Summary

• The success of The Last of Us adaptation sets a new standard for mature video game adaptations and proves that they can resonate strongly with audiences.
• The Fallout TV show has high expectations as it is compared to The Last of Us and has the potential to further destigmatize video game adaptations.
• The strong from fans of the Fallout video games and the success of The Last of Us contribute to the high expectations for the Fallout show, making failure less acceptable.

As seen in the critically acclaimed live-action adaptation of HBO's The Last of Us season 1 can be attributed to show's masterful handling of the complexity of the games' themes.

With the box office success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Sonic the Hedgehog, it appeared as though avid gamers were finally entering into an age where iconic video game characters were receiving proper screen adaptations. However, considering each movie's PG rating and source material, one could argue the success of both movies is attributable to that just as much as its filmmaking. The Last of Us' achievements are thus more impressive because the subjects and themes covered aren't child-friendly, yet still resonate strongly with audiences. With another mature video game receiving a big TV adaptation soon, The Last of Us' popularity as a one-off success or growing movement will be put to the test.

The Fallout Show Will Be The Next Big Test For Video Game Adaptations

Following The Last of Us season 1, the next major video game adaptation with high expectations is the Fallout TV show. Though news regarding the Fallout television show is sparse, the magnitude of the franchise's success thus far cements it among the most anticipated video game adaptations. With Walton Goggins and Kyle MacLachlan slated to star in the post-apocalyptic 1950s drama, things are looking good so far. Ahead of its release on Amazon Prime Video in April 2024, Fallout is already being compared The Last of Us, which proved that mature video game adaptations can work while setting a new standard for how they should and can be made.

Although to a lesser extent than The Last of Us, Fallout is known for its complex themes and philosophical musings about the ethics of using nuclear arms. While the video games have more of a comedic side to balance out its otherwise darker subjects than The Last of Us, the games are rated "M" for a reason. If the Fallout TV show's story can successfully handle the source material's subjects and capture the essence of what makes the games so special, it has the potential to not only do well, but also further destigmatize video game adaptations.

Why The Expectations Are So Much Higher For The Fallout Show

One of the greatest contributing factors to the hype surrounding the Fallout live-action adaptation is the strong from those familiar with the video games. Known for its clever writing and fun gameplay, Fallout has repeatedly proven to be one of the most important pieces of pop-culture. Moreover, the success of The Last of Us has contributed immensely to proving that dramatic adaptations of critically acclaimed games can work if handled properly, meaning there's less of an excuse for failure.

While more video game movies and shows seem to be breaking the video game adaptation curse, it is still fairly untested in the grand scheme of television. If Fallout can replicate or even sur the success of The Last of Us, it would contribute greatly to the argument that video game adaptations can work – and that's why the expectations for Fallout are so great. With Fallout slated for a 2024 release, it won't be long before it has a chance to prove why The Last of Us' success wasn't a fluke.