Movie-based games don’t have to be awful, here are 5 games that did it right

Although the fad of adapting every major blockbuster into a video game has died down in recent years, new titles are popping up. In fact, thanks to Dead by Daylight, the new movie-based game trend involves creating asymmetric multiplayer games based on popular horror franchises. For reference, look no further than the upcoming Evil Dead: The Game and recently announced The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.

Although historically, video games and movies don’t often mix well, not all movie-based games games are bad. In fact, some are downright fantastic! So, without further adieu, here are five titles that prove you can make awesome video games based on movies.

Spider-Man 2

Long before Insomniac took a spin at making a game about the web-slinger, Activision and Treyarch set the bar for making a good superhero game in 2004. That year, Spider-Man 2 took the world by storm. From its physics-based web-slinging mechanics to the GTA-inspired open world, this game truly makes you feel like Spidey.

In addition, Spider-Man 2 pairs wonderfully to the film by including and building off major plot points from the story. While the voice acting may not be great by any means, having the actors from the movie retain their roles for the game further builds its charm. Throughout the game, you’ll also face a number of villains ranging from Doc Ock to Mysterio to the time limit on pizza deliveries. Speaking of the pizza levels, who can forget that iconic song?

Ultimately, however, it’s the traversal mechanics that set this title apart as a phenomenal video game. Previous Spider-Man games, including the one based on the first film, featured highly unrealistic web-slinging. Webs attached to thin air, and Spidey was limited to one awkward animation. You couldn’t even touch the ground.

For this game, Treyarch took that template and completely threw it out the window. Now, webs would actually attach to buildings, and you had much more control over how you got around. Add in a large open-world map of Manhattan, and you have the foundations for an unforgettable superhero sandbox.

Spider-Man 2 isn’t just an amazing title on its own either. Apart from being a huge improvement over previous games, this title laid the foundations for nearly every Spider-Man game to follow. For that reason, you cannot understate this game’s cultural and historical influence on superhero and action games that inspire developers to this day. And all that came from a game meant to market a movie.

Scarface: The World is Yours

Put this scenario into perspective for a moment. Brain De Palma’s crime drama Scarface released way back in 1983. Although the cult-classic movie was packed full of action, nobody would have conceived Tony Montana’s story could be faithfully translated into a video game.

Well, in 2006, Sierra and Radical Entertainment came out with the masterpiece nobody knew they wanted. Although some people were quick to dismiss the title as a cash-grabby attempt to copy Grand Theft Auto using a licensed property, those skeptics missed out on a true gem. Scarface: The World is Yours is a fantastic open-world shooter that beautifully captures the feel of the movie.

The game’s story begins on the same iconic scene where the film ends. However, unlike the movie, Tony doesn’t die in a blaze of glory. Instead, he successfully and violently wards off the intruders and manages to escape his mansion.

The rest of the game builds on this “what if” premise by acting as an unofficial sequel. In Scarface: The World is Yours, you have to fight to reclaim the criminal empire in Miami territory by territory. Another amazing aspect of the story is the game’s voice acting. Although Al Pacino does not reprise his role, Andre Sogliuzzo’s stunning impression makes it difficult to spot the difference.

However, Scarface: The World is Yours isn’t just great for its story. The gameplay is just as fantastic. While it’s clear the game takes direct inspiration from the likes of GTA Vice City, it introduces various features that sets it apart. One unique feature within the game’s combat mechanics does a great job of showcasing Tony’s personality.

During shootouts, players have the ability to target specific body parts, as well as verbally taunt your enemies. Doing these actions fills up your “Balls” meter. Once the meter fills up, you go into a blind rage. While in this stage, your perspective switches to first person and you become completely invulnerable.

Alien Isolation is a movie-based game

Although existing in a completely different genre, Alien Isolation is similar to Scarface in that it acts as an unofficial sequel that perfectly capture’s the original film’s aesthetics. Creative Assembly began development on the licensed survival horror in 2008 before eventually releasing it in 2014. The SEGA-published title grew an overwhelming fanbase both for its faithful representation of Ridley Scott’s film, as well as its intense survival horror gameplay.

