Ways It Could Work
Stranger Things has a rich narrative and interesting lore that can be explored in a variety of different ways and through different video game genres.
A story-based game Stranger Things game would be a great option if it focused on new characters and storylines like what Telltale does with The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones. Those games tend to focus on new stories and characters that take place in the already established universe. This way, gameplay does not need to be spectacular if it brings a never before seen story that adds to the lore. A Stranger Things game that goes in that direction could go well since the universe is big enough to find new plot points to add to it.
If the game wanted to keep the same story and already established characters, it could do so in an action/adventure style game. Fans of the series know the story very well. To prevent players feeling underwhelmed by the familiar story, the game would need to compensate by offering immersive gameplay to add another layer to the Stranger Things experience. Giving players to opportunity to take Eleven through her daring escape through Hawkings Lab or Chief Hopper and Joyce’s journey through the Upside Down would make them feel like a part of the story. Immersing players with gameplay will put them in the Stranger Things world and would make for a great game.
What makes Stranger Things a prime candidate for a video game, is that there are a lot of different directions for the game to go. A development team has the option to do a stick to the lore or get a little creative with the boundaries since much of Stranger Things’ lore still remains a mystery.