Horizon Could Be PlayStation’s Big Movie Win if It Stays Faithful to the Games

Following the successful adaptations of Uncharted and The Last of Us, Sony's announcement of a Horizon Zero Dawn movie was inevitable. PlayStation Studios and Columbia Pictures have confirmed a film adaptation, promising to bring Aloy's origin story and the game's unique world to the big screen. While still in early development, the film has significant box office potential—provided it stays true to the source material.

Recent years have witnessed a surge in successful video game adaptations. Super Mario Bros. and Sonic exemplify family-friendly successes, while The Last of Us, Arcane, and Fallout dominate television. Even adaptations with mixed reviews, like Uncharted (grossing over $400 million), have achieved box office triumphs.

However, challenges remain. Uncharted, while popular, deviated from the games. Conversely, Borderlands and Like a Dragon: Yakuza suffered from critical and commercial failures due to their disregard for source material. These adaptations failed to capture the essence of the games that captivated their fans.

This isn't just a video game adaptation problem; it's a broader issue with adaptations in general. The Witcher, for example, significantly altered its source material. While adaptations require changes, these examples demonstrate a complete departure from the original works. This disappoints fans and often foreshadows the project's failure.

The Horizon movie isn't the first attempt at adaptation. A previously announced Netflix series, rumored to be set before the apocalypse ("Horizon 2074"), proved divisive among fans. This ultimately led to its cancellation, paving the way for the current film project. The cinematic approach is strategic, given the CGI requirements, allowing for a larger budget to fully realize the game's visual potential.

If the Horizon film emulates the success of The Last of Us, Arcane, and Fallout, it could be PlayStation's first major cinematic win. These adaptations were praised for their faithfulness to the source material, capturing not just the visuals, but also the tone and narrative. The Last of Us, while adding new elements, largely maintained the game's narrative structure, resonating with both fans and newcomers.

Faithfulness to the original Horizon Zero Dawn is crucial. The game won numerous awards for its narrative, highlighting its compelling story. Set in a post-apocalyptic North America, it follows Aloy's journey of self-discovery, intertwined with the mystery of Elisabet Sobeck. Aloy, along with Erend and Varl, are compelling characters, and the story explores themes of environmental disaster and rogue AI. The enigmatic Sylens adds further intrigue.

The detailed world-building, with its diverse tribes and robotic creatures (Sawtooths, Tallnecks, Stormbirds), offers rich cinematic potential. Similar to Avatar's exploration of Na'vi culture, a Horizon film could delve into the Nora tribe and their interactions with the machines. The unique combat encounters provide ample action and suspense.

Horizon's compelling narrative, unique world, and cinematic aesthetic offer a strong foundation for a successful film adaptation. The expansive story of Forbidden West provides a broad canvas for a potential franchise. By maintaining the elements that made the game successful, Sony can create a long-lasting cinematic franchise. However, deviating from the source material risks alienating fans and repeating the financial failures of other adaptations. Sony must recognize the potential of Horizon and create a faithful adaptation.

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