Key Takeaways
- Netflix video game adaptations have evolved, with Arcane and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners being well-received by critics and fans.
- Resident Evil adaptations have disappointed fans due to diverging from game lore, resulting in mixed to mediocre reviews.
- Castlevania and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners stand out as some of Netflix’s best video game adaptations for their quality storytelling and visuals.
As a diehard anime and video game enthusiast with over two decades of experience under my belt, let me tell you that these two shows have truly left their mark on my entertainment-starved soul!
Initially, the idea of adapting video games into movies or TV shows was often met with ridicule. However, times have shifted, and such announcements are now received with a mix of apprehension and anticipation. To some extent, this change can be attributed to Netflix and its generally high-quality adaptations.
Netflix often faces criticism, but it continues to offer an array of series that are perfect for binge-watching and revisiting. Among these, video game adaptations stand out as some of the best. Although not all have been successful, shows like “Arcane” and “Cyberpunk: Edgerunners” have garnered both critical praise and positive feedback from fans. Given how passionate and discerning fans can be about their beloved franchises, this achievement is significant. Here’s a list of every Netflix series that was inspired by games, excluding children’s shows, adaptations based on books like “The Witcher,” and shows not produced by Netflix. The ranking of these shows is based on a mix of their IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes ratings, so the “best” show may vary among viewers.
13 Resident Evil
IMDB: 4.2, Rotten Tomatoes: 53%
Initially, the initial films in the Resident Evil series garnered a blend of positive and negative responses, which might upset those who rank them lower. The Resident Evil film franchise has seen numerous attempts at adaptations, yet studio decision-makers persistently bypass adapting the top-rated games in the series. Resident Evil, a unique horror franchise renowned for its narrative depth and rich lore, appears to be overlooked when it comes to live-action adaptations, choosing instead to disregard both its storytelling and intricate backstory.
Consequently, the response from Resident Evil enthusiasts towards these adaptations has been rather harsh and swift. The Netflix live-action Resident Evil series presents an original narrative spanning two timeframes: one focusing on Albert Wesker and his daughters in 2022 New Raccoon City, while the other unfolds in a post-apocalyptic 2036. However, despite its high production quality and featuring the late Lance Reddick, the series has garnered mixed, average reviews from critics due to factors such as slow pacing, lack of scare factor, and unengaging new characters. Criticisms from franchise fans have been even more severe, with many expressing disappointment over Reddick’s portrayal of Wesker and alterations to the franchise’s established lore.
12 Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness
IMDB: 5.8, Rotten Tomatoes: 50%
- Studio: TMS Entertainment
The video game adaptation “Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness” faces a contrasting predicament compared to its live-action counterparts. While it received mixed reviews, leaning towards mediocrity from critics, many fans found it appealing. Instead of being chastised for lacking enough game elements, some critics perceived that it leaned excessively on familiarity with the games.
As a dedicated fan of Resident Evil, I’ve been eagerly diving into this CGI-animated series that takes us on an exciting journey with none other than Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield, bridging the gap between Resident Evil 4 and 5. This show is jam-packed with intriguing Resident Evil lore, but it veers away from the conventional zombie horror we’re used to and delves deeper into political machinations and espionage.
11 Tekken: Bloodline
IMDB: 6.5, Rotten Tomatoes: 40%
- Released: August 18, 2022
- Studio: Studio Hibari & Larx Entertainment
Similar to other entries on this list that garnered mixed opinions, Tekken: Bloodline didn’t disappoint. Critics had varying thoughts about it, with some appreciating aspects while others found room for improvement. Essentially, the anime served as a mostly accurate portrayal of Jin Kazama’s journey from before and throughout Tekken 3. The series can be broken down into two main sections: first, where Jin undergoes training under his mother and grandfather; second, where Jin participates in the King of Iron Fist Tournament to avenge his mother’s death.
Overall, the anime adaptation generally adhered closely to the lore of Tekken, deviating primarily to enrich character histories and incorporate elements from subsequent installments. While the narrative was effectively presented, it attracted some criticism due to its excessive focus on Jin, leaving other beloved characters underrepresented. The main issues with the series were its animation quality and rhythm, which were sometimes uneven. The fight sequences were generally well executed but relatively brief, and there simply weren’t enough of them. Given that this franchise is renowned for its intense battles, the show seemed to linger too much on Jin’s training phase and not enough on the fierce confrontations fans anticipated.
