Netflix’s South Korean horror-thriller Kingdom is set to get its own video game adaptation, entitled Kingdom: The Blood. The game will be an online action RPG and is expected to release for both PC and mobile platforms, with cross-play options. Though we still don’t have a concrete release date set, Netflix has released a teaser trailer for the upcoming title.
Not a whole lot of information has been shared about Netflix’s upcoming licensed title, including exactly how big the game’s online component will be. It’s unknown whether the game will feature some cooperative zombie-killing gameplay– e.g. Killing Floor and Dying Light– or if the game will allow for a much larger number of players to fight alongside one another in a massive world MMO-style. Either way, Kingdom: The Blood is looking to be a great idea for a game on paper.
History Meets Horror
Set during Korea’s Joseon period and just three years after the famous “Battle of the Unpo Wetland,” Netflix’s ‘Kingdom focuses on a prince who is tasked with investigating a deadly outbreak within his kingdom. The major draw of Kingdom is that the series combines two incredibly different genres. Part-historical drama, part-zombie thriller, the TV show offers an interesting “what if” scenario that appeals to both history buffs and horror fans.
Out of Netflix’s vast catalog of original films and TV shows, Kingdom stands out as an excellent candidate for a video game adaption. The series offers an exciting and original world that feels ripe for player exploration and plenty of spooky thrills. Zombies have always been popular within the gaming industry, with massive franchises like Resident Evil, Telltale’s The Walking Dead, and Left 4 Dead all leaving huge impacts on the ever-going gaming landscape. And while there still isn’t a whole lot known about the upcoming licensed game, it seems like a perfect recipe for success. Kingdom certainly does a great job of bringing the horror, and we’re excited to see how it performs as a video game.
Netflix and Gaming
Earlier this year, Netflix expressed its interest in entering the video game medium, with the company dipping their toes into the industry with big IPs Stranger Things and Narcos already receiving game adaptations. While neither of those titles performed all that well (the former has a score 62 on Metacritic, while the latter holds an abysmal 45), we’re holding out hope that Netflix will be able to improve their gaming efforts with Kingdom: The Blood, as they seem to be taking their gaming efforts more seriously. We’re interested to see what other Netflix shows are next to get game adaptations and how far Netflix is looking to go with its video game endeavors.
Kingdom has two seasons and one special on Netflix, with a third season not yet renewed officially. But given the fact that the series is getting a video game adaptation, it seems all too likely that a third season is coming to the streaming service. Stay tuned for more updates on both Kingdom: The Blood and Netflix’s other future video game adaptations.
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