A.V. Opinions: Frankenstein's Army might be the best video game never made
Alright, let’s talk about the wild ride that is Frankenstein's Army, the best video game movie that was never actually a video game. This small-budget found footage flick is practically screaming to be turned into a bonkers horror-action game. But before we start our letter-writing campaign to game developers, let’s break down why this movie is the perfect template for a next-level World War II horror video game.
Released in 2013 and directed by Richard Raaphorst, Frankenstein's Army is a twisted little gem of a movie that’s as wild as it sounds. Set during the tail end of World War II, the plot follows a Soviet squad pushing their way into Germany, only to stumble upon a top-secret Nazi lab. In this lab, they find Doctor Frankenstein—not the Frankenstein, but his descendant—who’s been busy stitching together corpses and battlefield remains to create an army of monstrous, gruesome zombie soldiers.
If you’re thinking, “Wait, that sounds like it could be the greatest game ever,” you’re not alone. Imagine Call of Duty but with steampunk zombie-monsters, a dash of Hellraiser body horror, and a storyline that’s one part Overlord and one part BioShock. This movie doesn’t just hint at potential—it demands to be gamified.
Shot in the Czech Republic on a budget of roughly $1.5 million, Frankenstein's Army might be small in terms of scale, but it makes up for it with creativity. The movie boasts some truly gnarly practical effects. Sure, not every monster is going to win an Oscar, but for the most part, the gruesome creations are disturbingly fun. These stitched-together abominations have saw blades for arms, propellers for heads, and other grotesque features that feel like they’re straight out of a fever dream.
The entire time I watched Frankenstein's Army, I couldn’t stop thinking, “Why is this not a game yet?” Sure, there are similar video games out there. Wolfenstein gives us Nazi zombies, and Call of Duty dabbles in the undead. BioShock perfected the creepy, atmospheric shooter with a twisted story. But here’s the thing—none of them have combined all of these elements into one game. Again, think Call of Duty meets Hellraiser meets BioShock, add a sprinkle of the History Channel on crack, and mix it all together with the atmospheric tension of a found footage movie. You can’t tell me that doesn’t sound like a blast.
And look, I know Frankenstein’s Army isn’t everyone’s idea of a masterpiece. It’s a niche found footage horror flick with a modest budget, and not every scare lands perfectly. But for fans of practical effects, steampunk horror, and over-the-top war stories, it’s a hidden gem that’s just begging to be rediscovered. If you’re into underrated horror, I highly recommend adding it to your list this Halloween season. Pair it with JeruZalem, another underrated found footage movie that deserves way more love than it gets, and you’ve got a solid spooky double feature.
Let’s start writing letters to every big-name game developer and politely demand a Frankenstein’s Army video game. If we don’t act now, this might just remain the best video game movie that never got made. Who’s with me? Let’s get this monster off the screen and into our consoles.
—Brad McBoom