Following the successful cinematic adaptation of Uncharted and the critically acclaimed HBO series, The Last of Us, Sony's announcement of a Horizon Zero Dawn movie was highly anticipated. PlayStation Studios and Columbia Pictures have officially confirmed the project, promising a faithful recreation of Aloy's journey and the game's breathtaking, machine-populated world. While still in early development, the film has the potential to be Sony's first major video game box office triumph—provided it remains true to the source material.

Recent years have witnessed a surge in successful video game adaptations across film and television. The Super Mario Bros. and Sonic movies, aimed at family audiences, serve as prime examples of critical and commercial success. On television, Sony's The Last of Us, alongside Netflix's Arcane and Amazon Prime's Fallout, have garnered significant fan acclaim. Even adaptations with mixed reviews, like the Tom Holland-led Uncharted film, achieved impressive box office numbers, exceeding $400 million.

However, challenges persist. While the "video game curse" is largely a thing of the past, faithfulness to the source material remains crucial. Uncharted, despite its success, deviated significantly from the games. Conversely, Borderlands and Amazon's Like a Dragon: Yakuza adaptation suffered from poor critical reception and box office performance due to their disregard for the original storylines, lore, and tone. These failures highlight a broader issue within adaptations, not just video game ones. Netflix's The Witcher, for example, took considerable liberties with its source material, altering events, characters, and overall tone. While adaptations require adjustments, these examples demonstrate how significant alterations can alienate fans and ultimately harm the project's success.

If the Horizon film emulates the success of The Last of Us, Arcane, and Fallout, prioritizing fidelity to the source material, it has a strong chance of becoming PlayStation's first major cinematic win. Horizon's narrative strength, recognized with awards such as the Best Narrative award at The Game Awards 2017 and the Outstanding Achievement in Story award at the 2018 DICE awards, is a compelling foundation. The story of Aloy, her origins, and her connection to the old-world scientist Elisabet Sobeck, along with supporting characters like Erend and Varl, offers rich narrative potential. The game's exploration of climate change and the rogue AI Hades adds depth and intrigue.

Horizon's compelling narrative, unique world, and cinematic aesthetic position it for success. The expansive storyline of Forbidden West further enhances the franchise's potential for a long-term cinematic adaptation. By staying true to the game's strengths, Sony can create a successful film franchise that rivals the success of its source material. However, deviating from the core elements that made Horizon a success could lead to negative fan reception and financial setbacks. Sony's approach to this adaptation will be crucial in determining its outcome.

What video game adaptation are you most excited for?

Horizon Zero DawnHelldivers 2Ghost of TsushimaThe Legend of ZeldaA Minecraft MovieUntil DawnGears of WarOther (let us know in the comments)AnswerSee Results