Die Hardhas captured the attention and fanfare of audiences around the globe since 1988. Not only is there an eternal debate surrounding the film as a Holiday movie, but it is regarded as one of the best action/thrillers of our time. Bruce Willis plays John McClane, a detective who finds himself trapped in an office building with terrorists holding hostages: including his wife.
RELATED:Why The Die Hard Scenario Is So Enduring
The concept alone along with the high stakes is a great archetype for a story and one which many films and video games have tried to replicate. Ultimately, some games come out on top with their unique spin onDie Hard.
10DOOM: Eternal
A Slayer and a few hundred thousand demons walk into a bar. Players know how this one goes. id Software’s 2020DOOMgame,DOOM Eternalfeatures the titular Doom Slayer (or Doom Guy), as he battles the armies of Hell, alone. Although on mere appearance, the Doom Slayer and John McClane have nothing in common, the action speaks for itself.
As the Doom Slayer, players are tasked with stopping an invasion and saving humans from being killed, or otherwise having their buildings blown up. If that sounds familiar, then it’s basicallyDie Hard, except there’s a plethora of fast-paced action, gore, and demons to rip and tear, and hopefully,more titles on the way.
9Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
Every film, TV show, or video game, has the stakes get higher in the sequels. This is true forDie Hard, and it’s especially true forUncharted 2: Among Thieves. The game even opens with a climactic spectacle of the player climbing a destroyed train that hangs off a cliff in the middle of snowy mountains. It’s a great narrative introduction, but there are somecriticisms of the series' narrative structure.
Nathan Drake and John McClain are rather similar protagonists. Both can be clumsy, out of their depth, and witty when they feel like it. Nate’s humor when conversing with the villainous Lazarević is much like McClain’s own interactions with Hans Gruber. Not to mention the gameplay, which has Nate alone, and battling hordes of mercenaries.
8Far Cry 5
The fifth main installment into theFar Cryfranchise by Ubisoft,Far Cry 5finally takes players to a less exotic location. Players are taken home, to America. The protagonist is involved in law enforcement as a junior deputy, and soon becomes directly involved in a plot to take over America by religious cultists.
What makes the game similar toDie Hardis the aspect of a man against a group of terrorists. The protagonist, and thus the player, must utilize every tool at their disposal to take down this hostile group and to show them what America stands for, whilst guns blazing. Or, going the stealthy route.
7Wolfenstein: The New Order
A man seeking to reclaim what he loves from Germans. Thinking aboutDie Hard? Think again.Wolfenstein: The New Orderwas the action-adventure first-person shooter developed by MachineGames. This title broughtWolfensteinback into the mainstream and had a blast in doing it.
RELATED:Games That Birthed Genres
As BJ Blazkowicz, players must escape an asylum under German occupation. This game takes place after the war, in which the Nazis won. It’s another “one man versus the world” type deal, and the stakes are higher than ever, as the player fights against fascism.
6Control
The action-adventure game developed by Remedy Entertainment is more inspired by David Lynch than it isDie Hard, but that doesn’t stop the two from having a similar plot. WithControl, players enter the mind of protagonist Jesse Faden. She finds herself as the new director at the Federal Bureau of Control, but in a building completely emptied.
At the FBC building, players will have to use supernatural abilities and weapons to clear out the hostile invasion of the supernatural Hiss. It’s a great mystery, filled with interesting side quests and characters. Yet a protagonist taking care of hostiles one floor at a time is veryDie Hard,and definitely, a game worth picking up, especiallyif you are an AT&T customer.
5Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Although this game doesn’t feature many of the core attributes that one would associate withDie Hard.Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eatercan still be regarded as basically Die Hard because of the events that take place. The game lacks the iconic Nakatomi Plaza, considering it’s set in the Cold War-era Soviet Union.
RELATED:Metal Gear: Silliest Things That Have Happened In The Franchise
As Naked Snake, players must navigate jungles and Soviet-run facilities to infiltrate and rescue a weapons designer and sabotage an experimental weapons operation that could threaten the world. Higher stakes thanDie Hard, but similar.
4Resident Evil 2 (Remake)
As a deadly virus brings the residents of Raccoon City under the catastrophic thumb of death,Resident Evil 2seeks to tell two stories. For the sake of the Die Hard themes, this entry will be more reserved for Leon rather than Claire.
As a new police officer, Leon arrives in an empty police station and soon finds himself biting off more than he can chew. The same can’t be said for the zombie horde. Leon must use his wits and brawn to battle and solve the mystery that plagued Raccoon City into literal Hell, but like McClain, the hunter can become the hunted.The terrifying Mister Xwill stalk you through the police station.
3Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons Of Liberty
Another title to feature hidden and crawling in vents isMetal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. The protagonist, Raiden, is sent to an offshore clean-up facility, Big Shell. The protagonist must sneak around, and try to stop the terrorist plot.
What makes this game likeDie Hardis theuse of stealthand the threat of hostages being used to further the terrorist’s goal. To make the stakes even higher, The United States President is onboard Big Shell, meaning Raiden must use his tactical espionage training to good use, to save everyone.
2Half-Life
Often regarded by players as one of the best first-person shooters of all time, the originalHalf-Lifedeveloped and published by Valve is another title similar to that ofDie Hard. The protagonist, Gordon Freeman, is completely silent, but it’s the actions of the game that make it similar.
Freeman must navigate around through puzzle and shooting segments in the Black Mesa facility, which has been invaded by monsters as well as the army. It’s a one-man war as Freeman desperately tries to get himself to safety, and like McClaine, he also uses vents. Hopefully, likeDie Hard,Half-Lifewill receive a third entry.
1Batman: Arkham Asylum
John McClane and Batman don’t exactly have a lot in common. The former is always wisecracking and can fumble sometimes. Whereas Batman is serious and hard-boiled. Their similarities seem to come into play in that they are both detectives, and both spend an unusual amount of time in vents.
Within Rocksteady’sBatman: Arkham Asylum, Batman finds himself trapped in Arkham Asylum, with theiconic villain, The Joker, freeing all the inmates to make the madhouse, truly mad. The concept is much likeDie Hard, with the protagonist being trapped in a hostage situation with criminals. Except this protagonist has a cape and pointy ears and fights a clown rather than Alan Rickman.
