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Over the last few years, TV shows based on video games have been on the rise, with major hits like The Witcher and The Last of Us captivating audiences around the world. What was once considered a risky genre to adapt has now become a growing trend, with more studios investing in bringing beloved gaming stories to the small screen.
Video game adaptations matter because they bring well-loved stories and characters to life in new ways, expanding their reach to broader audiences. For the gaming community, these adaptations are a chance to see their favorite worlds translated into another medium, while general audiences get to experience the depth of storytelling that games offer—even if they’ve never picked up a controller.
In this blog, we’ll explore both successful and unsuccessful video game TV adaptations. We’ll take a look at what worked for shows like The Witcher, Arcane, and The Last of Us, and examine where others like Resident Evil and Halo fell short. Finally, we’ll dive into what’s next for this trend and highlight some upcoming shows that are generating buzz.
Evolution of Video Game TV Adaptations
Early Failures
In the early days of video game adaptations, many shows struggled to capture the magic of the source material. Shows like Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat: Conquest failed to resonate with audiences due to poor storytelling, limited budgets, and a lack of understanding of what made the games compelling. These early failures set a precedent that video game adaptations were difficult to get right, often falling short in terms of quality and fan satisfaction.
New Wave of Adaptations
In recent years, a new wave of video game adaptations on TV has redefined what’s possible, with Arcane, The Witcher, and The Last of Us leading the charge. These successful video game TV shows have proven that with the right mix of faithful storytelling, character depth, and high production values, video game adaptations can thrive on television.
Arcane, for example, impressed audiences with its unique visual style and emotional storytelling, while The Witcher struck a balance between catering to fans of the games and books, as well as new viewers. The Last of Us elevated the genre even further, staying true to its source material while expanding the narrative in a way that connected deeply with both fans and critics alike.
This trend shows that TV shows based on video games are evolving, learning from past mistakes, and successfully blending the immersive storytelling of games with the broader appeal of television.
What Worked: Successful Video Game TV Shows
The Witcher
The Witcher succeeded largely due to its strong character development, engaging storytelling, and immersive world-building. The series took the complex lore of the Witcher universe and made it accessible to both fans of the games and newcomers. The intricate relationships between characters like Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri added emotional depth that resonated with viewers, while the world-building brought the fantasy setting to life in a visually compelling way.
The show’s appeal lies in its ability to attract both hardcore fans of the games and those unfamiliar with the source material. By balancing epic fantasy action with character-driven drama, The Witcher managed to capture the interest of a broad audience. Its mix of monster hunts, political intrigue, and emotional storytelling helped it stand out as one of the best video game TV adaptations.
Arcane
Arcane broke new ground with its stunning visual style and deep storytelling. The series used a distinctive art style that combined 2D and 3D animation, which captivated audiences and set it apart from other animated shows. The deep lore of the League of Legends universe was masterfully adapted to create a narrative that was accessible to both fans of the game and new viewers, making it a standout example of how to translate game content into a compelling TV format.
One of the most impressive aspects of Arcane is how it took a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game, which typically lacks a linear narrative, and crafted a rich, character-driven story. By focusing on the origins of iconic characters like Jinx and Vi, the show added layers of depth to the game’s lore, which helped it resonate with a wider audience. This effective cross-medium storytelling was a key reason behind Arcane’s success and why video game TV adaptations succeed when done thoughtfully.
The Last of Us
The Last of Us succeeded by staying remarkably faithful to its source material. The series retained the emotional depth and complex storytelling that made the game so beloved.
By focusing on the relationship between Joel and Ellie, the show was able to capture the heart of the original story while adding new layers to the characters and world. The careful attention to detail, from the iconic scenes to the character arcs, made it one of the best video game-to-TV series adaptations ranked among the most successful.
What Didn’t Work: Unsuccessful Video Game TV Shows
Resident Evil (Netflix)
The Resident Evil Netflix series struggled to capture the essence of the beloved video game franchise. One of the primary reasons for its failure was the lack of true horror—a key element that made the games iconic. Instead of focusing on atmospheric tension and scares, the show leaned heavily into action sequences that lacked the suspense fans expected. Additionally, the plot was inconsistent, often jumping between timelines in a way that felt disjointed and confusing for viewers. This lack of cohesive storytelling made it difficult for audiences to stay engaged.
The show’s reception was largely negative, with fans criticizing its deviation from the core elements of the Resident Evil games. Many felt that the characters were underdeveloped and the narrative failed to honor the franchise’s roots. Mixed reviews and poor fan reception highlighted the series’ inability to deliver on its promise, ultimately labeling it as one of the worst TV shows based on games.
Halo
The Halo TV adaptation was another example of a show that failed to connect with its core audience. One of the biggest missteps was the significant deviation from the game’s storyline, which alienated long-time fans. The show took liberties with the established lore and portrayed characters in ways that felt unrecognizable to those who had invested years in the franchise. The decision to focus on plot elements that diverged from the original games led to a disconnect between the adaptation and its fanbase.
