Following the successful cinematic adaptations of Uncharted and The Last of Us, Sony has announced that Horizon Zero Dawn is set to make its way to the big screen. PlayStation Studios and Columbia Pictures have confirmed the development of a movie that will delve into Aloy's origin story and the game's captivating, machine-filled world. Although the project is still in its early stages, there's a strong belief that it could become Sony's first major video game success at the box office, provided it remains faithful to the source material.

Recent years have seen a surge in successful video game adaptations across both film and television. The Super Mario Brothers and Sonic movies have set a high bar for family-friendly adaptations, excelling in both critical acclaim and box office performance. On the small screen, Sony's The Last of Us has joined the ranks of fan-favorite shows like Netflix's Arcane and Amazon Prime's Fallout. Even adaptations with mixed reviews, such as the Tom Holland-starring Uncharted movie, have managed to achieve significant box office success, grossing over $400 million.

However, the "video game curse" still lingers, with some adaptations failing to capture the essence of their source material. Uncharted, for instance, did not meet the expectations of fans hoping for a faithful adaptation. Similarly, last year's Borderlands film and Amazon's Like a Dragon: Yakuza series received poor reviews and underperformed at the box office due to their deviation from the original games' storylines, lore, and tone.

This issue extends beyond video game adaptations to adaptations in general. Netflix's The Witcher, for example, has taken significant liberties with its source material, altering events, characters, and the overall tone. While adaptations often require changes to suit their new medium, these examples can feel like entirely different entities, leading to disappointment among fans and potentially contributing to the project's failure.

Returning to Horizon, this isn't the first attempt to bring the game to screens. In 2022, Netflix announced a series based on the game, with rumors of a "Horizon 2074" project set in the pre-apocalypse era. This direction was controversial among fans who wanted a story faithful to the original game, complete with its iconic robotic creatures. Fortunately, the Netflix project is no longer in development, and Horizon is now being adapted into a feature film. The increased budget of a Hollywood movie is crucial for realizing the game's visual potential, particularly its heavy reliance on CGI to bring the robotic ecosystems to life.

If Horizon receives the same careful treatment as The Last of Us, there's no reason it can't be PlayStation's first major cinematic success. The success of shows like Fallout, Arcane, and The Last of Us demonstrates the importance of staying true to the source material's visuals, tone, and story. The Last of Us, while introducing new storylines, largely adhered to the game's narrative structure, resonating with both fans and newcomers. Horizon, too, has a compelling story that deserves to be faithfully adapted.

Horizon Zero Dawn won the Best Narrative award at The Game Awards in 2017 and the Outstanding Achievement in Story at the 2018 DICE awards, highlighting the high regard for its storytelling. Set in 31st century North America, the game follows Aloy, a member of the Nora Tribe, as she unravels the mystery of her origins and their connection to Elisabet Sobeck, a scientist from the old world. The game's world is rich with intricate communities and settlements, providing a fertile ground for a compelling film franchise. Much like James Cameron's Avatar series, a Horizon film could explore the unique cultures and traditions of its tribes, alongside thrilling combat encounters with creatures like Sawtooths, Tallnecks, and Stormbirds.

Horizon's story is inherently cinematic, with a unique and timely world that could translate well to the big screen. The game's success across two generations of PlayStation consoles underscores its potential for a successful film adaptation. With the expansive story of Forbidden West, there's ample material for a long-term franchise if adapted carefully.

To ensure success, the film must preserve the elements that made the game a hit. With other Sony titles like Ghost of Tsushima and Helldivers 2 also slated for adaptation, a faithful approach could set PlayStation up for success in this new medium. However, straying from what made Horizon great could lead to negative fan feedback and financial difficulties, as seen with other poorly received adaptations. It's crucial that Sony, along with its chosen writers and directors, recognize the value of Horizon and stay true to its essence.