Roleplaying games are known for telling complex and compelling stories, one of the staple features of the genre. Often, they have deep lore, detailed plots, and intriguing characters that help draw the players into the stories they tell.
As the graphical capabilities of computers and consoles have exploded, many of these games often feel more like experiencing a film, with excellent directing and superb voice-acting comparable to that of many animated movies. Indeed, there are several stand-outs that wouldn't feel out of place if they were seen in a cinema.
10 The Witcher Is On Netflix, But It Would Also Make A Great Movie
Based on the popular series of novels by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is regarded by players as one of the best video games of all time. Its popularity helped spawn the Netflix series The Witcher, which takes place years before the games.
With a deep story that is incredibly faithful to the source material, and excellent voice acting across the entire cast, The Witcher 3 feels like a movie, particularly during the numerous cutscenes. If it were adapted onto the big screen, it could even be a follow-up to the Netflix series, giving fans a chance to see Henry Cavill's Geralt going up against a live-action Eredin.
9 Kena: Bridge of Spirits Feels Like Playing A Pixar Movie
Released in September of 2021, Kena: Bridge of Spirits tells the tale of a young spirit guide seeking a sacred mountain shrine. Along the way, she encounters charming little creatures called the 'Rot' while helping lost and wayward spirits find peace.
Playing through Kena: Bridge of Spirits feels like playing through an animated movie. The art style by Ember Lab is reminiscent of Pixar and carries much of the same charm. The story itself is engaging and heartfelt, told through excellently animated and voice-acted cutscenes that are sure to bring a tear to the player's eye.
8 Final Fantasy VII Is The Greatest Candidate For A Film Adaption
If any Final Fantasy game were to be adapted into a film version, it would be Final Fantasy VII. In fact, this already happened in 2005 when Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children was released, serving as an animated sequel set two years after the Final Fantasy VII's events.
While Advent Children received some positive reviews, it relied heavily upon viewers' knowledge of the original game. The story of Final Fantasy VII would make an excellent film itself, telling the story of a group of revolutionaries in a cyberpunk world that would certainly resonate with fans today.
7 Borderlands 2 Would Make A Great Animated Movie
The Borderlands series plays like a comedic sci-fi movie, full of humor, wit, and plenty of action. It's also incredibly well animated, with a cel-shaded look that would make for a unique take on the animated film genre.
Of the four games released in the series, Borderlands 2 is the one that most feels like playing through a feature film. Full of memorable characters, including Claptrap and the game's antagonist, Handsome Jack, the game already plays out like an animated sci-fi western reminiscent of shows like Cowboy Bebop.
6 Breath of the Wild Is The Legend Of Zelda Game That Should Become A Movie
While many fans of The Legend of Zelda would love to see an animated adaptation of Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, it's the hugely popular Breath of the Wild that would make for the best on-screen adaptation.
Compared to Ocarina of Time, which manages multiple timelines and branching paths, the story in Breath of the Wild is much more straightforward. Yet, it still gets to the heart of the series, telling the tale of a young man and a brave princess fighting off unimaginable evil. The game is full of wonderful characters who feel like they're straight out of an animated movie, such as Mipha, Daruk, and of course, Kass.
5 Middle-Earth: Shadow Of Mordor Is The Perfect Bridge Between Films
While the Lord of the Rings books have already had plenty of film adaptations, Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor is a game that feels as if it was inspired straight from the Peter Jackson trilogy. Playing through the story is like playing through a spin-off of those very films.
The story takes place between the events of The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings trilogy, making it the perfect bridge between the two film adaptations. It tells the very personal story of Talion, a soldier of Gondor and guardian of the Black Gate, who loses his family in an attack by Sauron's forces, making it a perfect setup for a story of vengeance in the beloved franchise.
4 Disco Elysium Plays Like A Buddy Cop Movie
Disco Elysium puts the player in control of a very eccentric man who wakes up in a hotel room with an incredible hangover and a case of amnesia. He soon learns he is a decorated detective tasked with investigating the death of a man found behind that very hotel.
The game is essentially a classic buddy cop movie, as the Detective partners with the more straight-edged Lieutenant Kitsuragi. The pair delve into the events surrounding the mysterious death in a story eerily reminiscent of the Sherlock Holmes films featuring Robery Downey Jr.
3 Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic Is Still One Of The Greatest Stories In The Star Wars Franchise
Highly praised for its storytelling, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is a series of RPGs that feature some of the most compelling narratives in any Star Wars medium. Set four millennia before the events of the movies, it takes players back to a time when the Jedi were at the height of their power.
The incredibly in-depth story told during the game shows just how important the source material was to the developers. As players explore the universe of Star Wars, they are treated to a deep and compelling tale that would be a perfect, more mature counterpart to some of the animated shows the franchise has released.
2 Fallout: New Vegas Would Be A Unique Take On The Post-Apocalyptic Genre
Among fans of RPGs, the Fallout series has become synonymous with the post-apocalyptic setting. While many of the games in the series feature interesting stories and memorable characters, it is Fallout: New Vegas that feels like playing through a movie the most.
The game's story follows many classic tropes of the post-apocalyptic genre; a relatively average person getting pulled into a situation way over their head, surviving, and eventually taking down those that are much more powerful than themselves. There are plenty of characters that feel straight out of a movie as well, such as the cruel Caesar and the enigmatic Mr. House.
1 The Mass Effect Trilogy Is The Ultimate Cinematic Gaming Experience
Few games can capture the same feeling of experiencing a story the same way one does with a feature film as the Mass Effect series. Every bit of it plays out like an epic science fiction tale, full of memorable characters and deep lore, along with a story full of high stakes, a thematic soundtrack, and compelling villains.
Each Mass Effect game manages to capture the genre's essence, transporting the player across worlds filled with intriguing alien species and breathtaking visuals. In addition, the games are bolstered by some fantastic voice-acting, including the main character. Depending on player choice, Shepard can be voiced by either Mark Meer or Jennifer Hale, both prolific performers within the industry.