Sony Please Stop Turning Story-Driven Games Into TV Shows
Video games are obsessed with achieving the prestige of television and movies. For decades now we’ve seen countless properties adapting to different mediums in order to appeal to a wider audience, or to reach a level of artistic merit that games are apparently incapable of achieving. The thing is - they totally are.
God of War, The Last of Us, Life is Strange, Celeste, Elden Ring, Fallout, The Witcher 3, and so many others boast poignant narrative ideas and character arcs that more than stand on their own. Yet several of the names listed above have or are set to receive adaptations on the small or silver screen, either bringing over existing storylines we already have or seeking to tell a new story that distances itself entirely, like they’re almost embarrassed to be inspired by them.
Related: I Love Elden Ring But Hate Elden Ring Fans
The Last of Us is one of the latest examples - which I’ll be sure to write about in further detail soon - that will seemingly translate the game’s existing narrative with few changes. Even certain actors from Naughty Dog’s masterpiece will reprise their roles, which when combined with leaked set pictures and interviews culminates in a HBO limited series that will tread familiar ground for newcomers and veterans alike. It feels unnecessary, and will be lacking the agency that made the game’s stronger moments that much more effective.
We know where Joel and Ellie’s journey will take them, regardless of how fantastic a performance Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey give in their respective roles. Part of me hopes that it will take the story in unexpected new directions, or even briefly divert onto a different path to introduce characters and locations not found in the game. I don’t mind reaching
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