Reading Fun: Top 6 Video Games based on Books

We have played and enjoyed the best stories in our favorite video games for years, but have you ever wondered where these stories come from? Indeed, most of them are original stories that have made us fall in love with each character and have memorable moments.

But we cannot ignore that books have also been a source of inspiration for movies or TV shows. And of course, video games based on books are not an exception. 

Let’s talk about six video games that were inspired by books, so if you want to know more about your favorite characters, keep reading! 

1) Hogwarts Legacy

This game is self-explanatory. Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few decades, you’re probably familiar with the Harry Potter books‘ level of exposure in the gamer world. Hogwarts Legacy is the most recent and more expected of video games based on books.

Although the Hogwarts Legacy’s initial release date has been postponed until this year, you will be able to enjoy it on February 10 this year. And it will be possible to enjoy the Hogwarts Legacy gameplay on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

If you are the 0.000001% of the population that doesn’t know what Pottermania is. Harry Potter is a saga of 7 books written by J.K. Rowling. These books show how a boy (Harry Potter) discovers he is a wizard. Potter attends Hogwarts to learn more about his power and make friends. Over the years, he must face a series of dangers and challenges threatening his life and the entire magical and muggle (non-magical) world.

From these books came a cinematic universe. Some of the most popular amusement parks in the world, and, of course, a series of more than 17 video games to enjoy on a wide variety of platforms. And the latest, Hogwarts Legacy, is one of the most awaited, as it is also an open-world RPG.

2) Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege 

If you’re into the video game industry, you probably have played this game at least once. It is a tactical first-person shooter (FPS) where a team of five players must defend or attack a specific objective on a map in a limited amount of time.

Since it was released in 2015, after a not-too-successful launch, Ubisoft created a strategy to make the game grow as an Esport. And now there are around 3.5 million active players monthly. 

But from where this idea came? 

Rainbow Six Siege is based on a novel by Tom Clancy named Rainbow Six and published in 1998. The book tells the story of Rainbow, a secret international counterterrorist organization. 

The organization is headed by Clark (also known as “Rainbow Six”). They have to figure out the complex apocalyptic conspiracy after handling many seemingly random terrorist attacks. 

Tom Clancy is not just the writer of 19 novels of this universe of espionage, but he also got into the video game industry. He co-founded the studio Red Storm Entertainment in 1996, which Ubisoft bought by Ubisoft years later. 

There are 15 Rainbow Six games, and the one that established the core of the game we all know now was first released in 1998. It was available for Windows, Nintendo 64, Game Boy Color, macOS, and Dreamcast. 

3) Assassin’s Creed 

You may have noticed the accuracy of the facts behind this popular franchise. Have you ever wondered about the origin of the story you have been enjoying since 2007 when the first game was released?

Assassin’s Creed is based on Alamut, a novel written by Vladimir Bartol and published in 1938. The book takes place in Persia during the 11th century, in the Alamut fortress. Where self-proclaimed prophet Hassan-i Sabbāh is setting up his plan to rule the region.

This prophet became the fortress, a paradise with everything a man could ask for. This was how he used to convince the youngest fighters that they could get into paradise if they followed his orders without questioning. 

Hassan-i Sabbāh was the leader of the Hashshashin (also known as the Order of Assassins) and referred to his followers as Asāsiyyūn. This can be translated as “people who are faithful to the foundation.” 

Do you remember this quote from the game? 

“Nothing is true, everything is permitted” 

Well, if you read this book, you will find an almost identical quote: “Nothing is an absolute reality, all is permitted.” 

All the historical facts we can find in the game were taken from this book, and the video game quickly became one of the favorites for gamers worldwide. 

4) Metro 2033 

Metro 2033 is a post-apocalyptic fiction novel by Russian author Dmitry Glukhovsky that was published in 2002. It is set within the Moscow Metro, where the last survivors hide after a global nuclear holocaust. 

In the game, your character is Artyon, the book’s main character as well. He is a 24-year-old man born before the nuclear war. Sukhoi, a military officer, saved him as a baby from a horde of carnivorous rats. These rats killed his mother and the inhabitants of his station. 

Dmitry Glukhowsky is not only the writer of the book. He also wrote the video game adaptation. 

So, if you like Metro 2033, you should read the original story to get all the details! 

5) Spec Ops: The Line 

You cannot imagine this game is based on a book. At least you have done some research since the title has nothing to do with the book it took reference from. 

Spec Ops: The Line takes the argument from Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, but it was brought to a different era and with a different setting. Heart of Darkness was set in the Congo in the late 19th century. Meanwhile, the game occurs in the near future in a sandstorm-wrecked Dubai.

The game is about a group of soldiers that are trying to find the survivors in the aftermath of the disaster, including Colonel John Konrad. Konrad is also the book’s main character but with a different name. 

6) The Witcher 

Have you ever played “The Witcher”? Or maybe you have watched the Netflix TV show? Well, both the video game and the series are based on books written by Andrzej Sapkowski. The series happens around the eponymous “Witcher,” Geralt of Rivia. He is a hunter who developed supernatural abilities to battle wild beasts and monsters at a young age.

Even though the game is based on books, and we can see the same characters and background story, the events of the video games take place years after the events of the saga. 

The video game was first released in 2007 and helped to grow the interest in the books. The game is a faithful adaptation of the original stories. The setting, the characters, and the atmosphere were accurately developed. If you love fantasy video games, this is probably one of your favorite games ever!

Are you ready to expand the universe of your favorite video games?

If you want to start a book that reunites everything you love, this list will help you pick the right one according to your gaming taste. And if you have not played these games, make sure you use your Ugami card, a Debit card for Gamers,  to buy them and get rewarded for it!

For each transaction that you do with this card, you will get Ugipoints, which you can then exchange for gaming goodies in the Ugami Store. If you want to try the #1 Debit Card for Gamers in the USA  that will make your gamer’s life easier, you can apply now and get it!