10 Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft
IMDB: 5.2, Rotten Tomatoes: 71%
- Released: October 10, 2024
- Studio: Powerhouse Animation Studios
The timeless tale of Lara Croft still resonates, let’s see if it remains cherished over time. For now, it can be said that the storyline of Lara Croft is satisfactory, edging towards excellent. As a follow-up to the Survivor trilogy, it strives to align its portrayal of Lara Croft with the characters from the original games that many fans have grown up admiring. However, it falls slightly short in achieving this objective.
A significant issue lies in the fact that the series heavily relies on elements from previous games, which are undeniably popular within the franchise. However, in The Legend of Lara Croft, there appears to be an excessive focus on Lara’s grappling with her past, legacy, and father issues, a topic that fans have already experienced and moved beyond. This slow-paced approach fails to captivate and the action scenes, while competently executed, don’t quite measure up to the excitement generated by the games. On the bright side, Hayley Atwell delivers an excellent portrayal of Lara Croft (although some may find her voice a touch too mature), and the overall animation quality is good. Fingers crossed that future seasons will offer more innovative storytelling once they move past Lara’s family drama and personal struggles.
9 Dragon’s Dogma
IMDB: 6.3, Rotten Tomatoes: 71%
- Released: September 17, 2020
- Studio: Sublimation
According to its previous ratings, Dragon’s Dogma is slightly higher than Tomb Raider, but it might be more appropriate for a slightly lower position. It’s an unusual anime adaptation that adheres to certain elements of the game’s mythology while seemingly overlooking what has made the RPG series so beloved among fans. The story follows Ethan, an Arisen, in his quest for revenge against the dragon that destroyed his village and took his heart (not romantically). So far, it seems quite similar to other games in the genre.
Instead of each episode centering around one of the deadly sins, as seen in the anime, neither of the video games actually feature this theme. Compared to the games, the anime places more emphasis on storytelling, which is fitting for the medium, yet this approach weakens the world-building aspect. The artwork within the series is stunning at times, but the CGI animation could be improved, particularly when it comes to portraying monsters. This is problematic given that the show centers around battling these creatures. Additionally, some viewers and critics felt uncomfortable with the excessive violence and adult content, which seemed misplaced since neither game is known for its graphic or sensual scenes. Ultimately, while the anime holds its own, it falls short of expectations based on the original source material.
8 Dragon Age: Absolution
IMDB: 6.4, Rotten Tomatoes: 92%
- Studio: Red Dog Culture House
Remarkably, Netflix’s adaptations, as demonstrated by “Dragon Age: Absolution,” often stand tall. Yet, despite boasting an admirable 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it only ranks 8th. This lower position is primarily due to a less stellar score on IMDb and certain drawbacks that keep it from reaching absolute greatness. The story unfolds in the Tevinter Imperium, a region we’ll delve deeper into with the upcoming “Dragon Age: Dreadwolf.” In this anime, a motley crew embarks on a daring heist to snatch the powerful MacGuffin known as the Circulum Infinitius.
The series closely adheres to the “Dragon Age” universe, which some critics and viewers unfamiliar with the games found off-putting. Both the animation and voice acting are excellent, living up to the standards associated with BioWare’s supervision. However, the show is marred by several issues, primarily its hurried pace. The narrative packs a substantial amount of story into just 6 episodes, leaving the conclusion feeling premature. One of the strengths of the “Dragon Age” series lies in its compelling character pairings, but the rush leaves Miriam’s companions underdeveloped. Until a second season is confirmed, fans may wish to exercise patience to avoid potential disappointment with the ending.
7 Onimusha
IMDB: 6.8, Rotten Tomatoes:100%
- Released: November 2, 2023
- Studio: Sublimation
Examining Onimusha’s Rotten Tomatoes rating suggests that Netflix scored a home run with this anime, but its ratings from viewers paint a different picture. The series is set in feudal Japan and follows Musashi Miyamoto as he embarks on a clandestine mission alongside his companions to destroy demons using the enchanted “Oni Gauntlet”. While critics praised the anime’s visual aesthetics, narrative, and animation, many viewers were less enthused.
