Games based on motion pictures often get a bad rap. Studios cashing in on a popular movie franchise to rush a half-baked video game are too many to count. From poor gameplay choices to mediocre visuals, not to mention storylines that deviate from the film they’re supposedly adapting to the gaming medium, movie tie-in games can be plain atrocious. But there are exceptions to this long list of cash-grabby efforts. So, let’s check out some of the strongest entries that have hit the Xbox in recent years.
Alien: Isolation
Alien: Isolation takes place 15 years after the events that shook the Nostromo. Ellen Ripley’s daughter Amanda Ripley discovers that the flight recorder of her missing mother’s ship has been located, leading her to the decommissioned Sevastopol space station on a retrieval mission. Yet, she soon finds out that a dangerous Xenomorph is lurking on board.
Contrary to most action-heavy outer space titles, this survival horror game with a retro-futuristic flair is all about hiding from that deadly creature. Using any tool she comes across, Amanda must also confront hostile humans and androids to escape with her life. As The Guardian put it, this spine-chilling game is a passionate and clever homage to Ridley Scott’s 1979 horror classic.
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor puts players in the shoes of Gondorian Ranger Talion, who embarks on a vengeful quest across Middle-earth. Not only does this fantasy action-adventure game delve into the open-world genre in masterful fashion, but its Nemesis system elevates the combat experience by making its villains so much more memorable.
Enemy Orcs and Uruk leaders have distinct weaknesses and personalities. Those opponents surviving an almost deadly encounter with Talion even hold grudges, while those defeating him may gloat about the promotion that ensued. Adding to that engaging gameplay an extensive use of The Lord of the Rings lore and Shadow of Mordor stands as the best LotR game by a long shot.
Hogwarts Legacy
Jointly developed by Warner Bros. and Avalanche Software, Hogwarts Legacy is the one game all Potterheads knew they needed. And one of the most-anticipated video games of the year delivered on all fronts. Players can live their dream Hogwarts life by attending potion classes, riding mythical hippogriffs, and honing their spell-casting skills alongside their schoolmates.
Fellow Hogwarts students can turn into companions with whom to explore familiar locations like the Forbidden Forest, the Hogwarts Quidditch Pitch, and Hogsmeade. In this open-world environment, each area boasts unique activities and enemies. Choosing a Hogwarts House also unlocks exclusive quests. Long story short, this deep dive into the wizarding world of Harry Potter is as magical as it sounds.
GoldenEye 007
GoldenEye 007 is the pitch-perfect definition of old but gold. This movie tie-in game didn’t carry much expectation when it came out in 1997, but this action-packed first-person shooter would eventually be a game-changer.
From its revolutionary multiplayer feature to the introduction of stealth elements, GoldenEye 007 changed the course of gaming design and paved the way for massive franchises like Call of Duty and Halo. This vintage entry may have aged poorly in the visuals department. However, a 2023 Xbox remaster modernized the original with improved control options and HD resolution.
Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic
Knights of the Old Republic is one of the most complete Star Wars experiences ever brought to consoles. From Best Writing to Best Original Soundtrack, this RPG bagged countless awards. Playing as either a soldier, a scoundrel, or a scout, players can freely explore such iconic locations as the planets Kashyyyk and Rakata Prime. Besides standard combat and non-combat interactions, minigames spice up the experience, from swoop racing on Tatooine to engaging in a card game of pazaak in Nar Shaada.
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Far from shallow attempts at making bank out of popular movies, the titles above hit all the right boxes for movie lovers and avid gamers. And more promising games based on movies are landing on the Xbox shortly, such as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
