Video game movie adaptations are a unique genre that has been around since the early '90s, with titles like Resident Evil, Silent Hill, and the upcoming Five Nights at Freddy's bringing the virtual world of gaming to life. These adaptations allow fans to submerge themselves in their favorite worlds, characters, and storylines in a way that just isn’t possible through the gameplay itself. Yet, many video game movie releases fail to deliver on the fan’s original expectations, leaving them with mixed or negative reviews.
One game that would make a fantastic movie adaptation is As Dusk Falls. This narrative adventure game has all the components of a successful movie: an innovative story, memorable characters, and an immersive world that allows players to make decisions that shape the future of their world. It's a great example of how game stories can be used to create a compelling movie experience.
Understanding the As Dusk Falls Storyline
First released in 2022, As Dusk Falls tells the story of two families, the Walkers and the Holts, who have been intertwined for generations due to a botched robbery. The game follows their journey through multiple timelines and locations as players explore the family dynamics over a thirty-year period. It is set in the Arizona desert and incorporates dynamic supporting characters and an impressive original soundtrack to bring the game to life.
It begins with the Walker family in the midst of relocating across the country when they get into an accident with the three Holt brothers. At this junction, the player is introduced to the characters and must make decisions that will determine their future. From there, the story continues in multiple timelines, flashbacks, and perspectives as the dynamics and outcome shift and evolve depending on player choices.
The entire game develops over two books, each with three chapters. The first book focuses mainly on setting the story, providing background information, and introducing players to the choose-your-own-adventure-style gameplay. The second book builds on the narrative and allows players to explore more complex themes and consequences of their decisions.
As Dusk Falls Characters and Themes
The characters in As Dusk Falls are one of the biggest draws for potential viewers. Each character is finely detailed, with unique personalities and motivations that come to life through their dialogue. The two families are vastly different, yet they are all dealing with family trauma, heavy emotions, and life struggles that test their moral compasses.
At the game's start, the Walker family consists of dad Vince, wife Michelle, young daughter Zoe, and grandfather Jim. They are a tight-knit group in the midst of relocating across the country after Vince suffered an accident at work that cost him his job. Still, they have their struggles and issues to contend with, including the fact that Michelle is having an affair and Jim is dealing with serious health issues. What should be a fresh start for the family becomes a nightmare when the group is held hostage at a hotel by the Holt brothers after getting into an accident with them on their trip.
The Holt family, on the other hand, is a tragedy. Consisting of three brothers, Tyler, Dale, and Jay, dad Bear, and mother Sharon, their story is filled with alcoholism, violence, deep family secrets, and a broken cycle of abuse. The three brothers are the ones who hold up the Dream Desert Motel, unleashing the events of the game. They are a stark contrast to the Walkers, yet their story is just as complex and integral to the narrative. Over the decades-long events, players get to know each family member as their respective stories slowly unravel.
In addition to the main families, there are numerous supporting characters, like Joyce, the owner of the Dream Desert Motel, and Vanessa, a teen girl dealing with an overbearing father. On the surface, it can seem like these characters are just there for color, yet they hold a lot of meaning and depth. With each character comes new choices and consequences, challenging players to consider who they want to support and how their decisions will shape the future.
What Sets As Dusk Falls Apart From Other Video Game Movie Adaptations?
One of the main things that set As Dusk Falls apart from other video games turned into films is its presentation and themes revolving around relatable issues. Difficult family dynamics, suicide, addiction, and lost dreams are all explored in the game, which is considerably different from other releases. Many games focus on supernatural, otherworldly, or fantastical storylines, yet As Dusk Falls maintains a real-world setting and tackles emotional issues found in successful movies and real life. This allows for a more accessible story that casual viewers and fans alike can enjoy.
Much of the game itself plays out as a thriller movie rather than a traditional action game. The actual gameplay is minimal, developing with dialogue, flashbacks, puzzle-solving, and exploration rather than the typical gunplay and action sequences. This film-like approach makes the game perfect for a movie adaptation, as the focus is on the story rather than the action sequences.
While the game doesn't have one clear definitive ending, this can be advantageous for a movie. A movie adaptation could explore different endings, showing how the choices made can affect the narrative or take a stance that leaves the audience with an open-ended conclusion. It's a unique opportunity to explore the nuances of storytelling within different timelines while developing such rich character arcs.
As Dusk Falls is a perfect game-turned-movie candidate for its accessible and impressive storyline, endearing characters, and suspenseful presentation. It's the perfect opportunity to show how video game stories can be used to create captivating cinematic experiences.