How Until Dawn and The Last of Us Show Two Extremes in Game Adaptations

by

2023 saw HBO’s “The Last of Us” being acclaimed swiftly as one of the finest video game adaptations ever made. Frankly, this wasn’t entirely unexpected, given that Naughty Dog’s groundbreaking 2013 game drew heavily from the world of passive media, earning comparisons to an “interactive movie.” This label has been used both admiringly and critically. Essentially, the HBO series can be seen as a reinterpretation of the original, discarding its interactive aspects to zero in on what truly mattered: the narrative. As a devoted fan, I’m eager to see how this narrative unfolds on the small screen!

In essence, the adaptation stays incredibly true to the original, occasionally eerily so. There are modifications, such as the narrative of Frank and Bill, along with deeper dives into other factions and secondary characters that were less spotlighted in the game. However, overall, it maintains a striking resemblance. Scenes like Joel and Sarah’s famous pre-outbreak couch discussion mirror their in-game counterparts exactly. This reflects not just the Last of Us TV show’s devotion to its source material, but also the inherently cinematic quality of the game. In contrast, the upcoming movie adaptation of Until Dawn adopts a completely different strategy in adapting a renowned video game storyline.

Neil Druckmann, the mastermind behind “The Last of Us,” is deeply engaged in the making of the television series, possibly contributing to its faithful representation of the original content.

If The Last of Us TV Show Is the Picture of Faithfulness, Then Until Dawn Is the Opposite

What the Until Dawn and Last of Us Adaptations Say About Their Source Material

Initially, it could seem that a movie or series based on “Until Dawn” would be just as true to its original storyline as “The Last of Us”. This is due to the fact that “Until Dawn” appears to align more closely with the definition of an “interactive movie”, featuring mostly cinematics, quicktime events, and straightforward walking simulations. Unlike “The Last of Us”, it doesn’t require complex gameplay elements that would take up extended passages.

In contrast to The Last of Us, Until Dawn relies heavily on player interaction. Essentially, while The Last of Us benefits from its interactive features, Until Dawn’s core gameplay is built around it. The unique aspect here is the butterfly effect, which suggests that every player input can significantly impact the storyline. Unlike The Last of Us, there isn’t a single, predetermined storyline in Until Dawn; instead, players create their own narratives through their decisions.

In this scenario, it’s reasonable to assume that the movie adaptation of “Until Dawn” would strive to be as distinct from the game as possible. If the film were to retain the same plot, location, and characters, it could prove challenging to create a captivating narrative because those who have played the game might already have preconceived notions about how the story should unfold. Unlike “The Last of Us,” which has a singular narrative, “Until Dawn” doesn’t have one definitive storyline.

What the Until Dawn and Last of Us Adaptations Say About Video Game Adaptations in General

It’s possible that some people might consider the above interpretation as overly generous towards the “Until Dawn” movie, and rightfully so. Ever since its announcement, there has been a great deal of heated debate about the adaptation. Many believe that the term “Until Dawn” is merely a marketing strategy, as the movie seems to have little in common with the original game. From this perspective, the “Until Dawn” movie could be seen as a calculated move to draw gaming enthusiasts to cinemas, or to launch an unrelated screenplay. Given the widespread popularity of video games nowadays, it wouldn’t be unexpected to see more such disconnected adaptations emerging in the future, primarily for brand recognition rather than a genuine connection with the source material.

Read More

2025-01-27 22:44