Video game adaptations are an interesting topic. They can either exceed expectations like Sonic The Hedgehog and Castlevania, or they can completely bomb like Assassins Creed. Although, there are the rare few that receive mixed reviews, like audiences aren’t quite sure whether it’s good or bad… It’s just sat in this little grey area. That would be Halo right now, it has been receiving praise on one side, while the other side have been hurling negativity at it. What we’re saying is that video game adaptations are tricky to navigate. Yet, studios continue to persevere. There’s an opportunity to entice established fans, while also brining in new fans. If it goes well, it’s a win-win situation. The latest to join the quest to make a successful video game adaptaion is Netflix, and it’s a big one. Horizon Zero Dawn will be coming to our screens in the future.
That’s right. According to a report by Deadline, Netflix are in the very early stages of developing a live-action series that will be based on PlayStation’s hit game, Horizon Zero Dawn. Developed by Guerrilla Games, Horizon is set in a post-apocalyptic world that has been completely ravaged and destroyed by Machines that come in different shapes and sizes. Some even resemble creatures from the animal kingdom. However, they are far more deadly… Often equipped with turrets, lasers, and even bombs. To uncover the truth of the past, an ourcast hunter called Aloy embarks on a journey that reveals that there is more to this world than meets the eye.
Out of all of the video games to choose from, Horizon is definitely one of the most ambitious. Not only is the world vast, with different tribes governing certain regions, there is also a deep mythology that binds everything together. The size and scale are one thing, but bringing the various machines to life is an entirely different challenge in itself. Could Netflix do it justice? It certainly isn’t impossible.
As of right now, that is all we know about this Horizon Zero Dawn project. For all we know, this could be set alongside the video game. The games could just focus on Aloy, while this series develops the world surrounding Aloy in a different location. Perhaps even a different country, far aways from Aloy and her exploits. We simply don’t know.
What we do know is that video game adaptations aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. On top of Horizon Zero Dawn, Amazon Studios are developing a God of War series, a Gran Turismo series is in development, Ghost of Tsushima is getting a film, and HBO’s The Last of Us is close to wrapping principal photography. Could these heavy-hitters change the way we view video game adaptations? That remains to be seen.
What do you think? Make sure you let us know your thoughts in the comments, and be sure to keep your eyes peeled for more news.
