Top 5 Book Worlds I Want to Explore in a Video Game

Books and video games are two very different mediums of entertainment, but they both share two elements: worlds. While books introduced us to places unlike our own, video games allowed us to experience them in a way like never before by putting us in the driver's seat of where we go and what we see. And today, I'll be ranking the top five book worlds I want to experience or explore in a video game.

A few rules before we start: first, only worlds of books I've read. And second, no fictional worlds that, to my knowledge, can be explored in existing games. Therefore, you won't find Middle-Earth on this list, as it's got at least a few games such as Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor and LEGO The Lord of the Rings, as well as the fact that I haven't read any of Tolkien's books.

(That last part is old information. I started on The Hobbit last night!)

Also, I want to stay away from graphic novels in this ranking, as they're a more visual medium. Books that started as novels and later got graphic novel adaptations are still considered, though.

And lastly, all of this is my opinion, so feel free to disagree!

#5: The Island (From The Wild Robot by Peter Brown): The island where the main character, Roz, activates and makes her home, filled with various creatures to befriend.

When I was first reading this book, I pictured it as a visual novel with a narrator. But I actually think it would be better as an open-world survival game where the player controls a different robot and has to shelter themselves and befriend the animals to make sure they and everyone survives the winter. The game could even include options to adopt certain animals like how Roz adopts Brightbill.

#4: Stain'd-by-the-Sea (From the All the Wrong Questions series by Lemony Snicket): An abandoned seaside town that's long past its heyday, filled with curious crimes and odd individuals.

Snicket's world is filled with intriguing and bizarre traits, such as a secret organization dedicated to putting out the fires of the world, both literally and metaphorically. I imagine a game where the player can accept missions from a variety of individuals, leading to several endings including siding with V.F.D., assisting criminals such as Hangfire, or forging their own path in all the calamity.

#3: Oceania (From 1984 by George Orwell): The brutal totalitarian state where the slightest hint of disloyalty to the ruling party will get you erased from the public life.

This may seem like an odd pick to some, as video games are usually meant to be a comforting and/or fun escape from the troubles of reality. But ever since I finished Orwell's frightening cautionary tale, I had an idea in my head of a Telltale-style game that takes place after the events of the story, where the player controls someone who can make choices to either sabotage and bring down the Party or rise to become their leader. All the while, they'd have to evade detection from anyone who'd want to turn them in. Could be cool!

#2: The United States mixed with Greek Mythology (From the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan): Just as it sounds. Our world filled with monsters from Greek Myths as well as other strange and fantastical creatures invisible to
normal humans.

Players can take control of a demigod staying at Camp Half-Blood, taking quests to serve the gods and slay monsters. A Monster Hunter-style game in the Riordanverse! That sounds awesome!

(I've barely played any Monster Hunter. But I'm sure it's good.)

I'm bending the rules here a bit because the Percy Jackson movie got a tie-in video game, but 1: that movie definitely doesn't exist and 2: the game is a far cry from what I'd want to see from a game set in this universe.

Before I get to my top pick, here's a few honorable mentions!

Solace (From The Mark of the Dragonfly by Jaleigh Johnson): A world combining magic with industrial-age elements! It's been a long time since I've read this book, but its world is still stuck in my memory.

The World of the Clandoms (From the Skyborn series by Jessica Khoury): A world with various cultures and classes, and best of all: everyone is born with wings! What could be better than that?

Being a dragon, that's what!

#1: Pyrrhia (From the Wings of Fire series by Tui T. Sutherland): A continent where Seven different tribes of dragons dominate the land. At the start of the series, the tribes have been locked in a fierce war that's lasted twenty years, with three queens all fighting for the throne of the Sandwings.

The player could assume the role of a dragon from any tribe, carrying out quests to help their tribe win the war, sabotage it from within, or assist the Dragonets of Destiny in fulfilling the prophecy.

And that's my list!

Did you know when I first wanted to make stories, I wanted to do so in games? I eventually switched to books, but if I ever get the chance, I think I'd like to try my hand at creating a story for a video game! It'd be a nice way to branch out!