Top 10 Open World Games Based On Novels

by

Summary

  • Metro Exodus offers a unique take on post-apocalyptic exploration in a semi-open world setting with strong narrative ties.
  • Hogwarts Legacy immerses players in the magical world of Harry Potter through detailed systems despite its waning charm over time.
  • The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt delivers a compelling narrative, a rich open world, and renowned gameplay, earning its place as a gaming classic.

For a lengthy period, novels have served as the foundation for various types of adaptations, be it in cinema, TV, or gaming. In other words, numerous games are either directly based on or inspired by an array of novels from diverse literary categories such as horror, romance, and others. These classic tales are consistently being reimagined and modernized within this dynamic medium.

This review compares seven open-world games that were inspired by novels, evaluating them based on both their faithful adaptation of the original stories and overall gameplay quality. While certain games provide a more direct adaptation, each one demonstrates its source material influence effectively, showcasing unique strengths in gameplay.

6. Metro Exodus

Post-Apocalyptic Russian Wilderness

Metro Exodus stands out on this list because it isn’t entirely open-world; instead, it offers several smaller open-world areas for exploration. Unlike the first two games in the Metro series, Exodus is not a direct adaptation but serves as a continuation of the storyline from Dmitry Glukhovsky’s Metro novels. While Glukhovsky did pen a novelization of the game’s narrative, it was published after the game had already been launched.

Just like the previous installments in the series, both book and game titled “Metro Exodus“, place the player in a role where they must traverse and endure a post-nuclear disaster landscape. This time around, the story offers access to a train that escorts the main character Artyom and his group across Russia. Although it may lack some of the confined atmospheres seen in the earlier versions, “Exodus” skillfully expands the series into a somewhat more expansive game world.

5. Hogwarts Legacy

Tell A New Story In The World Of Harry Potter

In a somewhat contentious debut, Hogwarts Legacy stands out as an exceptional opportunity for gaming enthusiasts to delve deep into the Harry Potter universe. Serving as an open-world role-playing game (RPG), Hogwarts Legacy invites players to step into the shoes of a fresh Hogwarts student, attend classes, discover their house affiliation, and traverse the iconic corridors of the esteemed school. The game offers intricate systems for all aspects of magic, creating an experience that makes one feel like a spell-casting pro in ways no other game has achieved thus far.

Despite the Harry Potter-inspired charm in Hogwarts Legacy eventually fading after some time, the game’s core mechanics are robust and engaging enough for fans of the books to find it an enjoyable playthrough. While it might not be ideal for newcomers to the franchise without a prior connection to the IP, the sense of nostalgia that many players experience while playing can sustain their interest throughout the entire game.

4. Middle-earth: Shadow Of Mordor

Middle-earth In All Its Greatness

Just like the previous entry, “Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor” and its sequel, “Shadow of War,” offer players an opportunity to delve deep into a fresh narrative within a cherished literary universe. As Talion’s character, you’ll traverse the expansive landscape of Middle-earth, seeking vengeance for the tragic loss of your family. Situated between “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings,” these games present a world that may be somewhat foreign before many of the significant events that precede the beginning of the book series.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but marvel at how astonishingly authentic Middle-earth feels in many of the adaptations, largely due to the combined efforts of Peter Jackson and several Tolkien scholars. To add to the magic, both games incorporate an innovative “Nemesis System,” which gives life to the open world by making enemies recall past player actions, elevating the significance of every decision I make.

3. STALKER 2: Heart Of Chornobyl

Brave The Radioactive Wastes

In a span of 15 years, STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl marks the initial installment in the STALKER series. This long-awaited game has been generating excitement among numerous gamers. The player’s objective is to endure within the area encompassing the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, discover abnormalities, and gather any valuable items they come across, while keeping track of various indicators that show stats like hunger and exhaustion levels.

The game titled “Heart of Chornobyl” is a part of a series that adapts Arkady and Boris Strugatsky’s novel “Roadside Picnic” into the gaming world. Although the novel isn’t directly related to the Chernobyl disaster depicted in the game, its atmosphere, visual style, and central concept are all derived from the book. Initially released in an unfinished state, subsequent updates have transformed it into the optimal method for immersing oneself in the Strugatsky brothers’ vision within video games.

2. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Fight Monsters Wherever They May Appear

The last item on our list is “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt“, the third game in the Witcher series inspired by Andrzej Sapkowski’s book series of the same name. Notably, it has also been transformed into a Netflix show. In these games, you follow the tale of Geralt of Rivia, a professional monster hunter known as a Witcher, with the third installment centering around his quest to find Ciri, the girl he considers his daughter. As you traverse the globe, battle monsters and humans alike, and dodge the terrifying Wild Hunt, Geralt’s adventure takes on an unprecedented sense of urgency, creating a captivating storyline and an immersive open world.

Back in 2015, I was absolutely thrilled when The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt took home Game of the Year at The Game Awards. This open-world RPG has become a cornerstone in the genre and is often hailed by fellow gamers as one of the best ever created. Despite some parts where the narrative might feel slow, the captivating open-world design and finely tuned gameplay mechanics keep me engaged throughout the entire experience.

1.

Read More

2025-04-18 13:37