“One potential issue is that while the series stayed true to the original game’s storyline and included features such as the Oni Gauntlet and Genma demons, it also tried to branch out on its own. This can sometimes be problematic when adapting video games. The 3D animation was inconsistent at times, and the second part of the show seemed hurried, introducing characters and storylines haphazardly. To get the most out of Onimusha, it might be beneficial to disregard that it’s based on a game and regard it as just another dark fantasy series set in feudal Japan.
6 Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix
IMDB: 7, Rotten Tomatoes: 89%
- Released: October 19, 2023
- Studio: Ubisoft Film & Television, Bobbypills, Bootleg Universe
Many video game enthusiasts find themselves caught in a love-dislike situation with Ubisoft. They adore several titles published by this company, yet express disdain towards the corporation itself. At times, it seems as though Ubisoft is intentionally attempting to frustrate gamers, which makes the release of Captain Laserhawk, inspired by one of the top-tier Far Cry games, all the more intriguing. Remarkably, it appears that the creative team behind this production were granted autonomy to satirize Ubisoft’s most renowned franchises and place their characters in awkward predicaments.
In this imagined future, some of Ubicoft’s iconic characters engage in a battle against a powerful corporation, with certain characters siding with it. This series boasts an original artistic style that lives up to its “Blood Dragon” title and offers thrilling, imaginative action scenes. The writers have the freedom to creatively explore characters like Sam Fisher, while staying true to Ubicoft’s games without being constrained by existing lore. There isn’t another video game adaptation quite like it. Regrettably, the show has its flaws, such as a brief runtime, hurried pace, and underdeveloped characters due to these issues. Interestingly, the show benefits from Ubicoft’s hands-off approach but is hindered by Netflix’s interference.
5 DOTA: Dragon’s Blood
IMDB: 7.7, Rotten Tomatoes: NA
- Released: March 15, 2021
- Studio: Studio Mir
The animated series titled “DOTA: Dragon’s Blood” launched successfully and maintained its pace for three seasons, however, it couldn’t quite match the heights of Castlevania. The story revolves around Dragon Knight Davion and his transformation when his soul gets intertwined with Slyrak, a dragon. Together with Princess Mirana, Davion embarks on a quest to halt the sinister demon Terrorblade, who is amassing Dragon Souls. Despite being deeply rooted in “DOTA” mythology, the show effectively catered to new viewers by presenting a narrative that stayed true to the lore without becoming overly complex or burdensome.
The animation quality of this series was generally outstanding, and it delved deeper into the storyline and universe of DOTA, providing significant insights. One of its unique characters, Marci, was even introduced to DOTA 2 as a playable character. However, the show’s major flaw lay in its inconsistent tempo. Season/Book 1 moved rather slowly before hastily concluding, while Book 2 moved at an incredibly fast pace, consuming the franchise’s lore and world-building at a rapid rate, leaving viewers unacquainted with the game feeling overwhelmed. This swift pacing also meant that relationships and character development progressed at an unrealistic speed. Big twists often occurred without sufficient time for their emotional impact to be fully absorbed. Overall, Dragon’s Blood was a fantastic adaptation of a video game, but its adherence to streaming conventions detracted from the viewing experience.
4 Castlevania: Nocturne
IMDB: 7.4, Rotten Tomatoes: 96%
- Studio: Powerhouse Animation
In terms of following up Netflix’s initial success with their Castlevania adaptation, Castlevania: Nocturne did not disappoint. The series effectively met expectations and took place in 1792 during the French Revolution, drawing inspiration from both 1993’s Castlevania: Rondo of Blood and elements of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Instead of Trevor Belmont, Richter, a descendant of his, takes on the main role. Additionally, as Dracula appears to have been vanquished, a new vampire menace, referred to as the “vampire messiah”, emerges in this installment.
