The movie was plenty creative, because Verhoeven didn't even read the book.

The book was more of an commendary hiw trooppers are trained during the training camps and how the enemy is demonized. Also lots with right wing political messaging

The movie was satire about military focused society and how zelous the average trooppers can be and there are lots of references how soldier alienate them selfs from the enemy.

The games continue with the same satiric line on completelly new media. But its even more clear that the players are not the good guys and that the normal grunts are not seeing the whole picture. It also has commentary about how average human has no real value beond what they can do for the overlords benefit.

So far i think these stories have had enough of their own story and message to stand behind to justify their existence. Unlike some cash grabs like disneys live action versions of their older movies.

adaptationception. and adaption of an adaption of an adaption.