There are a lot of video games that are based on books. Some follow the narrative more than others. They all try to capture the magic book fans feel on the page. However, some move away from the source material.
Let's see a few games that were inspired by books and have captured the hearts of both readers and seasoned gamers.
The Top Video Games with A Literary Theme
Arguably, novels serve as the best possible source for potential video game tales, with some of the best games of all time being book adaptations. Because of this, this run-down will include a few standout moments taken directly from the text. If interested, look at games that inspired books!
The Wanderer: Frankenstein's Creature
This game is a visually striking interpretation of Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein. Typically, readers associate the novel with being associated with the horror genre. However, The Wanderer: Frankenstein's Creature introduces a more innocent outlook on this classic piece of literature.
Players get to play as the Creature and explore the world through an innocent mind. Some gamers have described this game as a walking simulator. However, it is a walk that is worth taking. The gameplay is said to be delightful and heartwarming. And while some players complain about the ending, it does not diminish the pleasure of playing this aesthetic title.
80 Days
80 Days is a game inspired by the famous novel by French author Jules Verne. The main goal of this game: to travel the world in just 80 days. During your adventure, you can travel by submarine, airship, and even mechanical camel.
Players have described this game as a fun adventure with a compelling story and exciting gameplay. The game also creates a particular atmosphere thanks to its graphics and design. However, most people appreciate the game for its 'choose your own adventure' vibe, as you can make many decisions along the way.
Unruly Heroes
Unruly Heroes is a game inspired by the Journey to the West novel by Wu Cheng'en. You play several main characters: Sanzang, Wukong, Kihong, and Sandmonk. Each has different strengths, skills, and traits. The game also includes a combat system like Prince of Persia. You can expect lots of puzzles along the way. Also, the game is said to be much lighter and funnier than its inspiration.
While the game has some negative comments, many regard it as an underrated title. Thus, check it out to see if it is your cup of tea.
The Conan Exiles
The Conan Exiles take place in the universe of Conan the Barbarian, a long-running sword-wielding hero who first debuted in Weird Tales magazine thanks to Robert E. Howard's conception and has since appeared in a variety of media, including books, movies, comics, board games, and more.
Conan rescues the player character in Conan Exiles, allowing them to go on and establish a life for themselves.
Metamorphosis
Metamorphosis is a game inspired by Franz Kafka's novella of the same name. You play as Gregor, the protagonist that turns into a bug. In the game, you explore the surrealist world, where the player discovers new puzzles and abilities.
People have praised the game for its graphics, atmosphere, surreal story, and quality background music. Also, the game does not take very long: you should be able to finish it rather quickly. Thus, it is great if you are not looking for a long-term commitment.
Honorable mentions
Many games have won the hearts of gamers and readers alike. Let's see some mentions that deserve your attention. Most of the games can be found on platforms like Steam. If you feel like finding better deals, you might also download VPN apps. A Virtual Private Network not only protects your internet traffic and IP. It also helps find better prices for many video games.
Sherlock Holmes series
Everyone knows the mesmerizing story of Sherlock Holmes. So, it is not surprising that it has emerged as a video game character. In fact, there are many adaptions of this iconic plot and storyline.
Cyberpunk 2077
Many players might not realize that Cyberpunk 2077 was based on Cyberpunk series of tabletop roleplaying books. They were written by Mike Pondsmith.
Hogwarts Legacy
It is not difficult to predict which book series inspired Hogwarts Legacy. The intricate world of Harry Potter was made available to all players feeling the need for magic.
Conclusion
Film and print have long had a strong partnership, whether it be through comic books, short novels, or regular prose; around two-thirds of all Best Picture Oscar winners were based on literary works.
Despite this, video games have not yet benefited as greatly from the long history of successful novel adaptations. One of the reasons for that may be that, in principle, video games can do what a book accomplishes more closely than a film can because of their length, word counts, large casts of people, and in some cases, the existence of their own in-game books.
Update