We all know how hit-or-miss movie adaptations of video games can be. But is the outlook any better on the small screen side of things? We’re going to take a look at the best-rated television shows that are based on video games. A lot of these shows flew under the radar of mainstream audiences. How many have you seen?
10. Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness (2021)
Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness is an action/horror animated Internet TV series that debuted in 2021 and ran for one season. It’s based on the Resident Evil video game series by Capcom.
The TV series Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness follows Federal agent Leon S. Kennedy (voiced by Leon S. Kennedy) who teams up with TerraSave staff member Claire Redfield (voiced by Stephanie Panisello) to investigate a zombie outbreak. They find themselves in the middle of a military conspiracy. Can they trust their fellow agents? It’s rated TV-MA.
9. Resident Evil (2022)
Resident Evil is a live-action horror/sci-fi/action TV series that debuted in 2022 and ran for one season. It’s loosely based on the video game series of the same name by Capcom. It stars Ella Balinska as Jade Wesker, Tamara Smart as young Jade, and Lance Reddick as the clones of Dr. Albert Wesker.
In Resident Evil, the plot is divided over 14 years between two points in time, 2022 and 2036. Nearly three decades after the discovery of the T-virus, an outbreak reveals the Umbrella Corporation’s and Jade’s father’s dark secrets. There’s a global manhunt for Jade. Umbrella wants Jade’s daughter as a specimen.
8. Sonic Prime (2022)
Sonic Prime is an animated TV series that debuted on Netflix in 2022, based on the video game Sonic the Hedgehog by Sega. It stars Deven Christian Mack as Sonic, Ashleigh Ball as Tails Nine, and Brian Drummond as Mr. Doctor Eggman.
During a battle with Dr. Eggman, Sonic shatters the Paradox Prism. The result is the creation of the “Shatterverse”, a new section of the multiverse, with five alternate dimensions. These 5 prism shards are inhabited by alternate versions of 5 of Sonic’s friends. Sonic has to prevent the Chaos Council from obtaining all five shards and conquering the Shatterverse. Sonic also must reassemble the prism and restore reality.
7. Halo (2022)
Halo is a military sci-fi/action/adventure series that debuted in 2022 on Paramount+. It’s based on the video game franchise of the same name developed by Bungie and published by Microsoft. It stars Pablo Schreiber as Master Chief Petty Officer John-117, Shabana Azmi as Admiral Margaret Parangosky, and Natascha McElhone as Dr. Catherine Elizabeth Halsey.
Halo is set in the 26th century amid a conflict between humanity and the Covenant, a theocratic-military alliance of several alien races bent on eradicating humanity. The galaxy is on the brink of destruction and Master Chief Petty Officer John-117 leads his team of Spartans against the Covenant.
6. The Witcher (2019)
The Witcher is a fantasy/action/adventure/drama TV series that debuted on Netflix in 2019 and ran for 3 seasons. It’s based on the book series of the same name by Polish novelist Andrzej Sapkowski. The series takes place in a fictional, medieval-inspired landmass known as the Continent.
The Witcher series explores the legend of Geralt of Rivia, Yennefer of Vengerberg, and Princess Ciri. Geralt of Rivia is a solitary Witcher, a monster hunter with superhuman abilities. Yennefer is a sorceress, and Princess Ciri’s destiny is linked to Geralt, who becomes her protector against various pursuers.
5. Dragon’s Dogma (2020)
Dragon’s Dogma is an animated action/adventure TV series that debuted in 2020 on Netflix. It’s based on the 2012 action role-playing hack-and-slash video game of the same name by Capcom. Greg Chun voices Ethan, with Erica Mendez as Hannah, and David Lodge as Dragon.
Dragon’s Dogma is set in the high fantasy world of Gransys. It follows Ethan as he sets out on a quest to kill the Dragon. Along the way, he encounters more monsters. But every demon he battles causes him to lose more of his humanity and risk becoming more like the monsters he detests.
4. Castlevania (2017)
Castlevania is an animated action/adventure TV series that debuted on Netflix in 2017 and ran through 2021. It’s based on the Gothic horror/action/adventure video game franchise of the same name that debuted in 1986. The TV series is centered around the castle of Count Dracula and the Belmont clan of vampire hunters who seek to destroy him.
The Castlevania TV series is adapted from the 4th game in the series, 1989’s Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse. It follows vampire Hunter Trevor Belmont, and companions Alucard and Sypha Belnades. Together, they defend the nation of Wallachia from Dracula and his minions.
3. The Last of Us (2023)
The Last of Us is an action/adventure/drama TV series event debuted on HBO Max in 2023. It’s based on the 2013 action-adventure game/franchise developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony. The series has won 8 Primetime Emmy Awards out of 24 nominations.
The series takes place in post-apocalyptic America, 20 years into a pandemic started by a massive fungal infection. The infected transform into zombie-like creatures. After the global pandemic has decimated civilization, Joel, (Pedro Pascal) a smuggler, is tasked with escorting an immune survivor, 14-year-old Ellie (Bella Ramsey), across a hostile and cannibalistic United States. The teenager may be humanity’s last hope.
2. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (2022)
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is an animated action/adventure TV series that debuted in 2022. It’s based on the 2020 action role-playing video game Cyberpunk 2077. However, it doesn’t feature any of the main characters from the game. It follows David (Zach Aguilar), a talented street kid who’s lost everything and decides to survive on the wrong side of the law.
The Cyberpunk: Edgerunners TV series is set in a dystopian metropolis, Night City, controlled by several megacorporations. It’s overrun by crime, gang violence, and corruption. Cybernetic implants are the norm. David becomes an “Edgerunner” – a high-tech, black-market mercenary also known as a “cyberpunk”.
Read More: 10 Movies With Gamer Main Characters
1. Arcane: League of Legends (2021)
Arcane, (originally titled Arcane: League of Legends) is an animated steampunk action/adventure TV series that debuted on Netflix in 2021. It’s based on Riot Games’ League of Legends franchise. Arcane set a record as Netflix’s highest-rated series at the time within a week of its premiere. It was the first streaming series to win a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program.
Arcane is set amid unrest in the wealthy, utopian city of Piltover, and the seedy, oppressed underbelly of Zaun. It follows the origins of two iconic League of Legends champions, sisters Vi and Jinx. A conflict is brewing over arcane technologies and clashing convictions. The sisters find themselves on opposing sides and the situation could tear them apart.
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