Video games have become ridiculously ingrained into the mainstream over the past decade or so. No longer do the nerds and geeks need seek the shelter of the basement to get their game on. That said, while every other art form can be adapted to the big screen no problem, video games just can’t seem to get over that hump. They can go super faithful, and you get Mortal Kombat, or they can go totally off the wall, pants-on-head ridiculous, and you get Resident Evil 3-7. Sometimes you get a passable blockbuster like Tomb Raider, but occasionally Uwe Boll also manages to sneak behind a camera, and you get BloodRayne (Michael Madsen speaking Middle English on a horse is like watching an angry duck do plastic surgery). It seems like the quality is just never quite the focus it should be. Strange, because two of those franchises (putting aside a few duds) have been consistently great, and increasingly cinematic for over 20 years.

If Hollywood really wants to capitalize on some untapped IPs, so they can layoff the young adult sci-fi for a while, they could do a hell of a lot worse than digging deep into some classic video games with assloads of character. To get things started, here are 4 video games that should ACTUALLY be movies.

4. Crimson Skies

This Guy can’t get enough great world-building. One of the most beloved games from the original Xbox, Crimson Skies (which holds up surprisingly well) is a slick elseworld tale of a 1930s America where the personal plane has become the main mode of transportation. This strange, “what if” story pits a team of air pirates against a fascist maniac bent on terrorizing Chicago, and eventually all of North America with his insane zeppelin. It sounds bonkers, and it is, but the charm comes from that weirdness, and the game boasts likable characters, interesting twists, and some potential for some awesome set-pieces (lost cities, secret bases, and steampunk-ish Chicago skylines). In the hands of a gifted visual auteur, like a Villeneuve or even a Guillermo del Toro, a Crimson Skies flick could be dazzling and exciting. Sort of a Sky Captain And The World of Tomorrow… but good.

3. The Suffering

This one is a bit more of a personal preference. This Guy is nothing if not nostalgic, and The Suffering was an introduction to the darker side of gaming at what was likely an inappropriate age. Regardless, this dark tale of the hardest prison in America suddenly becoming even worse when its besieged by evil creatures, has a lot to offer the horror genre. The Suffering follows new inmate Torque, set to be executed for killing his wife and sons. Torque has more inner demons than your average killer, and when his rage mixes with the prison’s dark history, the very ground explodes into a storm of vengeful spirits, deformed monsters, and deranged lunatics. Prisoners and guards must ban together to stop the horde of evil from consuming the prison and all its inhabitants. Torque, inadvertently tipping the scales to make this happen must fight his way out, and maybe discover why he can’t clearly recall the events surrounding his supposed crime.

The Suffering is a terrific game with a well told story that, with a few tweaks, could be worked into an awesome horror film. An attempt was made over a decade ago, gut not much came of it. Today, James Wan, or (we can dream) John Carpenter could take this story to next level creepiness, assuming they don’t shy away from the game’s inherent disturbing themes and imagery

 

2. Red Dead Redemption

Some games in recent years have been going the route of “interactive storytelling.” Telltale has taken a  large chunk of that market lately with their Walking Dead and Game Of Thrones seasons. Certain devs have gone even further, with Square Enix’s Quantum Break having a stacked cast and a companion live-action series. But, if you ask This Guy, he’s never had a more “cinematic” experience with a game, than Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption.

The beautiful, wild west, on its last legs as the 20th century creeps over it, just like the hero, John Marsden himself. A relic of the west, Marsden is a former outlaw turned farmer, who just wants to live out his days in peace. Then the government comes knocking, enlisting him to cleanse the land of his former compatriots, before they’ll let him hang his guns up for good. The game spans two fictional southern counties, as well as Mexico, and has some of the best horse riding, gun fighting, and character development in video game history. From it’s bandit wrangling opening act, to its devastating bloody finale, it’s an absolute joy to experience.

Gritty westerns have had a bit of a comeback recently, and a story like Marsden’s, told right, could be a terrific adaptation. James Mangold would be This Guy’s choice to helm the project, assuming he took as much care with the tale as he has with Wolverine’s.

 

1. Fallout

What can you say about the Fallout universe that hasn’t already been said? Not much likely, so we’ll make this simple.

The Fallout series has one of the most deep, intriguing, and genuinely entertaining world’s in gaming. Taking inspiration from Mad Max, A Boy And His Dog, The Omega Man, and other post-apocalyptic classics, this ongoing look at a world after the bombs fall is the gift that keeps on giving. It’s dark, twisted, violent, scary, hilarious, offbeat, and always clever journey through an America that never grew up, filtered through a poppy 40s soundtrack. And through it all, war… war never changes.

In the right hands, a Fallout film (or even series) could stand as the definitive piece on war, survival, human perseverance, and proper implementation of sociological experimentation on giant underground dwellings. It’s got it all!