8 Incredible Video Game Novelisations

Key Takeaways

Novelizations can enrich lore & characters, expand game worlds and provide deeper context for games.
“Far Cry Absolution” & “Mass Effect Revelation” offer rich backstory for their respective games.
Gears of War, Bioshock, & Halo adaptations expand game universes in meaningful ways.

As a lifelong gamer and bookworm, I can confidently say that I’ve traversed many a virtual realm and flipped through countless pages of literature. When it comes to video game novelizations, I’ve seen some real doozies – but also some hidden gems that truly capture the spirit of the games they’re based on.

Sometimes, video games like Metro Exodus, STALKER Shadows of Chernobyl, and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt originated as books. Interestingly, there are instances when the quality of a game is so impressive that it leads to the creation of its own novel adaptation.

Transforming the presentation style can significantly broaden the scope of game universes and their background stories, providing a more comprehensive understanding of specific character’s psyches.

As an avid reader and writer myself, I regularly sift through a variety of works to discern the gems from the ordinary, making me well-equipped to evaluate written adaptations effectively.

It’s no secret that some novelizations read more like fan fiction than genuine books, but many are of a high enough quality that they surpass many of the trending bestsellers in bookstores around the world.

While not every instance below is a word-for-word translation of each game, they all share strong connections to the original video games and are sure to captivate enthusiasts of those popular titles.

9 Far Cry: Absolution

By Urban Waite

In the scenic setting of Hope County, Montana, Far Cry: Absolution paves the way for Far Cry 5 by establishing The Eden’s Gate Church and detailing its rise to power within the region.

As a gamer immersed in this virtual world, I find myself accompanying Mary May Fairgrave and William Boyd on an epic journey. Together, we’re standing against a relentless danger that jeopardizes our unique lifestyle. Our mission: to preserve our roots and defend our original way of existence.

If you share my enthusiasm for the ambiance found in the Far Cry series, I’d recommend giving Absolution a read. But keep in mind, if you aren’t deeply engrossed in Far Cry 5 specifically, this book might not appeal to you as it is closely linked with that particular game.

8 7 Crysis Legion

By Peter Watts

In the 2000s, the Crysis series was known for its revolutionary graphics and epic exosuits that conferred a range of extraordinary abilities.

According to Crysis 2, this book effectively expands upon the game’s environment and follows the storyline from the viewpoint of James “Alcatraz” Rodriguez, the game’s lead character.

In a straightforward manner, acclaimed Hugo Award-winning writer Peter Watts boasts an accessible writing style that effectively breaks down complex science fiction concepts.

As a devoted fan, I can confidently say that diving into this book is an exhilarating adventure, even if you’re not familiar with the series. However, for those of us who have been along for the ride from the beginning, it undeniably adds layers of depth and richness to our future gaming experiences.

6 Mass Effect Revelation

By Drew Karpyshyn

As a die-hard fan of the whole Mass Effect series, including Andromeda, I can confidently say that this prequel book was everything I dreamed of in a Mass Effect novel. Penned by none other than Drew Karpyshyn, the game’s original writer, it seamlessly captures the essence and lore of the game world, translating it flawlessly from one medium to another.

The book offers extensive information on the political dynamics between species and the history behind the games, making it particularly useful in the intricate world of science fiction that we’re dealing with here.

Though the novel will inevitably appeal to fans of the series, it is a good standalone story for anyone who enjoys reading sci-fi literature. The book is also an excellent example of world-building for aspiring creatives.

5 Gears of War: Anvil Gate

By Karen Traviss

From the moment I played it on my Xbox 360, Gears of War has remained a game that’s left a lasting, favorable impact on me.

It appears that a bleak atmosphere, intense violence, and moving stories about friendship fit quite suitably for both video games and literature, as we’ve observed.

As a devoted fan, I’m thrilled to share that “Gears of War: Anvil Gate” is one in a collection of eight official Gears of War novels, penned by Karen Traviss. This captivating tale comes as the third installment in this epic series.

The exceptional quality of Anvil Gate lies in its expansion of the universe of Gears of War. Rather than just portraying locusts as adversaries, it introduces a greater danger that looms over humans, amplifying the tension and significance of the storyline and the series as a whole.

4 Bioshock: Rapture

By John Shirley

Oh, Rapture – it’s such a cherished spot in our affections! This legendary underwater metropolis, famously featured in Bioshock and Bioshock 2, is beautifully explored in all its splendor by John Shirley in this captivating novel. The book delves into the history of the city, revealing its story as experienced by its residents.

I absolutely adore this video game novel; its distinctive environment and intricate world-building significantly elevate the enjoyment of revisiting the Bioshock series, making it a standout for me personally.

It’s not really unexpected that Shirley’s novel is excellent, given his extensive experience in writing video game adaptations. He’s penned numerous books based on games like Halo and Borderlands.

3 Halo: The Fall of Reach

By Eric S. Nylund

Halo: The Fall of Reach is widely considered as one of the top-notch novel adaptations in the field of video game literature, a claim that holds substantial ground.

As I jump into this new installment, I find myself right at home within the Halo universe, unraveling the authentic origin tale of the legendary Master Chief.

Having already gained recognition for his cyberpunk novels Signal To Noise and A Signal Shattered, Nylund was given the opportunity to write a novel concurrently with the launch of Halo: Combat Evolved. He collaborated closely with the game’s creators during this process.

Being a devotee of Nylund’s previous works, reading Halo: The Fall of Reach proved to be a captivating experience that stirred up memories of my old Xbox days, making me eager to revisit those classic Halo games once more.

If you’re an avid Halo enthusiast or just someone seeking immersive and richly-layered sci-fi, this book is a must-have addition to your reading list.

2 Dishonored: The Corroded Man

By Adam Christopher

It’s no wonder that the Victorian-Gothic, Supernatural elements of the Dishonored series translate effectively into literature. In “Dishonored: The Corroded Man,” written by bestselling author Adam Christopher, the narrative seamlessly connects the first and second games, immersing readers deeply in this distinctive universe.

Reading this book was just as captivating, mysterious, and beautifully crafted as the games in the Dishonored series, and since I’ve been a devoted fan for years, diving deeper into Emily and Corvo’s stories was an absolute pleasure. Re-experiencing the games became even more delightful due to this continuation.

Two additional books were also released as sequels to “The Corroded Man,” and for die-hard Dishonored enthusiasts, a comic book called “Dishonored: The Wyrmwood Deceit” could provide further satisfaction.

1 Assassin’s Creed Collection

By Oliver Bowden

Oliver Bowden’s Assassin’s Creed Collection is arguably the most successful demonstration of how video games can be effectively translated into novels.

Apart from loyal reinterpretations of Brotherhood, Revelations, Black Flag, and Unity, the collection also encompasses unique stories that add depth to the brand, like Renaissance, Forsaken, and The Hidden Crusade.

Actually, it’s not necessary to be deeply invested in the Assassin’s Creed series to appreciate these books. They stand as excellent pieces of historical fiction on their own merit.

If you’re an enthusiast of the series, especially fond of the early games, this is a highly suggested book for you to check out.

Each book, similar to titles within the series, centers around distinct assassins from various timeframes, frequently blending authentic historical figures and occurrences with invented elements.

If you’re not particularly interested in going through the whole series, feel free to jump right into your preferred setting or character, and start reading from any part of the series that appeals to you most.

2024-11-26 17:09