10 Amazing Video Games that Were Based on Books (Novels)

Ready player one? Here’s a look at the spectacular video games that started as books. Video games have been achieving blockbuster sales in recent years, so it comes as no surprise that incredible literary works that have captivated millions are now video games.

Yes, that’s a thing! These games draw their original ideas from books and are transformed into immersive gaming experiences. Keep on reading as we unveil the magic in these ten amazing video games, showing a new age of storytelling and creativity.

1.  The Witcher

Is there a better way to kick things off? Nope! The Witcher is, by all means, the best example of a video game adapted from a book series. This game, developed by CD Projekt Red, puts the player in the boots of a hardened monster hunter, just like the original book’s plot.

The Witcher, like the book, follows the adventures of Geralt of Rivia, who is on a quest that puts him at odds with the powers that be. While this game might be bleak at times, what with the whole magic thing, it definitely presents the player with a land of adventure, complete with rich detail.

First the book, then the TV Series, and now the game, “The Witcher” has slowly earned itself somewhat of a cult following. What sets the game apart is its rich telling of the intrigues of the book and unique interaction with the story’s sometimes complex, hard-to-understand characters.

2.  Metro 2033 Redux

Now here’s a game that never seems to get enough love. Metro 2033 Redux is exactly what you get when you drop a “John Wick” kind of character in the middle of post-apocalyptic Moscow. It gets bloody and messy in a hurry, just as it is in the book.

Metro 2033 Redux is a game developed from the plot of the “Metro 2033” book by Dmitry Glukhovsky. As the story goes, a small group of survivors take refuge in underground tunnels that are part of the Moscow metro system. The main character, Artyom, goes against unknown creatures of the dark in search of safety.

True to the form, atmosphere, and themes of the book, Metro 2033 Redux captures the struggles of what it takes to survive a post-apocalyptic world. The gameplay is as immersive as it sounds. Coupled with the gripping narrative, the game is a must-play for the fans of the book.

3.  Call of Cthulhu

Sure, you can laugh at the book’s dark sense of humor, but you won’t be laughing when it’s your life on the line on a remote island in the middle of nowhere. Call of Cthulhu is an adventure game based on one of the thriller works of H. P. Lovecraft. As if the book wasn’t bone-chilling enough, they went on to make a game out of it.

“Call of Cthulhu” is a cosmic horror game that features otherworldly creatures. Edward Pierce, the character in the game, is investigating the web of mystery and madness and is drawn in by the dangers lurking behind the thrilling atmosphere of the island.

The game captures the essence of the book almost to the letter. It leaves the player utterly gobsmacked, thanks to the cosmic dread and existential horrors of the unknown. If the story isn’t enough, the rich visuals capture the expectations of fans and players alike.

4.  Dante’s Inferno

With the amazing pre-rendered plot, Dante’s Inferno is nothing short of insane and addictive. The game is based on a book by Dante Alighieri known as “Divine Comedy” but developed by Visceral Games under the title “Dante’s Inferno,” which maintains the book’s DNA.

“Dante Inferno” brings the book to life in stunning poetry. The player is set up to fight against hordes of creatures, putting their puzzle solving skills to the test, and navigating the political intrigues of powerful bosses – all for the glory of conquering the twisted landscape that is hell.

The result is an immersing rollercoaster drawn from the compelling narrative of Dante’s book. Complete with the visceral combat, the game successfully captures the plot, offering fans an escape into the world of the thriller storyline for some thought-provoking experience.

5.  Conan Exiles

It would have been all too easy to list “Conan Exiles” as one of our top five, and for good reason. It is something brutal you want, eh? This game is the perfect symmetry of poetry and barbarity. A rendition of the “Conan Exiles” story by Robert Howards, and a perfect one at best.

“Conan Exiles” is a barbarian survival game that tests the quick-thinking ability of the player. Set in the world of Conan, the player finds themselves in a race against time to establish a fortress and ward off other players and creatures of the realm. An enemy lurks in the dark at every turn.

The game is everything you want it to be and so much more. It captures Howard’s imagination to make for immersive gameplay. You can learn to fight your way in a land where swords and sorcery rule day and night. For fans of the Conan mythos, this game is a smash hit.

6.  Cyberpunk 2077

Okay, what if instead of drowning in a battle royale set in the past, you fight off advanced tech in the future? “Cyberpunk 2077” comes to you from the same studies that brought you “The Witcher”. Now hang on! We should point out that this game is not directly based on a book, rather draws some inspiration from it.

“Cyberpunk 2077” is inspired by the tabletop role-playing game created by Mike Pondsmith. As you can probably tell from the title, the game is set in a dystopian future where humans live side-by-side with advanced technology. Years of watching sci-fi movies is all the experience you need to survive in the Night City metropolis.

Playing the mercenary – V – the player has to navigate the world of corporate greed and moral decay to find a place to call their own. The game is accompanied by amazing visuals and the game mechanics to match. It carries the whole nine yards of science fiction literature.

7.  Dune: Spice Wars

Pretty sure more people will be playing this game compared to those who have read the book that inspired it. “Dune: Space Wars” is a game for the students of the great Machiavelli – a game for those with an ambition for absolute power. Does it deliver? Indeed, it does.

Developed from the fictional works of Frank Herbert in the “Dune”, Space Wars allows the player to thrive by manipulating factions within the Dune universe to do their bidding. That translates to many epic battles and blood moments that decide the ownership of valuable resources.

8.  Parasite Eve

A sci-fi battle royale, sprawling through the grimdark streets of New York, following NYPD Officer Aya Brea as she learns more about her unique abilities. “Parasite Eve” delivers a unique blend of survival horror with adventure-action characteristics, based on a novel of the same name by Hideaki Sena.

The game serves a host of bizarre scenes featuring mutated creatures and supernatural phenomena. “Parasite Eve” video game builds on the plot from the book to introduce new elements to the story. It is a gripping narrative that morphs into a memorable gaming experience.

9.  I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream

Do you know what you’ve been missing in your gamer career? Something goofy. “I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream” is a game for those whose shooting skills are not quite up to snuff. It is a point-and-click adventure game developed from the short story of the same name by Harlan Ellison.

“I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream” is set in a world where an all-powerful supercomputer named AM controls and torments the surviving human race. It is nothing short of dark, complete with existential themes, and thought-provoking challenges.

10. Assassin’s Creed

Many games that we’ve examined so far are book to game adaptations. However, numerous original games draw inspiration from literary works. One prime example is Assassin’s creed.

According to the developers Patrice Désilets and Jade Raymond, the inception of this game took inspiration from Vladimir Bartol’s 1938 novel, Alamut. It delivers an exceptional blend of historical accuracy, thrilling gameplay, and immersive storytelling.

The Final Word

Who said books don’t make for interactive gaming experiences? Whether fantasy adventurers are your bread and butter, or maybe you prefer cuddling up to psychological horrors, get your game pad and embark into the world of literature and gaming.