Whether it is a short story, a great novel, or a whole series of works, a good book is well worth making a game or a movie based on it. Another question is how well many game makers and directors can adapt a literary work to a new format.
This selection will focus only on those cases where such a creative experiment was successful. Here gamers are waiting for games based on books of different genres and stylistic trends, allowing you to plunge into the beloved book universes and directly get acquainted with the characters. Of course, no one has written a novel about Indian Live Roulette yet, but it definitely deserves your attention.
Some of the best games based on books include:
- Dune: Spice Wars;
- S.T.A.L.K.E.R;
- Metro 2033;
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and others.
Sherlock Holmes Chapter One
An open-world detective thriller about a young detective Sherlock Holmes investigating a mysterious death on an exotic island. In parallel with the investigation, the hero is also trying to find his place in the world, to find his purpose. The plot is intense. The graphics in the game are great; the surrounding world, in the form of a picturesque island, is open for exploration. The gameplay is diverse. It has a place for travel and contemplation, exciting dialogues, puzzle solutions, and battles.
Dune: Spice Wars
New single-player strategy game based on the Dune series by Frank Herbert. A game for those who love space and epic science fiction. The genre of Dune: Spice Wars is a real-time strategy game with 4X elements. The player will have to lead one of the noble houses of the universe and engage in a battle with other factions for control of the strategically important planet of Arrakis. Notably, you can use various means to achieve your goals in Dune: Spice Wars, including political intrigue, espionage, and more. Random events like a sudden sandstorm or a sandworm attack will be necessary.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl.
A computer game by G.S.C. Game World, influenced by the book “Roadside Picnic.” The developers borrowed many ideas from this book, although Shadow of Chernobyl itself is not a direct adaptation of it. Atmospheric and fascinating F.P.S. with an element of role-playing and survival, a small open-world, post-apocalyptic environment, non-linearity, intriguing story, and many other advantages.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat
In a game from the “Stalker” series, the hero is a military stalker who performs an essential mission in a zone with anomalies and mutants. A new storyline and new in-game features, and an unusual stalker atmosphere were transferred to the game from the novel “Picnic on the sidelines. Compared to the two previous games, the graphics in this part were slightly tightened; the locations were remade based on aerial photographs of the real alienation zone. In addition, developers have added new weapons, equipment, and improvement system.
Metro 2033
A post-apocalyptic shooter based on the book by Dmitry Glukhovsky. An updated version of Metro 2033 Redux was released in 2014. It was made on an improved engine and with significant graphical updates. In addition, new modes appeared, locations were merged into seamless complexes, many bugs were fixed, and the A.I. was improved. Otherwise, it is the same intense post-apocalyptic action game with a great story, gameplay, atmosphere, music, and other aspects.
Metro: Last Light
A sequel to the games based on Glukhovsky’s books, dedicated to the global nuclear war that turned the world into radioactive ruins and forced the remnants of humanity to survive in miserable conditions. There is also an improved version of Metro: Last Light Redux. The new graphics core and some other improvements will surely please both Metro fans and those trying to get acquainted with the series for the first time.
Conan Exiles
A very fascinating and beautiful Survival, based on the books by Robert Gorward about the Cimmerian hero Conan. A large open world in the spirit of gritty fantasy that you can immerse yourself in with other players. Building and crafting, hunting and hunting for lost relics, research and battles – everyone can find something to their liking in Conan Exiles. You can also descend into ancient underground tombs, climb volcanoes, fight epic monsters and summon the gods in casino games online. Some slots also have a similar theme to the game “Conan.”
Conan Chop Chop
The next game in our top also has to do with the Highborean era, invented by Robert Gorward for his fantasy books about Conan the Barbarian. But while Conan Exiles is a gritty and realistic game, the Conan Chop Chop described here is cartoonish and fun. It’s an isometric action game about a party of heroes exploring various sinister dungeons. The game is cooperative, allowing you to go on an adventure in a group of four players. The gameplay is based on hack-n-slash and roguelike elements.
The Dwarves
A game based on the fantasy novel “Dwarves” by German writer Markus Heitz. A good quality fantasy P.C. game that uses many of the typical features of C.R.P.G.s in its gameplay. Battles occur in real-time, but they have a solid tactical element. For example, the massacre put down by gnomes can be stopped with a pause at any moment, correcting the actions of your wards and then putting them back into the thick of the battle.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Three-dimensional open-world role-playing action game, recognized as one of the best of its genre. A vast fantasy world full of monsters and fascinating quests. Several huge cities and countless other places to explore. A quality story with non-linear development and many branches. An excellent role-playing game based on the books is suitable for all fans of original and unpredictable novels.
The Lord of the Rings Online
A multiplayer role-playing game based on The Lord of the Rings. The game is old enough but strictly follows the entourage of the excellent fantasy work. Also, you can play this MMORPG for free. The Lord of the Rings Online Characters has more than a hundred levels, seven races, and many classes, professions, and callings. It’s also possible to take control of different monsters and set them on the other players.
Game of Thrones: Winter is Coming
A multiplatform multiplayer strategy game from Y.O.U.Z.U. Based on the television series Game of Thrones and the book series that served as its source. The game is free to play, but there are internal fees that significantly affect gameplay. Players are invited to try on the role of one of the lords of Westeros amid a great war involving all Seven Kingdoms.
Ken Follett’s The Pillars of the Earth
An adventure game about medieval England, in one of its many cities where the construction of a cathedral begins. The game contains elements of a visual novel and a quest. It is based on the book “Pillars of the Earth. Three playable characters are available in the game, and all of the events presented have a non-linear development against the Thirty Years’ War backdrop. All against a backdrop of over two hundred hand-drawn locations in the entourage of twelfth-century England.
Call of Cthulhu
A game from Cyanide Studio, published by Focus Home Interactive in 2018. It is based on the books of Howard Lovecraft and has the typical stylistic and plot features of gothic and detective horror. As for game mechanics, the game is a fusion of RPG, quest, and survival horror. The protagonist here is a detective who has arrived at a remote estate to investigate the mysterious death of its owners. The knitting part and the overall atmosphere leave a pleasant impression; the plot is riveting. The gameplay is varied and allows you to go through the game differently.
