Doctor Whoand video games might have a long history together, but it’s not a particularly strong one. Perhaps it’s the sheer scope of the Whoniverse or the fact that the lead character is (mostly) a pacifist, butDoctor Whogamesnever really seem to hit the mark.
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With a wealth of supporting characters, alien races, planets, and timelines to play with though, it’s fun to speculate what might happen if a game developer got their hands on the license and were given almost free reign. They could tell a multitude of stories across numerous genres, much like the series itself.
10Professor River Song
Professor River Songis a hero in her own right, but with a devilish streak that sets her apart from her moralistic husband/wife. She’s slightly more selfish, and definitely isn’t above shooting her way out of a situation.
A River Song game could easily play like a time-hopping, alien-infested version ofTomb Raider. With a host of gadgets and weaponry at her disposal, various slimy acquaintances and an outfit for every occasion, gamers would have endless fun in this corner of the universe.
9Abslom Daak
Yet to appear on-screen (aside from a brief cameo in “Time Heist”), Abslom Daak is a comic-strip creation with a backstory well suited to thegrittier video game experiencescurrently in vogue.
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After losing the love of his life to the deadliest race in the universe, Daak sets out to kill “every damned stinkingDalekin the galaxy!”. A Daak game would a perfect exercise in bloodthirsty action, as gamers carve up Daleks inTurok-esque jungle environments, wielding the Dalek-killer’s infamous chainsword.
8K9
The lovable robot dog who first appeared way back in 1977 is the perfect candidate for a bright, colorful platformer. Gamers could take K9 through a variety of levels on different planets, using his laser gun to thwart enemies and rescue innocent civilians.
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As a bonus, developers could incorporate elements of the K9 spin-off series that aired in Australia, allowing for customizable skins and a K9 capable of flight! Being the sassy character that he is, the sarcastic quips from K9 as he disposes of undesirables would add to the fun.
7UNIT
UNIT, that ever-reliable organization who once boasted the Doctor as one of their employees. A UNIT game would allow players to take full advantage of the military combat and strategy elements as they fight alien invaders and mad scientists.
Combining warfare with intelligence and scientific skill, gamers could perhaps choose whether to play as a UNIT scientist or soldier. To make things even more interesting, there could be two separate games – one set in UNIT’s early years and one in the present day.
6The Paternoster Gang
The Paternoster gang consists of Silurian detective Madame Vastra, benevolent Sontaran Strax and Victorian swordswoman Jenny Flint. Operating in the murky depths of foggy Victorian London, they’d lend themselves beautifully to anArkham Asylum-esquegame of stealth and horror.
Each character has their own set of skills, allowing for a diverse gaming experience – from creeping around the misty lamp-lit streets to hand-to-hand combat, and their dealings with serial killers and space parasites would make for a haunting atmosphere.
5Various Alien Races
Doctor Whois inundated with alien races of all shapes, sizes, and creeds. Empires of steel, plastic, or even pure energy, all vying for their place in the galaxy. Perfect fodder for anAge of Empires-style strategy game!
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There could be a selection of top-tier races to choose from – Daleks,Cybermen, Ice Warriors, Sontarans for instance – and the player would take their selected race and build their empire. From constructing military bases to conquering planets, whilst dodging space plagues and cosmic meddlers, this game would have ample potential.
4Space Security Service
First appearing in “The Daleks' Master Plan”, the Space Security Service was sworn to protect Earth and its surrounding space. Dealing with all manner of alien threats, including the Daleks, a game based on the military force would have ample scope.
Combining action with espionage, the player could control an agent infiltrating the base of some extraterrestrial nasty, using stealth as well as power to achieve their goal. Enemies could range from the aforementioned denizens of Skaro to the dreaded Cybermen.
3Torchwood
ATorchwoodgame might work as a creepy action-adventure. It could work with a style similar toControl, laced with dark humour and lots of mysteries to be solved. Players would also have access to a range of playable characters from theTorchwooduniverse.
As a show,Torchwoodwas able to go further than the series it spun-off from, enabling a potential game to truly lean into the adult-orientated elements. Body horror, complicated relationships and a host of unpleasant enemies would make for a deeply involved, story-driven experience.
2The Eternals
The Eternals are an ancient, immortal race of beings who use humans, or “ephemerals” to entertain themselves. This is perhaps the most obscure entry in this list, but a game based on the frolics of the excellent 1983 serial “Enlightenment” could make for an interesting racing game.
In said story, the Eternals race against each other in spaceships disguised as pirate ships. Imagine soaring through galaxies, dodging asteroids and planets in a sailing ship. The spectacle alone would be worth it, especially inglorious 4K.
1Weeping Angels
Take the concept ofAlien Isolation– that is, being stalked by an un-killable menace with only the player’s wits to keep them safe. Alter the setting from a spaceship to a creepy house, and replace the Xenomorph with the scariest monster ofDoctor Who’s modern series. Survival horror heaven!
Rather than guns or explosives, players need to rely on mirrors to keep the Weeping Angels at bay. For added scope, the game could beset in a whole village, with multiple statues on the loose…
