10 Gaming Franchises That Deserve The Anime Treatment
We've played them, now we want to watch them!
When a gamer learns that one of their favourite franchises is on its way to getting an adaptation, they are usually pretty terrified.
Will they ruin it? Will the studio understand the source material? What will it look like? Those are the thoughts that are sent racing through a fan's head after hearing that a live-action adaptation is coming. But when they hear it's going to be an anime, those thoughts sound more like: Oh hell yeah! That's going to be awesome!
Although video game adaptations have proven to have a terrible track record for success, animated projects tend to hit the mark far better. Even at their worst, they're still a lot of fun, as the medium can play with unique visuals, and expand on the source material in a unique way.
Shows like Dragon's Dogma, Castlevania and Arcane are just a handful of examples of this, and fans want more.
The following video game series' seem like the prime targets for such adaptations, and it's safe to say that fans would get their money's worth with these, even if they came out a little half baked.
10. Nier: Automata
On the surface, this game looks like a pretty yet standard sci-fi experience. But, it's a complex and well-written exploration of consciousness and life, taking the time not just to have fun but to tell a complicated story. Thus, it's the kind of thing that could find plenty of life in a long-form animated series that explores all facets of the world and its themes.
Nier: Automata was released in 2017 and went on to garner immense amounts of critical acclaim. Besides the profound and layered exploration of what it means to live and die, the game has a luscious visual appeal that almost feels like a futuristic take on the gothic style. It's dark, stylish, and infused with that classic JRPG look, making it a shoo-in for anime.
Although the gameplay is - of course - a big part of the game, the focus on storytelling and the unique narrative perspective means that you can get lost in this world. There's also plenty of material to adapt in Nier: Automata and lore to be found in other games/spin-offs from the series, including Drakengard, Replicant and Gestalt.