Alien Isolation successfully expands the story from the original movie by focusing on the journey of Ellen Ripley’s daughter Amanda. Set 15 years after the 1979 film, the game follows Amanda’s journey as she investigates her mother’s disappearance.

Additionally, the game stands apart on its own as a survival horror masterpiece by incorporating all the elements that make the genre work. With the limited resources and ammunition, it’s clear Alien Isolation favors evasion over combat. This results a true nail-biting experience as the horrifically intelligent Xenomorph hunts you down.

It goes without saying that Alien Isolation is the best example of a single-player horror movie adaptation. It’s unfortunate that the game never received the sequel it deserves. Either way, this horror sci-fi title rightfully earns its place as one of the best games based on movies.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

You know what’s more rare than a movie-based game being good? The game being better than the actual film! As uncommon as that is, however, X-Men Origins: Wolverine accomplishes just that.

Where the movie feels like an uninspired and bland attempt at telling Logan’s origin story, the game excels at being a brutally violent hack-and-slash adventure. One of the largest complaints fans had about the portrayal of Wolverine in movies was how nerfed his violent antics felt. It wasn’t until the movie Logan, however, until that problem would be rectified on the big screen.

On the other hand, the video game X-Men Origins: Wolverine managed to capture the brutality of the feral mutant years before 2017’s cinematic masterpiece. While the game follows some of the major plot beats from the movie, it also adds cool new features like the Sentinels. In addition, the shocking at the time M-rating also allows this version of Logan’s origin story to revel in the brutality and gore the character’s known for.

The game also gave fans something else most people wanted to see: Hugh Jackman in the comic accurate costume. Sure, we never got to see it in live action, but with Jackman’s voice acting and the unlockable costume, fans finally got a taste of what could’ve been.

Another gameplay mechanic that makes Origins the definitive Wolverine gaming experience is the healing factor. As Wolverine takes damage in-game, the scars become increasingly visible. From minor cuts to the game full-on revealing his skeleton, players get a great visual of the damage Logan takes. However, what makes this feature even cooler is the animation that occurs over time as Wolverine’s flesh repairs itself.

GoldenEye 007 – the quintessential movie-based game?

Would this really be a list of awesome movie tie-in games without the title that revolutionized the entire first-person shooter genre? GoldenEye 007 released in 1997 for the Nintendo 64. Developed by Rare, the tie-in title to the 1995 Bond film is regarded highly by fans both for its addictive gameplay at release, as well as its historical influence on the FPS genre to this day.

The game wowed critics at release for its smooth blending of FPS mechanics and strategical spy tactics. Unlike earlier first-person shooters like Doom, GoldenEye makes players think through combat strategies across its 18 levels. With a wide array of weapons and gadgets, players have a lot of options to work their way through the spy thriller.

Apart from its single-player, fans also love GoldenEye 007 for its addictive split-screen multiplayer. The game allows up to four players to compete in multiplayer shootouts in a variety of unique modes. Players can pick varying stipulations to end matches either by time limits or kills. In addition, players can also pick between free-for-all or team battles.

Overall, GoldenEye 007 added a range of depth that not only breaks the stereotype for licensed games based on movies but also reinvigorated the FPS genre altogether. Well before giant franchises like Halo, Call of Duty and Battlefield became go-to titles for FPS fans, James Bond paved the way.

Each of these five titles proves that movie-based games don’t always have to be bad. In fact, some of the most revolutionary titles in gaming stem from licensed video games. With Evil Dead: The Game fast approaching and Texas Chain Saw Massacre in development, let’s hope we can get our hands on even more awesome film-based games!

It was extremely difficult to narrow this list to five, and there are certainly other great movie tie-in games. So, I want to know, what other games based on movies do you think rock? Share your thoughts with us below!