Why Some Games Should Never Be Adapted
Why Some Games Should Never Be Adapted
The Magic of the Original
Some games are masterpieces not just because of their gameplay or graphics, but because of the unique experience they offer—an experience so finely tuned to their medium that any attempt to adapt them risks diluting their essence. Games like Journey, Undertale, or Disco Elysium thrive on interactivity, narrative depth, and player agency—elements that often get lost in translation when adapted into films, TV shows, or even novels. The emotional weight of Journey comes from the silent companionship of a stranger in a vast desert; Undertale subverts expectations by making players question their own morality. These moments are powerful precisely because they unfold through gameplay, not passive observation.
The Perils of Adaptation
Adaptations often struggle to capture what makes a game special. A linear movie can’t replicate the branching choices of The Witcher or Mass Effect, nor can it mimic the slow-burn tension of Dark Souls, where every death is a lesson. Worse, adaptations frequently fall into the trap of over-explaining lore that was deliberately left mysterious in the original. Halo’s Forerunner mystery was far more compelling when players pieced it together themselves, rather than having it spelled out in a Hollywood script. And let’s not forget the infamous Super Mario Bros. (1993) movie, which abandoned the whimsy of the games in favor of a bizarre dystopian take that pleased no one.
When Adaptations Miss the Point
Some games are so deeply tied to their mechanics that removing them strips away their identity. Tetris isn’t just about falling blocks—it’s about the hypnotic rhythm of decision-making under pressure. A Tetris movie (yes, it exists) can’t replicate that. Similarly, Portal’s brilliance lies in the player’s gradual mastery of spatial puzzles and dark humor; a film adaptation would either have to invent a contrived plot or reduce Chell to a passive observer, losing what made the game great. Even successful adaptations, like The Last of Us TV series, while well-executed, inevitably sacrifice the tension of player-controlled survival for a more traditional narrative structure.
The Exception, Not the Rule
Of course, not all adaptations are doomed. Some games, particularly those with strong linear narratives (Uncharted, The Last of Us), can transition well—but these are exceptions. Most games thrive on interactivity, a quality that simply doesn’t translate to passive media. Rather than forcing adaptations, perhaps we should celebrate games as their own art form, one that doesn’t need validation through film or TV. Some stories are meant to be played, not watched.
In the end, the best way to experience a game is often to play it—not to watch someone else’s interpretation of it. Some worlds are too precious to risk being lost in translation.
