They Made a Game of That
Books which have video game adaptations or are cited as heavy inspirations for them. I love both books & games as mediums & feel there is more connection between them than oft credited. Obviously, creatives are influenced by innumerable things, but it's awesome when developers, etc. share their inspirations. Please say if there are others you know of!
created by d_nicolas
last updated July, 2026
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The Name of the Rose - Pentiment Roadside Picnic - STALKER Sacred & Terrible Air/The City & the City - Disco Elysium Heart of Darkness - Spec Ops: The Line Atlas Shrugged - Bioshock A Country Doctor's Notebook - Pathologic
If not stated, they share the same name. Journey to the West, Alice in Wonderland, Lovecraft, Sherlock Holmes all have multiple video game adaptations.
Omg Disco Elysium is based on a book? Question for anyone that's played the game, should I read the book before I play the game?? I gotta finish Sekiro first so I've got time!
I have yet to return to my playthrough so grain of salt and all that đ - but from this Steam post from the devs re:inspirations, it sounds like the book inspirations are more about the themes/ideas than being a more direct adaptation or retelling!
if you enjoy the game you'll most likely want to read the book after (I know I'd like to, I just wasn't able to find it a couple of years ago when I looked) but it is not at all necessary. (Played the game, LOVED the game, had no idea there was a book until quite a while afterwards)
'A Sacred & Terrible Air' was written by one of the DE writers! As userlia said, 'The City & The City' is an inspiration type thing. They're pretty different experiences so I think playing the game first is fine, but up to you ofc!
Might I suggest: House of Leaves - MyHouse.wad
Yes, it is a doom map and not really a full game, but I think it fits the spirit and is very HoL inspired.
Added! Ty for the suggestion :)
I love this list, thanks for making it! I've got crossover with my TBR and game backlog, so now I'm considering reading a few of these then playing the game they inspired respectively đ
May I suggest two books:
- Hamlet (retold from Ophelia's POV in a time loop game called Elsinore)
- The Invincible by StanisĆaw Lem (game of the same name, tells a prequel story to the book)
(Edit for typo on Invincible lol)
You're welcome, I'm glad you like it :)
Ty for the recs! I hadn't heard of them; they both sound really interesting!
If this list was a quest, I would not have a badge... Yet! But I'd be very interested to! A little badge with a controller would be lovely đ€©
