5 Epic Video Games Based on Books

The world of video games has often drawn inspiration from literature, adapting beloved stories and characters into amazing experiences. Bringing fantasy and reality to a new level, these games lure people into a world of pure magic and unlimited imagination. Here are five epic video games based on books that have captured the imagination of players and brought literary worlds to your screen.

1. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Based On: The Witcher Series by Andrzej Sapkowski

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, developed by CD Projekt Red, is one of the greatest video games of all time.

The game takes place in a fictional fantasy world based on Slavic mythology. You are Geralt of Rivia, a mercenary monster slayer navigating a war-torn landscape filled with complex characters and morally ambiguous choices.

Drawing from the books, the game expands on the lore, featuring quests that reflect the depth of Sapkowski’s writing. The game’s story has three possible endings, determined by the player’s choices at key points in the narrative.

2. The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of Mordor

Based On: The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

“Shadow of Mordor,” developed by Monolith Productions, takes place between the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings film trilogies.

The game introduces players to Talion, a ranger with a vendetta against Sauron’s forces, who uses wraith abilities to fight and manipulate enemies.

He is bound to the spirit of the legendary elf, Celebrimbor. Fight through Mordor and uncover the truth of the spirit that compels you.

3. Metro 2033

Based On: Metro 2033 by Dmitry Glukhovsky

Metro 2033, developed by 4A Games, is a first-person shooter survival horror video game based on Dmitry Glukhovsky’s post-apocalyptic novel.

Set in the tunnels of Moscow’s metro system where a handful of survivors took refuge after a nuclear war.

You play as Artyom, a man who must save his home station from the dangers lurking within the Metro, but human civilization has entered a new Dark Age.

4. American McGee’s Alice

Based On: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll

American McGee’s Alice offers a dark and twisted take on Lewis Carroll’s classic tales. It is a third-person action-adventure video game developed by Rogue Entertainment.

The game follows a psychologically scarred Alice, who, after several years of treatment in a psychiatric clinic, returns to a warped version of Wonderland to confront her fears and uncover the truth behind her family’s tragic fate.

5. Dante’s Inferno

Based On: The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri

Dante’s Inferno, developed by Visceral Games, is an action-adventure game that is loosely based on Inferno, the first cantica of Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy.

Players take on the role of Dante, who journeys through the nine circles of Hell to rescue his wife Beatrice from the clutches of Lucifer himself. Many attack combinations and abilities can be unlocked in exchange for souls, an in-game currency that is collected upon defeating enemies.

The game combines elements of combat, platforming, and puzzle-solving while exploring themes of sin and redemption.

Conclusion

These five video games showcase the potential for storytelling in gaming. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, the collaboration between literature and video games is likely to expand, providing even more opportunities for immersive storytelling and exploration of literary themes. Have you played any of the games mentioned above or read any of the books that they are based on? Which one is your favorite and why? Let me know in the comments below.