Given that the series faithfully adapts some top-tier Castlevania games, it’s reassuring to find that the latest installment, Nocturne, lives up to expectations. The animation remains exceptional, and the action sequences are on par with those from the originals. The voice acting is solid, though the powerful portrayal of Trevor by Rich Armitage is noticeably absent. Similar to the initial show, Nocturne skillfully transforms Castlevania’s rather video-gamey background into engaging content. Unfortunately, the speed at which events unfold (once again) feels hasty, suggesting that Netflix may not fully trust animated adaptations. This haste results in some secondary characters being underdeveloped, diminishing the emotional impact when their stories reach tragic ends. Fortunately, the show has been renewed, giving us reason to believe that Netflix will provide it with the time needed to flourish.
3 Castlevania
IMDB: 8.3, Rotten Tomatoes: 94%
One way to rephrase the given sentence in natural and easy-to-read language:
In this rephrased version, we can say: The characters in the show were developed more deeply than their original video game counterparts, with Richard Armitage delivering a compelling portrayal of Trevor Belmont and even making Dracula an unexpectedly relatable antagonist. The series remained true to the franchise’s established lore while also expanding its universe to keep fans engaged. The show was known for its ability to switch between intense, gruesome scenes and hilarious moments that would leave viewers laughing out loud. Additionally, it skillfully balanced well-executed fight sequences with opportunities for character development. Lastly, the show achieved success by appealing not only to dedicated fans of the franchise but also to animation enthusiasts and those who were initially uninterested in the subject matter. In short, Castlevania is widely regarded as one of the most successful video game adaptations on television.
2 Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
IMDB: 8.3, Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
In 2022, when Edgerunners debuted, Cyberpunk 2077 was still in the midst of its own recovery phase. Phantom City was yet to be released, and CD Projekt Red was diligently fixing the numerous bugs in the game. Edgerunners served as a positive publicity surge for the game. Critics, fans of Cyberpunk, and general viewers all found it appealing. The show was set in Night City and centered around David Martinez, a talented street kid who discovers a life-altering piece of cyberware after his mother’s demise.
David becomes part of a team of hired guns known as “Edgerunners,” and soon sheds his naivety amidst the enhancements he undergoes. The series, titled “Edgerunners,” is rich with well-crafted characters and delivers an emotionally resonant tale that tugs at the heartstrings without being sentimental. However, it’s far from gentle – it’s also brutally, gut-wrenchingly violent, featuring some of the most impressive action sequences in modern animation. It faithfully captures the world of the game while enhancing it. The series does an excellent job of expanding Night City and, significantly, the villain, Adam Smasher. He’s much more menacing in the show than in the game, and watching his actions will likely fuel gamers’ desire to vanquish him in “Cyberpunk 2077.” The bittersweet ending of “Edgerunners” precludes a sequel, but fans can hope for another “Cyberpunk” spin-off down the line.
1 Arcane
IMDB: 8.3, Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
Many individuals ventured into “Arcane” without fully realizing how excellent it would turn out to be. This animated series unfolds within the League of Legends’ steampunk setting, encompassing the cities of Piltover and Zaun. The narrative revolves around sisters Vi and Jinx, who find themselves entangled in a heist that spirals out of control. The botched heist triggers a gang war as tensions escalate between the two cities, a struggle which ultimately places the siblings on opposite sides.
Studio Fortiche truly excels at the animation of Arcane, making it visually captivating. The vibrant cities of Piltoner and Zaun leap off the screen, showcasing impressive world-building. Moreover, some of League of Legends’ most iconic champions are given depth and life in a way that has never been done before. Each character in Arcane is intricate and thoughtfully developed within a sophisticated, multi-layered narrative that caters to both seasoned and fresh fans.
In addition to its exceptional qualities, the voice performances are outstanding, with Hailee Steinfeld as Vi and Ella Purnell as Jinx standing out notably. Jinx portrays a perfect embodiment of chaos and evil throughout the series, giving the Joker a serious challenge. Arcane is uniquely well-balanced compared to many other shows on this list, striking an ideal pace that seamlessly integrates action, character development, and deep emotional resonance, particularly as it progresses. It’s no surprise that it garnered widespread praise and numerous awards, including an Emmy. Unfortunately, the only downside to Arcane is the prolonged anticipation for season 2, which is finally set to release in November 2024.
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2024-10-22 15:34