Film and video games have often crossed paths, with many popular films turned into games over the years, and some of these have followed the story closely, while others have taken small ideas and built something new. Even so, there are still many well-known films that have never been made into a full video game, with some of these films seeming well-suited for the format, yet no official version has ever appeared.
John Wick
John Wick is a very popular thriller, known for its clear action and movement, and while there have been small projects like John Wick Hex tied to the name, there has not been a large game that follows the main story in full. However, there has been a development by Sabre Interactive that we might expect to feature heavy focus on movement through rooms, intense fight scenes, careful use of tools, and a steady pace, with each step planned. There is already a trailer out for this game, and it’s available to wishlist on most platforms. This type of design could suit the film’s style, but it has not been fully explored.
Inception
Inception is based on entering dreams and moving through different layers of thought, and this idea could work well in a game setting, where each level has its own rules and design. A player could move between these layers while solving simple tasks or following a story. The changing world shown in the film could be used to create levels that shift in shape or direction, and despite these ideas, no full game based on the film has been made.
Interstellar
Interstellar is an example that could have worked in a different form, with the film dealing with space travel, time changes, and survival in unknown places. A game based on this could include long journeys between planets, careful use of resources, and simple choices that affect the outcome. The quiet and slow pace of the film could suit a game that focuses on planning and movement rather than fast action, and even so, no official game has been created.
Edge of Tomorrow
Another film that stands out is Edge of Tomorrow, the story follows a time loop where the same day repeats again and again. This type of structure already matches many modern game systems, where players try again after failure and learn from past attempts. A game could use this idea to slowly build skill and progress over time, and each run could offer small changes, allowing the player to move further with each attempt, even with this clear link, there has not been a full game version based on the film.
No Country for Old Men
No Country for Old Men also offers a simple but strong setup, with the film following a chase between several people, with each one making careful choices. A game could use this structure to allow the player to move through open areas while avoiding danger, and the focus would be on timing and movement rather than large action scenes. The tension in the film could carry over into a game with the right design and implementation.
The Truman Show
The Truman Show presents a different kind of idea, based on a controlled world, and a game could place the player in a similar setting, where they begin to notice small changes and work towards understanding the truth. The focus could be on observation and decision-making, rather than action, as the story moves forward, the player could gain more control over their path. Even with this clear structure, no full game has been made.
Tenet
Tenet is another film with a complex idea, based on time moving in different directions, where a game could use this idea to create levels where actions affect both past and future states. Players could move forward while also dealing with changes that move in reverse, and this could lead to new types of puzzles and paths, even though the idea is unusual, it could work in a game format.
Summary
There are many reasons why these films have not been turned into games, with some stories being hard to translate into a different format. Others may not fit the market at a time when interest is high, and in some cases, rights and cost may also play a part, but even so, the potential for adaptation remains strong, and new projects continue to appear.
These examples show that there are still many ideas that could be explored in the future, with films often providing clear worlds, stories, and characters that could be used in a game setting. Games and films are all based on personal preference, just like when people are deciding if they should try matched betting or not. While not every film needs a game version, some do seem well-suited for it, but for now, these titles remain as they are, with their stories told only on screen.
