With early reviews for HBO's The Last of Us series already looking extremely positive, it's yet more proof that not every video game adaptation for the screen has to be tacky and unfaithful to the source material. With television and video games having a closer relationship than ever, it raises the question of which shows could make for interesting video games.
With The Expanse: A Telltale Series set to be released this year, it already looks as if the science fiction genre could be the best source of adaptations for video games. Shows like Westworld and Star Trek are some of the most creative on TV and that makes them perfect for an endlessly creative and interactive medium in the form of video games.
Westworld (2016–22)
With the sudden news that it was to be sadly canceled after four seasons last year, many fans are still not ready to say goodbye to the fascinating and twisty universe of Westworld. With HBO borrowing a video game franchise this year, a video game could be the perfect way to keep the HBO series alive in return.
What makes its android-inhabited amusement park concept even more appropriate for a story-based video game is the interesting meta elements it would introduce. In the universe of Westworld, whether it's OK to murder AI characters becomes an interesting moral question that could have even more weight when they're actually video game NPCs.
Star Trek (1966–69)
There have been numerous attempts to recreate what makes the world of Star Trek so endlessly compelling across countless iterations from The Original Series and The Next Generation to Discovery and Strange New Worlds, but there's one potentially perfect Star Trek video game that's still notably missing.
That's an ambitious and open-ended RPG in the same vein as Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. The series has shown off countless worlds and conflicts that could serve as the perfect backdrop to a crisis that could put the player in the shoes of a Starfleet captain. It could be the most immersive Star Trek experience yet and allow the player to personally navigate some of the moral questions presented by the show.
Firefly (2002–03)
As games like The Outer Worlds have shown, the kind of close-knit starship crew atmosphere that made Firefly so endearing is something that gamers love as much as TV fans. With that in mind, no series would be more appropriate for adaptation to video game form than Firefly itself.
Fans have wanted to see the return of Captain Reynolds, Jayne, Inara, and the rest of the crew of Serenity ever since the series was canceled and, though a full TV reunion with the original cast may be unrealistic, a video game may be easier to pull off. Firefly had no shortage of action but it's the show's distinctive world and enjoying life on Serenity that might be the biggest draws.
Stargate SG-1 (1997–07)
Action-packed, character-driven, and set in a unique world with its own deep lore, it's difficult to think of a sci-fi series more perfect for adaptation into video game form than Stargate SG-1. What's sad is that game very nearly already happened in the form of the shooter Stargate SG-1: The Alliance but it was sadly canceled.
However, that doesn't mean the idea of a sci-fi FPS based on the series wouldn't work, as the idea of playing as the characters in the show and utilizing their unique skill sets to complete missions still has a strong appeal. Given Christopher Judge, the actor who played Teal'C, recently won a Game Award for his performance in God of War: Ragnarök, it would be awesome if he could also return.
The X-Files (1993–2018)
Perhaps one reason why there aren't many video game adaptations for sci-fi TV series is that it's always assumed they will turn out as a generic action title but that doesn't have to be the case. In The X-Files, for example, the plots always revolved around FBI agents Mulder and Scully investigating seemingly supernatural occurrences, which lends itself perfectly to a mystery game.
Similar to how Phasmophobia had the player investigate paranormal activity, an X-Files game could have the player trying to get to the bottom of apparent alien or cryptid activity. Alternatively, going all-in on the paranoia side of The X-Files with an immersive psychological horror game would also make for an engrossing experience.
Terra Nova (2011)
A series full of interesting ideas that was ultimately cut far too short, Terra Nova deserves to have its full potential explored and a video game could be the perfect way to do just that. For one thing, games like Ark: Survival Evolved and even Horizon Forbidden West have shown how fun a simple world overrun by large creatures can be.
Largely set 85 million years in the past after humanity travels back in time to escape a heavily polluted world, Terra Nova can balance the spectacle of the Cretaceous period with futuristic weaponry and technology that could make gunplay satisfying and grinding rewarding. It could also finally provide a conclusion to an intriguing premise.
Futurama (1999–2023)
There was a Futurama video game in 2003 that managed to somewhat capture the humor and character of the iconic animated series, but the series never got the attention The Simpsons received with Hit & Run. With the show returning this year, it could be time for Futurama to step out of The Simpsons' shadow, however.
Futurama thrived thanks to the way it often creatively made use of sci-fi premises and tropes, making it perfect for an expansive video game format such as an open-world RPG. Realistically, it only needs to capture the humor and character of the series to please fans everywhere.
Battlestar Galactica (2004–09)
With Battlestar Galactica Online coming to an end in 2019 and Battlestar Galactica Deadlock working better as a tactical game than a Battlestar Galactica adaptation, it could be the perfect time to have another go at transforming the series into a great game.
Cylon Centurions make for an incredibly intimidating threat for an action or horror game while the Cyclons that can disguise themselves as humans could add an element of paranoia that few games have achieved before. Rather than re-treading the steps of the show, Battlestar Galactica has a wide enough world where telling a smaller story within it could be just as good.
The Expanse (2015–22)
With its engrossing plot and amazing character development, there's no surprise that a show considered one of the best sci-fi TV series in a decade has fans interested in a video game adaptation. The Expanse: A Telltale Series will go some way to fulfilling that need this year, it's not necessarily the kind of expansive video game adaptation that would suit the show the best.
Instead, a large-scale RPG sci-fi experience that Mass Effect proved could work long ago might be the best way to capture what's great about the series in video game form. On top of that, giving the player the chance to build their own ship on Tycho Station could be an easy way to win over fans.
Farscape (1999–2003)
There are two major reasons why Farscape deserves to be resurrected in video game form. One is that its premise of being part of a diverse crew aboard a small ship on the run from the oppressive Peacekeepers sounds like the perfect formula for an intense space-faring RPG filled with interesting characters.
Another is that the attempt at a video game adaptation of Farscape from 2002, titled simply Farscape: The Game, did the series a massive disservice with unintuitive gameplay and boring missions. Fans of Farscape will agree the series deserves far more faithful treatment in adapting it in video game form.