Alex "Raoom" Sukhanov To the great delight of gamers, video games are inspiring many directors to create film adaptations. This trend started not so long ago, and 2024 has brought us plenty of excellent films that are definitely worth watching for fans and beyond.
Let's set aside gamepads and keyboards for a moment and watch something on the big screen. Prepare some popcorn and a few hours of free time—we will look at the main new releases of films and series based on video games.
Best Series Based on Games
Let's start with series, as they have captured a large part of the gaming community. Believe me, there's plenty here to spend dozens of hours on!
Fallout
The release of this series was a landmark event for both gamers and viewers. Until then, the first season of The Last of Us held the top spot, but Fallout has every chance to take the title of the best video game adaptation.
Of course, fans had doubts about whether the creators could convey the atmosphere of post-apocalyptic madness, but against all odds, the series turned out to be amazing. Brutality, dark humor, and attention to detail are all present in full measure. Yes, the series reflects the realities of Bethesda's 3D game series, although much references New Vegas, especially the end of the first season.
The designers put in particularly great effort, so an attentive viewer will find hundreds of references and accurately recreated symbols from the games, such as weapons, costumes, and the famous "Red Rocket" gas station. I was left speechless by the power armor—it’s incredibly cool!
Critics and viewers received the series with enthusiasm, and the creators have announced that a second season is definitely coming—which is very pleasing. You can learn more about the series in my separate article.
Arcane Season 2
On November 9, 2024, the second season of Arcane—an animated series in the League of Legends universe—premiered on Netflix. We have been eagerly awaiting this, and many even counted the days until the premiere. Essentially, it's a unique project that introduces the LoL universe even to those who are not familiar with the game.
The series, first and foremost, stands out for its unique visual style that captivates from the first frames. The magic lies in the combination of 3D and 2D graphics, which we have never seen on the big screen before. For fans of visual style, Arcane will be a true feast for the eyes.
As for the plot, you have a serious, dramatic story that is suitable for viewing even by an adult audience. Sometimes the plot twists are so unexpected that you want to cry and scream! The second season clearly maintains the tension of the previous episodes and increases the dynamics even more. Despite being told that the franchise would end, the creators have announced the continuation of the story of Jinx and Vi.
Halo Season 2
Following the trend, in 2024 another franchise was expanded with a second season—the Halo series. The adventures of Master Chief continue after the climactic action scene at the end of the first season. Overall, the series did not become as popular as previous projects, but it has built its own fan base. An updated team worked on the continuation, and this is immediately noticeable when watching the new episodes.
A pure action genre takes a backseat, and instead, the continuation is filled with more personal problems of the characters. Understandably, as the "Silver Team" is pulled from the front lines. This is where John’s entire inner world is revealed, which definitely benefits the unfolding events.
What Video Game-Based Films Were Released in 2024?
In the realm of feature films, it was quiet, as only one movie was released. There were rumors about the release of God of War and Return to Silent Hill, but they did not come to fruition.
Borderlands
Talks about adapting the crazy shooter started back in 2011, but the franchise was expanded with new games, the lore grew, and the production of the film adaptation turned into a complete nightmare. However, this moment came, and in 2024 we saw Pandora on the big screens.
The film turned out to be ambiguous, so it cannot be called very good or very bad. If you are a die-hard fan of the game series, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed, as your beloved world was trimmed, crumpled, and redone. Fans especially did not like the casting, particularly concerning Lilith.
However, those who are not familiar with the games can quite enjoy the action and humor. The closest obvious parallel is Guardians of the Galaxy. Though unlike Marvel's creation, Borderlands does not have a deep plot, as the games themselves cannot boast a complex story. It turned out to be just a fun action movie that you can watch with company and laugh.
These are the kinds of game adaptations that 2024 brought us. Yes, it's a few, but considering that just a couple of years ago we had no choice at all, now the industry is developing and releasing films each year—this is encouraging and gives hope.
Main image: ensigame.com
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