divine voice, to deliver a mysterious book. There are a few reasons this would make a great game. There is an enchantingly barren beauty to the post apocalyptic environment, perfect for a free roam RPG. It is filled with action, particularly Eli slashing his enemies with a machete in each hand. There is a trade system where items of interest act as currency, an aspect that could add a very distinctive edge to the game. Most importantly, it has an immersive plot, which is necessary to compete with the well written, story-driven games of late (Bioshock, Mass Effect, Dishonored). If game designers take all this into consideration and put in some hard work and effort the result may be a brilliant, multifaceted adventure game.
Inception (2010)
Inception is one of my all time favourite movies. It’s about a group of military and architectural experts that create realistic dream worlds with the sole purpose to infiltrate and manipulate a person’s mind a.k.a. inception. The movie was heavily action driven, which is a good start when thinking about turning it into a game. But there are other elements that would make this a menacing delight such as travelling between reality and dream worlds; gravity shifting battles; cautiously playing conversations to calm down the Inception target and shooting down whatever defences his mind constructs. I would move away from the film’s plot as not to get stuck in a play by play gaming account and to rather enjoy an original narrative loosely based on the basics of Inception. I wouldn’t mind playing with the same characters in a different story, maybe predating the original. This would mean a title that can stand on its own feet and not exist in the shadow of the film. These are but a mere few aspects that would add to a thrilling and unique action game.
Sherlock Holmes (2009)
We all probably know of Sherlock Holmes. He is the eccentric British private investigator who is a master of disguise, expert at logical deduction and is quite handy with a pair of fists. Although there is a popular series of Sherlock Holmes case solving games, I believe that it’s time for a change. The latest Sherlock Holmes films provide such a great formula for a weird and wonderful third-person adventure game I think the possibility should definitely be explored. Picture yourself playing as the unusually odd yet brilliant detective, solving twistingly complex conspiracies set in the grandiose late Victorian England. The plot is captivating, filled with vibrant characters and menacing villains. The environment feels alive as you roam in the England of the late 1800’s, accepting small cases on the side to earn cash to prepare yourself to solve that one great conspiracy. I would want to experience this game. Although the movies provide a perfect platform for a game, I would create an original storyline either predating or following the event of the films. If the time and effort is put into this title to compete with the latest graphics and playability we would be left with a memorable addition to our gaming vault.
Descent (2005)
Descent was a truly suspenseful thriller about a group of friends who reunite to explore an unmapped cave together. They become trapped and later discover that they share the unknown darkness with flesh eating humanoids. This is a plot that sets a great platform for a survival horror game. You will be armed with nothing but a headlamp and a pickaxe as you explore a vast cave system. Your final goal is to find an exit. Obstacles preventing you from reaching that goal include total darkness, flooded caves, friends turned enemies and the cave’s carnivorous inhabitants, disturbingly blessed with supersonic hearing and cave scaling claws. There are a few interesting aspects of the film that could be used to great effect in the game. The humanoids are blind, only responding to sound and scent. This could add a unique stealth element to the game, requiring you to sneak around and use mud pools to cover your scent. Although this is only briefly what I have in mind it’s not hard to see that this could become a chillingly pleasant game.
Braveheart (1995)
Braveheart is one of the most epic films ever to land on screen. It tells the story of William Wallace who freed 14th century Scotland from the tyranny of English rule. The storyline is strong and deep, you are treated to some epically brutal battles and by the end of the movie you will think William Wallace to be the greatest hero ever to live. Now imagine you can play as Wallace, the long-sword wielding warrior, who harbours no fear and reserves no mercy for his enemy. Imagine galloping on your steed through the lush landscapes of medieval Scotland, completing missions to unite the Scottish clans and face the English threat. Most importantly, imagine taking down hordes of enemies with a string of hack and slash combos. Mix this all together with a brilliant storyline and you have the recipe for a RPG classic.
Book Of Eli
Images via IMDB.com
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