Another major criticism was the lack of character development. Master Chief, an iconic figure in the gaming world, was depicted in a way that stripped him of the mystery and depth that made him beloved. This failure to stay true to the source material and provide compelling character arcs left many viewers disappointed and serves as an example of why video game TV adaptations fail.
Key Elements of Successful Adaptations
Staying True to the Source Material
Staying true to the source material is often a key factor in successful video game TV adaptations. The original lore and characters are what draw fans to the game in the first place, and adapting these elements faithfully can help ensure the series resonates with its intended audience. The depth of character relationships and the unique world-building present in the original games are crucial to maintaining fan interest.
The Last of Us is an excellent example of this, as it managed to retain the emotional depth and story arcs that made the game a classic. By focusing on the core relationship between Joel and Ellie, the adaptation successfully brought the game’s powerful narrative to the small screen. Similarly, Arcane stayed true to its characters from League of Legends, developing their backstories in a way that felt authentic to fans while also making them accessible to new audiences.
Expanding the Universe Thoughtfully
Successful adaptations often expand on the universe of the original game without alienating the core fanbase. This means adding new content that feels natural within the established lore while providing fresh material that keeps audiences engaged.
The Witcher managed this effectively by incorporating storylines and character developments that were not explicitly covered in the games, thus offering something new for fans while staying true to the spirit of the source material. For example, the series provided more background on Yennefer’s origin and delved into her journey in ways that enriched the story, adding emotional weight without straying too far from the established narrative. This careful expansion helped to provide depth and keep viewers interested, whether they were familiar with the games or not.
Key Elements of Failed Adaptations
Lack of Cohesive Storytelling
A major reason why many video game TV adaptations fail is due to a lack of cohesive storytelling. The Resident Evil Netflix series is a prime example of this issue. The show struggled with an inconsistent tone, often oscillating between action, drama, and horror without finding a balance that worked. This made it difficult for viewers to understand the show’s identity, ultimately leading to confusion and disinterest. The disjointed plot structure and poorly developed character arcs made it hard for audiences to become emotionally invested in the story.
Misunderstanding the Audience
Another key element of failed adaptations is misunderstanding the expectations of the audience. The Halo TV series failed in this regard by deviating significantly from the game’s established lore, alienating hardcore fans who had invested years in the franchise. By attempting to cater to a broader audience without preserving what made the games special, the show ended up satisfying neither long-time fans nor new viewers. The lack of alignment with fan expectations, particularly regarding the depiction of iconic characters like Master Chief, left many feeling disconnected from the adaptation.
Future of Video Game TV Adaptations
Upcoming Shows to Watch For
As video game adaptations continue to gain traction, there are several highly anticipated projects on the horizon that have fans excited. Among the most notable are God of War and Bioshock. Both of these upcoming video game TV shows have the potential to capture the magic of their source material while bringing something new to television audiences.
God of War is poised to be a major hit, given the franchise’s rich mythology and compelling character arcs. The relationship between Kratos and Atreus offers a deep emotional core that, if handled correctly, could make for a powerful television experience. The show has the opportunity to blend action, drama, and mythology in a way that stays true to the essence of the game while expanding its narrative scope.
Bioshock is another highly anticipated adaptation that has the potential to break new ground in the world of video game TV shows. With its unique blend of dystopian storytelling, atmospheric horror, and philosophical themes, Bioshock could become a standout adaptation if it captures the eerie, thought-provoking nature of the original games.
Successful shows like The Witcher, Arcane, and The Last of Us thrived by staying true to their source material, focusing on character depth, and expanding the universe in thoughtful ways. On the other hand, unsuccessful adaptations like Resident Evil and Halo failed due to issues like inconsistent storytelling and a misunderstanding of audience expectations.
What are the best TV shows based on video games?
Some of the best TV shows based on video games include The Witcher, Arcane, and The Last of Us. These shows succeeded because they stayed true to their source material, offered compelling character development, and provided high-quality production that appealed to both gamers and general audiences.
Why do some video game TV adaptations fail?
Video game TV adaptations often fail because they do not stay true to the original story, lack cohesive storytelling, or misunderstand the expectations of the audience. Shows like Resident Evil and Halo suffered from inconsistent plots, character misrepresentation, and deviation from the core elements that made the games successful, leading to disappointment among fans.
What are upcoming video game TV adaptations to look out for?
Upcoming video game TV adaptations to look out for include God of War and Bioshock. Both shows are highly anticipated by fans and have the potential to deliver compelling narratives that stay true to the essence of their respective games while bringing something fresh to TV audiences. These adaptations are expected to release in the coming years and are generating significant buzz for their potential to succeed where others have struggled.
We’d love to hear from you—what are your favorite or least favorite video game adaptations? Which upcoming adaptations are you most excited about?
If you enjoyed this post, please comment, share, and let us know your thoughts on the future of video game adaptations.
