Listen. Listen, I know this sounds bad. How many movie to video game adaptions have there been that absolutely sucked? How many times have they been let down and rushed and just been generally awful?
So often, to be honest. So often.
BUT. What if it could be done right, what if it could be made well? And that’s why I’m here today, because I can’t let this series of FFF posts go without tackling video games, the love of my life right behind books. We’re combining them today, and imagining what could be, if only there were enough demand and enough willing developers…
The Gentleman Bastard Sequence by Scott Lynch
While only the first three of seven books are currently out, I adore the world of the Gentleman Bastard Sequence, and I would shell out so much money to go explore it in something similar to Assassin’s Creed or Dishonored, but with all the lively parts of the GBS world. It wouldn’t even have to follow the plot of the books (I’d almost prefer an open world unique story that just alludes to the books now and again), and I’d still be all over it. Imagine, stealing from the rich, jumping out of towers, insulting powerful magic users and somehow NOT DYING because ???
Shades of Magic Series by VE Schwab
“Hey, wait, didn’t you suggest this should be a TV show?”
SHHHHHHH.
I’m suggesting it can be both, because the show would be amazing for narrative purposes, and a video game would be incredible for NEW ADVENTURES WITH COOL MAGIC AND AMAZING SETTINGS.
I think Breath of the Wild has gotten me hooked on beautiful environments and expansive but loosely-structured narratives. Let me explore Arnes, I’m begging you! Let me do cool magic stuff! Better yet, let me London hop for funsies!
Guys, I would sink so much money and so many hours into this game.
The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell
Requirements for a potential amazing video game clearly demand amazing settings and/or fascinating magic, and The Last Magician covers both. I would have so much fun sneaking around 1920s New York and rooting out a magical threat. Also, the potential for various missions as the gang splits up and tackles didn’t objectives? The potential for stunning cutscenes?
Possibly the only stumbling block is that I feel like this one should have the book’s narrative as much as it can, and because this is the first of a series, there’s not as much of a conclusion as I’d like. It might be better as a game that encompasses the whole series.
Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa
Another one that might be better off with the full series included in a single game rather than just the first, for closure reasons, but still. I’d love to see the beautiful and dangerous environments of Shadow of the Fox make it into a game, plus all the mythology the main characters encounter, and all the scrapes they get into! It could make an interesting platformer or even JRPG, with regular fights, characters with different advantages and abilities in and out of combat, and a storyline to piece it altogether. Imagine how breathtakingly beautiful that could be!
Jane, Unlimited by Kristin Cashore
Is this book bizarre? Very. But would it lend itself well to a choose your own adventure style game, one with dialogue trees and point and click exploration? I sure think so!
I love the idea of books being turned into video games! I now need to read Scott Lynch’s series. I have the first two books…
It never happens, but in theory, it could be amazing! And yes, do it! It’s one of my favorite series ever.
Meaghan @ Words Gremlin, excellent post. I sure do hope for a brilliant game developer to consider those books have their game adaptations. Speaking of Books That Would Make Amazing Video Games, this reminds me of Game of Thrones. It’s a game inspired from the popular TV series of the same name. George R. R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” fantasy series inspired the TV series. I’m a fan of it and excited to see the Season 8.
I’ll admit I haven’t gotten into GoT. Maybe a bit too slow and violent for my tastes, but from what I’ve heard, it might make a great game in its own right!
I think the Nevernight Chronicle would make an amazing video game series too. There’s enough action to keep everyone entertained, plus you would have to learn the magic mechanics, and the puzzles. It would be awesome!!
I haven’t actually read those, so I’ll have to take your word for it! Action and puzzles and magic all sound good to me, though!
I wholeheartedly agree with Shadow of the Fox! That would be such a fun game.
I think the video game industry is really missing out on adapting books for video games. There’s so much potential in that.
There really is! I think one of the obstacles is that folks would see it’s an adaptation and be wary, since adaptations are so rarely done well.
I am now really needing a video game in the Shades of Magic world. PLEASE
RIGHT? It could be sooooooo good and there’s so many different tracks it could take! Fighting game? Romance? RPG? Puzzle? Who knows!
Imagine if gameplay were similar to Assassin’s Creed, Fable, or Zelda. 😱
OH I HAVE IMAGINED… LoZ, the love of my life, meeting ADSoM, other love of my life… 😍