5 Of The Best Video Games Based On Movies

Seeing as countless blockbuster movies take inspiration from revered and renowned books, it seems only natural that video games follow suit by taking their lead from films. This form of entertainment has benefitted from rapid advancements in technology to provide players with incredible immersive worlds where any type of gameplay is possible.

Part of the financial appeal of big film franchises, for example, is that they spawn great swathes of merchandise – material that extends the financial appeal beyond the mere running time of the film and, as IG highlights, makes the companies behind them such successful businesses.

But what are the best video games ever made based on popular movies? Although a lot will come down to individual opinion and personal preference, here are 5 of the most popular and pre-eminent titles.

Technically this game isn’t even based on a specific movie – more a whole franchise. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is regarded as one of the best action-RPGs of all time. It borrowed the same themes and topics that this sci-fi franchise based its success on, as you learn to be a Jedi in order to defeat the Dark Side. With the latest Star Wars film set to take the box office by storm, there is every chance a long-awaited sequel could be in the offing, as blockbuster video games supply financial support to the studios.

Some say that this particular video game saved the entire Bond franchise, as it came after Timothy Dalton struggled to captivate audiences with his portrayal of 007. What’s more, GoldenEye coincided with Pierce Brosnan’s debut and the first Bond film for six years – adding to the interest in the film itself. This first-person shooter was a must-have title for the N64 and is widely regarded as a game-changer for the genre thanks to the multitude of weapons at your disposal, some truly brilliant characters and a superbly constructed four-way split-screen multiplayer mode.

Produced by the same studio that developed video games like the iconic Grand Theft Auto, this adaptation of Walter Hill’s 1979 cult classic was destined to be great from the start. It actually serves as a prequel to The Warriors film but then also retells the story itself, allowing players to make their way back home in just one night. In addition to the fights and destruction you come to expect from producers Rockstar, this game also features fully developed characters, detailed settings, and an excellent soundtrack that delivers a full cinematic experience through the console.

In Spider-Man 2, video game developer Treyarch managed to make the dream of swinging through the streets and skyscrapers of Manhattan a reality. In fact, players of this game will admit that enough enjoyment came from simply taking in and exploring the incredible rendering of New York City. However, with some original plot content, plenty of side missions as well as voice acting from the cast of the movie, Spider-Man 2 added substance to its style too. A perfect example of how games can add to the rich experience of a franchise that goes beyond the film.

There aren’t many instances where people say the movie is better than the book. But with Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay, the game is most definitely more impressive than its big screen brother Pitch Black. It’s a fairly simple premise; you play as the title character and attempt to escape from a locked-down prison in a futuristic setting. Along the way, you get to experience a little bit of everything, from armed combat and item hunting to stealth platform sequences. A true all-round success.