Video games are not for everyone. Some people don’t enjoy learning complicated game mechanics, grinding and farming for days on end, or exploring unfamiliar new terrain while being directionally challenged. And while it’s clear to gamers the world over that the quality and storytelling of video games have vastly improved over the years, not everyone enjoys going through hours of gameplay just to get the satisfying conclusion that they long for.
If you’re interested in the amazing lore behind video games, but just not that into playing through the games themselves, well, you’re in luck. Video game adaptations have been all the rage recently, with some of the most unique stories in TV shows coming from the world of gaming.
In this article, SEA Wave explores High Five shows based on video games that you should add to your watchlist. Who knows, this might just be the push you need to get you started on your video game journey.
The Last of Us (2023)
Image from HBO
Starting this list is a video game that made it big on its release year, with YouTubers like PewDiePie and Markiplier streaming their playthroughs on the platform. The Last of Us is an action-adventure video game by Naughty Dog and was released way back in 2013. The game takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where human society has been severely decimated. In this wasteland, our protagonist Joel, a hardened survivor, meets Ellie, a 14-year-old girl who may just be the answer to the world’s biggest problem. The game’s massive success eventually led to the release of its sequel in 2020, The Last of Us Part II, and an announcement of a live action series of the original installment.
The Last of Us was adapted as an HBO Original series, premiering on January 15, 2023 with 4.7 million viewers, making it the second-most watched HBO premiere. The viewership almost doubled during the season 1 finale, with 8.2 million viewers. The live action series was able to flawlessly execute the complex story, while its main cast, Pedro Pascal as Joel Miller and Bella Ramsey as Ellie Williams, gave stellar performances that paid tribute to the original source material. The second season is set to premiere in 2025 on HBO Max.
Fallout (2024)
Image from Prime Video
If I had a nickel for every post-apocalyptic video game in this list, I would have two nickels. Which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it happened twice. Fallout is set after a global nuclear war nearly eviscerated the world. The story follows survivors living underground in fallout shelters known as “vault dwellers.” The first Fallout game was released in 1997 by Interplay Entertainment, and is currently under video game publisher Bethesda Softworks. Since then, the franchise has often been included in top video game lists, proving how successful it has become over the years, and spawning a total of nine games.
While the live-action series adaptation of Fallout is based on the video games, it actually presents an original canonical story that has never been told before. In a world where mutated monsters, robot-like soldiers, and human experimentation are the norm, our main cast of characters Lucy MacLean (Ella Purnell), Maximus (Aaron Moten) and The Ghoul (Walton Goggins) are introduced as our point-of-view characters, each with their own checkered past and mysterious agendas. The second season has already been confirmed with fans anticipating the series to return by 2025.
Read our High Five Review on Fallout here.
Arcane (2021)
Image from Netflix
Netflix’s Arcane is an animated series based on the popular MMORPG League of Legends by Riot Games. This game was released back in 2009 and has recently been recognized as the most played video game in the world, with over 100 million players every month. The game is set in the fantasy world of Runeterra and offers players more than 140 unique champions to choose from. Aside from the gameplay, what attracts players to this popular online game is the lore behind the world of Runeterra and all the champions.
Delving further into the origins of some of the game’s iconic characters, Arcane centers around the two League champions, Vi (Hailee Steinfeld) and Jinx (Ella Purnell), and how a power struggle and war separated the two sisters. It also features other League champions, with Caitlyn, Jayce, Victor, and Ekko making appearances in the story. The second season of the series will premiere this November. While this will be the last season following the story of Vi and Jinx, the creators have assured that future stories may be set in the same universe.
Read our High Five Things We’re Most Excited to See in Arcane Season 2 here.
Castlevania (2017)
Image from Netflix
Castlevania is the oldest video game franchise on this list, yet it fills a unique niche in-between action, adventure and horror. The first Castlevania game was released in 1986 by Konami across multiple platforms to major success, spawning 22 sequels and spin-offs. The most recent Castlevania game—Lords of Shadow 2—was released in 2014, making it 10 years since the franchise has been in hiatus. So if you’re looking for a lull period to catch up on this iconic world, then now’s as good a time as any.
The Castlevania animated series was released in 2017, letting you delve into the haunting universe of vampires and vampire hunters. The series follows the story of Dracula (Graham McTavish), lord of the vampires, and Trevor Belmont (Richard Armitage), the last survivor of the infamous Belmont clan of monster hunters. While the main series has come to an end within four seasons, Netflix also released Castlevania: Nocturne, which is a series that takes place in the same universe, 300 years after the conclusion of the main story. This series is perfect for more mature fans of the gothic action-adventure genre. It has great animation, incredible art style, and amazing storytelling which makes it a must watch for both fans and non-fans of the franchise.
Detention (2020)
Image from Netflix
Detention is a 2D side-scroller survival horror game set in 1960s Taiwan during the White Terror period under martial law. Released in 2017 by Red Candle Games, Detention integrates Taiwanese culture and mythology into its story, making for a realistic playthrough experience.
The Netflix live-action adaptation does stay faithful to the original game, but it also offers a twist by featuring a parallel storyline. The series replicates the horror and atmosphere of the source material, resulting in an eerie and disconcerting tone that’s perfect if you’re in the mood for a thrilling drama mixed with supernatural horror elements.
While not everyone plays video games, non-gamers can still enjoy their stories through these series adaptations. Gamers can also enjoy the privilege of seeing their favorite video games come to life on the screen with new twists and expansions to the main stories and lore.
Did we miss some of your favorite video game adaptations? Let us know in the comment section below!