8 Gritty Reworks Of Video Game Characters That Fell Flat
Dark and brooding doesn't necessarily translate to something better.
It goes without saying that Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy reshaped more than just the world's most beloved superhero.
Each of the films in the trilogy were grounded in realism, showcasing harsh subject matter such as fear, alongside a psychological character study of protagonist, Bruce Wayne. This, in conjunction with near-perfect storytelling, showcased how reimagining a character that had roots in comical absurdness (sorry, Adam West and company) can achieve reverence in fans and critics alike.
Unfortunately, an edgy reconceptualization of an established character doesn't always bear fruit.
Although it worked for Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy, just take a look at how the first slate of DCEU films were widely criticized. Man of Steel specifically was infamous for dividing fans. Can you imagine Christopher Reeve's Superman violently snapping Terrence Stamp's neck in the charming backdrop of the original films?
The same sentiment of grittiness not always working can be applied to established video game characters, too. What made these characters so beloved by fans were unique traits like their magnetic charisma.
Ergo, rethinking these games and characters into something more hard-hitting doesn't automatically spell a favourable outcome.
If it's not broke, in the context of some video games, then don't fix it. Sadly, for these popular characters, they became just as dull as they did gritty.
8. Jak - Jak II: Renegade
The Jak & Daxter franchise was considerably improved upon with its sequel. However, many fans were left raising their eyebrows at Jak's transformation as a character.
From adorable mute, to temperamental badass, it seemed like a 180 on his supposed trajectory. The tone was overhauled in order to produce something more mature, for a maturing video game audience who came from the colourful worlds found in games such as Super Mario.
Jak, in the events between the original game and the sequel, went through a transformation stemming from torture and experimentation. His metamorphosis into a take-no-prisoners protagonist was cemented with his first ever spoken words, when Dexter rescues him at the start of the game: 'I'm gonna kill Baron Praxis!'
It may have been befitting, given the game's new edgy shift and realism, but it certainly wasn't what was originally expected.
And that's before we even mention the introduction of a literal Dark Jak. As if the brooding transfiguring of Jak's persona wasn't enough, when he gets modified with Dark Eco, he becomes devoid of any remaining innocence.
Whereas the original, good-natured Jak was a character that players could attach themselves to, this new Jak was an anti-hero with mere retribution on his mind.
Not a bad game, but the reconfiguring of one of Playstation's most famous heroes wasn't warranted.