8 Unforgivable Errors Every Video Game Movie Makes

Part of what makes game special are the unique abilities the hero has to interact with the world around them. Max Payne had Bullet Time, Prince of Persia had Time Manipulation, both great examples of something you would think would easily bring over to the big screen.

These powers and quirks have an important part to play in the look and feel of an adaptation. If carried out correctly they would take the form of subtle little nods for fans to pick up on or having them integrated into the action in a way that makes sense.

Unfortunately, this is pretty much never the case. Directors seem unable to use game mechanics (think Assassin’s Creed’s Leap of Faith or Fatalities in Mortal Kombat) without hovering a big neon sign above it as if it’s something they should get a pat on the back for.

Instead of prompting cheers from fans of the game, this is likely to elicit mass eye-rolling and disappointed sighing.

Solution

It would be great if, just once, there could be a video game adaptation that figures out a way to implement iconic gameplay elements into an action sequence without taking the audience out of the film’s flow to essentially tick a box.

If they’re going to feature these mechanics, they need to be integral to what’s going on and not added in as a last minute extra.