Video games can have amazing storylines and immersive worlds, especially those based on good novels.
We’ve found 5 well-known game franchises and single games based on books, including some fan favourites and a few surprises.
Here are our picks for the 5 best video games based on literature:
Assassin’s Creed
Vladimir Bartol – Alamut
While not adapted directly from a novel, Assassin’s Creed is heavily inspired by Vladimir Bartol’s Alamut.
The novel actually coined the motto, “Nothing is true, everything is permitted.”

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
J.K. Rowling – Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
While the Lego Harry Potter video games are all great titles, one of the best EA Harry Potter titles is Chamber of Secrets.
Focussing on exploration and immersion, the game retains the classic Harry Potter atmosphere of the films and novels.
Emperor: Battle for Dune
Frank Herbert – Dune
Good video games based on Frank Herbert’s Dune series are difficult to find, but Emperor: Battle for Dune passes the test.
Featuring strategy gameplay similar to Red Alert 2 and a large collection of cutscenes, Battle for Dune is one of the best Dune games ever made.

The Lord of the Rings Online
J.R.R. Tolkien – The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings Online differs from other Middle Earth-based games in that it is mainly based on the literature and not the films.
This means that if you are an MMO player and a big Tolkien fan, you will find a ton of literature references in this game.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Andrzej Sapkowski – The Witcher
The Witcher games are based on a series of novels by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski.
Unique and well-written characters such as Geralt, Ciri, Triss, and many others are all taken directly from Sapkowski’s novels.
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